Prevalence of Hepatic Hemangiomas in Woman with Endometriosis

Abstract

PURPOSE

To evaluate incidence of hepatic hemangiomas in patient affected by endometriosis.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. 252 consecutive patients, referred to our Center for suspected endometriosis, were studied and underwent surgery according to the same technique. In the preoperative phase, the patients, in addition to the initial evaluation and standard preparation for the operation, were subjected to upper abdominal ultrasonography. Subsequently, all women underwent surgical treatment and laparoscopy was attempted as first-line surgical approach. After surgery, findings at preoperative investigations were compared with surgical and histological results.

RESULTS

Of the 252 operated patients, 188 (74.60%) had histologically confirmed genitopelvic endometriosis and 64 (25.39%) did not have endometriosis. The comparison of these data with the results of the preoperative abdominal ultrasound showed that in the group of patients with endometriosis 42 (22.34%) were carriers of hepatic hemangiomas while in the group without endometriosis only 7 (10.93%) were found to have hepatic hemangiomas. The prevalence of liver disease was significantly higher in patients with endometriosis (22.3% vs 12.3, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of hepatic hemangiomas in patients with endometriosis appears to be significantly higher than in patients without endometriosis. This data, if confirmed by larger series, could suggest the systematic execution of a liver ultrasound in patients with endometriosis and imply important limitations in the hormonal treatment of these patients.