Published online Feb 26, 2019. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i4.441
Peer-review started: November 5, 2018
First decision: December 20, 2018
Revised: January 9, 2019
Accepted: January 26, 2019
Article in press: January 26, 2019
Published online: February 26, 2019
Core tip: Intestinal endometriosis is difficult to diagnose preoperatively because it mimics various intestinal diseases. The aim of this study is to analyze patients in whom intestinal endometriosis was diagnosed after surgical treatments, and to evaluate the clinical characteristics of preoperatively misdiagnosed cases. According to preoperative evaluations, 13 patients (43.3%) had an initial diagnosis of pelvic endometriosis and 17 patients (56.6%) were misdiagnosed as having other diseases. Only 4 patients (13.3%) had a diagnosis of endometriosis based on endoscopic biopsy findings. Thirteen patients (43.3%) had a history of pelvic surgeries. Ten patients (33.3%) had a history of treatment for endometriosis. Thus, if women of reproductive age have ambiguous symptoms and signs with nonspecific radiologic and/or endoscopic findings, intestinal endometriosis should be included in the differential diagnosis.