Intestinal Endometriosis in a 38-Year-Old Woman
Ruoxi Zhang1, Xiaoqing Li1, Aiming Yang1
1Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China.
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Intestinal endometriosis, a common gynecological disorder, presents diagnostic challenges. This case highlights unique endoscopic findings of lymphatic dilatation, aiding in preoperative recognition and preventing misdiagnosis of malignancy.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Gynecology
- Pathology
Background:
- Endometriosis is a prevalent gynecological condition.
- Intestinal involvement can lead to severe complications like obstruction and perforation.
- Preoperative diagnosis of intestinal endometriosis remains challenging, often mimicking malignancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of intestinal endometriosis.
- To describe characteristic endoscopic findings, specifically lymphatic dilatation-like changes.
- To provide a reference for improved endoscopic recognition of intestinal endometriosis.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a patient with intestinal endometriosis.
- Endoscopic examination with detailed observation of mucosal and submucosal features.
- Correlation of endoscopic findings with subsequent pathological examination.
Main Results:
- The case presented with endoscopic features resembling lymphatic dilatation.
- These endoscopic findings were confirmed by pathological analysis.
- The study emphasizes the correlation between visual endoscopic cues and histological evidence.
Conclusions:
- Intestinal endometriosis requires careful endoscopic evaluation.
- Lymphatic dilatation-like changes can be a key endoscopic marker for intestinal endometriosis.
- Accurate preoperative diagnosis can prevent aggressive and unnecessary surgical interventions.
