OC16.08: The learning curve of transvaginal ultrasound for preoperative assessment of endometriosis: the first hundred cases

To determine the accuracy of transvaginal scanning in the preoperative assessment of endometriosis in the hands of a highly experienced sonographer, newly trained in endometriosis mapping. This was a retrospective study performed in a large tertiary referral centre for endometriosis. Reports and stored raw data from transvaginal scans performed by a single highly trained sonographer were retrieved from the electronic database for patients who subsequently underwent laparoscopy. The accuracy of TVS was assessed for several sites and parameters of pelvic endometriosis and compared with laparoscopic findings. Data was retrieved for 94 women, with a mean age of 34 (20-47), median parity 0 (0-6), mean BMI 23.6 (16.9-40.23); 52 (55.5%) were nulliparous, 10 (12.8%) after Caesarean sections. The diagnostic accuracy for uterine immobility/adhesions was 98.2%, for ovarian endometriomas and tubal findings 100%, for bladder nodules 45%, for sacrouterine ligament nodules 93.2-94.3%, for rectovaginal nodules 100%, for rectosigmoid nodules 97.4%, and for other intestinal findings 42.4%. Highly trained sonographers who devote time to learn transvaginal scanning for endometriosis mapping can achieve good accuracy within the first 100 examinations.