Abstract
Background: Transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasonography has become a widely used investigative method in the diagnostic workup of endometriosis, as well as for the postoperative follow-up. The variety of lesions, the distorted anatomy caused by adhesions and the fibrosis process represent the main challenges of the ultrasound evaluation. Regarding the recurrence of endometriosis, the diagnostic criteria are being imprecise, being adjusted according to the development of ultrasound techniques.
Objective and Methods: To this study, extensive research has been performed interrogating PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases to identify published research including patients with endometriosis who underwent surgery. Included patients had postoperative ultrasound investigations to detect evidence of endometriosis recurrence. The selected timeframe was 5 years. We conducted a literature review on ultrasound markers of endometriosis recurrence.
Results: In this analysis, 2023 patients from 9 studies were included. The recurrence rate detected was 17.26%. The postoperative treatment was different in the selected studies and they include the administration of progesterone, oral combined contraceptives, GnRh antagonists, aromatase inhibitors and intrauterine devices with prolonged release of progesterone.
Discussion: The recurrence rate is different in the selected studies as a result of the recurrence definition used by each author and the minimum dimension of the lesions, in case of the cystic pattern. Innovative techniques of differential diagnosis by ultrasound are proposed, one of them being the textural analysis performed by computer-aided diagnosis – CAD. In order to standardize the recommendations regarding imaging techniques, we propose an algorithm for following up with patients in the postoperative period.
Conclusion: The transabdominal or endovaginal ultrasound performed regularly represents a key factor to determine the recurrence of endometriosis in the postoperative period and the imaging reassessment is recommended to be performed at a 6-month interval.
Keywords: Endometriosis, Ultrasound, Recurrence, Diagnosis, Postoperative, Disease.
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advancements and Applications of Photon Counting CT: Transforming Imaging Precision and Quantification
Photon Counting Computed Tomography (CT) represents a transformative advancement in medical imaging technology, offering unprecedented levels of precision and diagnostic capability. This special issue will explore the latest innovations and applications of photon counting CT, highlighting its advantages over traditional energy-integrating detectors. The scope includes an in-depth examination of its ...read more
Advancements in Deep Learning based Medical Image and Signal Processing for Healthcare Applications
The accurate predication from medical data (signals and images) analytics will be achieved through the use of cutting-edge AI tools for tailoring medical treatment to each patient. When the agents are done analysing the user's health data, the user can consult with the agents to receive advice and the most ...read more
AI-Driven Diagnostics in Radiology and Medical Imaging
Medical imaging data, such as X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, CT scans, and DXAs, can be analysed by AI algorithms to help healthcare professionals identify and diagnose diseases more rapidly and accurately. Among the most cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare are imaging-related applications like cancer detection. AI could revolutionise ...read more
Applying medical image processing techniques for early cancer detection in mammograms
Breast cancer survival and successful treatment are significantly boosted by early identification. Breast cancer screening is most commonly accomplished with mammography. The radiologist's experience and the image quality, among several other factors, might affect how well a mammogram is interpreted. Enhancing mammography analysis and increasing cancer early detection are made ...read more
50
