Sigmoid colon endometriosis treated laparoscopically: a difficult preoperative diagnosis

  • Mariana Santos Interna Complementar de Cirurgia Geral, Serviço de Cirurgia Geral; Centro Hospitalar de Entre Douro e Vouga E.P.E, Portugal
  • Rui Ferreira de Almeida Assistente Hospitalar de Cirurgia Geral, Serviço de Cirurgia Geral; Centro Hospitalar de Entre Douro e Vouga E.P.E, Portugal
  • Paulo Martins Assistente Hospitalar de Cirurgia Geral, Serviço de Cirurgia Geral; Centro Hospitalar de Entre Douro e Vouga E.P.E, Portugal
  • Gil Gonçalves Chefe de Serviço de Cirurgia Geral, Serviço de Cirurgia Geral; Centro Hospitalar de Entre Douro e Vouga E.P.E, Portugal
  • Mário Nora Director de Serviço de Cirurgia Geral, Serviço de Cirurgia Geral; Centro Hospitalar de Entre Douro e Vouga E.P.E, Portugal
  • Horácio Scigliano Assistente Hospitalar de Anatomia Patológica, Serviço de Anatomia Patológica; Centro Hospitalar de Entre Douro e Vouga E.P.E, Portugal

Abstract

Although rare, extrapelvic endometriosis in women of childbearing age can cause clinically significant complications. The exact prevalence is unknown but the most commonly involved sites are the rectosigmoid and the rectovaginal septum. The preoperative diagnosis may be difficult, due to the lack of pathognomonic symptoms and the poor performance of colonoscopy and colonic biopsies.
We present a case of a 39-year-old woman with sigmoid endometriosis, in which the initial diagnostic workup showed the presence of sigmoid colon stenosis, suggesting colon cancer.

The patient was selected for sigmoidectomy performed by minimally invasive surgery. Pathologic analysis of the ressected specimen confirmed the diagnosis of colonic endometriosis.
Colonic endometriosis is a diagnostic challenge and careful preoperative workup is necessary for optimal treatment.
Keywords: endometriosis, colon stenosis, laparoscopy 

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Published
2011-06-29
How to Cite
SANTOS, Mariana et al. Sigmoid colon endometriosis treated laparoscopically: a difficult preoperative diagnosis. Revista Portuguesa de Cirurgia, [S.l.], n. 17, p. 45-48, june 2011. ISSN 2183-1165. Available at: <https://revista.spcir.com/index.php/spcir/article/view/97>. Date accessed: 28 mar. 2024.
Section
Clinical Case