A new expert consensus statement from the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound (SRU) aims to improve the evaluation and diagnosis of endometriosis through advanced pelvic ultrasound techniques. Published in Radiology, the consensus highlights recommendations for enhancing standard pelvic ultrasound protocols to better detect deep endometriosis—a severe form of the condition affecting tissue deep beneath the peritoneal surface. Endometriosis, which affects an estimated 10% of women of reproductive age and 21% of women undergoing hysterectomy for chronic pelvic pain, often results in significant diagnostic delays, averaging over seven years in the United States. These delays lead to prolonged patient suffering, with endometriosis causing chronic pain, infertility, and disruptions in daily life and relationships. Although ultrasound is typically the first imaging choice for patients presenting with symptoms like chronic pelvic pain and infertility, it is underutilized in the U.S. for screening deep endometriosis due to current protocol limitations and lack of awareness. To address this gap, SRU’s panel—comprising radiologists, sonographers, gynecologists, and reproductive endocrinologists—provided evidence-based techniques and maneuvers that can be integrated into routine ultrasounds, often in less than five minutes, to identify endometriosis earlier. Recommended techniques include transvaginal ultrasound of specific pelvic regions and the uterine sliding sign maneuver. These methods allow for clearer identification of direct and indirect signs of endometriosis, with results to be reported using an APU (American Pelvic Ultrasound) grading system that ranges from Incomplete (APU-0) to Positive (APU-3), guiding further management steps. Intended primarily for symptomatic patients, these guidelines may lead to earlier diagnoses and targeted interventions. SRU also recommends further validation studies to assess the accuracy of these augmented ultrasound methods on a larger scale.
Ultrasound-Enhanced SRU Consensus Statement Improves Endometriosis Evaluation Guidelines
No results found.
