Nerve Fiber Density in DIE Nodules & Pelvic Pain

Plain-language summary

Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is a highly symptomatic form of endometriosis linked to severe dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, dyschezia, dysuria, and chronic pelvic pain. Histologic studies suggest abundant neural elements in DIE nodules, but the relationship between nodule-level nerve fiber density and patient-reported pelvic pain remains insufficiently defined. This retrospective, cross-sectional study with prospective pathology re-review evaluates whether nerve fiber density in surgically excised DIE nodules correlates with pain severity and location. Women aged 18-55 who underwent surgery for DIE after inadequate response to medical therapy are included. Clinical data (demographics, gynecologic history, prior treatments) and standardized pain scores (VAS for pain domains) are abstracted from records. Archived blocks are recut; sections are stained with H\&E and immunolabeled (e.g., SOX-10) to quantify neural profiles and derive a nerve fiber density metric per nodule. Primary endpoint: association between nerve fiber density and pain intensity/localization. Secondary endpoints: relationships with lesion site/depth and other clinicopathologic variables; exploratory discrimination of severe-pain phenotypes. Statistics (χ²/Fisher, t/Mann-Whitney, Kaplan-Meier/Cox if applicable) use two-sided p\<0.05. This minimal-risk study uses existing records and archived tissue only; findings may inform counseling, nerve-sparing surgical planning, and future biomarker-driven, response-adapted trials.

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