A Delphi Consensus-Based Chronic Pelvic Pain Standardized Ultrasound Approach

Paroneto SC, M Leonardi, Ana Da Silva Costa, H Herren, G. Condous, Poli-Neto OB
In: Austin Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2022 · vol. 9(2) · doi:10.26420/austiniobstetgynecol.2022.1206 · W4321633947
article OA: diamond CC0
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-10 ⓘ

An international expert panel used a Delphi process to establish a consensus-based standardized ultrasound approach for the initial assessment of chronic pelvic pain in women.

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⚙ AI-generated deep summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-10 ⓘ

This Delphi consensus study aimed to develop a standardized international ultrasound reporting template for the initial assessment of women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP), using a three-round modified Delphi process with an international expert panel (21 of 86 experts completing the final round). Across rounds, experts reached consensus that the template should include reporting the quality of the examination and any execution difficulties, specifying necessary equipment, systematically evaluating predefined pelvic/abdominal regions, and listing required exam elements, while excluding upper abdomen, pelvic floor, and pelvic vascular assessment from the initial standardized report. The study required further validation to confirm clinical applicability and efficacy, and its conclusions reflect expert agreement rather than tested diagnostic performance. Relevance to endometriosis: endometriosis ultrasound frameworks (IDEA for deep endometriosis analysis and IOTA for ovarian tumor analysis) are explicitly incorporated into the consensus development, though the paper’s main focus is standardized ultrasound reporting for chronic pelvic pain.

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Abstract

Objective: To develop a standardized, consensus-based international ultrasound approach on the elements that should be included in the initial ultrasound assessment of women with CPP that can be, in future, applied in clinical practice. Methods: A Delphi survey was conducted with an international panel of experts in CPP and ultrasound, selected for their clinical and scientific experience in the subject. Three rounds of questions were carried out to assess the main parameters that should be included in the ultrasound reporting template. For variables to be included in the template, a priori consensus criteria were used to reach agreement. Results: Of the 86 experts invited, 21 completed the final (third) round of the Delphi process. Experts represented North America, South America, Europe, and Australia. The final CPP ultrasound approach and reporting template established by the experts’ consensus contains 1) the assessment of the quality of the examination, 2) the necessary equipment, 3) the regions to be evaluated, and 4) elements that must be included in the exam. Conclusion: Based on consensus methodology, we propose a standardized international ultrasound approach on the elements that should be included in the initial ultrasound assessment of women with CPP. Whilst it requires validation, this tool may serve to standardize the performance of the ultrasound for the indication of CPP, enhancing the evaluation of the broad differential diagnostic and the clinical applicability.

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Condition tags

chronic_pelvic_pain

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References (55)

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last seen: 2026-06-10T17:14:06.276822+00:00
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