[The use of transvaginal sonography (TVS) for preoperative diagnosis of pelvic endometriosis]

Abstract

Endometriosis is one the most challenging gynaecological disorders affecting 10-15% of women in their reproductive years. Considerable diagnostic delay of up to 8 years from presenting symptoms often confers a heavy economic and social price. Over the past years, additional diagnostic tools such as transvaginal scanning (TVS) and/or MRI have been recommended as an appropriate investigation to diagnose ovarian endometriomas or adenomyosis. Several lines of recent evidence strongly suggests that the use of TVS also has an important role in detecting DIE of the pelvis not only involving the ovaries but also structures such as the vagina, the rectovaginal space, the uterosacral ligaments, the bladder or the rectal wall.