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. 2008 Jun;89(6):1632-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.05.042. Epub 2007 Jul 26.

Using location, color, size, and depth to characterize and identify endometriosis lesions in a cohort of 133 women

Barbara J Stegmann  1 , Ninet Sinaii, Shannon Liu, James Segars, Maria Merino, Lynnette K Nieman, Pamela Stratton
Affiliations

Using location, color, size, and depth to characterize and identify endometriosis lesions in a cohort of 133 women

Barbara J Stegmann et al. Fertil Steril. 2008 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: To correlate histology with endometriosis characteristics.

Design: Secondary data analysis.

Setting: Government research hospital.

Patient(s): One hundred thirty-three women with chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis who underwent laparoscopic surgery between 1999 and 2004.

Intervention(s): Laparoscopic excision of lesions, including recording of lesion characteristics and surgical impression of the lesions.

Main outcome measure(s): All biopsies were sent for histological examination for endometriosis, and surgical and histological findings were compared.

Result(s): Three hundred fifty-seven of 544 lesions believed to be endometriosis by the surgeon had positive histology. Mixed-color lesions most commonly contained endometriosis (76%), with the percentage of positive lesions being similar between single-color groups. Among subtle (red or white) lesions, 58% (164/283) were positive for endometriosis. Thirty women had only red or white lesions, and 18 (60%) had at least one lesion positive for endometriosis. Lesions were most commonly located in the cul-de-sac (64%), utero-sacral ligaments (68%), and ovarian fossa (70%).

Conclusion(s): Wide, deep, mixed-color lesions in the cul-de-sac, the ovarian fossa, or the utero-sacral ligaments had the highest frequency of endometriosis. More than half of subtle lesions had endometriosis. These results should be considered when diagnosing endometriosis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of Lesions by Color Group
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of Lesions by Width and Depth
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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