Urological knowledge and tools applied to diagnosis and surgery in deep infiltrating endometriosis - a narrative review

ABSTRACT Objectives: This review discusses deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) diagnosis and surgery using current urological knowledge and technologies. Materials and Methods: Narrative review of deep infiltrating endometriosis that result in urological issues. We examined manuscripts from Pubmed, Embase, and Scielo's database using the following MeSH terms: ('endometriosis') AND ('urology' OR 'urological' OR 'urologist') AND ('bladder' OR'vesical') AND ('ureteral' OR 'ureter'). Selection followed PRISMA guidelines. Sample images from our records were brought to endorse the findings. Results: Thirty four related articles were chosen from 105. DIE may affect the urinary system in 52.6% of patients. Lower urinary tract symptoms may require urodynamic examination. Ultrasonography offers strong statistical yields for detecting urinary tract lesions or distortions, but magnetic resonance will confirm the diagnosis. Cystoscopy can detect active lesions, although any macroscopic visual appeal is pathognomonic. Endourology is utilized intraoperatively for bladder and ureteral assessment, however transurethral endoscopic excision of bladder lesions had higher recurrence rates. Laparoscopy is the route of choice for treatment; partial cystectomy, and bladder shaving were the most prevalent surgical treatments for bladder endometriosis. Regarding the ureteral treatment, the simple ureterolysis and complex reconstructive techniques were described in most papers. Using anatomical landmarks or neuronavigation, pelvic surgical systematization allows intraoperative neural structure identification. Conclusions: DIE in the urinary system is common, however the number of publications with high level of evidence is limited. The initial tools for diagnosis are ultrasonography and cystoscopy, but magnetic resonance is the most reliable tool. When the patient has voiding symptoms, the urodynamic examination is crucial. Laparoscopy improves lesion detection and anatomical understanding. This approach must be carried out by professionals with high expertise, since the surgery goes beyond the resection of lesions and includes the preservation of nerve structures and urinary tract reconstruction techniques.

Breast magnetic resonance imaging: diffusion-weighted imaging.

More imaging centers are incorporating diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) into the clinical breast magnetic resonance (MR) examination, with the potential of increasing the specificity of breast MR imaging. This article reviews the role of DWI in the evaluation of breast lesions. The principles, technique, and protocol of DWI are discussed, including the importance of the chosen b value. The interpretation strategy, including quantitative and qualitative analysis is described. Clinical applications of breast DWI are evaluated, such as distinguishing malignant from benign lesions, tumor characterization and monitoring treatment planning, and potential pitfalls such as false-negative and false-positive findings are discussed.

MR enterography for the assessment of small bowel diseases.

This article focuses on MR enterography in the evaluation of small bowel diseases, including the protocol, enteric contrast agents, imaging timing and sequence selection. It is becoming the first-line radiological investigation to evaluate the small bowel in patients diagnosed with Crohn disease, particularly in young adults, in whom ionizing radiation is a concern. A key question in the management of such patients is the assessment of disease activity. Knowledge of the location, severity, and presence of complications may assist in providing patients with appropriate treatment options. Other small bowel diseases beyond Crohn disease will also be discussed.

MR imaging of the pelvic floor: defecography.

Defecography by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging makes it possible to view the multiple compartments of the pelvic floor at one examination, with high-resolution images at rest and dynamic images, providing accurate evaluation of the morphology and function of the anorectal and pelvic organs and muscles, involved in pelvic floor dynamics. MR imaging of the pelvic floor identifies the diseases affecting the evacuation mechanism, providing information essential for surgical planning and choice of treatment approach. This article focuses on the MR details of the pelvic floor anatomy and the most commonly observed anatomic and functional abnormalities.

Diseases of the female pelvis: advances in imaging evaluation.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been widely accepted as a powerful imaging modality for the evaluation of the pelvis because of its intrinsic superior soft tissue contrast compared with that of computed tomography. In certain cases, however, the morphologic study provided by MR imaging may not be enough. Functional evaluation with perfusion and diffusion, which allow estimation of the microvascular characteristics and cellularity of the lesions, favors the differentiation of benign from malignant lesions. This article focuses on new magnetic resonance techniques and their contribution to the differentiation and characterization of pelvic pathologies.

Neuroma de Morton: diagnóstico pela ressonância magnética / Morton's neuroma: diagnosis by magnetic resonance

Os autores apresentam quatro casos de pacientes com quadro clínico de neuroma interdigital plantar (neuroma de Morton), cujos diagnósticos foram confirmados pela ressonância magnética.

Ossículo meniscal: relato de um caso e diagnóstico pela ressonância magnética / Meniscus ossiculum: report of a case and doagnosis by MRI

Os autores apresentam um caso de ossículo intrameniscal, enfatizando ser patologia rara, mas que deve ser pensada no diagnóstico diferencial de calcificaçäo intrameniscal e corpo livre intra-articular em funçäo do tratamento diferenciado. Enfatizam a contribuiçäo da ressonância magnética para diagnosticar ou confirmar a patologia.