What is the definitive method used to diagnose endometriosis?

The definitive method used to diagnose endometriosis is laparoscopy with biopsy. This minimally invasive surgical procedure allows direct visualization of the pelvic organs and the surrounding structures. During laparoscopy, a camera is inserted through a small incision in the abdomen, enabling the physician to identify the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. Additionally, during this procedure, biopsies can be taken from suspicious lesions for histological confirmation, which is critical for a definitive diagnosis.

While other imaging techniques such as transvaginal ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging can suggest the presence of endometriosis and help assess the extent of the disease, they cannot provide a conclusive diagnosis on their own. Transvaginal ultrasonography can help detect cysts associated with endometriosis (endometriomas) and assess pelvic anatomy, but it lacks the specificity and capacity to visualize all forms of endometriosis. Similarly, a CT scan is generally not used for diagnosing endometriosis due to its limited ability to evaluate pelvic structures when compared to laparoscopy. Magnetic resonance imaging is beneficial in evaluating the deep infiltrating endometriosis and providing information on the extent of the disease but does not provide definitive confirmation without histological evaluation. Therefore, laparoscopy