title: Rectal endoscopic ultrasound with a radial probe in the assessment of rectovaginal endometriosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the accuracy of rectal endoscopic ultrasound and to evaluate endometriosis in the rectovaginal septum, rectum, and sigmoid walls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Validation of diagnostic test (Canadian Task Force classification II-1).
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary care hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two consecutive women clinically suspected of having rectovaginal septum endometriosis without previous surgical treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Colonoscopy, transrectal ultrasound, and rectal endoscopic ultrasound, followed by laparoscopy or laparotomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The disease was classified according to 1996 standards of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. Images obtained by colonoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, and surgery and histologic findings were compared. In 6 patients endometriosis infiltrated bowel muscularis wall, in 20 it infiltrated rectovaginal septum, and in the remaining 6 there was no evidence of lesions. In all women in whom infiltration of the intestinal wall was suspected, rectal endoscopic ultrasound and colonoscopy confirmed the lesions (sensitivity 100%, specificity 67%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic ultrasound was useful in preoperative assessment of women with endometriosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mauricio Simões
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Abrão
authors.forename: Rosa Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Neme
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Averbach
authors.forename: Carlos Alberto
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Petta
authors.forename: José Mendes
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Aldrighi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003113:Colonoscopy; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D019160:Endosonography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D012007:Rectum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery