ABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of this investigation was to assess whether a correlation exists among microvascular
density (MVD), expression of endothelial growth factor, and pelvic pain in patients
with ovarian endometriosis.
Methods: Sixty-five patients (mean age 33.3 years, range 20–49 years) were diagnosed as having
suspected cystic ovarian endometriosis and were scheduled for surgery. Patients were
classified into two groups according to clinical complaints: group A, asymptomatic patients
or patients with mild dysmenorrhea, and group B patients with severe dysmenorrhea and/or
chronic pelvic pain and/or dispareunia. Immunohistochemical staining for CD34 and vascular
endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in histological specimens for MVD and VEGF cellular
expression assessment were performed.
Results: Five patients were excluded after surgery because no ovarian endometriosis was
found in histological analysis. Thirty women were included in each group. MVD was higher
in the symptomatic group. No differences were found in VEGF cellular expression.
Conclusions: We conclude that pain symptoms in ovarian endometriosis are directly correlated
with MVD but not with VEGF cellular expression. Based on our results, it appears that
in endometriotic cysts, the angiogenic processes are present but not completely mediated by
VEGF.
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