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Radiology Jun 2024A 30-year-old female patient with a history of infertility and no pregnancy presented to the gynecologic endometriosis clinic for follow-up 1 month after oocyte...
A 30-year-old female patient with a history of infertility and no pregnancy presented to the gynecologic endometriosis clinic for follow-up 1 month after oocyte retrieval, to be evaluated for pelvic optimization before potential embryo transfer, with worsening dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and overall pelvic pain. Eleven years prior, the patient had undergone left ovarian cystectomy for treatment of endometrioma, as well as excision of deep infiltrative endometriosis. The oocyte retrieval procedure, where more than 30 eggs were retrieved, was complicated by ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and intraperitoneal bleeding, which necessitated admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) for 3 days. Following discharge from the ICU, the patient experienced occasional on-and-off pressure of the urinary bladder and persistent aching pelvic pain. At the 1-month follow-up appointment, the patient's vital signs were assessed (blood pressure, 142/94 mm Hg; pulse rate, 95 per minute; temperature, 96.8 °F [36 °C]). Routine blood investigations, including white blood cell count, were within normal limits. Physical examination showed the abdomen was soft but there was mild pelvic tenderness. The serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin test result was negative for pregnancy, and urinalysis testing showed no leukocyte esterase or nitrites. MRI of the pelvis (Figs 1-3) was performed to evaluate the worsening pain.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adult; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Endometriosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Pelvic Pain
PubMed: 38916503
DOI: 10.1148/radiol.231863 -
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England) Jun 2024Is increasing the intensity of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) by 30% in the treatment of rectal endometriosis a safe procedure?
STUDY QUESTION
Is increasing the intensity of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) by 30% in the treatment of rectal endometriosis a safe procedure?
SUMMARY ANSWER
This study demonstrates the safety of a 30% increase in the intensity of HIFU in the treatment of rectal endometriosis, with no Clavien-Dindo Grade III complications overall, and namely no rectovaginal fistulae.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
A feasibility study including 20 patients with rectal endometriosis demonstrated, with no severe complications, a significant improvement in digestive disorders, dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, and health status, although the volume of the endometriosis nodule did not appear to be reduced.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
A prospective multicentre cohort study was conducted between 2020 and 2022 with 60 patients with symptomatic rectal endometriosis. Following the failure of medical treatment, HIFU treatment was offered as an alternative to surgery.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
As the main objective of this study was to examine safety, all adverse events observed during the 6 months of follow-up were analysed and graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and Clavien-Dindo classifications. Secondary objectives included evaluating the evolution of symptoms using validated questionnaires: gynaecological and digestive pain symptoms with a visual analogue scale, health status with the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire, average post-operative daily pain level, and analgesic medication required in the 10 days following treatment. MRI was also performed at Day 1 to detect early complications. Finally, we performed a blinded MRI review of the evolution of the nodule at 6 months post-treatment.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
The procedure was performed under spinal anaesthesia for 30% of the patients. The median duration of treatment was 32 min. Fifty-five patients left the hospital on Day 1. MRI scans performed on Day 1 did not highlight any early-onset post-operative complication. Using the Clavien-Dindo classification, we listed 56.7% Grade I events, 3.4% Grade II events, and no events Grade III or higher. At 1, 3, and 6 months, all gynaecologic, digestive and general symptoms, as well as health status, had significantly improved. The evolution of the nodule was also significant (P < 0.001) with a 28% decrease in volume.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
The main objective was safety and not effectiveness. The study was not randomized and there was no control group.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
HIFU treatment for rectal endometriosis results in an improvement of symptoms with low morbidity; as such, for selected patients, it could be a valuable alternative to surgical approaches following the failure of medical treatment.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
The study was funded by the company EDAP TMS. Professors Dubernard and Rousset are consultants for EDAP TMS. Dubernard received travel support from EDAP-TMS. Dr F. Chavrier received industrial grants from EDAP-TMS. He has developed a device for generating focused ultrasonic waves with reduced treatment time. This device has been patented by EDAP-TMS. Dr Lafon received industrial grants from EDAP-TMS; he declares that EDAP-TMS provided funding directly to INSERM to support a young researcher chair in therapeutic ultrasound, which is unrelated to the current study.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04494568.
PubMed: 38914481
DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deae127 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2024Endometriosis (EM) is an estrogen-dependent benign gynecologic disease affecting approximately 10% of reproductive-age women with a high recurrence rate, but lacks...
INTRODUCTION
Endometriosis (EM) is an estrogen-dependent benign gynecologic disease affecting approximately 10% of reproductive-age women with a high recurrence rate, but lacks reliable biomarkers. No previous studies have investigated the possible use of extracellular vesicle (EV)-associated micro RNAs (miRNAs) from menstrual blood (MB) as candidate diagnostic or prognostic markers of EM.
METHODS
Specimens were obtained from endometriosis and non-endometriosis patients at the International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital in Shanghai. Microarray was used to screen differentially expressed miRNAs among peritoneal fluid (PF), fallopian tube fluid (FF), and MB. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was carried out to verify the relationship between miR-4443 and ACSS2. Cell proliferation and Transwell invasion assays were performed in vitro after intervention on miR-4443 and ACSS2 in hEM15A human endometrial stromal cells and primary human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs). Spearman correlation analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and survival analysis were applied to clinical data, including severity of symptoms and relapse of EM among EM patients.
RESULTS
EV-associated miR-4443 was abundant in MB of endometriosis patients. ACSS2 knockdown and miR-4443 overexpression promoted cell proliferation and migration via the PI3K/AKT pathway. miR-4443 levels in MB-EVs were positively correlated with the degree of dyspareunia (r=0.64; P<0.0001) and dysmenorrhea (r=0.42; P<0.01) in the endometriosis group. ROC curve analyses showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.741 (95% CI 0.624-0.858; P<0.05) for miR-4443 and an AUC of 0.929 (95% CI 0.880-0.978; P<0.05) for the combination of miR-4443 and dysmenorrhea.
CONCLUSION
MB-derived EV-associated miR-4443 might participate in endometriosis development, thus providing a new candidate biomarker for the noninvasive prediction of endometriosis recurrence.
Topics: Humans; Endometriosis; Female; MicroRNAs; Extracellular Vesicles; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Adult; Cell Proliferation; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Disease Progression; Cell Movement; Signal Transduction; Cell Line; Endometrium
PubMed: 38911502
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S456594 -
Cureus May 2024A focal serous tubal intraepithelial lesion (STIL) is a rare lesion found on fallopian tubes that are characterized by atypical epithelial cells exhibiting morphological...
An Incidental Fallopian Tube Focal Serous Tubal Intraepithelial Lesion (STIL) Discovered on a Postoperative Pathology Report Following Hysterectomy and Salpingectomy: A Case Report.
A focal serous tubal intraepithelial lesion (STIL) is a rare lesion found on fallopian tubes that are characterized by atypical epithelial cells exhibiting morphological abnormalities with the accumulation of mutant p53 proteins. The p53 gene is a tumor suppressor gene, and when mutated gives rise to mutant p53 proteins that promote cancer cell growth and survival. We present a case of a 47-year-old gravida 2, para 2002 (G2P2) female who presented to the outpatient clinic with bilateral lower quadrant abdominal pain and back pain of four years' duration. The patient's history included endometriosis with lysis of adhesions and gynecological laparoscopy, leiomyomata, infertility, ovarian cyst, dysmenorrhea, two full term births, and Essure implants used for contraception; her family history included maternal grandfather with breast cancer. Multiple fibroids and endometriosis were confirmed on pelvic ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Due to worsening pain, the patient chose to have an elective hysterectomy and Essure implant removal with bilateral salpingectomy. The postoperative pathology report revealed a right fallopian tube with a STIL. Multiple genetic mutations are known to contribute to the development of STILs including p53 and the breast cancer gene (BRCA). There are two BRCA genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, that have many functions including producing proteins that repair damaged DNA. When mutated, this allows cells to divide and change rapidly, leading to certain types of cancer. Given the patient's family history of breast cancer, the patient was tested for BRCA1 and BRCA2 for which the results were negative. However, even without having a BRCA mutation that is known to increase the risk of ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers, STILs continue to pose an increased risk of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). This case demonstrates the reasoning behind prophylactic salpingectomies alongside hysterectomies and the significance of the postoperative pathology report from gynecological procedures.
PubMed: 38910622
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60992 -
Clinical and Imaging Characteristics of Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich Syndrome: a Comprehensive Analysis.Reproductive Sciences (Thousand Oaks,... Jun 2024To describe the clinical and imaging characteristics of Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS).
PURPOSE
To describe the clinical and imaging characteristics of Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS).
METHODS
This study presented an observational case series involving consecutive patients diagnosed with HWWS, whose medical records were retrospectively reviewed. From June 2012 to December 2022, there were a total of 85 patients with HWWS enrolled in our study. We obtained the medical history, including demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, treatment, complications, and radiologic examinations performed. Patients > 18 years of age (n = 58) were recontacted.
RESULT
In our analysis, 27 patients were categorised as having complete obstruction, and 58 were categorised as having incomplete obstruction. The mean age at the onset of symptoms and diagnosis of complete obstruction was significantly younger than incomplete obstruction (P < 0.05). For complete obstruction, the median time between menarche and the onset of symptoms was 2.1 years, while for incomplete obstruction, it was 5.3 years. There was a significantly lower incidence of intermittent mucopurulent discharge, irregular vaginal haemorrhage, and occasional examination findings of complete obstruction than incomplete obstruction (P < 0.05). Complete obstruction was significantly associated with dysmenorrhea and pelvic endometriosis compared with incomplete obstruction (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
There are distinct clinical differences between patients with complete obstruction of the hemivagina and those with incomplete obstruction. HWWS can manifest as various combinations of uterine anomalies, communications anomalies, and renal anomalies. Early recognition and treatment can avoid complications and preserve fertility.
KEYSWORDS
Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS); complete obstruction; incomplete obstruction; obstructed hemivagina; congenital malformation.
PubMed: 38907127
DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01628-2 -
Best Practice & Research. Clinical... May 2024Adenomyosis is a common benign uterine disorders and patients may present dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and infertility. The treatment is... (Review)
Review
Adenomyosis is a common benign uterine disorders and patients may present dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and infertility. The treatment is very complex, including medical, surgical or radiological approaches. Hormonal drugs represent the first line therapy of adenomyosis, highly effective on symptoms and uterine volume reduction. Radiological procedures (UAE and HIFU), RFA and hysteroscopy may be proposed in those cases in which medical therapy is ineffective. Considering surgical treatment, hysterectomy remains the only existing definitive treatment but in the last decades the desire of uterus preservation is becoming more and more diffuse. On the other hand, surgical conservative treatments of adenomyosis are very effective in ameliorating AUB and pelvic pain and in reducing uterine volume, with some post-operative risks and obstetrics complications. Cytoreductive surgery for adenomyosis may be very complex, therefore it should be performed by experienced surgeons in dedicated centers, above all in case of concomitant endometriosis.
PubMed: 38906739
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2024.102507 -
Fertility and Sterility Jun 2024To evaluate the effect of relugolix combination therapy (relugolix CT; 40 mg relugolix, 1 mg estradiol, and 0.5 mg norethisterone acetate) for up to 2 years in the...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of relugolix combination therapy (relugolix CT; 40 mg relugolix, 1 mg estradiol, and 0.5 mg norethisterone acetate) for up to 2 years in the SPIRIT long-term extension (LTE) study on functioning and health-related quality of life (QoL), using the Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP)-30 questionnaire, and assess how changes in QoL domains correlated with improvements in dysmenorrhea and non-menstrual pelvic pain (NMPP).
DESIGN
Long-term extension (LTE) study of the SPIRIT phase 3 trials.
SUBJECTS
Premenopausal women with moderate-to-severe endometriosis pain who previously completed the randomized SPIRIT trials were eligible to enroll in an 80-week LTE where all women received relugolix CT.
INTERVENTIONS
Relugolix combination therapy (relugolix CT: relugolix 40 mg, estradiol 1 mg, norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg) MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Least square (LS) mean changes in the EHP-30 domain and total scores from baseline (pivotal) were analyzed using a mixed-effects model. Results up to104 weeks are reported by pivotal trial treatment group with a focus on the relugolix CT group (ie, relugolix CT or placebo for 24 weeks, or delayed relugolix CT [relugolix 40 mg monotherapy for 12 weeks, followed by relugolix CT for 12 weeks]). In addition, the relationships between changes in dysmenorrhea and NMPP and changes in EHP-30 scores were assessed.
RESULTS
In the 277 women treated with relugolix CT, LS mean EHP-30 pain domain scores improved by 57.8% (LS mean change:-32.8; 95% CI:-35.5, -30.1), 66.4% (LS mean change:-37.7; 95% CI:-40.3,-35.0); and 72.2% (LS mean change:-41.3; 95% CI:-43.9,-38.7) at Weeks 24, 52, and 104, respectively. The proportions of women with clinically meaningful improvement on the EHP-30 pain domain were 75.9%, 83.6% and 88.6% at weeks 24, 52, and 104, respectively. Non-pain EHP-30 domain and total scores likewise improved. A positive correlation between changes in dysmenorrhea/NMPP and all EHP -30 domain scores was observed. Results were similar for the delayed relugolix CT and placebo→relugolix CT groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Sustained reduction of endometriosis-associated pain with relugolix CT observed up to 104 weeks was accompanied by improvements in functioning and health-related QoL. These findings complement the results of the pivotal SPIRIT trials, which showed relugolix combination therapy significantly reduced dysmenorrhea, non-menstrual pelvic pain (NMPP) and dyspareunia vs placebo in premenopausal women with endometriosis-associated pain.
PubMed: 38906210
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2024.06.009 -
American Family Physician Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Dysmenorrhea; Female; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; Adult
PubMed: 38905547
DOI: No ID Found -
American Family Physician Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Dysmenorrhea; Female; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; Adult
PubMed: 38905546
DOI: No ID Found -
The British Journal of General Practice... Jun 2024Dysmenorrhoea affects up to 94% of adolescents who menstruate; approximately one third miss school and activities. Dysmenorrhoea can occur without identified pelvic...
BACKGROUND
Dysmenorrhoea affects up to 94% of adolescents who menstruate; approximately one third miss school and activities. Dysmenorrhoea can occur without identified pelvic pathology (primary dysmenorrhoea) or in association with other conditions (secondary dysmenorrhoea). In adolescence, the commonest cause of secondary dysmenorrhoea is endometriosis. The incidence of symptoms in adolescence suggesting possible endometriosis has not been previously documented in GP records.
AIM
To document incidence of adolescent endometriosis and symptoms associated with endometriosis in English GP records.
METHOD
Data from the QResearch primary care database were used for adolescent females aged 10- 19 years between 1 January 2011 and 30 June 2021, reported using descriptive statistics.
RESULTS
The population cohort included 2 843 347 female adolescents; 98 887 participants had coded dysmenorrhoea (3.48%) and 1994 (0.07%) had documented endometriosis. The cumulative incidence for the cohort who turned 10 years old in 2011 was 7.2% for dysmenorrhoea and 0.12% for endometriosis. The period prevalence of coded symptoms during adolescence potentially associated with dysmenorrhoea and endometriosis includes: heavy menstrual bleeding (3.73%), irregular menstrual bleeding (2.21%), pelvic pain (0.63%), dyspareunia (0.40%), premenstrual syndrome (PMS)/premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) (0.22%), cystitis (8.45%), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (1.00%). Disparities in coding were observed for these variables by ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Incidence of prescribed hormonal medication, with and without coded dysmenorrhoea, varied by ethnicity. This was less apparent for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
CONCLUSION
Prevalence of coded dysmenorrhoea in GP records is significantly lower than community surveys suggest; however, adolescent menstrual symptoms are commonly encountered in primary care, and deserve specific guidance and resources. There are demographic patterns, likely structural, that warrant further exploration.
Topics: Humans; Female; Endometriosis; Adolescent; Dysmenorrhea; Incidence; Social Class; Ethnicity; Young Adult; Child; United Kingdom
PubMed: 38902068
DOI: 10.3399/bjgp24X737685