New Endometriosis Scan Could Speed Up Diagnosis Time

Endometriosis is a seriously debilitating condition that affects one in 10 women in Ireland.

The condition means that lining similar to that which lines the uterus grows outside of the womb, leading to severe and chronic pain in thousands of women across the country.

As it stands, it takes an average of nine years for a patient to receive an endometriosis diagnosis, which leads to serious delays in treatment and potential surgeries to manage the pain.

Now though, a new scan being piloted in the UK might just reduce that waiting time by years.

The BBC reports that research being conducted in Oxford University shows that a new scan technique could spot the symptoms of endometriosis considerably earlier than standard checks.

Patients are usually subjected to years of ultrasounds and MRIs before endometriosis can be diagnosed via laparoscopy, a procedure where a small camera is inserted into the abdomen to confirm endometrium growth.

This new scan uses specialised SPECT-CT scans along with an injection of a molecular tracer called maraciclatide. Early studies show that this scan was able to correctly detect the presence or absence of endometriosis in 16 women.

The test also confirmed 14 of 17 cases of endometriosis that were later diagnosed through surgery.

Lead researcher Dr Tatjana Gibbons told the BBC that the findings were extremely promising: “This means many struggle with symptoms, despite being told they have normal imaging results.

“Getting a diagnosis earlier can help people make decisions and plans about their life.

“[The scan] offers a highly promising diagnostic and monitoring tool, particularly for superficial peritoneal endometriosis, which is the most common and yet the hardest type of endometriosis to identify.”

Symptoms of endometriosis include heavy periods, severe abdominal, pelvic, and back pain, tiredness, fertility issues, low mood, and pain during sex or when using the toilet.

More than 1,000 women are currently on waiting lists for endometriosis care in Irish hospitals.