Endometrioma

Endometriosis of ovary
Transvaginal ultrasonography showing a 67 x 40 mm endometrioma as distinguished from other types of ovarian cysts by a somewhat grainy and not completely anechoic content.
SpecialtyGynecology

Endometrioma (also called chocolate cyst) is the presence of tissue similar to, but distinct from, the endometrium in and sometimes on the ovary. It is the most common form of endometriosis.[1] Endometrioma is found in 17–44% patients with endometriosis.[2]

More broadly, endometriosis is the presence of tissue similar to, but distinct from, endometrial tissue located outside the uterus. The presence of endometriosis can result in the formation of scar tissue, adhesions and an inflammatory reaction.

Endometriomas are usually benign growths, most often found in the ovary.[3] They forms dark, fluid-filled cysts,[4] which can vary greatly in size. The fluid inside the cysts is thick, dark, old blood, giving it a chocolate-like appearance, giving it the name chocolate cyst. It can also develop in the cul-de-sac (the space behind the uterus), the surface of the uterus, and between the vagina and rectum.[5]

  1. ^ Kaponis, Apostolos; Taniguchi, Fuminori; Azuma, Yukihiro; Deura, Imari; Vitsas, Charalampos; Decavalas, George O.; Harada, Tasuku (March 2015). "Current treatment of endometrioma". Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey. 70 (3): 183–195. doi:10.1097/OGX.0000000000000157. ISSN 1533-9866. PMID 25769433. S2CID 22099824.
  2. ^ Gałczyński, Krzysztof; Jóźwik, Maciej; Lewkowicz, Dorota; Semczuk-Sikora, Anna; Semczuk, Andrzej (2019-11-07). "Ovarian endometrioma – a possible finding in adolescent girls and young women: a mini-review". Journal of Ovarian Research. 12 (1): 104. doi:10.1186/s13048-019-0582-5. ISSN 1757-2215. PMC 6839067. PMID 31699129.
  3. ^ Bulletti, Carlo; Coccia, Maria Elisabetta; Battistoni, Silvia; Borini, Andrea (2010-08-01). "Endometriosis and infertility (a review)". Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 27 (8): 441–447. doi:10.1007/s10815-010-9436-1. ISSN 1058-0468. PMC 2941592. PMID 20574791.
  4. ^ "Endometriomas - Deep Ovarian Endometriosis - Brigham and Women's Hospital". www.brighamandwomens.org. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  5. ^ Venes 2013, p. 808.