Donald School Journal of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

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VOLUME 3 , ISSUE 1 ( January-March, 2009 ) > List of Articles

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Deep Endometriosis

Silvia Ajossa, Anna Maria Paoletti, Nicoletta Garau, Valerio Mais, Bruno Piras, Marta Gerada, Enrico Silvetti, Marisa Orrù, Lucia Floris, Gian Benedetto Melis

Keywords : Deep endometriosis,transvaginal ultrasonography,laparoscopy

Citation Information : Ajossa S, Paoletti AM, Garau N, Mais V, Piras B, Gerada M, Silvetti E, Orrù M, Floris L, Melis GB. Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Deep Endometriosis. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2009; 3 (1):15-20.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10009-1004

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 01-12-2009

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2009; The Author(s).


Abstract

Deep pelvic endometriosis is defined as subperitoneal infiltration of endometrial implants in the uterosacral ligaments, rectum, rectovaginal septum, vagina, or bladder. Although laparoscopy and biopsy remain the gold standard for diagnosis, transvaginal ultrasonography should be considered as the first-line procedure because of its high diffusion and relatively low cost and discomfort. We analyzed in the present review the diagnostic capability of transvaginal ultrasonography in the detection of presence of deep endometriosis in some specific pelvic localizations such as bowel, uterosacral ligaments, rectovaginal septum and/or vagina. We also analyzed the few studies performed in the evaluation of bladder endometriosis. Although some studies are controversial, transvaginal ultrasonography seems to be an accurate technique in the identifications of deep endometriosis in several pelvic locations but a specific training of the operators is suggested.


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