title: Role of EUS and EUS-guided FNA in the diagnosis of symptomatic rectosigmoid endometriosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rectosigmoid endometriosis is an underrecognized cause of GI symptoms in women. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging and CT have a low sensitivity in making this diagnosis. The role of EUS and EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) in the diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis in symptomatic patients is not well studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of medical records identified 5 women who were diagnosed with rectosigmoid endometriosis by EUS and EUS-FNA over a period of 1 year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five women with nonspecific GI complaints underwent EUS examination of a rectosigmoid subepithelial mass found on colonoscopy. EUS revealed a hypoechoic lesion infiltrating the muscularis propria and the serosa of the rectal wall, and extending outside the rectal wall, findings consistent with rectosigmoid endometriosis. This diagnosis was confirmed by EUS-FNA, surgical exploration, and/or the patient's clinical course.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EUS and EUS-FNA are noninvasive, sensitive techniques for the diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis in symptomatic patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Department of Pathology, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington DC, USA.
authors.forename: Aline Charabaty
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Pishvaian
authors.forename: Sushil K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ahlawat
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Garvin
authors.forename: Nadim G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Haddad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D019160:Endosonography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012810:Sigmoid Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*