Focused ultrasound for the diagnosis of non-palpable endometriotic lesions of the abdominal wall: a not-uncommon surgical complication

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Ultrasound examination can confirm clinical suspicion of non-palpable, post-cesarean abdominal wall endometriosis without requiring CT or MRI.

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This paper reports two case studies of abdominal wall endometriosis located in the subcutaneous tissue and within muscle, becoming symptomatic a few years after cesarean surgery. The authors note that these lesions mimic the clinical pattern of cutaneous endometriosis but are difficult to detect by physical exam because they are barely palpable, and they describe focused ultrasound as a way to confirm clinical suspicion. The main stated limitation is that the evidence is based on only two cases. Relevance to endometriosis: it directly concerns abdominal wall endometriosis and uses focused ultrasound to diagnose non-palpable lesions following cesarean intervention, though it does not address adenomyosis.

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Abstract

Endometriosis is a benign disease characterized by endometrial glands and stroma outside the endometrial cavity. We reported two cases of endometriosis of the abdominal wall, with subcutaneous and intramuscular localization, that became symptomatic a few years after a cesarean intervention. These cases have a clinical pattern quite similar to cutaneous endometriosis, but they are more difficult to diagnose through physical examination because they are barely palpable. In this sense, coupled with suggestive symptoms, ultrasound examination can confirm the clinical suspicion of endometriosis without the use of computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging.
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Abstract

Endometriosis is a benign disease characterized by endometrial glands and stroma outside the endometrial cavity. We reported two cases of endometriosis of the abdominal wall, with subcutaneous and intramuscular localization, that became symptomatic a few years after a cesarean intervention. These cases have a clinical pattern quite similar to cutaneous endometriosis, but they are more difficult to diagnose through physical examination because they are barely palpable. In this sense, coupled with suggestive symptoms, ultrasound examination can confirm the clinical suspicion of endometriosis without the use of computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging. Similar content being viewed by others

References

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Abdominal Wall Abdominal Wall Cicatrix Endometriosis Endometriosis Ultrasonography Abdominal Wall Adult Cesarean Section Cicatrix Cicatrix Endometriosis Female Humans Ultrasonography

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