Author [reference] | Study period | Study population | Age | TVS | TRS | MRI | Blinding |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abrao [10] | 2004-2006 | 104 Consecutive women with clinically suspected endometriosis | Mean 33.8 years (SD 6.1) | HDI 5000 ultrasound scanner with 5-9MHz transducer within 3months before surgery. Rectal enema used | N/A | 1.5T scanner with a Torso phase array coil. Contrast agent gadolinium 0.2mmol/kg. No bowel preparation used | TVS carried out blinded to clinical data. MRI radiologist blinded to clinical data and TVS results |
Bazot [11] | 2000–2004 | 81 Consecutive women referred for surgical management of DIE | Median 31.9years | Ultramark HDI 5000 or Siemens Elegra ultrasound machine. 5-9MHz transducer. No bowel preparation used | Olympus GF UM 20 Echo endoscope, 7.5 and 12MHz. | Sonographers informed of women’s clinical history and symptoms but blinded to physical examination and previous imaging. Different physicians performed TVS and TRS | |
Bazot [19] | 2000–2005 | Retrospective study of 92 consecutive women with clinically suspected pelvic endometriosis | Median 31.8years | Ultramark HDI 5000 or Siements Elegra ultrasound machine, 5-9MHz transducer. No bowel preparation used | Olympus GF UM 20 Echo endoscope, 7.5 and 12MHz probe | 1.5T scanner. Bowel preparation given. Contrast agent gadolinium | All examinations conducted by different physicians with knowledge of clinical history and symptoms but blind to results of physical exam and other imaging |
Chamié [12] | 2005-2007 | 92 Women with a history and clinical examination consistent with endometriosis | Mean 33years | N/A | N/A | GE Signa 1.5T scanner. Contrast agent gadolinium. No bowel preparation used | MRI images interpreted independently by 2 radiologists blinded to patient history |
Chapron [13] | Retrospective study of 81 consecutive patients with histologically proven DIE. MRI and transrectal ultrasound given prior to planned surgery | Mean 31.0 (SD6.7) | N/A | Olympus GF-UM20 scope ultrasound machine with 7.5 and 12MHz probes | 1.5T Tesla Unit with a phased-array coil. No contrast aged used | Patients already had a diagnosis of DIE but the ultrasonographer and radiologist were blind to clinical information when they interpreted the results of the tests | |
Delpy [14] | 1998–2003 | 31 Women with suspected rectovaginal endometriosis based on clinical symptoms and/or abnormal clinical examination | Mean 31.5years | N/A (for rectal infiltration) | 7.5MHz radial-scanning miniprobe (Fujinon) fitted with a distal balloon | N/A | Blind to precise clinical findings but with the knowledge of suspected endometriosis. Surgery conducted with full knowledge of imaging results |
Guerriero [15] | 2005-2007 | 88 Consecutive women with clinically suspected endometriosis | Mean 33years (SD 5) | 1Week before surgery using Technos MPX with 6.5-7.0MHz transducer. Paid special attention to tender areas. No rectal enema used. | N/A | N/A | Not reported |
Hudelist [16] | 2007–2008 | 200 Women with clinically suspected endometriosis | Median 33years | Logic 9 or Accuvix XQ ultrasound machine 5-9MHz transducer combined with bimanual PV examination within 2months of surgery. No rectal enema used | PV examination performed first followed by TVS by the same examiner | ||
Menada [17] | 2006–2007 | 90 Women with clinically suspected rectovaginal endometriosis | Median 32years | Siemens Sonoline Antares ultrasound machine. 3.6-8.0MHz multifrequency transducer | |||
Given on day of surgery. Bowel preparation given on the day before surgery. Saline solution injected into the rectum during the procedure | N/A | N/A | TVS carried out independently by 2 ultrasonographers with the knowledge of clinically suspected disease by blind to any other clinical information | ||||
Piketty [18] | 2005–2007 | 134 Women with clinically suspected DIE | Mean 32.1years (SD 5) | Toshiba ultrasound machine. 5-9MHz transducer. No rectal enema used | Olympus UM 160 following rectal enema. 5, 7.5 and 12MHz frequencies used | N/A | Examiners told DIE was suspected but were not given information on clinical findings or other imaging findings |