The role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of deep endometriosis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of ultrasound in the diagnosis of deep endometriosis.

METHODS: We conducted a literature search of articles related to the topic published in the last five years, in the Virtual Health Library.

RESULTS: Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. It can be divided into ovarian lesions, superficial and deep endometriosis lesions (which penetrates more than 5 mm in the peritoneum). To make the diagnosis of this pathology is necessary to make a careful medical history, a good physical examination, and laboratory and imaging tests. In recent years, ultrasound has been gaining ground in the diagnosis of endometriosis, which can be performed transvaginal, transrectal and abdominal. Ultrasound has advantages over others because it is a noninvasive and cost-effective, continually increasing its sensitivity in the diagnosis of deep endometriosis.

CONCLUSION: In addition to great sensitivity as screening test, ultrasonography is also useful in the location and degree of infiltration.