What Is Endometriosis?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
6. Diagnosis
There are few laboratory tests that can be beneficial in the diagnosis of endometriosis. However, there may be some that can help to rule out certain diseases. Computed tomography (CT) scans, pelvic ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are only useful in advanced disease where there is an endometrioma or anatomical distortion.
Since visualization of the ectopic tissue is the definitive method of diagnosis, laparoscopy (minimally invasive surgery) is the procedure of choice. Additional laboratory studies that may be beneficial are complete blood count (CBC), urinalysis, urine culture, CA-125 levels, detection of autoantibodies against Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen, and CCR1 levels.
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