What is uterosacral ligament endometriosis?

During menstrual period, this endometriotic tissue also bleeds and swells up but unlike the cells in the womb this blood has nowhere to escape. That’s why pain during periods is a common symptom of endometriosis. The common sites for endometriosis are behind the uterus (along uterosacral ligaments), ovaries and bowel.

What is deep infiltrating endometriosis?

Endometriosis can invade organs that are near the uterus which can include the bowel and the urinary bladder. This type of endometriosis is called, “deeply infiltrating” or “deeply infiltrative endometriosis” [DIE] because it is found deep within the tissue or organ.

What is uterosacral ligament thickening?

A uterosacral ligament is pathological when it is visible in the absence of effusion and if its proximal part is the site of irregular nodular hypoechoic thickening (Fig. 3). Involvement is usually bilateral and asymmetric but it can be unilateral, more often on the left.

How is deep infiltrating endometriosis diagnosed?

Imaging studies and invasive diagnostic tests Magnetic resonance imaging (better than CT) is the method of choice when adenomyosis or deep infiltrating endometriosis is suspected.

Can bowel endometriosis be seen on CT scan?

Computed Tomography Complications of endometriosis, such as bowel obstruction, are evident on CT scans. Ureteral obstruction may cause hydronephrosis. The appearance of endometriomas and endometriosis on CT scans is easily mimicked by pelvic inflammatory disease, as well as by benign or malignant ovarian tumors.

What does Zoladex do for endometriosis?

In endometriosis, this medicine is used to reduce endometrial lesions and to thin the endometrium (lining of the uterus) before surgery to remove endometriotic tissue growing outside the uterus. Zoladex is an implant injected every month under the skin.

What kind of disease is deep infiltrating endometriosis?

Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis (DIE) is a highly invasive form of endometriosis that is often characterized by rectovaginal nodules (in the space between the vagina and rectum) and disease of the uterosacral ligaments, rectum, rectovaginal septum, vagina, and bladder.

Where does endometriosis grow in the uterus?

This severe form of endometriosis may be found between the rectum and the vagina (known as recto-vaginal endometriosis), in the Pouch of Douglas, uterosacral ligaments, bowel, appendix, ureter, bladder, uterovesical fold (between the bladder and the uterus) or the pelvic wall. It can also grow into nerves such as the sciatic or obturator nerves.

How big does deep pelvic endometriosis get?

Deep pelvic endometriosis, also known as deep infiltrating endometriosis involvement, is defined as subperitoneal invasion by endometriotic lesions that exceeds 5 mm in depth.

What kind of pain does deep pelvic endometriosis cause?

Deep pelvic endometriosis is an important gynecologic disorder that is responsible for severe pelvic pain and is defined as subperitoneal invasion that exceeds 5 mm in depth.