{"paper_id":"6129f239-8a2d-42e9-b416-4284bfdaa564","body_text":"ECR 2009 / C-319\nMR inter-observer agreement in the analysis of endometriosis\nCongress:\nECR 2009\nPoster Number:\nC-319\nType:\nScientific Exhibit\nKeywords:\nAuthors:\nL. Saba1, S. Guerriero1, B. Virgilio1, R. Sulcis2, M. Gerada1, G. Melis1, G. Mallarini1; 1Cagliari/IT, 2Muravera/IT\nDOI:\n10.1594/ecr2009/C-319\nDOI-Link:\nPurpose\nEndometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial glands in locations outside the uterus (ectopic as opposed to normally located or eutopic endometrium). The ectopic endometrium responds to hormonal stimulation with various degrees of cyclic hemorrhage and symptoms. Endometriosis is a common and important clinical problem of women, predominantly those in the reproductive age group. Physical examination and the reference standard, laparoscopic exploration, may not always allow diagnosis or prediction of the extension of pelvic endometriosis, especially deep pelvic endometriosis. Imaging techniques currently used to...\nMethods and Materials\nFrom July 2006 to February 2008, 83 consecutive female patients (mean age 39; range 19-49) were studied by using MRI in our Center. Each patient was suspected of having endometriosis at clinical examination (pelvic pain, infertility, nodules, or tenderness at physical examination) and underwent transvaginal sonography (TV-US) prior MR. MR at 1.5 Tesla was performed with SE and TSE sequences, T1 and T2 weighted with and without fat suppression. Each exam was completed with of Gadolinium. Each dataset was reviewed for the presence of endometriosis....\nResults\nWe observed an overall inter-observer agreement of 89.36% and the kappa value was 0.635 (95% Confidence Interval [CI] from 0.512 to 0.759). In the USLs the inter-observer agreement was 85.11% and the kappa value 0.571 (95% CI from 0.278 to 0.864). In the pouch of Douglas the inter-observer agreement of 82.98% and a kappa value of 0.552 (95% CI from 0.27 to 0.835). In the vagina the inter-observer agreement was 91.49% and the kappa value was 0.552 (95% CI from 0.133 to 0.972). In the...\nConclusion\nThe purpose of this study was to evaluate inter- and intra- observer agreement in the evaluation of endometriosis according to different endometriosis localizations by using MR. Results of our study indicate that MR has an high inter and intra-observer agreement in the identification of endometriosis located in the rectosigmoid and in the rectovaginal septum, whereas the agreement is sub-optimal in the endometriosis located in the USLs. Several imaging techniques have been used to identify endometriosis and to assess its extension in specific locations such as...","source_license":"CC0","license_restricted":false}