Learning curve in the analysis of endometriosis by using magnetic resonance: Comparison with surgical results

Genital / Reproductive system female, Obstetrics (Pregnancy / birth / postnatal period), Pelvis Authors: L. Saba, S. Guerriero, R. Sulcis, M. Pilloni, G. Melis, G. Mallarini; Cagliari/IT DOI: 10.1594/ecr2010/C-1250 Purpose Endometriosis is one of the most prevalent conditions in women, in particular in the reproductive age group. The mean age at diagnosis is 25-29 years, but it is often greater in women who present with infertility rather than pelvic pain . Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the endometrium and the myometrium and the most common locations of endometriosis are the ovaries and the pelvic peritoneum, followed pelvic subperitoneal space, intestinal system and urinary system. Although endometriosis can be asymptomatic, frequently...

and Materials 30 consecutive female in-patients (mean age 34; range 21-45 years) were studied by using MRI in our Center (A.O.U. Cagliari - Presidio di Monserrato). Each patient was suspected of having endometriosis at clinical examination (pelvic pain, infertility, nodules, or tenderness at physical examination). The patients had presented with one or more of the following symptoms: dysmenorrhea (n = 16), infertility (n = 5), lower abdominal pain (n = 4), hypermenorrhea (n = 2), pain with defecation (n = 2) and abnormal genital bleeding (n =...

In the first analysis sensitivity and specificity for ovary were 88.9% and 87%; in the second analysis 92.6% and 91.3%. In the first analysis sensitivity and specificity for USL were 62.5% and 76.9%; in the second analysis 80.0% and 84.6%. In the first analysis sensitivity and specificity for vaginal fornix were 63.2% and 64.5%; in the second analysis 73.7% and 82.8%. In the first analysis sensitivity and specificity for rectum\sigma\Douglas were 40%% and 80%; in the second analysis 73.3% and 90%.

The “learning curve” is defined as a graph that represents the progress in the mastery of a skill against the time required for such mastery. This theory has been described by Ericsson et al, who are proponents of the idea that deliberate practice is fundamental to achieving expertise. Prior studies tried to analyze the effect of training and experience in diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity but to our knowledge, there has been no study that analyzed the learning curve in MRI by using the same...

Guerriero S, Ajossa S, Gerada M, D’ Aquila M, Piras B, Melis GB. “tenderness guided” transvaginal ultrasonography: a new method for the detection of deep endometriosis in patients with chronic pelvic pain . Fertil Steril 2007; 88:1293-7Guerriero S, Ajossa S, Gerada M, Virgilio B, Angioni S, Melis GB. Diagnostic value of transvaginal “tenderness-guided” ultrasonography for the prediction of deep endometriosis. Hum Reprod 2008;23:2452-7.Guerriero S, Ajossa S, Mais V, Risalvato A, Lai MP, Melis GB. The diagnosis of endometriomas using colour Doppler energy imaging. Hum Reprod...