Endometriosis Diagnosis
Key points
- Diagnosis is suspected based on typical symptoms but must be confirmed by biopsy, usually via pelvic laparoscopy but sometimes via laparotomy, vaginal examination, sigmoidoscopy, or cystoscopy.
- Other procedures (eg, ultrasonography, barium enema, IV urography, CT, MRI) sometimes show the extent of endometriosis and help monitor the disorder but are not specific or adequate for diagnosis.
- Staging the disorder helps physicians formulate a treatment plan and evaluate response to therapy.
- Both endometrial glands and stroma must be present to diagnose endometriosis.
Diagnosis is suspected based on typical symptoms but must be confirmed by biopsy, usually via pelvic laparoscopy but sometimes via laparotomy, vaginal examination, sigmoidoscopy, or cystoscopy. Both endometrial glands and stroma must be present to diagnose endometriosis. Macroscopic appearance (eg, clear, red, brown, black) and size of implants vary during the menstrual cycle; however, typically, areas of endometriosis on the pelvic peritoneum are punctate red, blue, or purplish brown spots that are > 5 mm, often called powder burn lesions.
Other procedures (eg, ultrasonography, barium enema, IV urography, CT, MRI) sometimes show the extent of endometriosis and help monitor the disorder but are not specific or adequate for diagnosis. Investigational serum markers for endometriosis (eg, serum cancer antigen 125 [> 35 units/mL], antiendometrial antibody) may help monitor the disorder but require further refinement before being used routinely. Testing for other infertility disorders may be indicated.
Endometriosis
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
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