Use of a New Diagnostic Tool in the Detection and Characterization of Endometriosis Lesions

Launched by UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, TOULOUSE · Jun 26, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new way to better detect and understand endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus grows outside it, often causing pain. The study is testing a special type of imaging scan called \[18F\]-FES PET/CT, which might be more accurate than current methods like MRI. This scan could help doctors see the disease more clearly and measure how certain hormone receptors (estrogen receptors) are involved, which might also relate to how much pain a patient feels. The goal is to improve diagnosis and guide better treatment choices.

Women over 18 who have endometriosis and are scheduled for surgery may be eligible, especially if they have pain related to the condition or are being treated for infertility. Participants need to have had a recent MRI and be able to undergo the new scan safely. The study will exclude those who are pregnant, menopausal, on hormone therapy, or have certain sensitivities or conditions like claustrophobia. If you join, you can expect to have the new imaging scan before your surgery, which will help researchers understand your condition better. This study is not yet recruiting but aims to make diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis easier and more personalized in the future.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Cases:
• • - Painful patients with a VAS ≥ 4 treated surgically for painful symptoms related to endometriosis;
• Controls:
• • Patient with a VAS \< 4 treated surgically for endometriosis in the context of infertility;
• • Age \> 18 years;
• • Patient who provided informed consent;
• • Patients who underwent a preoperative MRI and were not contraindicated for \[18F\]-FES PET/CT;
• • Patient who underwent surgery mid-cycle;
• • Affiliation to a social security scheme
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patient treated for endometriosis without surgery;
• • Pregnant patient
• • Patient taking hormone therapy
• • Menopausal patient
• • Hypersensitivity to the active substance (Fluoroestradiol (18F)) or to any of the excipients
• • Patient under legal protection
• • Claustrophobic patient