Deep EndometriosisSurgeryTransvaginal UltrasoundMRIPreoperative Planning
Study summary
Several centers in Belgium use both transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the preoperative diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), while other centers rely almost exclusively on TVS. From the perspective of both the patient and the endometriosis care team, it is not primarily important that every individual lesion is mapped perfectly preoperatively, but rather that all lesions impacting clinical management and surgical planning are accurately detected. This is particularly crucial when a multidisciplinary approach is required, involving a urologist for bladder lesions and/or an abdominal surgeon for invasive rectosigmoid lesions. Moreover, providing the patient with thorough preoperative counseling is essential, and this is, of course, determined by the preoperative findings and the type of planned surgical procedure.
In this study, we first assess the diagnostic performance of TVS in the preoperative diagnosis of DIE. As a secondary objective, we evaluate the added value of MRI compared to TVS for preoperative surgical planning in patients who also underwent an MRI examination.
Eligibility
Sex
FEMALE
Min age
18 Years
Max age
—
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion Criteria:
* All patients who underwent preoperative imaging at AZ Sint-Jan AV and Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg (ZOL) between October 2021 and December 2024, TVS with or without complementary MR followed by therapeutic surgery as part of DIE.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Performing imaging, TVS with or without additional MR, by an operator without specific experience in the field.
* Lack of a TVS report diagnosing DIE.
* Preoperative diagnosis of only superficial endometriosis and/or endometriomas without DIE.
* Performance of surgery by a surgeon without specific experience in the field.
* Lack of a surgical report that correctly describes all DIE lesions.
Primary outcome measure(s)
Diagnostic Accuracy of Transvaginal Sonography (TVS) for the preoperative planning of Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis (DIE) — From the diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) requiring surgical intervention to the surgical procedure itself. The primary outcome of this study is to assess the diagnostic and preoperative planning performance of transvaginal sonography (TVS) in the preoperative detection of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). TVS findings will be compared with intraoperative observations, classified according to the #ENZIAN system, to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of TVS for various lesion locations.
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
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