SonoPODography: A new diagnostic technique for visualizing superficial endometriosis

Area of Science:

• Gynecology
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Endometriosis diagnosis often requires invasive laparoscopy.
• Superficial endometriosis remains challenging to detect non-invasively.
• Novel imaging techniques are needed to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a new transvaginal ultrasound technique, sonoPODography, for detecting superficial endometriosis.
• To assess the feasibility of sonoPODography in patients with suspected endometriosis.

Main Methods:

• A prospective diagnostic accuracy study involving 42 participants.
• SonoPODography involved instilling saline into the pouch of Douglas (POD) via a catheter to create an acoustic window.
• Pelvic assessment for superficial endometriosis using pre-defined features, with laparoscopy and histology as the gold standard.

Main Results:

• SonoPODography identified superficial endometriosis in 57.1% of participants, compared to 88.1% by laparoscopy.
• Overall diagnostic performance: 69.1% accuracy, 64.9% sensitivity, 100% specificity.
• In patients without deep endometriosis or adhesions, accuracy was 80% with 77.7% sensitivity and 100% specificity.

Conclusions:

• SonoPODography is a novel ultrasound procedure with respectable accuracy for visualizing superficial endometriosis.
• The pilot study's promising findings support larger outpatient trials.
• SonoPODography may offer new non-invasive diagnostic pathways for endometriosis.