'Invisible' microscopic endometriosis: a review

Area of Science:

• Gynecology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Endometriosis presents with subtle visual characteristics.
• Theories of endometriosis origin suggest early, potentially undetectable forms exist.
• Current understanding implies a need for enhanced visualization techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the visual detectability of endometriosis during surgical procedures.
• To critically assess the concept of invisible microscopic endometriosis.
• To determine the impact of the 'invisible endometriosis' concept on research.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review on endometriosis visualization.
• Analysis of surgical findings related to endometriosis detection.
• Evaluation of the role of magnification in surgical visualization.

Main Results:

• Virtually all endometriosis is visualized with increasing surgical magnification.
• The concept of invisible microscopic endometriosis lacks empirical support.
• The notion of undetectable disease hinders scientific advancement in endometriosis.

Conclusions:

• Surgical magnification effectively visualizes endometriosis, refuting the existence of an unproven 'invisible' form.
• Focusing on visually identifiable endometriosis is crucial for advancing research and understanding of the disease.