The correlation of pelvic ultrasound and laparoscopy in the diagnosis and management of gynecologic disorders.

: Cases were reviewed in which both laparoscopy and ultrasound were performed for diagnostic purposes at the Ben Taub General Hospital, Houston, Texas, from January 1976 through May 1977. Thirty patients were found to have undergone both procedures. The most common reason (13 cases) was the presence of an adnexal mass. The findings from both techniques agreed in 20 cases, for a positive correlation of 66.7%. Different diagnoses were found in 10 cases, for a negative correlation of 33.3%. The major cause of the discrepancy was the presence of pelvic adhesive disease, not diagnosed by ultrasound but observed via laparoscopy. When the ultrasound findings were reported as "normal," all were confirmed at laparoscopy. Eight laparotomies were performed, and in each case the laparoscopic findings were confirmed.