Correlation between findings of nuclear magnetic resonance and 3D anorectal ultrasound in patients with suspected deep endometriosis

Abstract

IntroductionEndometriosis is defined as endometrial glands and stroma that occur outside the uterine cavity. Although not malignant, ectopic endometrial tissue and the resulting inflammation can cause dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pain, and infertility. The diagnostic imaging tests most used are nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR) and ultrasonography (USG). MethodsCorrelate the findings of three-dimensional anorectal ultrasound with the NMR findings of the pelvis with intestinal preparation in women with deep endometriosis, through a retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study, evaluating 63 female patients with suspected deep endometriosis with probable involvement intestinal. The evaluation period was from March 2016 to April 2018. Statistical analysis was performed using the kappa agreement to assess the degree of agreement between 3D NMR and USG in relation to the degree of infiltration in the rectal muscle layer, with a confidence interval of 0.272‒0.579, p < 0.001. Results and conclusionAccording to the results presented, three-dimensional anorectal ultrasonography proved to be a good diagnostic test in the evaluation of the middle and posterior compartments of deep lesions of endometriosis, and there was a correlation between the NMR findings of the pelvis with intestinal preparation in relation to injuries that invade the muscularis propria of the rectum.