Ultrasound, transvaginal

A technique in which sound waves are sent out by an ultrasound probe that has been inserted in the vagina.

The waves go through the vaginal wall and bounce off the ovaries, and a computer uses the ultrasound echoes to create a picture (a sonogram).

Transvaginal ultrasound is also referred to as TVS.

Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect before it reaches an advanced stage when it carries a poor prognosis (outlook).

TVS has been reported to be effective as a screening tool to detect ovarian cancer while it is still in an early, curable stage.