An evidence-based approach to assessing surgical versus clinical diagnosis of symptomatic endometriosis

Hugh S. Taylor, G. David Adamson, Michael Peter Diamond, Steven R. Goldstein, Andrew W. Horne, Stacey A. Missmer, Michael C. Snabes, Eric Surrey, Robert N. Taylor

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

Challenges intrinsic to the accurate diagnosis of endometriosis contribute to an extended delay between the onset of symptoms and clinical confirmation. Intraoperative visualization, preferably with histologic verification, is considered by many professional organizations to be the gold standard by which endometriosis is diagnosed. Clinical diagnosis of symptomatic endometriosis via patient history, physical examination, and noninvasive tests, though more easily executed, is generally viewed as less accurate than surgical diagnosis. Technological advances and increased understanding of the pathophysiology of endometriosis warrant continuing reevaluation of the standard method for diagnosing symptomatic disease. A review of the published literature was therefore performed with the goal of comparing the accuracy of clinical diagnostic measures with that of surgical diagnosis. The current body of evidence suggests that clinical diagnosis of symptomatic endometriosis is more reliable than previously recognized and that surgical diagnosis has limitations that could be underappreciated. Regardless of the methodology used, women with suspected symptomatic endometriosis would be well served by a diagnostic paradigm that is reliable, conveys minimal risk of under- or over-diagnosis, lessens the time from symptom development to diagnosis, and guides the appropriate use of medical and surgical management strategies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)131-142
Number of pages12
JournalInternational Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Volume142
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2018

Keywords

  • Diagnosis
  • Endometriosis
  • Histology
  • Infertility
  • Laparoscopy
  • Pelvic examination
  • Pelvic pain
  • Surgery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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