The Role of Hysteroscopy in the Diagnosis and Management Endometriosis and Adenomyosis: The Current Perspective

Adenomyosis is defined as the abnormal presence of endometrial glands and stroma within the myometrium. There are two types of adenomyosis, diffuse and focal. The role of hysteroscopy, with assistance of mechanical instruments and electrocautery, is reserved only in cases of focal and superficial lesions in the setting of diffuse adenomyosis. Endometriosis is defined by the ectopic presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside of the uterus, located mainly in the pelvis. Hysteroscopy can be used in assisting diagnosis of endometriosis, which otherwise would require laparoscopy for confirmation based on specific findings that are indicative of endometriosis including strawberry pattern, hemorrhagic cystic lesions, or irregular endometrium with tiny openings seen on the endometrial surface