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Semin Reprod Med 1997; 15(3): 229-233
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1068752
Copyright © 1997 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Diagnosis of Endometriosis

I. Brosens
  • Leuven Institute for Fertility and Embryology, Leuven Belgium
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Publication History

Publication Date:
15 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

The diagnosis of endometriosis is based on the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterine cavity and direct or indirect evidence of cyclic bleeding. Clinically three entities can be distinguished: the peritoneal implant, the endometrial cyst and the deep-nodular lesion. Laparoscopy and biopsy remain the gold standard for diagnosis, but in addition attention should be paid to the detection of functional activity, such as bleeding, by non-invasive techniques.

Keywords:

Ectopic endometrium - cyclic bleeding - laparoscopy - imaging techniques - CA-125