Role of EUS and EUS-guided FNA in the diagnosis of symptomatic rectosigmoid endometriosis.
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.
Pishvaian
Aline Charabaty
AC
Division of Gastroenterology and Department of Pathology, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington DC, USA.
Ahlawat
Sushil K
SK
Garvin
David
D
Haddad
Nadim G
NG
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*