Transvaginal colour Doppler in patients with ovarian endometriomas and pelvic pain.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this investigation was to correlate ovarian endometrioma vascularization with the presence of pelvic pain.


METHODS
The presence of blood flow, peak systolic velocity (PSV, cm/s) and lowest pulsatility index (PI), assessed by transvaginal colour Doppler ultrasonography and CA-125 plasma concentrations, were retrospectively analysed in 74 patients who had undergone operations for cystic ovarian endometriosis. Fifty-two patients were asymptomatic (group A) and 22 presented with pelvic pain (group B). There were 56 endometriomas in group A and 26 in group B.


RESULTS
Blood flow was found in 66.1 and 88.5% of endometriomas in groups A and B respectively (P = 0.036). PI was significantly lower (P = 0.009) and CA-125 concentration higher (P = 0.0004) in group B. There were no differences in PSV.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that vascularization of ovarian endometriomas in patients presenting with pelvic pain is higher than in asymptomatic patients. This could be an indicator of endometriosis activity.
Alcázar
J L
JL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clínica Universitaria de Navarra, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain. jlalcazar@unav.es
D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply*; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013599:Systole; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
D018394:CA-125 Antigen