EP31.01: Comparison between transvaginal ultrasound with water contrast (TVUWC) and computed tomography‐based virtual colonoscopy (CTC) in detecting rectosigmoid DIE

To compare transvaginal ultrasound with water contrast (TVUWC) with computed tomography-based virtual colonoscopy (CTC) in the detection of bowel stenosis grade in patients affected by deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). IDEA criteria were used to assess DIE ultrasonographic stadiation. Patients suspected to have a rectosigmoidal localisation at the TVU (performed with a GE Voluson E8) underwent TVUWC and CTC to estimate and quantify bowel stenosis grade by percentage. Both the examination were performed and reported by high qualified sonographers and radiologists, experienced in instrumental detection and stadiation of DIE. 28 patients were recruited. The two techniques showed a good concordance: CTC detected 8 (34,8%) bowel stenosis > 50%; 7 (30.4%) of them were either detected by the TVUWC examination. Stenosis < 50% was reported in 15 (65.2%) and 16 (69.6%) cases by CTC and TVUWC respectively, with a diagnostic accuracy of 85.7%. Related to CTC, TVUWC showed a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 90%; positive predictive value was 75% while the negative one was 90%. Our preliminary data suggest a strong concordance between TVUWC and CTC in the detection and estimation of bowel stenosis in patient affected by recto-sigmoidal DIE. We expected to apply TVUWC as a valid first line technique, alternative to CTC in addressing patient to surgery, in consideration of its simpler execution, lower costs and risks for the patient. More data are worth to be studied related to the histological data (gold standard).