When a woman prepares for pregnancy or is already pregnant, she may be diagnosed with a serious diagnosis of endometriosis. The consequences of this disease are dangerous not only for the mother herself, but also for those women who are only planning to become her in the future. To assess the risk of this gynecological ailment, it is necessary to understand in more detail what it is. Also in this article you will find the answer to the question of how endometriosis is detected by ultrasound.
General description of the disease
Endometriosis is represented in the field of medicine as a physiological pathology of the reproductive organs, and this is already dangerous for female reproductive health. In simple terms, this pathology is the spread of the endometrium beyond the boundaries of its usual environment, that is, into the muscle tissue of the uterus. In the field of medicine, endometriosis is interpreted as glandular degeneration, which occurs in the muscles of the uterus. In addition, there is no general opinion about what will be the provocateur of the disease. However, there is a hypothesis that endometriosis occurs due to mechanical injuries in the uterus (abortion, surgery) and excessive physical exertion.
Types of disease
There are several varieties of this disease. The type of endometriosis is determined by ultrasound, as well as using other studies and diagnostic procedures.
The disease of the external form affects the fallopian tubes, vagina, ovaries and partially the abdominal region. An internal type of disease directly affects the upper region of the cervix, as well as its body. Additionally, the disease can manifest itself in a focal, nodular, diffuse form. Let's consider them separately.
Diffuse
The diffuse form in most cases manifests itself in the internal form of endometriosis. The diffuse form is indicated by the following echoes:
- the oval or round body of the uterus;
- thickening of the tissues forming the walls of the uterus, mainly the posterior region;
- body myometrium of increased echogenicity;
- inclusions of various kinds on the uterus, up to 0.05 mm in diameter (calcium deposition, formation of various origins, including malignant forms);
- the endometrium has a fuzzy and uneven outline.
Nodal
With this form of endometriosis, ultrasound can see certain echoes. Namely:
- a change in the structure of the uterine wall, which in most cases has an oval or rounded shape;
- sometimes visible formations that are similar to cystic, their diameter is up to 30 mm;
- education does not have clear contours;
- the study may also show the so-called endometriosis node growing within the walls of the uterus (interstitial).
Focal
And what is this form of the disease? The focal type of the disease is manifested by the following symptoms and signs:
- when conducting a study of endometriosis on an ultrasound scan, on one of the areas of the muscle wall in the uterus (myometrium), you can see increased echogenicity, with a lack of an even and clear outline;
- with the most advanced study, it is possible to detect cystic formations, in diameter which are from 2 to 15-16 mm;
- the wall of the uterus can have a different thickness.
It is believed that the diagnosis of a focal or nodular form of the disease is more complicated than others. This is explained by the fact that these forms have similar signs, and are rarely diagnosed individually. In most cases, they can be detected with myoma, diffuse lesions.
Now we can conclude: it is possible to identify or see signs of endometriosis with ultrasound. Today, the bulk of the disease occurs in the body of the uterus, as well as the ovaries.
What is the danger of endometriosis?
This is not to say that the disease can provoke infertility, because many women have lived with such a diagnosis for many years, while successfully giving birth to children. But pathologies that appeared due to tissue deformations can lead to the development of infertility, as well as cancer.
Before answering the question of what is dangerous endometriosis, it is necessary to identify symptoms that will help to build an accurate picture of health risks:
- painful and plentiful critical days (in some cases, the degree of the pain syndrome is so unbearable that the patient needs medical attention);
- clots in the menstrual blood;
- severe dizziness;
- pain in the abdomen and lower back;
- pain during intercourse, urination;
- loss of consciousness, which requires emergency medical attention;
- anemia;
- psychoemotional disorder;
- changes in relation to the hormonal background: hair loss, obesity, the appearance of vegetation (mustache, hairiness near the nipples, as well as on the chest), dermatological changes.
In addition, endometriosis is classified according to the severity of the disease and the location of the lesion. After considering the entire characteristic of the disease, to automatically line up the answer to the question of what is the danger of this disease, if it is not treated on time. Classification of endometriosis:
- The first stage - the microflora of the myometrium is affected.
- The second stage is damage to the middle region of the myometrium.
- The third stage - the endometrium is affected to the serous layer.
- The fourth stage - the disease passes to the area of the parietal peritoneum.
If endometriosis is not cured, the consequences will become radical, while affecting the entire diseased organ, as well as affecting neighboring areas.
What will the ultrasound show?
When diagnosing a disease in the uterus, first of all, an ultrasound scan can show the following to a specialist:
- fuzzy and uneven endometrium;
- nodal structures;
- violation of symmetry on the walls of the uterus.
As for ovarian endometriosis, it has the following symptoms:
- the formation of a round shape is observed, located on the sides or behind the uterus;
- the structure of the fabric is heterogeneous, small-dot;
- focal formation having a different shape, type, size.
Study definitions
What day to do an ultrasound with endometriosis? To get reliable results with endometriosis, it is better to diagnose on the 5th, 6th or 7th day of the cycle. Diagnosis is also necessary for smearing residual discharge.
It is recommended to conduct a study not one, but several times, but during the next cycle. This will give accurate results, will allow you to control the dynamics of the organ where the ailment was detected, throughout the cycle. If treatment has already been prescribed by a specialist, then in the middle it is necessary to conduct a control ultrasound to determine the effectiveness of the therapy. Quite often prescribed for endometriosis "Vizanne", reviews of which are in most cases positive. However, it should be used only on the recommendation of a doctor.
When to do an ultrasound?
We explained in plain language what it is - endometriosis, found out at what time it is better to make a diagnosis. However, many patients are asked this question when to sign up for a study.
The answer is simple: when the patient notices the symptoms of endometriosis. Nevertheless, many cases have been recorded in practice in which the disease was asymptomatic, or the symptoms were mild. That is why, often the disease is diagnosed at a late stage of its development. Experts advise once every 6 months to undergo an ultrasound scan for the timely detection of pelvic pathology.
Description of the study
We have already answered positively to the question of whether endometriosis is visible on ultrasound. Diagnosis using a special device occupies a major role in the study of the disease. But it is most effective if the disease has affected the uterus or ovaries. There are two ways to diagnose. What ultrasound do with uterine endometriosis? Two options are traditional:
- the sensor is inserted into the vagina (this method is the least pleasant, but can guarantee more effective information);
- the study is carried out externally, that is, through the peritoneal cavity, due to which unpleasant sensations are completely absent.
Today it is almost impossible to determine endometriosis in a patient with a 100% chance of using ultrasound, even if the disease has affected the ovaries or uterus. The most reliable way to determine the disease is considered laparoscopy, as well as an additional biopsy.
Preparation for the procedure
In the picture, you can see what endometriosis looks like on an ultrasound scan. But you should prepare for this procedure. A couple of hours before visiting a specialist, you need to drink 500 ml of water. During this type of ultrasound, the patient's bladder must be full.
Endometritis during ultrasound
Endometritis is a type of pelvic disease that can be detected through research. Endometritis is often diagnosed during an ultrasound scan with suspected endometriosis. They should not be confused, since these are different pathologies.
Endometritis is understood as an inflammatory process on the uterine mucosa. The causes of the disease can be mechanical damage, for example, during an abortion or incorrect installation of an intrauterine device. Another cause of the disease is sexually transmitted diseases, various viruses.
Often, the development of endometritis can be suggested by the patient's complaints. Further, the specialist conducts a series of procedures to establish an accurate diagnosis, to differentiate the disease from endometriosis:
- first of all, a gynecological standard examination is carried out;
- then smears should be taken, establishing a possible causative agent of the disease;
- the final stage will be a study on a special ultrasound machine.
It should be noted that endometritis can occur in acute or chronic form. Acute at the same time is characterized by fever, pain in the lower abdomen, the release of purulent-bloody contents, which does not apply to the discharge of menstruation. Ultrasound is recommended during treatment to monitor therapeutic efficacy.
The chronic form of the disease proceeds almost imperceptibly, the symptoms are not pronounced, therefore, most often the disease can be determined only after an ultrasound procedure. The following deviations may be signs of a chronic form of endometritis:
- significant loss of natural thickness of the uterine mucosa;
- due to the inflammatory process, a reverse reaction can sometimes come to light - a rapid thickening of the mucous membrane;
- with ultrasound, the uterus can be enlarged;
- uterine displacement to the left or right side (anatomical changes in the location of the organ);
- the presence of a large number of adhesions.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that the ultrasound procedure is the initial diagnostic method, as well as the most commonly used method for detecting pelvic disease, it should be considered only indicative. If any pathologies, various deviations in the female reproductive system have been identified, an additional study will be mandatory, that is, hysteroscopy, which allows you to fully see the female uterus. After this, the doctor may prescribe the patient a biopsy, as well as treatment with the Visan tool for endometriosis. Reviews convince that this drug is very effective in the fight against the disease. But they should be treated under the supervision of a doctor.