Exploratory Study of the Interest of MRI Susceptibility Weighted Imaging for the Pre-operative Assessment of Pelvic Endometriosis Extent

Exploratory Study of the Interest of MRI Susceptibility Weighted Imaging for the Pre-operative Assessment of Pelvic Endometriosis Extent

Knowledge of the precise location of endometriosis is essential for a successful surgical treatment. MRI Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging (SWI-MRI) yields high sensitivity for blood by-products detection. Since endometriosis lesions are haemorrhagic, and therefore rich in blood by-products such as hemosiderin, SWI-MRI could be useful in the pre-operative assessment of endometriosis, especially in superficial peritoneal lesion detection. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the performance of SWI-MRI for the preoperative work-up of endometriosis

Pelvic endometriosis is a cause of pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, urinary symptoms and infertility. MRI is considered as the best imaging technique to detect and to predict the extent of the disease. Susceptibility Weighted Imaging is routinely performed to identify haemorrhagic lesions in brain MRI protocols and has proven to be a sensitive technique to detect blood by-products. A pelvic MRI protocol including SWI will be performed in all women addressed for diagnostic assessment or pre-operative work-up of endometriosis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult woman (over 18yrs old) addressed for diagnostic assessment or pre-operative work-up of endometriosis;
• Informed signed consent
• Affiliated or beneficiary of a social security system

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient <18yrs old
• Pregnant or nursing woman
• Patient under legal protection
• Contraindication to MRI