title: CT colonoscopy for obstructive sigmoid endometriosis: a new technique for an old problem.
abstract: Endometriosis of the sigmoid colon is a pathologic entity which is infrequently reported. A 29-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of abdominal pain, constipation, and menstrual rectal bleeding. Endometriosis was suspected, and CT (virtual) colonoscopy showed severe stenosis of the orthosigmoid canal due to a submucosal mass. Sigmoidoscopy using a pediatric endoscope was successful, and biopsies confirmed the original diagnosis. Non-invasive techniques such as endoscopic ultrasound and CT (virtual) colonoscopy now make it possible to diagnose sigmoid endometriosis. The latter technique, in particular, is feasible and well tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Hepato-Gastroenterology, Medical School of Ioannina, Leoforos Panepistimiou, 451 10, Ioannina, Greece
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tzambouras
authors.forename: K H.
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Katsanos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsili
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Papadimitriou
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Efremidis
authors.forename: E V.
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Tsianos