An Atlas of Endometriosis (2)

The art of effective diagnosis is one that relies to a considerable degree - although certainly not exclusively - on the recognition of visual signs and manifestations of disease.

The object of this series is to provide a practical aid to diagnosis by illustrating and explaining the wide range of visual signs that a physician needs to be aware of in current medical practice. Whilst the visual manifestations of disease themselves remain constant, the development of new techniques of invasive and non-invasive diagnosis mean that new images are frequently being added to the range of visual material that the diagnostician must be familiar with - ultrasound radiology, magnetic resonance imaging, endoscopy and photomicrography all provide examples of this kind of material.

It is the intention of this series to document, where appropriate, the results of such techniques and to explain and elucidate their relevance - in addition to documenting all the more standard visual images. The series is also distinctive in that individual volumes will focus on carefully selected, specific topics, which can be covered in some detail - rather than on generalized and broadly-based subject areas that could not easily be covered so thoroughly. The authors contributing to the series have all been selected for their special expertise in their own chosen fields, their access to outstanding visual material and their ability to explain the significance of it in an effective and lucid way. Despite being a common disease, there is some confusion about how endometriosis should be treated.

Evidence is increasing that different types of implants may represent different stages of the disease which require different treatment.

This atlas demonstrates the concept of endometriosis as a progressive disease producing various manifestations which in some individuals may be self-limiting.

Current options of treatment are reviewed, and there is an examination of biopsy material.

The morphological and laparoscopic appearances are compared to help in making diagnoses and determining sensible protocols for individual patients.