OC071: Transvaginal sonography of extraovarian endometriosis

Transvaginal sonography has greatly improved the diagnosis of endometriosis, mostly ovarian endometriosis. Pelvic endometriosis findings are more subtle and have not been extensively studied. To this purpose we prospectively compared preoperative TVS and laparoscopic findings in 20 women with proven pelvic endometriosis. The presence of endometriosis implants in the pelvic floor was successfully detected by TVS in 17 (85%) of 20 women. Endometriosis foci implanted on the bowel surface was also correctly assessed in 5 (83%) of 6 women. The presence of thick adhesions around the adnexa using the “sliding-sign” was successfully detected in 9 of 9 patients. More subtle adhesions present in 4 women however could not be detected. Pelvic floor and bowel endometriosis present typical characteristics, which can be successfully detected by TV S.