IMR Press / CEOG / Volume 46 / Issue 4 / DOI: 10.12891/ceog4814.2019

Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) is published by IMR Press from Volume 47 Issue 1 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.

Open Access Review
Differential diagnosis of adenomyosis: the role of hysteroscopy and laparoscopy
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1 U.O.C. Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ospedale San Francesco, Nuoro, Italy
2 Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
3 Department of Surgical Sciences, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
*Correspondence: alesspontis@msn.com (A. PONTIS)
Clin. Exp. Obstet. Gynecol. 2019, 46(4), 511–515; https://doi.org/10.12891/ceog4814.2019
Published: 10 August 2019
Abstract

Adenomyosis is defined as the heterotopic presence of endometrial mucosa (glands and stroma) abnormally implanted within myometrium with a range of clinical presentations, the most common being heavy menstrual bleeding and dysmenorrhoea; nevertheless, patients can also be asymptomatic. This review describes the state of the art of role of hysteroscopy and laparoscopy in the diagnosis of adenomyosis according to recent literature findings. Hysteroscopy offers the advantage of direct visualization of the uterine cavity, and nowadays is performed in the office. It is immediately preceded by a physical exam and a transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) to evaluate uterine characteristics. It is offers the possibility of obtaining endometrial/myometrial biopsies under visual control. Laparoscopy is not traditionally considered a diagnostic tool for adenomyosis, but it can have a complementary role in the differential diagnosis of this insidious pathology.

Keywords
Adenomyosis
Laparoscopy
Hysteroscopy
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