Abstract

AbstractReviewed are the clinical, radiologie, operative and pathologic findings and the results in 14 women (ages 31 to 51 years) requiring partial colectomy for endometriosis. All had symptoms related to the lesion of the colon; eight had gynecologic symptoms. In only four instances did the physical examination reveal a palpable mass. Most important in making the preoperative diagnosis is radiographie examination of the colon (barium enema). In common localized endometrioma, features are those of an eccentric intramural, submucosal lesion with transverse ridging. More extensive endometriosis is more difficult to differentiate from carcinoma by radiographie means. Operative diagnosis, which was less accurate than radiologie diagnosis, should be suggested by uninvolved mucosa on examination of the unopened colon and frozen section diagnosis of endometriosis on an implant. When endometriosis of the colon is of a degree sufficient to cause symptoms, partial colectomy should be done; oophorectomy only, without resection, is not recommended.