Seeing the Invisible: ESSI at the International Endometriosis Imaging Congress
At Endometriosis Surgical Specialists International (ESSI), we frequently talk about the tragedy of the “normal” ultrasound. For decades, patients with debilitating pelvic pain have been told their imaging is clear, simply because standard radiologists are not trained to spot the subtle, complex markers of endometriosis.
Changing this narrative requires a global, multidisciplinary effort. That is why the ESSI team was incredibly proud to participate in the International Endometriosis Imaging Congress (IEIC), held this past February 21st and 22nd.
Bringing together the brightest minds in gynecologic surgery, radiology, and advanced diagnostics, this event represented a massive leap forward in how the medical community visualizes and treats complex pelvic disease.
A World-Class Event: Thank You, Professor Wendy Van Buren
Before diving into the science, we must recognize the extraordinary effort required to bring a conference of this caliber to life.
The IEIC was a resounding success, and that is largely due to the visionary leadership of its organizer, Professor Wendy Van Buren. Professor Wendy Van Buren has been a relentless advocate for elevating the standard of endometriosis care. By curating a space where global experts could seamlessly exchange groundbreaking diagnostic techniques, she has helped ensure that fewer patients will slip through the cracks of standard imaging. We extend our deepest gratitude to Wendy and her team for orchestrating such an impactful, seamlessly run, and deeply necessary event.
Dr. Andrea Vidali’s Lecture: Mapping, OR Strategy, and Preservation
As a featured speaker at the congress, Dr. Andrea Vidali took the stage to share ESSI’s advanced protocols for evaluating and treating the pelvis. His lecture focused on three critical pillars of modern pelvic care: Endometriosis Mapping, Practical Tips for the Operating Room, and Microwave Ablation of Adenomyosis.
Here is a look at the groundbreaking concepts Dr. Vidali shared with the international medical community.
1. Advanced Endometriosis Mapping
You cannot surgically excise what you have not accurately mapped. Dr. Vidali emphasized that imaging should never be a quick, five-minute scan. True endometriosis mapping requires dynamic, specialized protocols (via expert ultrasound or MRI) to locate Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis (DIE) before the patient ever enters the operating room.
By accurately mapping disease on the bowel, ureters, and pelvic nerves in advance, surgeons can assemble the precise multidisciplinary team required to clear the pelvis safely in a single surgery.
2. Practical Tips: Intraoperative Ultrasound and OR Efficiency
Great imaging shouldn’t stop at the clinic door. Dr. Vidali shared practical, hard-earned insights on how to bring advanced imaging directly into the operating room. He detailed his techniques for using intraoperative ultrasound during surgery.
By utilizing ultrasound probes in real-time while operating, surgeons can pinpoint the exact depth of deep infiltrating nodules, safely navigate around critical structures like the bowel and ureters, and accurately guide tools for complex excisions. Furthermore, Dr. Vidali discussed the critical importance of operating room (OR) setup. Performing complex, multi-organ excision requires immense efficiency.
3. Microwave Ablation of Adenomyosis: A Uterine-Sparing Revolution
At ESSI, we vehemently oppose the use of ablation (burning) for endometriosis—we strictly believe in cutting the disease out by its roots. However, adenomyosis (disease trapped inside the muscular wall of the uterus) requires a fundamentally different approach.
Historically, patients with severe adenomyosis were told that a hysterectomy was their only option. During his lecture, Dr. Vidali presented on Microwave Ablation of Adenomyosis, a revolutionary, minimally invasive technique. Using continuous, real-time ultrasound guidance, a specialized probe delivers targeted microwave energy directly into the adenomyosis lesions within the uterine wall. This safely destroys the diseased tissue, drastically reducing heavy bleeding and pelvic pressure, while keeping the uterus entirely intact. This aligns perfectly with ESSI’s fierce dedication to fertility preservation and uterine-sparing care.
The Future of Diagnostics is Here
The days of guessing what is inside the pelvis are coming to an end. Events like the International Endometriosis Imaging Congress prove that the global medical community is finally catching up to what patients have known all along: the disease is there; you just have to know how to look for it.
At ESSI, we will continue to pioneer the intersection of advanced imaging, expert surgical efficiency, and reproductive science.
