Which term describes scarring within the uterine cavity resulting from a prior abortion or dilation and curettage, often seen as hyperechoic bands on ultrasound?

• A. Synechia
• B. Adhesions
• C. Endometritis
• D. Adenomyosis

Answer: (A)

Scarring inside the uterine cavity after procedures like abortion or dilation and curettage forms intrauterine adhesions, called synechiae. These scar bands can bridge or fuse areas of the endometrium, reducing cavity space and potentially causing infertility or menstrual changes. On ultrasound, they often appear as hyperechoic bands or linear echoes within the endometrial canal. The term synechia specifically describes these intrauterine adhesions. General adhesions are not as precise for the uterus, endometritis would show inflammation with thickened or infected endometrium rather than scar bands, and adenomyosis involves endometrial tissue within the myometrium, not scar tissue in the cavity.