title: Umbilical endometriosis, a pathology that a gynecologist may encounter when inserting the Veres needle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To raise awareness between laparoscopists about umbilical endometriosis and to recommend the appropriate management measure for this rare but easily treatable condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case reports and literature review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women presented to general surgeon with umbilical masses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women of reproductive age with histologic diagnosis of umbilical endometriosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Excision with histopathologic examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Definite diagnosis and clinical improvement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Umbilical endometriosis is best diagnosed and cured with excisional biopsy. Other diagnostic methods have been proven to be nonspecific and unreliable in the literature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical diagnosis of this condition can be difficult even with the aid of cytology and imaging. Surgical excision with removal and histopathology is recommended for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Simultaneous laparoscopy should be recommended to the patient with suspected pelvic endometriosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Monash University and Women's and Children's Program, Southern Health, Victoria, Australia. twtinn@hotmail.com <twtinn@hotmail.com>
authors.forename: Wan-Tinn
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Teh
authors.forename: Beverley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vollenhoven
authors.forename: Phillip I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D014472:Umbilicus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*