“Do ultrasounds identify all fibroids?”

Ultrasound will identify the sizes of fibroids to the extent of the resolution specification of the manufacturer of the ultrasound device or equipment and to the margin of error set for the device. Another factor that could limit the resolution of the device is the skill and expertise of the sonographer. Hence the saying that ultrasound findings are as good as the sonographer is as good as it gets.
Hope this helps.

Ultrasound has the capability of identifying even a 1 cm Fibroids. But small Fibroids Under 3 cm size are usually not symptomatic and just incidental findings. What symptoms were you having that you think are due to Fibroids? Large Fibroids can cause a heavier menstrual flow, pressure on the bladder, distended belly and a lot of pain if they start degenerating or “breaking down.”

Hi,
No imaging study is perfect. Ultrasounds may not detect fibroids if they are small or if the sound doesn’t ‘bounce’ off differently than the surrounding muscle of the uterus.
Sometimes there may be other clues to the presence of a fibroid such as the change in shape of the tissue around it (for example, a bulge in the surface of the uterus or a dent in the lining).
Ultrasound is the best imaging study for the uterus/pelvis, so a CT would not be helpful.

You don’t give your symptoms, but it is likely that any fibroid too small to be detected would not have symptoms associated with it.

Hope that helps.
Cynthia Tucker MD

Fibroids that are small can be missed by ultrasound.

Doug Young MD