Virtual Compared With In-Clinic Transvaginal Ultrasonography for Ovarian Reserve Assessment

• Published in: Obstetrics and gynecology (New York. 1953) Vol. 139; no. 4; pp. 561 - 570
• Main Authors: Chung, Esther H., Petishnok, Laura C., Conyers, Jesse M., Schimer, David A., Vitek, Wendy S., Harris, Amy L., Brown, Michelle A., Jolin, Julie A., Karmon, Anatte, Styer, Aaron K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01-04-2022
• Subjects: Boston; Contents; Female; Humans; Original Research; Ovarian Follicle - diagnostic imaging; Ovarian Reserve; Ovary - diagnostic imaging; Ultrasonography; Boston
• ISSN: 0029-7844; 1873-233X; 1873-233X
• DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004698

To evaluate noninferiority of virtual transvaginal ultrasonography compared with in-clinic ultrasonography for ovarian reserve assessment.
We conducted a single-site, head-to-head crossover trial. Participants performed self-administered virtual transvaginal ultrasonography at home, guided by a remote-certified ultrasound technologist, then underwent transvaginal ultrasonography in-clinic with another ultrasound technologist. Participants were women in the greater Boston area interested in evaluating ovarian reserve and recruited through social media, health care referrals, and professional networks. The uterus and ovaries were captured in sagittal and transverse views. These randomized recordings were reviewed by two or three independent, blinded reproductive endocrinologists. The primary outcome was noninferiority of the rate of clinical quality imaging produced at home compared with in clinic. Sample size was selected for greater than 90% power, given the 18% noninferiority margin. Secondary outcomes included antral follicle count equivalency and net promoter score superiority.
Fifty-six women were enrolled from December 2020 to May 2021. Participants varied in age (19-35 years), BMI (19.5-33.9), and occupation. Ninety-six percent of virtual and 98% of in-clinic images met "clinical quality." The difference of -2.4% (97.5% CI lower bound -5.5%) was within the noninferiority margin (18%). Antral follicle counts were equivalent across settings, with a difference in follicles (0.23, 95% CI -0.36 to 0.82) within the equivalence margin (2.65). Virtual examinations had superior net promoter scores (58.1 points, 97.5% CI of difference 37.3-79.0, P<.01), indicating greater satisfaction with the virtual experience.
Virtual transvaginal ultrasonography remotely guided by an ultrasonography technologist is noninferior to in-clinic transvaginal ultrasonography for producing clinical quality images and is equivalent for estimating antral follicle count. Virtual transvaginal ultrasonography had superior patient satisfaction and has potential to significantly expand patient access to fertility care.
This study was sponsored by Turtle Health.
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04687189.