Ultrasound Elastography for the Diagnosis of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis

Elastography is capable of measuring tissue mechanical properties and elasticity. It is used to help diagnose various diseases, although its use in pelvic endometriosis remains to be established. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to assess transvaginal ultrasound elastography for the diagnosis of different manifestations of endometriosis and adenomyosis. PRISMA guidelines were used for a Medline, PubMed, Embase, BVS/Bireme, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Escudos database search. Studies indexed until March 2021 that evaluated elastography compared with histopathological results (gold standard), ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis of pelvic endometriosis and adenomyosis were eligible. The Rayyan platform was used to select studies. Sensitivity (S), specificity (Ps), positive and negative predictive values and receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated for elastographic diagnosis of endometriosis. A meta-analysis using Review Manager 5 and Open Meta Analyst was performed. Bias risk in the studies was analyzed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS)-2 tool. This systematic review was prospectively registered in the PROSPERO database: CRD42021244555. Among the 163 identified citations, 10 studies were eligible for review (5 for diagnosis of adenomyosis, 2 for endometrioma, 3 for deep intestinal endometriosis and rectovaginal septum [deep pelvic endometriosis], N = 744 women). In deep pelvic endometriosis, lesions diagnosed by elastography were found to correlate with histopathology results. Increased "stiffness" (elastography) was associated with a higher fibrotic component, with S = 78%–100% and Ps = 100%, according to the authors. On elastography, endometriomas were stiffer than hemorrhagic cysts (S = 82%, Ps = 79%) and malignant tumors (S = 86%, Ps = 100%). For these lesions, a meta-analysis could not be performed because the small number of studies and insufficient data. In adenomyosis, meta-analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that elastography had good sensitivity and specificity. Studies indicated a low bias risk by QUADAS-2. Elastography had high sensitivity and specificity for deep pelvic endometriosis diagnosis, and its findings correlated with histopathology results. For adenomyosis, the meta-analysis confirmed the sensitivity and specificity results of the studies. Given these results, elastography may be a promising imaging test, contributing to non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis and adenomyosis.