Endometriosis in the inguinal channel: a case report

Abstract

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of functioning endometrial glands and stromal tissue outside of uterine cavity, which is estrogen depend ent. It’s usually seen in ovary, uterosacral ligament, uterus, fallopian tubes, gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system. However we describe a case in the inguinal channel. It prevails in 10% of women in reproductive age. There are a lot of factors that contribute to this pathology like inheritance, age, female’s reproductive system’s anatomic anomalies, parity, alterations of the menstrual cycle, use of oral  ontraceptives and ambient factors. There are a lot of physiopathological theories; one of them is retrograde menstruation that could explain the etiology of the case presented. The most frequent symptom is pelvic pain and infertilit y has also been associated The best way of diagnosis is laparoscopy or laparotomy, along a histological con firmation of macrophages with hemosiderin, endometrial epithelium and endometrial glands or stroma. Malignant transformation has been observed in 0,6 -0,8% of presented ovaric endometriosis. GnRH analogues are broadly used as medical treatment, while anazol is less used because of its androgenic effects. NSAIDs combined with oral contraceptives is used to on endometrial ectopic tissue ablation trough laparoscopy.