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Middle East Fertility Society Journal, Vol. 9, No. 2, 2004, pp. 178 BOOK REVIEW Code Number: mf04032 Fast Facts: Endometriosis. Edited By: Botros Rizk and Hossam Abdalla. Second Edition,Copyright 2003, 131 pages. Health Press, Oxford, UK. This monogram is dealing with one of the most tiring and controversial subject in gynecology namely endometriosis. This disease entity, in spite of the increasing knowledge dealing with every aspect of endometriosis, still, constitutes a real difficulty in evaluation and treatment. This piece of work is a concise approach for better understanding of this disease. The authors presented endometriosis in eleven chapters written in a distinctive sequence. A simplified glossary is presented as a method of precision and orientation. The first chapter reflects the epidemiology and pathogenesis of this disease. In fact the authors discussed the problem of addressing the exact prevalence as this disease is usually recorded as a part of another investigation. They could summarize the theories that underline this problem in a comprehensive way. In addition the pathogenesis of endometriosis was also presented in clinico-pathological terms as an introductory to the coming sections. Needless to mention, the diagrams and panels are so illustrative. The second chapter is dealing with the crucial problem of infertility. The authors laid down the most important question “Does endometriosis cause infertility?” They covered every factor which could be implicated in the causation of infertility. The third chapter is dedicated to the item of diagnosis. It was presented in a methodical way stressing on the history as a suggestive and a leading method to start investigation. This chapter is supplemented with nice pictures to help in the orientation of laparoscopic and imaging procedures. In the fourth chapter the authors reviewed the medical management of endometriosis, where, in the beginning they summarized the importance of such treatment as a method of controlling symptoms especially in adolescents. The rest of the chapter is covering most of the drugs used in the treatment and the possible use of antiangiogenesis therapy in the future. The surgical management of endometriosis was next evaluated. The authors pointed out at the beginning of the discussion the objectives of surgery.Next they presented the different types of surgical procedures noting their indication and advantages. The authors explored in a separate chapter the management of infertility with endometriosis. A comprehensive algorithm for the management of patients with infertility caused by endometriosis was suggested. Then, they tried to cast some light on different trials in the management of infertility. It was mandatory to cover the assisted reproductive techniques and endometriosis in a separate chapter. The authors stressed that in-vitro fertilization is more effective than repeat surgery or expectant treatment. To cover the rest of the subject extra pelvic endometriosis was added. This chapter reviewed the different sites of expected endometriosis with hints to the possible lines of management. Recurrent endometriosis constitutes a real problem both to the patient and to the doctor. The monogram illustrated this important issue in a concise way. Adenomyosis or endometriosis interna was also elaborated in this review stressing on the fact that it is rather a different entity to pelvic endometriosis. At the end of this piece of work the authors stressed that a doctor patient partnership for both the family doctor and gynecologist must be created to cope with this problem as mentioned “encourage her to help herself, to enter into a partnership of treatment”. Finally, I do believe that such type of concise review is a remarkable and valuable work that is needed to every practicing gynecologist. However, such work should be revised and updated on regular basis. Rafat M. Riad, M.D. |
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