A mysterious case series of scar endometriosis

In: International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2026 · vol. 15(10) , pp. 4126–4129 · doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20263455 · W7214584415
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This retrospective case series of three women with prior caesarean sections describes scar endometriosis presenting as painful, cyclical masses diagnosed via ultrasonography and confirmed by histopathology following wide local excision.

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This retrospective case series examined three young women presenting with painful, cyclical masses at previous caesarean section scars. All patients underwent wide local excision of the lesions, and histopathological analysis confirmed the presence of endometrial glands and stroma within the fibrous tissue. The authors note that diagnosis is often delayed due to the similarity of symptoms to other scar-related conditions, emphasizing the need for high clinical suspicion. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — specifically the presentation and surgical management of scar endometriosis following obstetric surgery.

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Abstract

Scar endometriosis is an uncommon form of extrapelvic endometriosis that most frequently develops following obstetric or gynaecological surgery, particularly caesarean section. Because its clinical presentation may mimic other scar-related lesions, diagnosis is frequently delayed. A painful scar-associated mass with cyclical variation in symptoms should raise suspicion of scar endometriosis. We present a retrospective case series of 3 women diagnosed with scar endometriosis at MCH Holenarasipura between January 2026 and June 2026. Clinical presentation, previous surgical history, imaging findings, operative findings, treatment and histopathological confirmation were reviewed. The three patients were aged 24, 26 and 27 years. All had a previous history of caesarean section. The interval between the preceding surgery and presentation was 18 months, 24 months and 16 months. The predominant clinical presentation was a painful scar-associated swelling, with all three patients reporting cyclical exacerbation of pain during menstruation. Ultrasonography was performed in all patients; MRI was not performed in any patient. All three patients underwent wide local excision of the endometriotic lesion. Histopathological examination demonstrated endometrial glands and stroma within fibrous and/or skeletal muscle tissue, confirming scar endometriosis. Scar endometriosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a painful abdominal or pelvic surgical scar, particularly in women with a previous caesarean section. A high index of suspicion, appropriate ultrasonography and complete surgical excision with histopathological confirmation are important for definitive treatment and prevention of recurrence.
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A mysterious case series of scar endometriosis DOI: https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20263455Keywords: Caesarean section, Scar endometriosis, Abdominal wall endometriosis, Endometrioma, Wide local excision, HistopathologyAbstract Scar endometriosis is an uncommon form of extrapelvic endometriosis that most frequently develops following obstetric or gynaecological surgery, particularly caesarean section. Because its clinical presentation may mimic other scar-related lesions, diagnosis is frequently delayed. A painful scar-associated mass with cyclical variation in symptoms should raise suspicion of scar endometriosis. We present a retrospective case series of 3 women diagnosed with scar endometriosis at MCH Holenarasipura between January 2026 and June 2026. Clinical presentation, previous surgical history, imaging findings, operative findings, treatment and histopathological confirmation were reviewed. The three patients were aged 24, 26 and 27 years. All had a previous history of caesarean section. The interval between the preceding surgery and presentation was 18 months, 24 months and 16 months. The predominant clinical presentation was a painful scar-associated swelling, with all three patients reporting cyclical exacerbation of pain during menstruation. Ultrasonography was performed in all patients; MRI was not performed in any patient. All three patients underwent wide local excision of the endometriotic lesion. Histopathological examination demonstrated endometrial glands and stroma within fibrous and/or skeletal muscle tissue, confirming scar endometriosis. Scar endometriosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a painful abdominal or pelvic surgical scar, particularly in women with a previous caesarean section. A high index of suspicion, appropriate ultrasonography and complete surgical excision with histopathological confirmation are important for definitive treatment and prevention of recurrence. Metrics References Singh S, Dharwadkar M. Case series of scar endometriosis-post caesarean section: a diagnostic pitfall. Indian J Obstet Gynecol Res. 2021;8(4):454-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijogr.2021.095 Bansal K. Manual of Endometriosis. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers. 2013. Francica G, Giardiello C, Angelone G, Cristiano S, Finelli R, Tramontano G. Abdominal wall endometriomas near cesarean delivery scars: sonographic and color Doppler findings in a series of 12 patients. J Ultrasound Med. 2003;22(10):1041-7. Kaloo P, Reid G, Wong F. Caesarean section scar endometriosis: two cases of recurrent disease and a literature review. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2002;42:218-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0004-8666.2002.210_5.x Danielpour PJ, Layke JC, Durie N, Glickman LT. Scar endometriosis-a rare cause for a painful scar: a case report and review of the literature. Can J Plast Surg. 2010;18(1):19-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/229255031001800110 Savelli L, Manuzzi L, Di Donato N, Salfi N, Trivella G, Ceccaroni M. Endometriosis of the abdominal wall: ultrasonographic and Doppler characteristics. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2012;39(3):336-40. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/uog.10052 Blanco RG, Parithivel VS, Shah AK, Gumbs MA, Schein M, Gerst PH. Abdominal wall endometriomas. Am J Surg. 2003;185(6):596-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9610(03)00072-2 Marras S, Pluchino N, Petignat P, Wenger JM, Ris F, Buchs NC, et al. Abdominal wall endometriosis: an 11-year retrospective observational cohort study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2019;4:100096. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurox.2019.100096 Sasson IE, Taylor HS. Stem cells and the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2008;1127:106-15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1434.014 Mathur S, Peress HO, Williamson CD, Youmans SA, Maney AJ. Autoimmunity to endometrium and ovary in endometriosis. Clin Exp Immunol. 1982;50(2):259-66. Wang PH, Juang CM, Chao HT, Yu KJ, Yuan CC, Ng HT. Wound endometriosis: risk factor evaluation and treatment. J Chin Med Assoc. 2003;66(2):113-9. Francica G, Giardiello C, Angelone G, Cristiano S, Finelli R, Tramontano G. Abdominal wall endometriomas near cesarean delivery scars. J Ultrasound Med. 2003;22:1041-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7863/jum.2003.22.10.1041 Gupta RK. Fine-needle aspiration cytodiagnosis of endometriosis in cesarean section scar and rectus sheath mass lesions-a study of seven cases. Diagn Cytopathol. 2008;36(4):224-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/dc.20797 Rivlin ME, Das SK, Patel RB, Meeks GR. Leuprolide acetate in the management of cesarean scar endometriosis. Obstet Gynecol. 1995;85(5):838-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0029-7844(94)00270-N Wasfie T, Gomez E, Seon S, Zado B. Abdominal wall endometrioma after cesarean section: a preventable complication. Int Surg. 2002;87(3):175-7. Nigam A, Saxena P, Barla J, Pathak P. Scar endometriosis: the menace of surgery. BMJ Case Rep. 2014;2014:1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2014-206693 Picod G, Boulanger L, Bounoua F, Leduc F, Duval G. Abdominal wall endometriosis after caesarean section: report of fifteen cases. Gynecol Obstet Fertil. 2006;34(1):8-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gyobfe.2005.11.002 Downloads Published How to Cite Issue Section License Copyright (c) 2026 Varsha R. Gowda, Vishwas M. K. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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