Fibroids not showing up on US???

Anyone out there who had an US that did not show fibroids but they were discovered during surgery?

My doc can feel something during an exam but nothing shows on imaging. I do have a severely retro flexed uterus so maybe that complicates things.?

I have every symptom of fibroids so this is very confusing to me.

Surgery next week

US is a very imprecise imaging technique. A lot of it depends on the skills of the person doing it. You will read several cases on this board where women had more or less fibroids (usually more) than what the US showed going into surgery. The better test is an MRI for determining if you have fibroids and how many, but it is more expensive so most doctors just order the US and leave it at that.

My US showed two fibroids and my MRI showed three with potentially more smaller ones. Personally when it comes to fibroids I say screw the US because it isn't very reliable. It may give you an idea of what is going on but doesn't give you the whole story.

Hi Light and love -

I had an ultrasound and a MRI. The ultrasound was to diagnose the mass my GP found during my annual exam, as well as to explain why my uterus felt swollen and bent over. The ultrasound diagnosed a very large complex ovarian cyst (12x9x11 cm), and also saw numerous fibroids. Since the US could not see the origin of the cyst, they performed an MRI. The MRI confirmed the complex ovarian cyst diagnosis, and saw many more fibroids than the ultrasound.

The MRI was pricey though, so they may or may not do it for you.

I had multiple US's, some vaginal, and all showed fibroids. What led me to continue seeking treatment, and changing doctors, was that each US showed different fibroids in different places, of different sizes. Wait, it's a grapefruit on my uterus, oh now it's a lemon on my ovary. I could not get two US's to show the same thing.

I live in one of the best cities for medical care, and each OB/GYN was "the best." It was amazing.

I finally went to yet another doctor (number 5!!), who ordered an MRI. Never had a fibroid. Adenomyosis. After surgery, pathology confirmed: never even had the tiniest fibroid.

So my advice: push for an MRI.

Thanks for your replies. My hysterectomy is next week so I don't really need an MRI at this point. Whatever the mass is she is feeling we will found out for sure what it is next week.

With your Adenomyosis did you feel like your belly was "bulky" and large? Eating is hard to do anymore because I feel like something is inside me taking up a bunch of room. Heartburn, indigestion, etc.

The only think that showed on any imaging was a cyclic ovarian cyst and a uterine polyp.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Light and love With your Adenomyosis did you feel like your belly was "bulky" and large? Eating is hard to do anymore because I feel like something is inside me taking up a bunch of room. Heartburn, indigestion, etc.

Yes, bulky and large. And I could feel it, like a large bulge.

I had a hard time eating prior to surgery as well. I existed on nutritional drinks.

Very best going into your surgery!

That makes me feel a lot better. I give up on eating most days.
I've had FOUR cesareans so I know that can increase the chances of Adeno. I wouldn't be surprised if pathology came back with it.

I'm so tired of looking pregnant. I am small framed so my belly is very easily noticeable. I have resorted to only wearing dresses now.

Looking forward to surgery!
Never thought I'd say that!