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Complex abdominopelvic endometriosis: the radiologist’s perspective

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Abstract

Endometriosis is a multifocal gynecological disorder affecting approximately 6%–10% of women during their reproductive years (Giudice and Kao in: Lancet 364:1789–1799, 2004). Presenting symptomatology often relates to the anatomical structures involved. Given the complexity of both the management and pain control of patients with complex endometriosis, the British Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy has issued guidelines on the establishment of a multidisciplinary team approach to these cases (http://www.bsge.org.uk/ec-requirements-BSGE-accredited-endometriosis-centre.php). The ovaries are the most common site affected, but the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tract, chest and other soft tissues are not infrequently involved. Less well-recognized features of the disease include the deep infiltrative form of endometriosis, malignant transformation and decidualization of endometriomas under progesterone. In this pictorial essay, we will discuss the clinical presentation and review the imaging features of these complex and under appreciated forms of endometriotic disease.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Dr Paula Hyder, Consultant Histopathologist at our instituition, for her help with Figures 16 and 18. The Medical Illustrations department at Central Manchester Foundation Trust kindly provided Figure 1 for publication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Hospital South Manchester, Southmoor Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M23 9LT, United Kingdom

    Tanzilah Afzal Barrow, Marwa Elsayed, Sue Yin Liong & Sathi Anandan Sukumar

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  1. Tanzilah Afzal Barrow
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Correspondence to Sathi Anandan Sukumar.

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Barrow, T.A., Elsayed, M., Liong, S.Y. et al. Complex abdominopelvic endometriosis: the radiologist’s perspective. Abdom Imaging 40, 2541–2556 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-015-0413-0

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