Limited Added Value of Magnetic Resonance Imaging after Dynamic Transvaginal Ultrasound for Preoperative Staging of Endometriosis in Daily Practice: A Prospective Cohort Study

ObjectivesTo assess the added value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after dynamic transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) in the diagnostic pathway for preoperative staging of pelvic endometriosis.MethodsA prospective observational study was conducted between April 22, 2014, and May 1, 2015. During that period, 363 patients with a clinical suspicion of endometriosis were included. All patients underwent a history, clinical examination, and dynamic TVUS examination. Most of the patients (n = 274) underwent conservative treatment according to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology guidelines. Eighty‐nine patients were selected for surgery, of whom 72 patients underwent the complete diagnostic pathway: ie, history, clinical examination, dynamic TVUS, and MRI. All data were analyzed by the nonparametric McNemar test for comparing each step in the diagnostic algorithm.ResultsThe sensitivity and specificity for the history, pelvic examination, and dynamic TVUS were 93.7% and 55.6% (P < .001), respectively; when MRI findings were included, the sensitivity and specificity were 85.9% and 62.5%. Adding MRI routinely to the diagnostic procedure of endometriosis did not significantly improve the sensitivity or specificity.ConclusionsThere is no significant added value of routine MRI after dynamic TVUS for the preoperative staging of endometriosis.