Can endo on the bowel be seen on ultrasound?

[Poppy1973]

I have been referred for an ultrasound to see if endo lesions can be seen on my bowel - can these be seen?

I already have a confirmed diagnosis of endo and adenomyosis via an MRI and biopsy so really not sure what else can be seen without a lap?

[nic0889]

Hi there, I had multiple ultrasound scans due to severe pain and previous cysts, no endo was ever shown on the scans. I had my laparoscopy 3 weeks later (already booked in months before) and they found and removed 6 patches of it, including a large bit on my bowel.

So unfortunately for me no endo was ever discovered without the lap despite many scans.

[Poppy1973]

Thank you, I think that is my fear, unless they do a lap they will not know the extent of it.

[Rehanat]

I don’t think endo can b seen via ultrasound... cysts can. But an mri would show more detail, if uve had this I’m unsure y ure going for an ultrasound??? It’s a step back?

[Kateth]

No, ultrasounds can’t pick up endo. Cysts due to endo, yup, but it won’t pick up endo on the bowel.

[Claireb79]

I had an ultrasound which showed nothing at all but I pushed for a laparoscopy and they found advanced endometriosis which had fused my Fallopian tubes to my bowel.

Just keep pushing hun x

[wanwood]

The effect of endo on the bowel might show up, eg if it’s causing a bowel obstruction or thickening / enlargement of the bowel?

[StefaniaJW]

Yes, an excellent endo specialist can diagnose via ultrasound (they can see adhesions via ultrasound too, not just cysts). However, at least an MRI is always advised to check the extent of it, of which you can only be 100% certain during a laparoscopy (and I always advise this NOT to be just explorative).

[lou840 in reply to StefaniaJW]

Yes totally agree with this, an endo specialist knows what they are looking for. I had a transvaginal ultrasound with a endo specialist and the endo nodule could be seen that sits between my rectum and vagina. Mine also shows on MRIs as it is a deep infiltrating endo.

[Tinks2 in reply to lou840]

Hi Lou840, can i ask what your symptoms are? I wonder if i have something going on in that area.

[lou840 in reply to Tinks2]

Hi, yes sure- I'll PM you as i dont want to gate crash Poppy1973 post if thats ok.

[AllthatGlitters]

Nothing showed on an ultrasound scan for me. MRI was completely different.

[Staples7]

Hi there, I had many ultra sounds and nothing was shown. Had a lap and I had Stage 4 endometriosis. In most cases really takes a lap done by a skilled surgeon in this field to excise all of the lesions and the cells that are there forming as well. Best of luck to you.

[Wehubb]

I had the same thing done, after a CT scan. The dr told me it's a standard practice to start with these type of tests but traditional it can not be seen unless you have the endoscopy done, or exploratory surgery. It will however, show the dr the thickness etc of your uterus which can determine common factors of endo.

Whatever that means?

[ccsmith]

I agree with everyone not sure how there going to isolate the bowel! I had an ultrasound on my bladder to see if I had endo on it but he couldn’t see anything! I’m due to have a lap soon & wouldn’t be surprised if I have bladder involvement as I have pain if I have s full bladder!

Like everyone says push for a lap it sounds like there delaying the inevitable!!

Good luck

[Poppy1973]

I have spoken to GP today, she wants the ultrasound to rule out other possible causes of my discomfort so isn’t expecting anything to show up! 🤔

[CryBaby91 in reply to Poppy1973]

Can I ask, how did you get on, did you get any answers in the end?