title: Diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis: accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging and transvaginal 3D ultrasonography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare two different imaging modalities, magnetic resonance (MR), and three-dimensional sonography (3DUS), in order to evaluate the specific role in preoperative work-up of deep infiltrating endometriosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  33 women with endometriosis underwent 3DUS and MR followed by surgical and histopathological investigations. Investigators described the disease extension in the following sites: torus uterinus and uterosacral ligaments (USL), vagina, rectovaginal-septum, rectosigmoid, bladder, ovaries. Results were compared with surgical and histopathological findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ovarian and deep pelvic endometriosis were found by surgery and histology in, respectively, 24 (72.7%) and 22 (66.6%) of the 33 patients. Sensitivity and specificity values of 3DUS for the diagnosis of endometrial cysts were 87.5% and 100%, respectively; those of MRI were 96.8% and 91.1%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of 3DUS for the diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis in specific sites were: USL 50% and 94.7%; vagina 84% and 80%; rectovaginal-septum 76.9% and 100%; rectosigmoid 33.3% and 100%; bladder 25% and 100%. Those of MR were: USL 69.2% and 94.3%; vagina 83.3% and 88.8%; rectovaginal-septum 76.4% and 100%; restosigmoid 75% and 100%; bladder 83.3% and 100%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MR accurately diagnoses deep infiltrating endometriosis; 3DUS accurately diagnoses deep infiltrating endometriosis in specific locations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosario Francesco
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Grasso
authors.forename: Vincenza
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Di Giacomo
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sedati
authors.forename: Ornella
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sizzi
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Florio
authors.forename: Eliodoro
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Faiella
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossetti
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Del Vescovo
authors.forename: Bruno Beomonte
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Zobel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D014621:Vagina
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA