Clinical Significance of Superficial Endometriosis Implants on Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Study Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the symptomatology and treatment outcomes for patients with superficial endometriosis lesions found on MRI using novel detection methods. Design A retrospective chart review over a 10-year period of patients referred for MRI with keyword of “endometriosis” within the report. MRIs were performed by an expert team of radiologists trained for detection of superficial endometriosis lesions. Setting N/A Patients or Participants 161 charts were reviewed of patients referred for MRI over a 10-year period with 100 meeting criteria for MRI evidence of endometriosis and 50 with detectable superficial endometriosis implants. Interventions N/A Measurements and Main Results Of the 100 patients with MRI evidence of endometriosis, 18 patients had superficial implants alone without endometriomas or deep infiltrating endometriosis. Patients who only had superficial implants were significantly more likely to report symptoms of sexual dysfunction (2(1, N=100)= 7.454, p Conclusion MRI capabilities have expanded to include detection of superficial endometriosis lesions but the clinical relevance of these findings is still being elucidated. This study suggests that these superficial implants are clinically significant for patients’ quality of life but may potentially differ regarding symptom profile including increased sexual dysfunction complaints and overall management pursued, medical as opposed to surgical.