Staging of pelvic endometriosis: role of sonographic appearance in determining extension of disease and modulating surgical approach.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate whether laparoscopic staging of endometriosis can be predicted by ultrasound findings.


METHODS
Prospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).


METHODS
Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-one women with histologically confirmed sonographic diagnosis of endometriomas.


METHODS
Ultrasonographic staging and laparoscopic assessment.


RESULTS
All patients underwent transvaginal and/or transrectal sonographic evaluation of ovarian endometriomas and other sonographic markers (anatomic sites and their relation to abdominovaginal palpation, adhesions, deep or infiltrating nodules) to stage the disease before surgery. These results were compared with laparoscopic staging. Concordance between methods was 83.5%. Specificity and sensitivity of ultrasonographic staging of stages 3 and 4 disease were 86% and 82% and 76% and 91%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasonographic findings can predict pelvic extension and stage of endometriosis.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Caterina
C
Exacoustos
Errico
E
Zupi
Claudia
C
Carusotti
Donatella
D
Rinaldo
Daniela
D
Marconi
Giulio
G
Lanzi
Domenico
D
Arduini
D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D010388:Pelvis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography