Diagnosis of superficial endometriosis on transvaginal ultrasound by visualization of peritoneum of pouch of Douglas.

OBJECTIVE: Around 80% of women with endometriosis have superficial endometriosis (SE) rather than ovarian or deep endometriosis (DE). However, to date, advances in non-invasive, imaging-based diagnosis have been limited to DE or ovarian disease. The objective of this study was to determine whether we can detect SE on transvaginal ultrasound scan (TVS) by assessing the peritoneum of the pouch of Douglas (POD). METHODS: This was a retrospective diagnostic test study following a change in practice to include POD peritoneum assessment for SE during TVS at a tertiary London hospital. Eligible patients underwent TVS by a single clinician trained in endometriosis scanning and a subsequent surgical procedure (laparoscopy) between April 2018 and September 2021. Participants formed a consecutive series. The TVS findings were compared with those of laparoscopy as the gold standard. Comparison of TVS findings with intraoperative findings was performed by calculating the diagnostic test performance measures (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and positive and negative likelihood ratios). RESULTS: The study included a total of 100 patients. We found that 43/100 (43.0%) patients had no endometriosis, 33/100 (33.0%) had SE and 24/100 (24.0%) had DE on laparoscopy. SE was correctly detected on TVS in 17/33 patients, with a sensitivity of 51.5% (95% CI, 33.5-69.2%), specificity of 94.0% (95% CI, 85.4-98.4%), PPV of 81.0% (95% CI, 60.8-92.1%) and NPV of 79.7% (95% CI, 73.4-84.9%). DE was correctly diagnosed in 20/24 cases, including all ovarian cases, with a sensitivity of 83.3% (95% CI, 62.3-95.3%), specificity of 97.4% (95% CI, 90.8-99.7%), PPV of 90.9% (95% CI, 71.6-97.5%) and NPV of 94.9% (95% CI, 88.3-97.8%). The detection of SE on TVS was most accurate in the POD (sensitivity, 50.0%; specificity, 96.4%; PPV, 76.9%; NPV, 88.9%). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the detection of SE in the POD is possible using routine TVS. While negative TVS does not reliably confirm the absence of disease or replace diagnostic laparoscopy, positive TVS facilitates non-invasive diagnosis for a much larger group of women than was previously possible. This should help to reduce the time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis and enable initiation of medical treatment without the risk, cost and delay associated with a surgical diagnosis. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Diagnostic accuracy of sliding sign for detecting pouch of Douglas obliteration and bowel involvement in women with suspected endometriosis: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the sliding sign on transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) in detecting pouch of Douglas obliteration and bowel involvement in patients with suspected endometriosis, using laparoscopy as the reference standard. METHODS: A search for studies evaluating the role of the sliding sign in the assessment of pouch of Douglas obliteration and/or bowel involvement using laparoscopy as the reference standard published from January 2000 to October 2021 was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and SCOPUS databases. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. Analyses were performed using MIDAS and METANDI commands in STATA. RESULTS: A total of 334 citations were identified. Eight studies were included in the analysis, resulting in 938 and 963 patients available for analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of the sliding sign for pouch of Douglas obliteration and bowel involvement, respectively. The mean prevalence of pouch of Douglas obliteration was 37% and the mean prevalence of bowel involvement was 23%. The pooled estimated sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and diagnostic odds ratio of the sliding sign on TVS for detecting pouch of Douglas obliteration were 88% (95% CI, 81-93%), 94% (95% CI, 91-96%), 15.3 (95% CI, 10.2-22.9), 0.12 (95% CI, 0.07-0.21) and 123 (95% CI, 62-244), respectively. The heterogeneity was moderate for sensitivity and low for specificity for detecting pouch of Douglas obliteration. The pooled estimated sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and diagnostic odds ratio of the sliding sign on TVS for detecting bowel involvement were 81% (95% CI, 64-91%), 95% (95% CI, 91-97%), 16.0 (95% CI, 9.0-28.6), 0.20 (95% CI, 0.10-0.40) and 81 (95% CI, 34-191), respectively. The heterogeneity for the meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy for bowel involvement was high. CONCLUSION: The sliding sign on TVS has good diagnostic performance for predicting pouch of Douglas obliteration and bowel involvement in women with suspected endometriosis. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

A Multicenter International Temporal and External Validation Study of the Ultrasound-based Endometriosis Staging System.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to validate temporally and externally the ultrasound-based endometriosis staging system (UBESS) to predict the level of complexity of laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis. DESIGN: A multicenter, international, retrospective, diagnostic accuracy study was carried out between January 2016 and April 2018 on women with suspected pelvic endometriosis. SETTING: Four different centers with advanced ultrasound and laparoscopic services were recruited (1 for temporal validation and 3 for external validation). PATIENTS: Women with pelvic pain and suspected endometriosis. INTERVENTIONS: All women underwent a systematic transvaginal ultrasound and were staged according to the UBESS system, followed by classification of laparoscopic level of complexity according to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) levels 1 to 3. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: UBESS I, II, and III were then correlated with RCOG levels 1, 2, and 3, respectively. A comparison between temporal and external sites (skipping "A") and between each site was performed in terms of the diagnostic accuracy of UBESS to predict RCOG laparoscopic skill level. A total of 317 consecutive women who underwent laparoscopy with suspected endometriosis were included. Complete transvaginal ultrasound and laparoscopic surgical outcomes were available for 293/317 (92.4%). At the temporal site, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio of UBESS I to predict RCOG level 1 were 80.0%,73.8%, 94.9%, 97.2%, 60.2%, 14.5%, and 0.3%, respectively; of UBESS II to predict RCOG level 2 were 81.0%, 70.6%, 82.0%, 26.7%, 96.8%, 3.9%, and 0.3%, respectively; of UBESS III to predict RCOG level 3 were 91.0%, 85.7%, 92.4%, 75.0%, 96.1%, 11.3%, and 0.2%, respectively. At the external sites, the results of UBESS I to predict RCOG level 1 were 90.3%, 92.0%, 88.4%, 90.2%, 90.5%, 7.9%, and 0.1% respectively; UBESS II to predict RCOG level 2 were 89.2%, 100.0%, 88.5%, 37.5%, 100.0%, 8.7%, and 0.0%, respectively; and UBESS III to predict RCOG level 3 were 86.0%, 67.6%, 98.2%, 96.2%, 82.1%, 37.8%, and 0.3%, respectively. When patients requiring ureterolysis (i.e., RCOG level 3) in the absence of bowel endometriosis were excluded (n = 54), the sensitivity of UBESS III to correctly classify RCOG level 3 increased from 85.7% to 96.7% at the temporal site (n = 42) and from 67.6% to 96.0% at the external sites (n = 12) (p <.005). CONCLUSION: The results from this external validation study suggest that UBESS in its current form is not generalizable unless there is either or both bowel deep endometriosis and cul-de-sac obliteration present. The major limitation appears to be the misclassification of women who require surgical ureterolysis in the absence of bowel endometriosis.

Prevalence of negative sliding sign representing pouch of Douglas obliteration during pelvic transvaginal ultrasound for any indication.

OBJECTIVES: Pouch of Douglas (POD) obliteration can be predicted with a high degree of certainty and reproducibility using the dynamic transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) sliding-sign technique. So far, studies on POD obliteration prediction have focused on tertiary-care populations with high prevalence of endometriosis; however, POD obliteration may exist in individuals with asymptomatic endometriosis or other conditions. Our primary aim was to determine the prevalence of a negative sliding sign, representing POD obliteration, in a cohort of patients undergoing TVS for any gynecological indication. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of consecutive women with an indication for gynecological TVS, conducted at a high-volume ultrasound practice between July and August 2018. Clinical and surgical history, indication for TVS and TVS findings were documented. The prevalence of TVS-confirmed POD obliteration, determined by interpretation of the sliding sign, was calculated for the entire cohort and for the subgroups of women with and without risk factors for endometriosis. High risk for endometriosis was defined as having (1) a TVS referral for endometriosis-like pelvic pain or endometriosis specifically and/or (2) clinical symptoms or signs suggestive of endometriosis. Low risk was defined as the absence of these characteristics. RESULTS: During the study period, 1043 consecutive women underwent TVS. After excluding those who underwent transabdominal ultrasound, had a history of hysterectomy or with missing data, 909 women were analyzed. The prevalence of a negative sliding sign in the entire cohort was 47/909 (5.2%). A negative sliding sign was observed in 22/639 (3.4%) women with a low risk for endometriosis and 25/243 (10.3%) of those with a high risk for endometriosis (difference in proportions, 6.9% (95% CI 2.8-10.9%); P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated an overall prevalence of a negative sliding sign, suggesting POD obliteration, of 5.2% (or 1/20) in women seeking TVS for a gynecological indication. The prevalence of negative sliding sign in low-risk women is not negligible (3.4% or 1/29 women). These women are most likely to have asymptomatic endometriosis or another important etiology of POD obliteration. The prevalence of a negative sliding sign is approximately three-times higher in women with signs and/or symptoms of endometriosis (10.3% vs 3.4%). Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Resultado de supervivencia en una hernia diafragmática congénita grave del lado izquierdo, con y sin oclusión traqueal endoscópica fetal en un país con un tratamiento neonatal subóptimo OBJETIVOS: La obliteración del fondo de saco de Douglas (FSD) puede predecirse con un alto grado de certeza y reproducibilidad usando la técnica del signo deslizante en una ecografía transvaginal dinámica (TVS, por sus siglas en inglés). Hasta ahora, los estudios sobre la predicción de la obliteración del FSD se han centrado en las poblaciones de atención terciaria con alta prevalencia de endometriosis; sin embargo, la obliteración del FSD puede ocurrir en personas con endometriosis asintomática u otras afecciones. El objetivo principal fue determinar la prevalencia de un signo deslizante negativo, como indicador de la obliteración del FSD, en una cohorte de pacientes que se sometieron a TVS por cualquier indicación ginecológica. MÉTODOS: Se trató de un estudio observacional prospectivo de mujeres en una lista consecutiva a quienes se les indicó una TVS ginecológica, realizada en una consulta de ecografía de gran volumen de pacientes entre julio y agosto de 2018. Se documentaron los antecedentes clínicos y quirúrgicos, las indicaciones para la TVS y los hallazgos de la TVS. La prevalencia de la obliteración del FSD confirmada por la TVS, determinada por la interpretación del signo deslizante, se calculó para toda la cohorte y para subgrupos de mujeres con y sin factores de riesgo de endometriosis. El riesgo elevado de endometriosis se definió como el hecho de tener (1) una remisión para TVS debido a dolor pélvico similar a la endometriosis o endometriosis específicamente y/o (2) síntomas o indicios clínicos que sugerían endometriosis. El riesgo bajo se definió como la ausencia de estas características. RESULTADOS: Durante el período de estudio, 1043 mujeres se sometieron a TVS de forma consecutiva. Se analizaron 909 mujeres, tras excluir a las que se sometieron a una ecografía abdominal, las que tenían antecedentes de histerectomía o aquellas para las que faltaban datos. La prevalencia de un signo deslizante negativo en toda la cohorte fue de 47/909 (5,2%). Se observó un signo deslizante negativo en 22/639 (3,4%) de las mujeres con bajo riesgo de endometriosis y en 25/243 (10,3%) de aquellas con alto riesgo de endometriosis (diferencia de proporciones, 6,9% (IC 95%: 2,8-10,9%); P<0,001). CONCLUSIONES: Se demuestra una prevalencia general de un signo deslizante negativo, que sugiere la obliteración del FSD en el 5,2% (o 1/20) de mujeres que se someten a TVS para una indicación ginecológica. La prevalencia del signo deslizante negativo en las mujeres de bajo riesgo no es desdeñable (3,4% o 1/29 mujeres). Estas mujeres son las más propensas a tener endometriosis asintomática u otra etiología importante de obliteración del FSD. La prevalencia de un signo deslizante negativo es aproximadamente tres veces mayor en mujeres con signos y/o síntomas de endometriosis (10,3% vs 3,4%). Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Prevalence of Deep Endometriosis and Rectouterine Pouch Obliteration in the Presence of Normal Ovaries.

OBJECTIVE: It is well-established that there is a strong association between ovarian endometriomas (OE) and deep endometriosis (DE) and rectouterine pouch (RP) obliteration. We aimed to determine the prevalence of DE and RP obliteration in the presence of normal ovaries. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre retrospective cohort study from January 2009 to December 2017 using a prospective multicentre data registry. Participants included patients with signs and/or symptoms of endometriosis who underwent excisional laparoscopic surgery at one of eight hospitals. The primary outcome was the prevalence of DE and RP obliteration, which was compared between women with normal ovaries (i.e., no OE) and women with ovaries containing OE. Secondary outcomes evaluated included rates of DE by anatomic site between women with and without OE. RESULTS: The ovaries did not contain an OE in 319 of 410 patients (77.8%). The prevalence of DE and RP obliteration in this cohort was 25.4% and 9.7% (81 and 31 patients), respectively; whereas, in patients with OE, DE and RP obliteration prevalence was 68.1% and 60.4% (62 and 55 patients), respectively (P < 0.001 for both DE and RP obliteration). The uterosacral ligaments were the most common site for DE (right: 47/319 [14.7%]; left: 42/319 [13.2%]). CONCLUSIONS: In patients who visited a tertiary care centre with endometriosis without ovarian involvement, 1 in 4 had DE and 1 in 10 had RP obliteration. These prevalence rates should encourage knowledge and skills dissemination to improve non-invasive imaging diagnosis overall. In patients with symptoms or signs suggestive of endometriosis, a basic pelvic ultrasound that ends at evaluation for OE should not be regarded as reassuring.

One-Size-Fits-All Approach Does Not Work for Gynecology Trainees Learning Endometriosis Ultrasound Skills.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether gynecologic surgical trainees (fellows) can become competent in the real-time classification of the pouch of Douglas (POD) obliteration state and direct visualization of bowel deep endometriosis (DE) during a program with a prespecified number of transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) examinations. METHODS: We performed a prospective study between December 2017 and December 2018. Three fellows (F1-F3) performed 50 scans each, which were all supervised by an expert sonologist, who performed the reference standard TVUS examination. The fellows performed a focused TVUS examination to assess the bowel and POD state, having been blinded to the patient's clinical history and reference standard findings. Immediate feedback and hands-on teaching were provided after each of the fellow's official classifications. To evaluate the number of scans needed to gain competency, the cumulative summation test for the learning curve was used. RESULTS: A total of 150 examinations were performed on 145 patients. Twenty-six (17.9%) patients had a diagnosis of bowel DE, and 34 (23.4%) were classified as having a negative sliding sign by the reference standard. The overall accuracy of the presence/absence of bowel DE was 90% (range, 82%-94%). The overall accuracy of POD state classification was 93% (range, 90%-96%). The cumulative summation test for the learning curve for bowel DE showed that F1 did not reach competency by 50 scans, whereas F2 and F3 required 21 and 25 scans, respectively. For POD obliteration, F2 did not reach competency, whereas F1 and F3 required 40 and 22 scans. CONCLUSIONS: Not all trainees can reach competency for TVUS evaluations of POD obliteration and bowel DE in a predefined number of scans.

Ultrasound evaluation of pouch of Douglas obliteration and rectal deep endometriosis in women who have had previous combined colorectal and gynaecological laparoscopic surgery for rectal endometriosis: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound has been demonstrated to accurately diagnose rectal deep endometriosis (DE) and pouch of Douglas (POD) obliteration. The role of ultrasound in the assessment of patients who have undergone surgery for rectal DE and POD obliteration has not been evaluated. AIM: To describe the transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) findings of patients who have undergone rectal surgery for DE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study at a tertiary care centre in Sydney, Australia between January and April 2017. Patients previously treated for rectal DE (low anterior resection vs rectal shaving/disc excision) were recruited and asked to complete a questionnaire on their current symptoms. On TVS, POD state and rectal DE were assessed. Correlating recurrence of POD obliteration and/or rectal DE to surgery type and symptoms was done. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were contacted; 22/56 (39.3%) attended for the study visit. Average interval of surgery to study visit was 52.8 ± 24.6 months. Surgery type breakdown was as follows: low anterior resection (56%) and rectal shaving/disc excision (44%). The prevalence of POD obliteration was 16/22 (72.7%) intraoperatively and 8/22 (36.4%) at study visit, as per the sliding sign. Nine patients (39.1%) had evidence on TVS of recurrent rectal DE. Recurrence of POD obliteration and rectal DE was not associated with surgery type or symptomatology. CONCLUSION: Despite surgery for rectal DE, many patients have a negative sliding sign on TVS, representing POD obliteration, and rectal DE. Our numbers are too small to correlate with the surgery type or their current symptoms.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor Arising in the Cul-De-Sac, Mimicking Ectopic Decidua.

Extra-ovarian neoplasms incidentally discovered during cesarean section are very rare. Here we report a case of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor found during cesarean section of a 30-year-old, full-term woman, forming a mass in her cul-de-sac. Histology revealed an extensively decidualized spindle cell process, positive for anaplastic large cell lymphoma kinase (ALK) through immunohistochemistry and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first presentation of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor in this location without concurrent intrauterine component, that additionally demonstrates this degree of decidualization, mimicking ectopic decidua.

Prediction of Pouch of Douglas Obliteration: Point-of-care Ultrasound Versus Pelvic Examination.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the point-of-care preoperative transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) sliding sign in comparison with palpation of a nodule on digital pelvic examination for the prediction of pouch of Douglas (POD) obliteration. DESIGN: Analysis of data from a prospective data registry (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: A tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Women with suspected endometriosis who had preoperative pelvic examination and point-of-care TVUS followed by laparoscopic surgery between August 2015 and December 2016. INTERVENTIONS: Women were preoperatively assessed for the prediction of POD obliteration with pelvic examination for a nodule and point-of-care TVUS uterine/cervix sliding sign. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The study included 269 women, 15.2% (41/269) of whom had POD obliteration at the time of surgery. A preoperative negative sliding sign had a sensitivity of 73.2% (95% confidence interval, 57.1%-85.8%) and a specificity of 93.9% (95% CI, 89.9%-96.6%) in the prediction of POD obliteration compared with preoperative palpation of a nodule on pelvic examination, which had a sensitivity of 24.4% (95% CI, 12.4%-40.3%) and a specificity of 93.4% (95% CI, 89.4%-96.3%). The difference in sensitivity was statistically significant (McNemar test, p <.001). A negative sliding sign was also associated with longer operating times and more difficult surgery including the need for ureterolysis. CONCLUSION: The point-of-care TVUS sliding sign showed significantly improved sensitivity compared with palpation of a nodule on pelvic examination for the prediction of POD obliteration. Therefore, the point-of-care TVUS sliding sign improves the preoperative assessment of POD disease and thus may lead to more optimal surgical planning in women with suspected endometriosis.

Predicting Pouch of Douglas Obliteration Using Ultrasound and Laparoscopic Video Sets: An Interobserver and Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy and interobserver agreement among sonologists when assessing offline ultrasound (US) video sets of the "sliding sign" and among gynecologic surgeons when assessing corresponding laparoscopic video sets to predict pouch of Douglas (POD) obliteration and to compare the performance of the groups. METHODS: A diagnostic and reproducibility study was conducted, including 15 observers in 4 groups: (1) senior sonologists, (2) junior sonologists, (3) general gynecologists, and (4) advanced laparoscopists. The sonologists viewed 25 offline preoperative US video sets of the sliding sign, and the surgeons viewed the corresponding intraoperative laparoscopic videos of the same patients. Each observer was asked to classify POD obliteration in the video sets and was compared to the reference standard POD state determined at real-time laparoscopy by a single investigator (G.C.). The interobserver correlation and diagnostic accuracy were evaluated among the 15 observers and 4 groups. The Cohen κ coefficient and Fleiss κ coefficient were used for the analysis. RESULTS: The overall accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for senior sonologists were 93.3%, 100%, 89.6%, 84.4%, and 100%, respectively; for junior sonologists, 70.0%, 88.9%, 59.4%, 55.2%, and 90.5%; for general gynecologists, 75.2%, 88.1%, 78.1%, 69.8%, and 91.9%; and for advanced laparoscopists, 82.4%, 91.9%, 90.8%, 82.9%, and 95.8%. The overall agreement between senior sonologists was almost perfect (Fleiss κ = 0.876); for junior sonologists and general gynecologists, it was moderate (Fleiss κ = 0.589 and 0.528); and for advanced laparoscopists, it was substantial (Fleiss κ = 0.652). CONCLUSIONS: Interobserver agreement was superior among senior sonologists. Prediction of POD obliteration using offline US videos by senior sonologists is comparable to offline assessments of laparoscopic videos by advanced laparoscopists for prediction of POD obliteration.

A Novel Ultrasound Technique Called Saline Infusion SonoPODography to Visualize and Understand the Pouch of Douglas and Posterior Compartment Contents: A Feasibility Study.

Women with infertility are often investigated with saline-infusion sonohysterography and hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography. The high prevalence of endometriosis in this population also warrants an evaluation with transvaginal ultrasound for deep endometriosis. To minimize investigations, we prospectively evaluated the feasibility of a novel combined ultrasound technique called saline-infusion sonoPODography. In most patients, the fluid infused to assess the cavity and tubal patency spilled through patent tubes and filled the pouch of Douglas, yielding a "standoff" view of posterior compartment structures, including uterosacral ligaments, rectovaginal septum, and the pouch of Douglas. We believe this improved our ability to evaluate this space.

Accuracy of preoperative real-time dynamic transvaginal ultrasound sliding sign in prediction of pelvic adhesions in women with previous abdominopelvic surgery: prospective, multicenter, double-blind study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of the transvaginal sonographic (TVS) sliding sign in predicting pelvic adhesions in women with previous abdominopelvic surgery. METHODS: This was a multicenter, prospective, interventional, double-blind study of patients with a history of abdominopelvic surgery who were undergoing laparoscopy or laparotomy during the 6-month period from March to August 2016 in one of three academic obstetrics and gynecology departments. Prior to surgery, patients were examined by TVS to assess the vesicouterine pouch, uterus, ovaries and pouch of Douglas, using the TVS pelvic sliding sign. Ultrasound findings and medical and surgical data were recorded. We assessed the accuracy of the preoperative TVS sliding sign in the prediction of pelvic adhesions overall and in each compartment separately. RESULTS: During the study period, complete TVS sliding sign and laparoscopic or laparotomic data were available for 107 women. Their mean age was 44.0 (95% CI, 41.6-46.4; range, 20-79) years. Their mean parity was 2.0 (95% CI, 1.7-2.3; range, 0-9) and the mean number of previous abdominal surgical procedures per patient was 1.3 (95% CI, 1.2-1.5; range, 1-4). Adhesions were noted in 27/107 (25.2%) patients. The TVS sliding sign had a sensitivity of 96.3% and specificity of 92.6% in predicting pelvic adhesions. There was a significant relationship between adhesions in each compartment and the TVS sliding sign (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The TVS sliding sign is an effective means to detect preoperatively pelvic adhesions in patients with previous abdominopelvic surgery. Use of such a non-invasive and well-tolerated technique could help in the planning of laparoscopy or laparotomy and counseling of these patients. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Laparoscopic diagnosis and treatment of an isolated epithelioid trophoblastic tumor in recto-uterine pouch.

A 30-year-old Chinese woman with irregular vaginal bleeding was admitted to our department. Serum ß-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) was moderately elevated, and ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an irregular, retro-uterine lesion without intrauterine pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy was the primary consideration, with trophoblastic tumor being another possibility. Laparoscopy revealed a 2 × 3 × 3 cm3 irregular, infiltrating, yellow-white lesion in the left recto-uterine pouch, which was completely resected without rectal damage. Final pathological/immunohistochemical analyses revealed an epithelial trophoblastic tumor (ETT) (Ki-67 reactive index~45%). Postoperative recovery was smooth, and the patient received three chemotherapy courses (etoposide, methotrexate and actinomycin, alternating weekly with cyclophosphamide and vincristine) beginning 6 days postsurgery (ß-hCG = 46.4 mIU/mL). ß-hCG returned to an undetectable level after one chemotherapy course. Herein, we describe a rare case of isolated ETT that was difficult to differentiate from other pregnancy-related diseases. Laparoscopy could be an effective, safe diagnostic method in select patients.

The "pouch" of the Douglas's pouch.

Hernia is described as the protrusion of an organ into the wall of its normal containing cavity. Internal hernia (IH) involves protrusion of viscera through: a peritoneal or mesentery defect, a normal or abnormal compartment of the peritoneal cavity. Hernias occurring in the pelvis cavity are usually classified according to the fascial margins breached and include sciatic, obturator and those through the rectouterin pouch: elytrocele and enterocele. Those hernias are defined by the protrusion of a viscus through the wall of the pelvis due to weakness of the pelvic fascia and/or muscles. Pelvic hernia through the pouch of Douglas (PD) involves the genital tract in female (elytrocele and enterocele). Sometimes described in the literature as Douglas hernia, this type of hernia must be distinguished from the conventional IH. As defined before, the borders to be considered for IH is the peritoneal membrane, which is not a real solid wall but delimitates the peritoneal cavity; and there is no peritoneal defect in elytrocele or enterocele. A PubMed search for IH through a defect in the peritoneal PD revealed only five female cases, making this an extremely rare condition. To our knowledge, we have presented here the only published case in a male. This probably congenital and morphologic anomaly (defect) of pouch of Sir Douglas must be distinguished as the real "Douglas IH". Authors discuss the concept of a new and more detailed classification of IH.

Interpreting the real-time dynamic 'sliding sign' and predicting pouch of Douglas obliteration: an interobserver, intraobserver, diagnostic-accuracy and learning-curve study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine inter- and intraobserver agreement, diagnostic accuracy and the learning curve required for interpreting the 'sliding sign' and predicting pouch of Douglas (POD) obliteration. METHODS: This was an inter-/intraobserver, diagnostic-accuracy and learning-curve study involving six observers with different medical backgrounds, clinical skill sets and prior gynecological ultrasound experience: five non-specialist observers who had performed 0-750 previous gynecological scans and an expert sonologist who had performed > 15 000. Following a formal theoretical and practical training session, they each viewed 64 offline transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) 'sliding-sign' videos from two anatomical locations (retrocervix and posterior uterine fundus (PUF)) in 32 women presenting with chronic pelvic pain, interpreting the videos as positive or negative for sliding sign and predicting, on that basis, the POD status. For intraobserver agreement analysis they re-analyzed the same video sets, in a different order, at least 7 days later. The expert sonologist was the reference standard for interpreting the sliding sign and the gold standard, laparoscopy, was used for the POD analysis. Learning-curve cumulative summation (LC-CUSUM) tests were conducted to assess if observer performance reached acceptable levels, using LC-CUSUM score < -2.45 as a cut-off. RESULTS: With respect to interpretation of the sliding sign, the overall multiple-rater agreement was moderate (Fleiss' kappa, K = 0.499). Observers were more consistent in their interpretation of the second compared with the first observation set (K = 0.547 vs 0.453) and for the retrocervical compared with the PUF region (K = 0.556 vs 0.346). Regarding prediction of POD status, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values for individual observers ranged from 65.4 to 96.2%, 80.0 to 100%, 64.7 to 100%, 50.0 to 100% and 94.7 to 100%, respectively. Using LC-CUSUM score < -2.45, the observer with experience of 200 previous gynecological scans reached acceptable levels for predicting POD obliteration and interpreting the sliding sign at each region (retrocervix and PUF) at 39, 54 and 28 videos and the observer with experience of 750 scans at 56, 53 and 53 videos. CONCLUSIONS: Performance of a minimum number of gynecological ultrasound examinations is necessary for interpreting offline videos of the real-time dynamic sliding sign and predicting POD obliteration. Non-specialist observers with prior experience of 200 or more gynecological scans were more consistent in interpreting the sliding sign at the retrocervix vs PUF. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Laparoscopic excision of rectosigmoid endometriotic plaque and cul de sac obliteration in deeply infiltrating endometriosis: a case report.

Endometriosis represents a main cause of infertility and pelvic pain affecting 3-43% among reproductive age women. Deep pelvic endometriosis is defined as subperitoneal infiltration of endometrial implants in the uterosacral ligaments, rectum, rectovaginal septum, vagina or bladder. The authors present a case of a 29-year-old patient who underwent laparoscopic excision of extensive endometriotic plaque in rectovaginal septum accompanied with deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) and chronic pelvic pain (CPP).

Growing teratoma syndrome after ovarian inmature teratoma: a case report and review of the literature.

Growing teratoma syndrome is an uncommon complication of malignant germ cell cancer, characterised by the development of large tumours during or after chemotherapy, despite normalisation of tumour marker levels and metastasis, which contain only mature teratoma. Given its low incidence, little is data available. The authors present the case of a 15-year-old girl with a growing teratoma and the literature review outlines the current knowledge of its pathogenesis, common sites, diagnosis, natural course, treatment, and prognosis.

Can we improve the prediction of pouch of Douglas obliteration in women with suspected endometriosis using ultrasound-based models? A multicenter prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: A negative "sliding sign" during transvaginal sonography (TVS) is associated with pouch of Douglas (POD) obliteration at laparoscopy in women with suspected endometriosis. The aim of the current study was to develop and validate mathematical ultrasound models to determine whether a combination of TVS markers could improve the prediction of POD obliteration as compared with the TVS "sliding sign" alone. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Multicenter prospective observational study. In all, 189 women (100 in the training set and 89 in the test set) with suspected endometriosis underwent pre-operative TVS and laparoscopy. More than 50 historical, clinical and TVS end points were recorded for analysis. Univariate/multivariate analysis was performed to determine significant TVS variables associated with POD obliteration at laparoscopy. Two logistic regression models were developed on a training set: POD1 - posterior compartment deep infiltrating endometriosis, right ovarian fixation, negative "sliding sign" (i.e. POD obliteration); and POD2 model - unilateral ovarian fixation, unilateral endometrioma, negative "sliding sign." The two models were then applied to a test set to predict POD obliteration. POD1/POD2 performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves (probability cut-off value at 0.5) and compared with "sliding sign" alone for prediction of POD obliteration. RESULTS: Respective values for POD1 vs. POD2 vs. "sliding sign" alone for training/test sets: accuracy - 96/96% vs. 93/97% vs. 93/97%; sensitivity - 93/88% vs. 83/88% vs. 83/88%; specificity - 97/97% vs. 97/99% vs. 97/99%; positive predictive value - 93/88% vs. 93/94% vs. 93/94%; negative predictive ratio - 97/97% vs. 93/97% vs. 93/97%; positive likelihood ratio - 32.7/32.2 vs. 29.2/63.5 vs. 29.2/63.5; negative likelihood ratio - 0.07/0.12 vs. 0.17/0.12 vs. 0.17/0.12. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of TVS markers such as bowel endometriosis, endometrioma and ovarian fixation into mathematical models does not appear to improve the prediction of POD obliteration as compared with the TVS "sliding sign" alone.

Primary omental pregnancy with secondary implantation into posterior cul-de-sac: laparoscopic treatment using hemostatic matrix.

Primary omental pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy. Only a few reported cases have been treated using laparoscopy. Hemostasis after trophoblast removal can be challenging. A 25-year-old primigravida in week 8 of pregnancy was admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of missed abortion. An ultrasound scan showed an empty uterine cavity and a gestational sac with a 15-mm embryo dorsal to the uterus, indicative of an ectopic pregnancy. The preoperative serum concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin was 33 600 U/mL. Laparoscopy was performed, which revealed an omental pregnancy invading the peritoneum of the Douglas pouch. After laparoscopic removal of the ectopic pregnancy with partial omentectomy, diffuse bleeding from the crater between both sacrouterine ligaments was treated using the gelatin-thrombin matrix (FloSeal). The final histologic analysis confirmed the omentum as the primary site of the ectopic pregnancy (multiple chorionic villi and decidua within the omental fat). The postoperative period was uneventful. This case expands the classic Studdiford criteria. Secondary peritoneal ectopic pregnancy implantation can occur not only after tubal rupture or expulsion of tubal ectopic pregnancy but also after primary implantation at any other ectopic site. The laparoscopic approach to abdominal pregnancy is safe and feasible if there is sufficient intraoperative hemostasis. The hemostatic matrix facilitates quick and effective control of bleeding.