Virtual cystoscopy and colonoscopy to assess deep infiltrating endometriosis

Abstract

Introduction: Faced with a suspicion of endometriosis, transvaginal sonography is the first-line procedure to diagnose deep infiltrating endometriosis. Methods: We recently introduced the FlyThru® mode from TOSHIBA aplio 500. With the 3D acquisition (Multiplanar Reconstruction), we can assess the deep invasion of the endometriosis nodule into the digestive and bladder wall and provide a virtual colonoscopy or cystoscopy. The entire wall of the organ can be explored either by starting the animation or by rotating the arrow. The detection threshold can be adjusted manually from 45 to 100 in order to remove any artifacts. Results: We reported two deep infiltrating endometriosis nodules explored with FlyThru mode: the first one in the rectum and the second in the bladder. Similar to a colonoscopy, the virtual animation of the FlyThru mode showed the progression into the intestine lumen until the visualization of the bulge of the nodule. Operators can appreciate precisely the location, the degree of stenosis, and the circumferential involvement of the bowel wall. The bulges of the two nodules were also visible into the bladder. The size of the lesions was assessed and related to bladder volume, which represents important preoperative data. Conclusion: Three dimensional-transvaginal sonography combined with the FlyThru mode allows the enhanced practitioner to diagnose and assess the invasion of an endometriosis nodule in a single procedure.