OP20.07: Three‐dimensional ultrasound features of uterine junctional zone in patients with ovarian or deep endometriosis

The aim of this study was to assess three-dimensional (3D) transvaginal sonography (TVS) detectable alterations of the uterine junctional zone (JZ) in patients with only endometriomas (OMAs) or with only deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) and to compare these findings to those without pelvic endometriosis. A prospective analysis of JZ 3D TVS features in patients with TVS sign of pelvic endometriosis, never treated surgically was performed. 100 patients (ages 23–35 years) with only OMAs (n = 48) or only DIE (n = 52) at TVS and surgery were considered in this study. Patients with both OMAs and DIE or >35 years or with previous pelvic surgery were excluded. A control group of 50 patients without endometriosis at TVS and confirmed by laparoscopy and histology was considered. Detailed TVS scans and 3D volume acquisition of the entire uterus were obtained in all patients. Measurements of JZ thickness (min and max), infiltration and disruption of the JZ were compared in the 3 groups of patients. The maximum thickness of JZ (JZ max) was ≥ 8 mm in 19/52 (36.5%) of patients with DIE and in 5/48 (10.4%) of patients with OMA. In the control group the percentage was 18/240 (7.5%). A significantly correlation in presence JZ infiltration in patients with DIE compared to those with only OMA and without endometriosis. JZ thickness and its alterations are more frequent in patients with DIE than in those with OMA or without endometriosis; a clinical correlation between DIE, JZ hyperplasia and adenomyosis could be therefore hypothesized.