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Dan C. Martin, MD
UT Medical Group,
Inc.
University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC)
Academic Office
Daniel Clyde Martin, M.D.
UT Medical Group,
Inc.
Infertility and Gynecology
Reproductive Surgery
Germantown Office Building
7945 Wolf River Boulevard
Suite 320
Germantown, Tennessee
TN 38138-1733
(901) 347-8331
(901) 347-8188 fax
Directions to Office
Updated information is
at
UTMG 2006
Click for information
on:
Glenn Ann Martin, Ph.D.
Clinical
Psychologist
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Conclusions on Recognition of Endometriosis
Adapted from "Recognition of Endometriosis" in
Laparoscopic Appearance of Endometriosis, Lecture Supplement
Martin DC (ed), Resurge Press, Memphis, (c)1991
  
Endometriosis has a protean appearance which can be confused with other pelvic pathology. Characteristic, identifiable lesions included puckered black lesions, white scars, red polypoid lesions, clear vesicles, brown vesicles, adhesions, yellow brown patches, yellow lesions, deep nodules and peritoneal pockets.
 | For complete destruction or removal of all recognizable endometriotic lesions, these areas must be ablated with techniques appropriate for the size of the lesion. |
| There may be unrecognized deep lesions or microscopic lesions that can respond to
non-surgical therapy. |
| There are many lesions with some characteristics of endometriosis that represent other pathology. These should not have a permanent diagnosis of endometriosis. |
The appearance and characteristics of lesions change in time. Teenagers are expected to have clear blisters and red polypoid lesions; whereas, women in their 40s are more likely to have scarred black lesions. Although this trend can be useful in anticipating the lesion appearance, there is much overlap and any appearance may occur in women of any age.
Concepts of "classical," "typical," or "burned-out" lesions and lack of careful observation and palpation may interfere with the surgeon's ability to make a proper diagnosis and to provide adequate surgical therapy for these patients. History, clinical palpation during menses, clinical recognition of deep nodules, preoperative medical suppression, bowel preparation, surgical visualization, surgical palpation and
histological documentation aid in recognition and patient care.
Adapted from "Recognition of Endometriosis" in
Laparoscopic Appearance of Endometriosis, Lecture Supplement
Martin DC (ed), Resurge Press, Memphis, (c)1991
The
color illustrations
that accompanied this paper are in the
Color Atlas.
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