Isolated ureteric endometriosis presenting as a ureteric tumor

Extravertebral low back pain: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common reasons for consultation in general practice. Currently, LBP is categorised into specific and non-specific causes. However, extravertebral causes, such as abdominal aortic aneurysm or pancreatitis, are not being considered.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed across MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane library, complemented by a handsearch. Studies conducted between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2020, where LBP was the main symptom, were included.

RESULTS

The literature search identified 6040 studies, from which duplicates were removed, leaving 4105 studies for title and abstract screening. Subsequently, 265 publications were selected for inclusion, with an additional 197 publications identified through the handsearch. The majority of the studies were case reports and case series, predominantly originating from specialised care settings. A clear distinction between vertebral or rare causes of LBP was not always possible. A range of diseases were identified as potential extravertebral causes of LBP, encompassing gynaecological, urological, vascular, systemic, and gastrointestinal diseases. Notably, guidelines exhibited inconsistencies in addressing extravertebral causes.

DISCUSSION

Prior to this review, there has been no systematic investigation into extravertebral causes of LBP. Although these causes are rare, the absence of robust and reliable epidemiological data hinders a comprehensive understanding, as well as the lack of standardised protocols, which contributes to a lack of accurate description of indicative symptoms. While there are certain disease-specific characteristics, such as non-mechanical or cyclical LBP, and atypical accompanying symptoms like fever, abdominal pain, or leg swelling, that may suggest extravertebral causes, it is important to recognise that these features are not universally present in every patient.

CONCLUSION

The differential diagnosis of extravertebral LBP is extensive with relatively low prevalence rates dependent on the clinical setting. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for extravertebral aetiologies, especially in patients presenting with atypical accompanying symptoms.

MR imaging of endometriosis: Spectrum of disease

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disorder defined by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. It is the most common cause of chronic pelvic pain and typically affects the ovaries, uterine ligaments, peritoneum, tubes, rectovaginal septum and bladder. It may, however, be found at various extrapelvic sites, including the perineum, liver, pancreas, lung or even the central nervous system, and in such cases, diagnosis may be quite challenging. Even though definitive diagnosis requires laparoscopy, preoperative identification of endometriosis is important not only to differentiate it from other diseases with similar clinical presentations but also, for accurate presurgical mapping, since complete removal of all endometriotic foci is critical for the effective treatment of the patient's symptoms. Ultrasound is performed initially, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly being used, particularly when sonographic findings are unclear, when deep pelvic endometriosis is suspected or when surgery is planned, as it provides better contrast resolution and a larger field of view compared to ultrasound. In this article, we will discuss distinctive MRI appearances of endometriotic foci and we will review common and uncommon locations of endometriosis within the body, in an attempt to familiarize radiologists with its wide spectrum of manifestations.

Ureteral Endometriosis: Preoperative Risk Factors Predicting Extensive Urologic Surgical Intervention

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors for urologic reconstruction during surgery for endometriosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively identified patients in a surgical pathology database undergoing surgery for endometriosis at our institution from 2010 to 2015 and subsequently identified those patients with ureteral involvement. Patients were categorized as requiring minimal urologic surgery (eg, ureterolysis only) or more extensive urologic surgery (eg, ureteral reimplant). All patients were undergoing surgery for endometriosis, and preoperative risk factors were then identified to predict the need for intraoperative extensive urologic surgery.

RESULTS

Of 386 women undergoing surgery for endometriosis, 82 (21%) women required a surgical procedure on the ureter. Fifteen of these 82 patients (18.3%) with ureteral involvement required urologic surgical expertise in the form of either ureteral reimplantation with or without psoas hitch, or ureterolysis with ureteral stenting or omental wrap. The remaining 67 underwent ureterolysis alone or no intervention. The presence of flank pain, any urinary symptom, or hydronephrosis on preoperative imaging was a significant predictor of the need for major urologic intervention.

CONCLUSION

In patients with endometriosis undergoing surgery who complain of flank pain, any urinary symptom, or have hydronephrosis on preoperative imaging, one should have a high suspicion for needing to perform urologic reconstruction during surgery. Planning for this additional operation can afford the opportunity for appropriate urologic consultation and patient counseling.