Abdominal Wall Endometriosis

Christine E Foley; Patricia Giglio Ayers; Ted T Lee

doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2022.02.013

Abdominal Wall Endometriosis

Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2022 Jun;49(2):369-380. doi: 10.1016/j.ogc.2022.02.013.

Authors

Christine E Foley¹, Patricia Giglio Ayers², Ted T Lee³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Women & Infants Hospital, 101 Dudley Street, Providence, RI 02905, USA. Electronic address: Christine.e.foley@gmail.com.
² Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Women & Infants Hospital, 101 Dudley Street, Providence, RI 02905, USA.
³ Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/tedleefly.

PMID: 35636814
DOI: 10.1016/j.ogc.2022.02.013

Abstract

Abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) is a rare type of endometriosis defined as endometrial glands and stroma located within the abdominal wall. Patients with a history of prior abdominal surgery classically present with cyclic abdominal pain and a palpable mass. Definitive diagnosis is made by pathologic tissue examination, but preoperative imaging with ultrasonography or MRI helps narrow the differential and informs surgical management. Surgical management is traditionally via an open approach; however, laparoscopic removal of AWE is recommended for subfascial or rectus lesions. Following surgical excision, more than 90% of patients experience complete symptom relief.

Keywords: Abdominal wall endometriosis; Incisional endometriosis; Rectus muscle endometriosis.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Abdominal Wall* / diagnostic imaging
Abdominal Wall* / pathology
Abdominal Wall* / surgery
Endometriosis* / diagnostic imaging
Endometriosis* / surgery
Endometrium
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Ultrasonography