When endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus, endometriosis forms. Women can experience a range of symptoms such as unusually painful periods, heavy periods, sex may become painful, reduced fertility, inflammation, fatigue, painful bowel actions and more. In extreme cases, these symptoms can be debilitating, severely affecting one’s quality of life. This gynaecological condition can be challenging to diagnose. If you’ve had an ultrasound you may wonder, can you see endometriosis on an ultrasound? The good news is that it can be detected using ultrasound. Ultrasound is safe and non-invasive, which is why it is the go-to diagnostic and imaging tool used by gynaecological specialists in endometriosis.
Types of Ultrasound Used To Detect Endometriosis
Ultrasound machines create sound waves, which bounce off the organs and bones, and translate them into images used to diagnose various conditions. Ultrasounds can be carried out in three ways: transabdominally, transvaginally, and transrectally. A transabdominal ultrasound is typically carried out on a pregnant woman from about eight weeks into the pregnancy. The doctor will apply a water-based gel to the abdominal area and drag the ultrasound transducer along the skin, allowing the ultrasound machine to produce images.
A transvaginal ultrasound is conducted using a wand which is inserted into the vagina. This method is used in the early weeks of pregnancy and to diagnose various gynaecological conditions. A transvaginal ultrasound tends to produce more detailed images. Transrectal ultrasounds are conducted by inserting the wand into the rectum. Though this method is less commonly used to diagnose gynaecological conditions.
How Ultrasound Detects Endometriosis
In the hands of an experienced gynaecologist sonologist or sonographer, ultrasound is a powerful imaging tool. Doctors typically opt for a detailed expert transvaginal ultrasound to detect ‘deep endometriosis’ in the pelvic region because it provides more detailed imagery. The doctor will examine the front and back of the pelvis, uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes for growths and abnormalities. They will apply gentle pressure to various areas to look for ovarian mobility and movement, as well as tenderness. Endometrial-like tissue may present as hypoechoic lesions (dark areas) on the ultrasound, and endometriomas or endometriosis cysts can also be visible on the ovaries during an ultrasound.
Types of Endometriosis
The four most common types of endometriosis are superficial endometriosis, ovarian, deep endometriosis and adenomyosis.
Endometriosis can grow in the fallopian tubes, uterus, ovaries, bladder, and rectum, and its severity can range from mild to severe.
Superficial endometriosis presents as deposits of endometriosis over the surface of organs in the pelvic region and also in the layer of tissue (called the peritoneum) which lines the pelvic and abdominal cavities. They are typically only a few millimetres wide and deep.
Ovarian endometriosis occurs when endometriosis grows in the ovary, causing an ovarian cyst called an endometrioma.
Deep endometriosis can grow throughout the pelvis; it may be found in the bladder, bowel (rectum and sigmoid), back of the cervix and uterosacral ligaments.
Overall pelvic endometriosis is when all three types of endometriosis are present.
Adenomyosis occurs when the endometrium grows into the muscular wall (myometrium) of the uterus.
A basic pelvic ultrasound will only pick up endometriomas of the ovary and adenomyosis.
Deep endometriosis ultrasound performed by an expert at OMNI Ultrasound can detect not only endometriomas and adenomyosis but also deep endometriosis of the bladder, bowel (rectum and sigmoid), back of cervix and uterosacral ligaments. This imaging technique can also pick up adhesions between the cervix and the rectum which is a sign of severe endometriosis. If the deep endometriosis ultrasound is performed in the second half of the menstrual cycle, it can be even possible to see subtle forms of superficial endometriosis.
If you are experiencing endometriosis symptoms, it’s essential to speak to your gynaecologist or an endometriosis specialist to get a diagnosis. Contact OMNI Ultrasound. The sooner you get a diagnosis, the sooner you can get treatment. Imaging is the key to the diagnosis of endometriosis. You can minimise potential complications and improve your quality of life with treatment.