title: Multislice CT enteroclysis in the diagnosis of bowel endometriosis.
abstract: This prospective study aims to evaluate the efficacy of multislice computed tomography combined with colon distension by water enteroclysis (MSCTe) in determining the presence and depth of bowel endometriotic lesions. Ninety-eight women with symptoms suggestive of colorectal endometriosis underwent MSCTe; locations, number of nodule/s, size of the nodule/s and depth of bowel wall infiltration were determined. Independently from the findings of MSCTe, all women underwent laparoscopy. MSCTe findings were compared with surgical and histological results. Abnormal findings suggestive of bowel endometriotic nodules were detected by MSCTe in 75 of the 76 patients with bowel endometriosis. MSCTe identified 110 (94.8%) of the 116 bowel endometriotic nodules removed at surgery; 6 nodules missed at MSCTe were located on the rectum. MSCTe correctly determined the degree of infiltration of the bowel wall in all of the 34 serosal bowel nodules identified at MSCTe. In six nodules reaching the submucosa, the depth of infiltration was underestimated by MSCTe. MSCTe had a sensitivity of 98.7%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 95.7% in identifying women with bowel endometriosis. MSCTe is effective in determining the presence and depth of bowel endometriotic lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Duchesse of Galliera-Hospital, Via Mura delle Cappuccine 14, 16128 Genoa, Italy. ennio.biscaldi@fastwebnet.it
authors.forename: Ennio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Biscaldi
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrero
authors.forename: Ezio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fulcheri
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ragni
authors.forename: Valentino
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Remorgida
authors.forename: Gian Andrea
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Rollandi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water