Endometriosis Assessment at QUFW

Transcript

Hi, my name’s Jacqui. I’m the lead gynaecological sonographer for QUFW, and I’m here to talk you through your endometriosis assessment.

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It commonly attaches to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, and bladder, as well as other organs. Just as the lining of the uterus thickens and bleeds every month during menstruation, so does this tissue. This causes inflammation, swelling, and pain in these areas.

Endometriosis affects as many as one in seven women and people assigned female at birth. Some people have no pain at all, while others have debilitating symptoms such as pain during periods, chronic pelvic pain, pain with sexual intercourse, painful bowel motions during menstruation, abnormal bleeding, pain with urination, pain with ovulation, and fatigue. About 30% of patients with endometriosis experience infertility. In Australia, the average person with endometriosis experiences a diagnostic delay of about 6.4 years.

Why is there a delay in diagnosis?

Period pain is often dismissed as normal. There is also frequent misdiagnosis at the GP level, during imaging, or even at laparoscopy. Public hospital waitlists for surgery can be long, and there are not enough trained surgeons to perform specialised deep endometriosis surgery. There are also limited numbers of trained sonographers to perform advanced endometriosis ultrasounds, and not enough specialists able to accurately report these assessments.

There are three types of endometriosis. The first type is endometriomas, the second is superficial endometriosis, and the third is deep endometriosis.

Endometriomas, also known as chocolate cysts, occur in around 17 to 44% of patients with endometriosis. They can vary in size and may appear on one or both ovaries. They are a warning sign that calls for a thorough investigation of the entire pelvis and are usually easy to see on transvaginal ultrasound.

Superficial endometriosis is the most subtle form of the disease and accounts for about 80% of cases. Ultrasound can sometimes give indications of superficial endometriosis when there is tenderness in a particular area or when the organs appear stuck. In the past, ultrasound had limited sensitivity in detecting superficial endometriosis because the lesions are small and have little volume. However, with ongoing research, we are beginning to see both direct and indirect features of this type. Some women with superficial endometriosis may have more severe symptoms than those with deep endometriosis.

Deep endometriosis is defined as lesions that extend more than five millimetres beneath the peritoneum. It causes scarring and adhesions that can distort normal anatomy. Deep endometriosis accounts for 15 to 30% of cases and is often found on the posterior vaginal wall behind the cervix, the uterosacral ligaments, the bowel, and the bladder. It’s less frequently seen on the ureters, diaphragm, or in surgical scars.

Adenomyosis is another benign gynaecological condition, commonly diagnosed in women between the ages of 40 and 60. It occurs when endometrial tissue grows into the muscle wall of the uterus. Common symptoms include painful and heavy periods. Endometriosis and adenomyosis can often occur together.

How is the ultrasound performed?

First, your gynaecological history is taken. Then a transabdominal scan is performed while your bladder is full. This gives us an overview of your pelvis and allows us to assess your kidneys. The transabdominal scan will not provide detailed information about deep endometriosis.

The main endometriosis assessment is performed transvaginally, using an internal probe that functions like a slender camera. For your comfort and to optimise our views, you’ll be asked to empty your bladder before the internal scan. A sterile probe cover is used, and with your consent, the probe is gently inserted into the vagina.

During the examination, the probe is moved at different angles, and the sonographer may place a hand on your abdomen to apply light pressure and assess the mobility of your uterus and ovaries. The entire ultrasound assessment takes about 30 minutes and follows well-established protocols. The results are often discussed with you, and the report will be sent to your referring doctor in a timely manner.

If you have never had penetrative sexual intercourse or used tampons, a transvaginal scan is still possible with a skilled sonographer and your consent. Some patients experience tenderness, so options include taking pain relief before the appointment. Pelvic floor physiotherapists can also help with relaxation techniques.

Some women, however, may not be able to tolerate a transvaginal scan due to intense pain. In these cases, MRI can be used as an alternative. However, MRI is not a dynamic study and cannot assess whether the pelvic organs are stuck together due to adhesions from endometriosis.

After the transvaginal examination, some women can experience mild pain, which is considered normal. Occasionally, the examination may temporarily increase your pain, but this usually resolves after the ultrasound. Pain relief can be used to ease any discomfort. Some women may also experience light spotting.

It’s also common to feel emotional after receiving an endometriosis diagnosis. Some women feel relieved that their pain has been validated, while others may feel disappointed if the ultrasound appears normal. A normal ultrasound performed by a trained specialist does not rule out all endometriosis. Ultrasound has limitations in diagnosing superficial endometriosis, which is the most common type, affecting about 80% of patients.

The severity of the disease does not always match the severity of symptoms. Some women with superficial endometriosis have more severe pain than those with deep endometriosis. If symptoms cannot be managed, a laparoscopy may be necessary.

If you already have symptoms of endometriosis, do you still need an ultrasound before surgery?

Yes. The aim is to reduce unnecessary surgery, which can cause scarring, adhesions, and further damage to the pelvic organs. The presence of bowel or deep endometriosis suggests that an advanced laparoscopic surgeon should perform the operation rather than a general laparoscopic surgeon.

A transvaginal ultrasound has been shown to have higher sensitivity in detecting deep endometriosis compared to diagnostic laparoscopy. This non-invasive approach allows the disease to be mapped and may reduce the need for diagnostic surgery and surgical surprises.

If you’ve already had an ultrasound that confirms endometriosis, do you need surgery to confirm your diagnosis?

No. A transvaginal ultrasound is an accurate, non-invasive diagnostic tool. There’s no need to confirm the findings with a laparoscopy. If endometriosis is identified on your ultrasound, it gives you and your healthcare team more accurate information to plan your treatment. This may involve surgical removal of endometriosis or non-surgical management.

What is the difference between a standard pelvic ultrasound and a specialised endometriosis assessment?

A standard pelvic ultrasound assesses the uterus and ovaries. This routine scan can detect endometriomas but often misses deep endometriosis affecting structures outside the uterus.

A specialised endometriosis assessment goes beyond these areas to examine the bowel, bladder, and supporting ligaments in both the anterior and posterior compartments. If these areas are not assessed, deep endometriosis may not be detected.

A specialised endometriosis ultrasound is performed by trained specialists using dynamic techniques to assess for organ mobility and adhesions. This method can detect deep endometriosis with high accuracy and sometimes superficial disease as well.

At QUFW, your specialised endometriosis assessment is performed and reported by an expert-trained gynaecologist with advanced skills in interpreting all aspects of endometriosis on ultrasound.

We are here for you.