Umbilical Endometriosis: A Systematic Literature Review and Pathogenic Theory Proposal

Umbilical endometriosis represents 30-40% of abdominal wall endometriosis and around 0.5-1.0% of all cases of endometriosis. The aim of this systematic review is to revisit the epidemiology, signs, and symptoms and to formulate a pathogenic theory based on literature data. We performed a systematic literature review using the PubMed and Embase databases from 1 January 1950 to 7 February 2021, according to the PRISMA guidelines. The review was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42021239670). Studies were selected if they reported original data on umbilical endometriosis nodule defined at histopathological examination and described as the presence of endometrial glands and/or stromal cells in the connective tissue. A total of 11 studies (10 retrospective and one prospective), and 14 case series were included in the present review. Overall, 232 umbilical endometriosis cases were reported, with the number per study ranging from 1 to 96. Umbilical endometriosis was observed in 76 (20.9%; 95% CI 17.1-25.4) of the women included in studies reporting information on the total number of cases of abdominal wall endometriosis. Umbilical endometriosis was considered a primary form in 68.4% (158/231, 95% CI 62.1-74.1) of cases. A history of endometriosis and previous abdominal surgery were reported in 37.9% (25/66, 95% CI 27.2-49.9) and 31.0% (72/232, 95% CI 25.4-37.3) of cases, respectively. Pain was described in 83% of the women (137/165, 95% CI 76.6-88.0), followed by catamenial symptoms in 83.5% (142/170, 95% CI, 77.2-88.4) and bleeding in 50.9% (89/175, 95% CI 43.5-58.2). In the 148 women followed for a period ranging from three to 92.5 months, seven (4.7%, 95% CI 2.3-9.4) recurrences were observed. The results of this analysis show that umbilical endometriosis represents about 20% of all the abdominal wall endometriotic lesions and that over two thirds of cases are primary umbilical endometriosis forms. Pain and catamenial symptoms are the most common complaints that suggest the diagnosis. Primary umbilical endometriosis may originate from implantation of regurgitated endometrial cells conveyed by the clockwise peritoneal circulation up to the right hemidiaphragm and funneled toward the umbilicus by the falciform and round liver ligaments.