title: Computed tomographic colonography vs rectal water- contrast transvaginal sonography in diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the performance of computed tomographic colonography (CTC) and rectal water-contrast transvaginal sonography (RWC-TVS) in the diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis, and compare precision in estimating the length of the rectosigmoid nodules and the distance between the nodules and the anal verge.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study included 70 patients of reproductive age with clinical suspicion of rectosigmoid endometriosis. Patients underwent RWC-TVS and CTC before laparoscopic excision of endometriotic nodules. The findings of RWC-TVS and CTC were compared with surgical and histological results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 70 patients included in the study, 40 (57.1%) had rectosigmoid endometriosis. CTC and RWC-TVS had similar accuracy in the diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis (P = 0.508) and similar precision in estimating the length of the endometriotic nodules (P = 0.077). CTC was more precise than RWC-TVS in estimating the distance between the rectosigmoid nodule and the anal verge (P < 0.001). The intensity of pain experienced during CTC was higher than that perceived during RWC-TVS (P < 0.001); however, intestinal distension for CTC was well-tolerated in all patients without significant adverse effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RWC-TVS and CTC have similar accuracy in the diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis and similar precision in estimating the size of the nodules; however, CTC is more precise than RWC-TVS in estimating the distance between the nodules and the anal verge, yet patients tolerate RWC-TVS better than CTC. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, Genoa, Italy.|Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrero
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Biscaldi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Diagnostic Sciences, IRCCS San Martino Hospital and National Institute for Cancer Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: V G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Vellone
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, Genoa, Italy.|Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Venturini
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, Genoa, Italy.|Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Leone Roberti Maggiore
mesh_terms: D023881:Colonography, Computed Tomographic / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D014621:Vagina / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D014867:Water
keywords: bowel endometriosis; computed tomographic colonography; diagnosis; endometriosis; rectal water-contrast transvaginal ultrasonography