Abstract: Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is a special type of endometriosis (EMs), which specifically refers to the infiltration depth of ≥ 5 mm of EMs lesions, involving in different parts of the pelvic cavity, mainly located in the posterior pelvic cavity, such as the uterosacral ligament, rectovaginal septum, colorectum, etc. At present, there are many ways to diagnose DIE, such as medical history, gynecological examination, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), laparoscopy combined with pathological examination, but due to the limitation of the operator and other reasons of lack of experience or technology, the majority of patients were clinically misdiagnosed or missed. At present, researchers have proposed improved methods for the low detection rate of DIE, such as 3D or 4D ultrasound, fusion imaging, 3D-MRI, mehrzeilen-spiral CT colon water expansion (msCT-c) technique, etc., may improve the diagnostic rate of DIE.

Key words: Endometriosis, Diagnostic techniques, obstetrical and gynecological, Ultrasonography, Magnetic resonance imaging