Endometriosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Endometriosis, including details on causes, treatment, symptoms, infertility.

Umbilical endometriosis, a pathology that a gynecologist may encounter when inserting the Veres needle.

Teh WT, Vollenhoven B, Harris PI

Department of General Surgery, Monash University and Women's and Children's Program, Southern Health, Victoria, Australia. twtinn@hotmail.com <twtinn@hotmail.com>

OBJECTIVE: To raise awareness between laparoscopists about umbilical endometriosis and to recommend the appropriate management measure for this rare but easily treatable condition. DESIGN: Case reports and literature review. SETTING: Women presented to general surgeon with umbilical masses. PATIENT(S): Women of reproductive age with histologic diagnosis of umbilical endometriosis. INTERVENTION(S): Excision with histopathologic examination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Definite diagnosis and clinical improvement. RESULT(S): Umbilical endometriosis is best diagnosed and cured with excisional biopsy. Other diagnostic methods have been proven to be nonspecific and unreliable in the literature. CONCLUSION(S): Clinical diagnosis of this condition can be difficult even with the aid of cytology and imaging. Surgical excision with removal and histopathology is recommended for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Simultaneous laparoscopy should be recommended to the patient with suspected pelvic endometriosis.

Published 27 November 2006 in Fertil Steril, 86(6): 1764.e1-2.
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