Evidence-based gynaecological practice: clinical review 3. The use of imaging for pre-operative planning in deep infiltrating endometriosis involving the rectum

• Published in: Gynecological surgery Vol. 7; no. 4; pp. 407 - 415
• Main Authors: Nightingale, A. L., Ballard, K. D., Wright, J. T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01-11-2010; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Gynecology; Interventional Radiology; Medical treatment; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Minimally Invasive Surgery; Obstetrics/Perinatology/Midwifery; Original Article; Reproductive Medicine; Surgical Oncology; Sonography; Deep infiltrating endometriosis; Recto-sigmoid; Disease staging; MRI; Imaging; Endometriosis; Rectal endometriosis
• ISSN: 1613-2076; 1613-2084
• DOI: 10.1007/s10397-010-0605-0

In this third review of the series of evidence-based practice reviews of clinical practice, we examine the evidence for the use of imaging techniques in the pre-planning for surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis, particularly where there is recto-sigmoid disease. As in previous evidence-based practice reviews, we set a clinical scenario of a patient with suspected deep infiltrating endometriosis affecting her left utero-asacral ligament and with a suspicion of recto-sigmoid disease and ask which diagnostic tests would be the most accurate for diagnosis and pre-operative planning.