Study on endometriosis in an adolescent population / 대한산부인과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To review diagnostic procedure, clinical stage, age distribution, treatment of endometriosis in adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 39 adolescent girls(11-21) admitted to Yonsei University College of Medicine between 1990 and 1999. We identified 39 patients who underwent laparotomy or laparoscopy and was diagnosed as having endometriosis. Endometriosis was classified according to the Revised American Fertility Society Classification(AFS). The chief symptoms leading to diagnosis, clinical stage, age distribution, and treatment modality were reviewed. RESULTS: Average age of menarche was 14.2, and the interval after the menarche was 5.9 years. The chief symptoms leading to diagnosis were chronic pelvic pain(27%), acute pelvic pain(21%), palpable pelvic mass(21%), dysmenorrhea(18%). Laparoscopy was performed in 20 patients(51%). The majority of the patients(44%) presented with stage II, 4(10%) with stage I, 11(28%) with stage III, and 7(18%) with stage IV. GnRH agonists(64.1%), expectant managements(25.7%), OCPs(5.1%) and danazol(5.1%) were used after surgery. CONCLUSION: Adolescents with chronic pelvic pain have a high rate of endometriosis and should be promptly referred to a gynecologist to diagnose the etiological lesion of pelvic pain and initiate appropriate therapy.