Specialist Pelvic Ultrasound in Auckland

Expert pelvic imaging integrated into specialist consultation

I provide specialist pelvic ultrasound as part of every gynaecological consultation, performing the scan and interpreting the findings myself, in real time, alongside taking a clinical history and discussing your symptoms. This is not a standalone imaging service — it is an integrated clinical assessment in which ultrasound is one of the tools used to reach an accurate diagnosis and a clear treatment plan, all within a single appointment.

This integrated approach reflects how I believe ultrasound is most useful. Imaging findings are most meaningful when interpreted by the clinician who has heard the patient's story, examined the patient, and will go on to manage their care — including performing any surgery that may follow. Ultrasound performed in isolation, separated from the clinical context and from the management decisions that follow, captures only a fraction of what the technology can offer.

As an accredited sonologist holding the Diploma of Diagnostic Ultrasound (DDU) through the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine, with fellowship training in advanced gynaecological and early pregnancy ultrasound at University College London Hospitals (UCLH), I am one of very few gynaecologists in New Zealand formally qualified in both diagnostic ultrasound and gynaecological surgery — and the only gynaecologist in the country to combine the DDU with the AGES Advanced Endoscopic Surgery Training Program (AATP).

This combination means imaging findings translate directly into treatment planning by the same clinician who will perform any surgery required.

What I scan for

Specialist pelvic ultrasound assesses the uterus, ovaries, pelvic structures, and surrounding tissues in significantly more detail than routine pelvic imaging. As part of specialist consultation, I provide expert ultrasound assessment for:

Endometriosis — including deep infiltrating disease, mapping for surgical planning, and review where previous imaging has been normal or inconclusive
Adenomyosis — using validated ultrasound criteria to identify a condition that is frequently missed on routine scans
Fibroids — detailed location, size, type, and surgical mapping including FIGO classification
Ovarian cysts and adnexal masses — including endometriomas, dermoid cysts, and characterisation of complex masses
Endometrial polyps and uterine cavity assessment
Pelvic pain assessment — identifying anatomical and structural causes of acute and chronic pelvic pain
Pelvic adhesions and reduced organ mobility
Fertility assessment — antral follicle counts, and assessment of conditions affecting fertility
Abnormal uterine bleeding — identifying structural causes including fibroids, polyps, and adenomyosis

This allows symptoms such as heavy bleeding, painful periods, pain during sex, bowel or bladder symptoms, and fertility problems to be linked to a clear diagnosis.

Why specialist ultrasound finds what routine scans miss

Routine pelvic ultrasound performed in radiology departments is excellent for detecting larger structural abnormalities — significant cysts, large fibroids, obvious anatomical changes. It is often not designed to evaluate the more subtle and complex findings that account for many gynaecological symptoms.

Specialist gynaecological ultrasound is a different examination — both in technique and in scope. It includes:

Detailed dynamic assessment of pelvic organ mobility (the "sliding sign")
Systematic evaluation for deep infiltrating endometriosis
Validated criteria for identifying adenomyosis
Targeted assessment of the pouch of Douglas, pelvic sidewalls, and uterosacral ligaments
Soft markers of disease that routine scans do not look for
Real-time correlation between symptoms and imaging findings

For patients who have been told their previous scans are normal but whose symptoms continue, specialist ultrasound frequently identifies findings that change the diagnosis and management plan.

Imaging that becomes part of treatment

Accurate ultrasound diagnosis changes what surgery is for. Conditions that historically required laparoscopy to confirm — particularly endometriosis and adenomyosis — can now be diagnosed through specialist imaging in many cases. This means diagnostic surgery becomes unnecessary, and surgery is reserved for its proper purpose: therapeutic treatment.

Many patients can be managed effectively without ever requiring an operation, because an accurate diagnosis opens the door to effective non-surgical treatment. For those who do proceed to surgery, ultrasound findings ensure the operation is precisely planned — including identifying when bowel, urology, or other specialist input will be needed.

For many patients, the consultation is also the first time they have seen direct visual evidence of a condition that has been present and painful for years. That moment of validation and clear explanation is itself part of the care.

Endometriosis Ultrasound

Endometriosis ultrasound is a particular focus of my practice. Performed using the IDEA (International Deep Endometriosis Analysis) protocol, specialist endometriosis ultrasound can identify deep disease, ovarian endometriomas, adenomyosis, and pelvic adhesions that routine imaging routinely misses.

Adenomyosis Ultrasound

Adenomyosis is one of the most under-diagnosed gynaecological conditions, often presenting as heavy or painful periods that have been attributed to other causes. Specialist ultrasound using validated MUSA criteria can identify adenomyosis with high accuracy, and is now considered the first-line diagnostic test.

Fibroid Ultrasound and Surgical Mapping

For patients with known or suspected fibroids, specialist ultrasound provides detailed information that goes beyond simple measurement — including FIGO type classification, relationship to the endometrial cavity, and surgical mapping. This is particularly important for patients considering myomectomy, where the location and type of fibroid significantly affects the surgical approach.

Second Opinion Consultations

If you have been told your scans are normal but your symptoms continue, or if previous imaging has been inconclusive, you are welcome to book a consultation for specialist assessment — including specialist ultrasound performed within that consultation. I do not provide standalone second-opinion scans, but a full consultation with integrated ultrasound assessment is often what patients in this situation actually need: an expert reassessment of the symptoms, the previous findings, and the management plan as a whole.

Pelvic ultrasound for endometriosis assessment

My ultrasound training and recognition

Training

Diploma of Diagnostic Ultrasound (DDU) — Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine
Advanced Gynaecological and Early Pregnancy Ultrasound Fellowship — University College London Hospitals (UCLH), one of the world's leading centres for pelvic and endometriosis imaging

Speaking and teaching

Plenary presenter — RANZCOG Aotearoa New Zealand ASM 2026, "Sounding the depths: Endometriosis ultrasound scanning"
Invited faculty presenter — RANZCOG Endometriosis Ultrasound Workshop, June 2026

Read more about these presentations — RANZCOG ASM plenary and endometriosis ultrasound workshop

Related services

Laparoscopic Surgery — minimally invasive surgery for endometriosis, fibroids, and complex pelvic conditions
Fertility — integrated fertility care at Fertility Associates Auckland
Gynaecology — specialist gynaecology care for periods, pelvic pain, and other concerns
Hysteroscopy — assessment and treatment of the uterine cavity

Frequently Asked Questions

Routine pelvic ultrasound performed by a sonographer is excellent for detecting larger structural changes, but uses different techniques and time scales from specialist gynaecological ultrasound. More importantly, my ultrasound is performed within a clinical consultation by a specialist gynaecologist who will go on to manage your care. This means findings are interpreted in the context of your symptoms, examination, and history — not as an isolated imaging report — and a management plan is developed in the same appointment.
A GP referral is helpful but not required. Self-referrals are welcome.
No. I do not offer ultrasound as a standalone service. Ultrasound is performed within specialist consultation, where findings can be interpreted in clinical context and translated directly into a management plan. This integrated model reflects how I believe specialist ultrasound delivers its greatest value to patients.

A typical specialist consultation including ultrasound takes 45–60 minutes — covering history, examination, the scan itself, discussion of findings, and treatment planning.
Yes — particularly for patients whose previous imaging has been normal or inconclusive but whose symptoms continue. These are booked as full specialist consultations with integrated ultrasound assessment, not as standalone scans.
In most cases, yes. International guidelines now recognise specialist ultrasound performed by a trained operator as equivalent to MRI for most endometriosis assessment, with MRI reserved for specific cases. This often means avoiding the cost, wait, and inconvenience of additional imaging.

Book a specialist consultation

If you have gynaecological symptoms, suspected or confirmed endometriosis, fibroids, adenomyosis, or fertility concerns — or if you have been told your previous scans are normal but your symptoms persist — you can book a specialist consultation directly. Ultrasound assessment will be performed within the consultation as part of your care.

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