Non-invasive methods of diagnosis of endometriosis

Brosens I, Ivo Brosens, Puttemans P, Patrick Puttemans, Campo R, Rudi Campo, Stephan Gordts, Gordts S, Jan J. Brosens, Jan Brosens, Brosens J
Current opinion in obstetrics & gynecology · 2003 · vol. 15(6) , pp. 519–522 · doi:10.1097/00001703-200312000-00011 · PMID:14624220 · W1982803642
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⚙ AI-generated summary by gemini-2.5-flash-lite, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This review covers advances in imaging techniques like ultrasound and MRI, alongside molecular marker evaluation using gene profiling and proteomics, for improving endometriosis diagnosis beyond laparoscopy.

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This review evaluates non-invasive diagnostic strategies for endometriosis, highlighting the limitations of laparoscopy as the current gold standard due to its invasive nature and potential for delayed treatment. The authors discuss how high-resolution transvaginal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging enhance the detection of retroperitoneal lesions and pelvic organ involvement, although they remain less effective for peritoneal lesions or small ovarian endometriomas. Additionally, emerging postgenomic technologies and novel serum and endometrial markers show promise in revolutionizing future diagnostic approaches. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — specifically focusing on the development and evaluation of non-invasive diagnostic methods such as imaging and molecular markers.

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Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Laparoscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of endometriosis but the need for visual evidence of the disease is a major stumbling-block for both effective clinical management of affected patients as well as for research into this common and debilitating reproductive disease. Laparoscopy is invasive and often causes a delay in diagnosis and treatment, especially in symptomatic teenagers and young women. Moreover, the visual inspection of the pelvis has major limitations, particularly for the diagnosis of retroperitoneal lesions. It is therefore not surprising that considerable efforts are being made to improve imaging techniques and to evaluate the diagnostic value of potential molecular markers of disease. RECENT FINDINGS: High-resolution transvaginal ultrasonography and, in selected cases, magnetic resonance imaging improve the diagnosis of retroperitoneal pelvic endometriosis as well as the identification of lesions that involve pelvic organs. A variety of serum and endometrial markers are being evaluated for their diagnostic potential, particularly in endometriosis associated infertility. The first gene profiling studies are showing positive results and proteomic technology is being applied to identify novel diagnostic protein expression patterns. SUMMARY: Current imaging techniques, such as transvaginal ultrasonography, are useful to screen the pelvis for the presence of retroperitoneal endometriosis but fail to diagnose peritoneal lesions, small ovarian endometriomas and adhesions. Postgenomic technologies and identification of novel serum and endometrial markers are likely to revolutionize future diagnosis of endometriosis.
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Non-invasive methods of diagnosis of endometriosis - Ivo Brosens - Patrick Puttemans - Rudi Campo - Stephan Gordts - Jan Brosens Purpose of review Laparoscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of endometriosis but the need for visual evidence of the disease is a major stumbling-block for both effective clinical management of affected patients as well as for research into this common and debilitating reproductive disease. Laparoscopy is invasive and often causes a delay in diagnosis and treatment, especially in symptomatic teenagers and young women. Moreover, the visual inspection of the pelvis has major limitations, particularly for the diagnosis of retroperitoneal lesions. It is therefore not surprising that considerable efforts are being made to improve imaging techniques and to evaluate the diagnostic value of potential molecular markers of disease. Recent findings High-resolution transvaginal ultrasonography and, in selected cases, magnetic resonance imaging improve the diagnosis of retroperitoneal pelvic endometriosis as well as the identification of lesions that involve pelvic organs. A variety of serum and endometrial markers are being evaluated for their diagnostic potential, particularly in endometriosis associated infertility. The first gene profiling studies are showing positive results and proteomic technology is being applied to identify novel diagnostic protein expression patterns. Summary Current imaging techniques, such as transvaginal ultrasonography, are useful to screen the pelvis for the presence of retroperitoneal endometriosis but fail to diagnose peritoneal lesions, small ovarian endometriomas and adhesions. Postgenomic technologies and identification of novel serum and endometrial markers are likely to revolutionize future diagnosis of endometriosis.

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Condition tags

endometriosisinfertility

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometriosis Endosonography Biomarkers Biomarkers Endometriosis Endometriosis Endosonography Female Gene Expression Profiling Gene Expression Profiling Humans Magnetic Resonance Imaging Magnetic Resonance Imaging Vagina Vagina

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

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