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Garzon S, Laganà AS, Guerriero S, Alcázar JL, Dababou S, Uccella S, Scioscia M. Transvaginal Sonography for the Preoperative Assessment of Parametrial Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study. Gynecol Obstet Invest 2024; 89:111-119. [PMID: 38377973 DOI: 10.1159/000535940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy for parametria endometriosis (PE) of transvaginal sonography (TVS) performed following a systematic approach for the assessment of the lateral parametria. DESIGN A diagnostic accuracy study was employed based on a prospective observational design. PARTICIPANTS All consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis between January 2016 and December 2020 were considered. SETTING The study was conducted at endometriosis referral hospitals. METHODS We prospectively collected clinical, imaging, and surgical data of all consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis between January 2016 and December 2020. A standardized technique with a systematic approach for the assessment of the lateral parametria following specific anatomic landmarks was used for the TVS. The diagnostic accuracy for PE in TVS was assessed using the intraoperative and pathologic diagnosis of PE as the gold standard. RESULTS In 476 patients who underwent surgery, PE was identified in 114 out of 476 patients (23.95%): 91 left and 54 right PE out of 476 surgical procedures were identified (19.12% vs. 11.34%; p = 0.001); bilateral involvement in 27.19% (31/114 patients) cases. The sensitivity of TVS for PE was 90.74% (79.70-96.92%, 95% CI) for the right side and 87.91% (79.40-93.81%, 95% CI) for the left side. The specificity was almost identical for both sides (98.58% vs. 98.18%). For the right parametrium, the positive likelihood ratio (PLR) and negative likelihood ratio (NLR) were 63.82 (28.70-141.90, 95% CI) and 0.09 (0.04-0.22, 95% CI), respectively. On the left parametrium, the PLR and NLR were 48.35 (23.12-101.4, 95% CI) and 0.12 (0.07-0.21, 95% CI), respectively. The diagnostic accuracy for right and left PE was 97.69% (95.90-98.84%, 95% CI) and 96.22% (94.04-97.74%, 95% CI), respectively. LIMITATIONS The principal limit is the high dependence of TVS on the operator experience. Therefore, although a standardized approach following precise definitions of anatomical landmarks was used, we cannot conclude that the observed accuracy of TVS for PE is the same for all sonographers. In this regard, the learning curve was not assessed. In the case of negative TVS for parametrial involvement with an absent intraoperative suspect, a complete dissection of the parametrium was not performed to avoid surgical complications; therefore, cases of minor PE may be missed, underestimating false negatives. CONCLUSIONS TVS performed following a systematic approach for assessing the lateral parametria seems to have good diagnostic accuracy for PE with large changes in the posttest probability of parametrial involvement based on the TVS evaluation. Considering the clinical and surgical implications of PE, further studies implementing a standardized approach for assessing the parametrium by TVS are recommended to confirm our observations and implement a standardized protocol in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Garzon
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Pediatrics, and Gynecology, University Hospital of Verona, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Antonio Simone Laganà
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine, and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefano Guerriero
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Juan Luis Alcázar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clínica Universitad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Susan Dababou
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Pediatrics, and Gynecology, University Hospital of Verona, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Uccella
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Pediatrics, and Gynecology, University Hospital of Verona, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Marco Scioscia
- Unit of Gynecological Surgery, Mater Dei Hospital, Bari, Italy
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Avery JC, Deslandes A, Freger SM, Leonardi M, Lo G, Carneiro G, Condous G, Hull ML. Noninvasive diagnostic imaging for endometriosis part 1: a systematic review of recent developments in ultrasound, combination imaging, and artificial intelligence. Fertil Steril 2024; 121:164-188. [PMID: 38101562 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis affects 1 in 9 women and those assigned female at birth. However, it takes 6.4 years to diagnose using the conventional standard of laparoscopy. Noninvasive imaging enables a timelier diagnosis, reducing diagnostic delay as well as the risk and expense of surgery. This review updates the exponentially increasing literature exploring the diagnostic value of endometriosis specialist transvaginal ultrasound (eTVUS), combinations of eTVUS and specialist magnetic resonance imaging, and artificial intelligence. Concentrating on literature that emerged after the publication of the IDEA consensus in 2016, we identified 6192 publications and reviewed 49 studies focused on diagnosing endometriosis using emerging imaging techniques. The diagnostic performance of eTVUS continues to improve but there are still limitations. eTVUS reliably detects ovarian endometriomas, shows high specificity for deep endometriosis and should be considered diagnostic. However, a negative scan cannot preclude endometriosis as eTVUS shows moderate sensitivity scores for deep endometriosis, with the sonographic evaluation of superficial endometriosis still in its infancy. The fast-growing area of artificial intelligence in endometriosis detection is still evolving, but shows great promise, particularly in the area of combined multimodal techniques. We finalize our commentary by exploring the implications of practice change for surgeons, sonographers, radiologists, and fertility specialists. Direct benefits for endometriosis patients include reduced diagnostic delay, better access to targeted therapeutics, higher quality operative procedures, and improved fertility treatment plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodie C Avery
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Alison Deslandes
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Shay M Freger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Mathew Leonardi
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Glen Lo
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Gustavo Carneiro
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing (CVSSP), School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - G Condous
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Gynaecology Department, Omni Ultrasound and Gynaecological Care, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mary Louise Hull
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Gynaecology Department, Embrace Fertility, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Leonardi M, Uzuner C, Mestdagh W, Lu C, Guerriero S, Zajicek M, Dueckelmann A, Filippi F, Buonomo F, Pascual MA, Stepniewska A, Ceccaroni M, Van den Bosch T, Timmerman D, Hudelist G, Condous G. Diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound for detection of endometriosis using International Deep Endometriosis Analysis (IDEA) approach: prospective international pilot study. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2022; 60:404-413. [PMID: 35561121 DOI: 10.1002/uog.24936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) in predicting deep endometriosis (DE) following the International Deep Endometriosis Analysis (IDEA) consensus methodology. METHODS This was an international multicenter prospective diagnostic accuracy study involving eight centers across six countries (August 2018-November 2019). Consecutive participants with endometriosis suspected based on clinical symptoms or historical diagnosis of endometriosis were included. The index test was TVS performed preoperatively in accordance with the IDEA consensus statement. At each center, the index test was interpreted by a single sonologist. Reference standards were: (1) direct visualization of endometriosis at laparoscopy, as determined by a non-blinded surgeon with expertise in endometriosis surgery; and (2) histological assessment of biopsied/excised tissue. Surgery was performed within 12 months following the index TVS. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR-) of TVS in the diagnosis of DE were calculated. RESULTS Included in the study were 273 participants with complete clinical, TVS, laparoscopic and histological data. Of these, based on histology, 256 (93.8%) were confirmed to have endometriosis, including superficial endometriosis, and 190 (69.6%) were confirmed to have DE. Based on surgical visualization, 207/273 (75.8%) patients had DE. For DE overall, the diagnostic performance of TVS based on surgical visualization as the reference standard was as follows: accuracy, 86.1%; sensitivity, 88.4%; specificity, 78.8%; PPV, 92.9%; NPV, 68.4%; LR+, 4.17; LR-, 0.15, and the diagnostic performance of TVS based on histology as the reference standard was as follows: accuracy, 85.9%; sensitivity, 89.8%; specificity, 75.9%; PPV, 90.4%; NPV, 74.6%; LR+, 3.72; LR-, 0.13. CONCLUSIONS Using the IDEA consensus methodology provides strong diagnostic accuracy for TVS assessment of DE. We found a higher TVS detection rate of DE overall than that reported by the most recent meta-analysis on the topic (sensitivity, 79%), albeit with a lower specificity. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Leonardi
- Acute Gynaecology, Early Pregnancy and Advanced Endosurgery Unit, Nepean Hospital, Sydney Medical School Nepean, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - C Uzuner
- Acute Gynaecology, Early Pregnancy and Advanced Endosurgery Unit, Nepean Hospital, Sydney Medical School Nepean, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - W Mestdagh
- KU Leuven, Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), STADIUS Center for Dynamical Systems, Signal Processing and Data Analytics, Leuven, Belgium
| | - C Lu
- Computer Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK
| | - S Guerriero
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - M Zajicek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, affiliated with the Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - A Dueckelmann
- Department of Gynecology, Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - F Filippi
- Centro Procreazione Medicalmente Assistita, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - F Buonomo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - M A Pascual
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Hospital Universitari Dexeus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Stepniewska
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecology Oncology and Minimally Invasive Pelvic Surgery, International School of Surgical Anatomy (ISSA), IRCCS Ospedale Sacro Cuore - Don Calabria Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - M Ceccaroni
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecology Oncology and Minimally Invasive Pelvic Surgery, International School of Surgical Anatomy (ISSA), IRCCS Ospedale Sacro Cuore - Don Calabria Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - T Van den Bosch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - D Timmerman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - G Hudelist
- Department of Gynaecology, Hospital St John of God, Vienna, Austria
| | - G Condous
- Acute Gynaecology, Early Pregnancy and Advanced Endosurgery Unit, Nepean Hospital, Sydney Medical School Nepean, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Ros C, de Guirior C, Mension E, Rius M, Valdés-Bango M, Tortajada M, Matas I, Martínez-Zamora MÁ, Gracia M, Carmona F. Transvaginal ultrasound for diagnosis of deep endometriosis involving uterosacral ligaments, torus uterinus and posterior vaginal fornix: prospective study. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2021; 58:926-932. [PMID: 34090310 DOI: 10.1002/uog.23696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) in diagnosing deep endometriosis (DE) involving the uterosacral ligaments (USLs), torus uterinus (TU) or posterior vaginal fornix (PVF) in women with suspected endometriosis scheduled for laparoscopic surgery. METHODS In this prospective study, consecutive women with clinically suspected pelvic endometriosis who were scheduled for laparoscopic surgery were invited to participate. TVS was performed before surgery. TVS findings were compared with those obtained at laparoscopy and confirmed histologically. The accuracy of TVS for diagnosing DE involving the USLs, TU or PVF was assessed. Additionally, the association of DE involving the USLs, TU or PVF on TVS with symptoms and with DE affecting other pelvic locations was assessed. RESULTS In total, 172 patients were included. The global sensitivity and specificity of TVS in diagnosing DE affecting the USLs, TU and/or PVF were 92% and 87%, respectively. For DE involving the USLs, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio of TVS were 89.5%, 96.6%, 82.1%, 85.0%, 95.8%, 5.41 and 0.04, respectively; the respective values for DE involving the TU were 86.6%, 83.9%, 89.4%, 89.0%, 84.4%, 7.92 and 0.18, and the respective values for DE involving the PVF were 93.6%, 87.0%, 94.6%, 71.4%, 97.9%, 16.20 and 0.14. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between DE affecting the USLs, TU and/or PVF and DE affecting the rectosigmoid (odds ratio, 5.43; P < 0.001). Dyschezia was associated strongly with DE involving the USLs, TU and PVF, while dysmenorrhea was associated significantly with DE involving the TU. CONCLUSION TVS has high accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for the detection of DE involving the USLs, TU and PVF in women with suspected endometriosis scheduled for laparoscopic surgery. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ros
- Endometriosis Unit, ICGON, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C de Guirior
- Endometriosis Unit, ICGON, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Mension
- Endometriosis Unit, ICGON, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Rius
- Endometriosis Unit, ICGON, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Valdés-Bango
- Endometriosis Unit, ICGON, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Tortajada
- Endometriosis Unit, ICGON, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - I Matas
- Endometriosis Unit, ICGON, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Á Martínez-Zamora
- Endometriosis Unit, ICGON, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Gracia
- Endometriosis Unit, ICGON, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - F Carmona
- Endometriosis Unit, ICGON, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Ultrasound of the Uterosacral Ligament, Parametrium, and Paracervix: Disagreement in Terminology between Imaging Anatomy and Modern Gynecologic Surgery. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10030437. [PMID: 33498777 PMCID: PMC7865545 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10030437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound is an effective tool to detect and characterize lesions of the uterosacral ligament, parametrium, and paracervix. They may be the site of diseases such as endometriosis and the later stages of cervical cancer. Endometriosis and advanced stages of cervical cancer may infiltrate the parametrium and may also involve the ureter, resulting in a more complex surgery. New functional, surgical anatomy requires the complete diagnostic description of retroperitoneal spaces and tissues that contain vessels and nerves. Most endometriosis lesions and cervical cancer spread involve the cervical section of the uterosacral ligament, which is close to tissues, namely the parametrium and paracervix, which contain vessels and important nerves and nerve anastomoses of the inferior hypogastric plexus. Efferent fibers of the plexus travel to the rectum, uterus, rectovaginal ligament, deep vesicouterine ligament, and bladder. These efferent fibers are essential for bladder and rectal functionality so tailored nerve-sparing surgery became a standard approach for treating deep infiltrating endometriosis and cervical cancer. An accurate diagnosis by ultrasound has significant clinical impact and is important for appropriate treatment. In this article, we try to establish a common terminology between imaging diagnostic and modern surgical anatomy.
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Zubrzycka A, Zubrzycki M, Perdas E, Zubrzycka M. Genetic, Epigenetic, and Steroidogenic Modulation Mechanisms in Endometriosis. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E1309. [PMID: 32370117 PMCID: PMC7291215 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9051309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease, affecting up to 10% of reproductive-age women. The exact cause of the disease is unknown; however, it is a heritable condition affected by multiple genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Previous studies reported variations in the epigenetic patterns of numerous genes known to be involved in the aberrant modulation of cell cycle steroidogenesis, abnormal hormonal, immune and inflammatory status in endometriosis, apoptosis, adhesion, angiogenesis, proliferation, immune and inflammatory processes, response to hypoxia, steroidogenic pathway and hormone signaling are involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Accumulating evidence suggest that various epigenetic aberrations may contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Among them, DNA methyltransferases, histone deacetylators, and non-coding microRNAs demonstrate differential expression within endometriotic lesions and in the endometrium of patients with endometriosis. It has been indicated that the identification of epigenetic differences within the DNA or histone proteins may contribute to the discovery of a useful prognostic biomarker, which could aid in the future earlier detection, timely diagnosis, and initiation of a new approach to the treatment of endometriosis, as well as inform us about the effectiveness of treatment and the stage of the disease. As the etiology of endometriosis is highly complex and still far from being fully elucidated, the presented review focuses on different approaches to identify the genetic and epigenetic links of endometriosis and its pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Zubrzycka
- Department of Biomedicine and Genetics, Medical University of Lodz, Pomorska 251, 92-213 Lodz, Poland; Poland;
- Department of Operative and Conservative Gynecology, K. Jonscher Memorial Hospital, Milionowa 14, 93-113 Lodz, Poland
| | - Marek Zubrzycki
- Department of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantology, The Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski Institute of Cardiology, Alpejska 42, 04-628 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Ewelina Perdas
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-215 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Maria Zubrzycka
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-215 Lodz, Poland;
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