Leah had chronic abdominal pain that was negatively affecting her daily life and had caused a great deal of stress within her family. Leah and her parents consulted a variety of local paediatric specialists, and a diagnosis of chronic abdominal pain with an unknown cause was made. A series of medications were proposed by the local treating team to try and control Leah’s pain.
Leah’s parents contacted Best Doctors to seek advice regarding Leah’s likely diagnosis and whether the current management plan was appropriate or if additional measures could be taken to improve their daughter’s condition. Ideally, they wanted an ongoing plan and a way off the various medications prescribed. Leah’s case was assigned to a paediatric gynaecologist, a renowned specialist in their field.
The Expert paediatric gynaecologist reviewed Leah’s clinical history and reported that she was most likely suffering from endometriosis. The expert recommended an operative laparoscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, noting that the selected surgeon must be experienced in adolescent endometriosis. In addition, a continuation of oral contraceptive therapy following the surgery was advised. Leah and her family elected to follow the expert’s advice, proceeding with the laparoscopy, which did, in fact, identify endometriosis. At the three-month follow-up, Leah was five weeks post-surgery and had almost complete resolution of her chronic pain. She was feeling significantly better and had resumed most of her normal daily activities.
