Impact of osteoporosis on overall survival following endovascular repair for abdominal aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of osteoporosis on overall survival following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center cohort study on 172 patients who had undergone primary EVAR for AAA between 2016 and 2018. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed by measuring the Hounsfield units (HUs) of the 11th thoracic vertebra on preoperative computed tomography; a BMD value of <110 HU was considered osteoporosis. All patients were divided into those with osteoporosis and those without osteoporosis, and long-term outcomes were compared. In addition, hazard ratios of each variable for all-cause mortality were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: All 172 patients were divided into two groups: 72 patients (41.9%) with osteoporosis and 100 patients (58.1%) without osteoporosis. The mean age was older and the mean BMD was lower in patients with osteoporosis than patients without osteoporosis (mean, 79.2 ± 7.2 years vs 75.0 ± 8.7 years, respectively; P < .05; 78.1 ± 26.7 HU vs 155.1 ± 36.3 HU, respectively; P < .05). During the median follow-up period of 68 months, overall survival was significantly lower in patients with osteoporosis than patients without osteoporosis (osteoporosis: 63.9% and 36.7% at 5 years and 7 years; nonosteoporosis: 83.8% and 74.6% at 5 years and 7 years, respectively; log-rank P < .05); freedom from aneurysm-related mortality did not differ significantly between groups (osteoporosis: 94.3% and 89.0% at 5 years and 7 years; nonosteoporosis: 100.0% and 96.7% at 5 years and 7 years, respectively; log-rank P = .078). In a multivariate analysis for overall survival after EVAR, coexistence of osteoporosis was found to be an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-3.06; P < .05), as well as variables including age, statin use, sarcopenia, and aneurysm diameter. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with osteoporosis showed a higher all-cause mortality after EVAR than patients without osteoporosis. We believe that comorbidity of osteoporosis may be useful in estimating the life expectancy of patients with AAA.

Ten-year single-center outcomes following endovascular repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm using the INCRAFT device.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to report the long-term outcomes beyond 10 years of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysms using the low-profile INCRAFT device. METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing EVAR using the INCRAFT device as part of the regulatory trial between 2012 and 2013. Primary endpoint was aneurysm-related death. Secondary endpoints were all-cause death, reintervention, late open conversion, and aneurysm status (shrinkage, stable, and growth). RESULTS: Thirty patients with a mean age of 71.8 ± 7.7 years were included in this study. The median aneurysm diameter at EVAR was 54.5 mm (interquartile range, 53-56.8 mm). All abdominal aortic aneurysms in this study were treated following the device's instructions for use. At index EVAR, the INCRAFT device was successfully implanted in all patients using a percutaneous approach under local anesthesia. No patients experienced major adverse events or procedure-related complications 30 days after EVAR. During the median follow-up of 125 months (interquartile range, 98-131 months) with follow-up rates of 100% at 5 years and 96.7% at 10 years, aneurysm-related mortality was 0%, and freedom from all-cause mortality was 82.9% at 5 years and 75.3% at 10 years. Reintervention was required in 10 patients with 15 procedures. Sac growth was observed in 11 patients (36.7%), six of whom eventually required late open conversion; five of these patients underwent open aneurysmorrhaphy with stent graft preservation, and one underwent open surgical repair with endograft explantation. Late rupture was identified in one case, where type Ia endoleak led to rupture at 69 months, and open repair was successfully performed. Freedom from reintervention was 89.0% at 5 years but declined to 60.9% at 10 years; freedom from late open conversion was 100% at 5 years but declined to 70.8% at 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term outcomes of the INCRAFT stent graft showed no aneurysm-related deaths. However, sac growth occurred persistently throughout the follow-up period, resulting in a relatively high rate of reinterventions in the later periods, which highlights the importance of lifelong postoperative surveillance and appropriate reinterventions when indicated.

Midterm outcomes of endovascular repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm using the cuff-first technique to prevent type II endoleaks.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the initial and midterm outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) using the cuff-first technique (CFT) to prevent type II endoleak (T2EL). METHODS: CFT involves deploying an aortic cuff inside the AAA to cover the ostium of the aortic side branch vessels before deploying the main body. We performed a retrospective review of all patients undergoing EVAR with CFT or side branch embolization (SBE) for AAAs at The Jikei University Hospital between 2016 and 2022. Primary endpoint was the rate of aneurysm sac shrinkage. Secondary endpoints were procedure time, radiation exposure, technical and clinical success rates, occurrence of T2EL, and freedom from reintervention or aneurysm-related death. RESULTS: Of 406 patients who underwent EVAR for AAAs, CFT was utilized in 56 (CFT group) and SBE in 35 (SBE group); all 91 patients were included in this study. There were no differences in patient demographics between groups, but there were differences in patency rate of the inferior mesenteric artery and absent intraluminal thrombus. The technical success rate per target vessel in the CFT and SBE group was 97.8% and 91.8%, and the clinical success rate was 91.0% and 100%, respectively. The median procedure time was shorter for CFT than for SBE: CFT, 10 (interquartile range [IQR], 6-14) minutes vs SBE, 25 (IQR, 18.5-45) minutes; P < .05), and median radiation exposure was lower for CFT than for SBE (CFT, 1455 (IQR, 840-2634) mGy vs SBE, 2353 (IQR, 1552-3586) mGy; P < .05). During the median follow-up of 25 months (IQR, 12.5-47 months), sac shrinkage occurred at similar rates in both groups (CFT, 37.5% vs SBE, 40.0%; P = .812), and there were no differences in freedom from reintervention (CFT, 96.2% and 91.4% at 12 and 36 months vs SBE, 100% and 89.5% at 12 and 36 months; log-rank P = .761) and freedom from aneurysm-related death (100% at 36 months in both groups; log-rank P = .440). The odds ratio of CFT vs SBE for sac regression was calculated by adjusting for inferior mesenteric artery patency and absent intraluminal thrombus, resulting in no statistical significance (odds ratio, 1.231; 95% confidence interval, 0.486-3.122). CONCLUSIONS: CFT is feasible with a shorter procedure time and lower radiation exposure than SBE and comparable mid-term outcomes, including sac shrinkage rate, compared with SBE. We believe that CFT, if anatomically suitable, is an alternative to SBE for the prevention of T2EL during EVAR.

Evolution of open aneurysmorrhaphy for management of sac expansion after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the perioperative and mid-term clinical outcomes of open aneurysmorrhaphy (OA) for the treatment of sac expansion after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms. METHODS: OA involves sac exposure without dissection of the proximal or distal neck, sacotomy and ligation of back-bleeding vessels, preservation of the prior stent graft, and tight closure of the sac around the stent graft. We performed a retrospective review of all patients who had undergone OA for nonruptured sac expansion after standard EVAR at our institution between January 2015 and June 2021. The primary end points were 30-day mortality and aneurysm-related death. The secondary end points were postoperative complications, overall survival, freedom from reintervention, and sac regrowth rate. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients had undergone OA. Their mean age was 76.9 ± 6.7 years. The median sac diameter at OA was 79 mm (interquartile range [IQR], 76-92 mm). The median duration from the index EVAR to OA was 82 months (IQR, 72-104 months). Preoperative computed tomography angiography confirmed a type II endoleak (EL) in 20 patients, 1 of whom had had a coexisting type Ia EL; a type IIIb EL was identified in 1 patient. Concomitant endovascular procedures had been performed in six patients to treat a type I or III EL or reinforce the proximal and distal seals. The OA technique has been modified since 2017, with the addition of more aggressive dissection of the sac and complete removal of the mural thrombus to further decrease the sac diameter. Postoperative complications occurred in two patients and included abdominal lymphorrhea and failed hemostasis of the common femoral artery requiring surgical repair in one patient each. The 30-day mortality was 0%. During the median follow-up of 36 months (IQR, 14-51 months), the overall survival was 92.7% and 86.9% at 12 and 36 months, respectively, without any aneurysm-related death. In the late (2017-2021) treatment group, the median sac diameter immediately after OA was smaller than that in the early (2015-2016) treatment group (early group: median, 50 mm; IQR, 39-57 mm; vs later group: median, 41 mm; IQR, 32-47 mm; P = .083). Furthermore, in the late group, the sac regrowth rate was lower (early group: median, 0.36 mm/mo; IQR, 0.23-0.83 mm/mo; vs late group: median, 0 mm/mo; IQR, 0-0.11 mm/mo; P = .0075) and the freedom from reintervention rate was higher (late group: 94.7% at both 12 and 36 months, respectively; early group: 71.4% and 53.6% at 12 and 36 months, respectively; log-rank P = .070). CONCLUSIONS: Our results have shown that OA for the management of post-EVAR sac expansion is feasible with acceptable mid-term outcomes. Aggressive dissection and tight plication of the sac might be imperative for better mid-term outcomes after OA.

Early clinical outcomes of retrograde in situ branched stent grafting for complex aortic arch aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the early outcomes of retrograde in situ branched stent grafting (RIBS) using the gutter balloon technique for complex aortic arch aneurysms (CAAs). METHODS: The RIBS technique is an in situ needle fenestration procedure during thoracic endovascular aortic repair with the reconstruction of cervical branches. The double RIBS (D-RIBS) for the reconstruction of the left common carotid artery and the brachiocephalic artery using the gutter balloon technique was performed in 30 high-risk patients. We describe the early clinical results of the D-RIBS technique for CAAs. Primary end points were technical success and 30-day mortality. Secondary end points were postoperative complications, rates of endoleaks, overall survival, aneurysm-related death, and reinterventions. RESULTS: The mean age was 77.1 ± 6.6 years, and the mean maximum minor-axis aneurysmal diameter was 65.9 ± 8.9 mm. Twenty-six patients underwent D-RIBS for elective arch aortic aneurysm, and four patients were for reintervention after zone 2 thoracic endovascular aortic repair failure. Stent graft puncture was performed 60 times from the common carotid arteries, and technical success was achieved in all cases (100%). Postoperative complications included cerebral infarction in two patients (6.7%) and recurrent nerve palsy in one patient (3.3%). The 30-day mortality was 0%. During the median follow-up period of 14 months (6-56 months), overall survival at 12 months was 92.3% without any aneurysm-related death. Type 1 b and type 2 endoleaks were observed in one each, and no reintervention was encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Early clinical outcomes of the D-RIBS for high-risk patients with CAAs are acceptable. The gutter balloon method enables safe and reliable fenestration. Further studies and dedicated devices are warranted.

Prognostication of Ovarian Function after Ovarian Torsion Using Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Angiography.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively evaluate the blood flow in ovaries (ischemic ovaries) that underwent torsion using indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and assess the use of ICGA as an indicator for functional preservation of the ovaries. DESIGN: In vivo animal study. SETTING: The University of Yamanashi Animal Experimentation Center. SUBJECTS: Eighteen female Wistar albino rats. INTERVENTIONS: As an alternative to ovarian torsion, we occluded an ovary in each rat for 24 hours, after which we performed ICGA before and after releasing ischemia and extracted the following 8 parameters: Fmax (maximum F value before releasing ischemia); Tmax (time taken from the onset of an increase in F to reaching Fmax); T½max (time taken from the onset of an increase in F to reaching half of Fmax); slope (Fmax/Tmax); time ratio (T½max/Tmax); F'max (maximum F value after releasing ischemia); reperfusion rate (F'max/Fmax); and reperfusion gap (F'max - Fmax). Four weeks later, we counted the total number of primordial and primary follicles and classified the rats into functional and nonfunctional groups. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: On the basis of the total number of primordial and primary follicles, 13 rats had "functional" ovaries on the clamped side, and 5 rats had "nonfunctional" ovaries. The area under the curve values for each parameter were as follows: Fmax, 0.908; Tmax, 0.569; T½max, 0.546; time ratio, 0.746; slope, 0.877; F'max, 0.723; reperfusion rate, 0.938; and reperfusion gap, 0.862. CONCLUSION: ICGA can be used to quantitatively evaluate ovaries that have been subjected to ischemia, and the magnitude of fluorescence intensity can be an excellent predictor of ovarian necrosis. Quantifying the degree of reperfusion immediately after the release of ischemia can be an equally excellent predictor of necrosis.

High-grade uterine sarcoma with osteosarcomatous differentiation arising from a MED12-mutated leiomyoma, a case report.

Uterine osteosarcoma has been reported, but it is an extremely rare tumor with highly aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. The pathogenesis of uterine osteosarcoma is not fully understood. Herein, we report on a high-grade uterine sarcoma with focal osteosarcomatous differentiation that developed from a long-standing MED12-mutated leiomyoma. A 47-year-old nulligravida woman, with known uterine leiomyoma presented with abdominal pain and distention. Imaging analyses revealed a tumor with a large cystic area in the uterine corpus and multiple metastases in intrapelvic and paraaortic lymph nodes, left ovary and left lung. With a clinical diagnosis of uterine sarcoma the patient underwent abdominal total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, partial omentectomy and removal of the left obturator lymph node. Despite postoperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the tumor progressed rapidly. She died 18 weeks after the surgery. Histopathologic examination identified a high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma in which focal osteoid production was observed. This high-grade sarcoma with focal osteosarcomatous differentiation was located within the uterine leiomyoma, and Sanger sequencing showed the identical MED12 L36R mutation in both the osteosarcomatous and leiomyomatous components supporting the shared origin of these two components. We, therefore, concluded that the high-grade sarcoma with osteosarcomatous differentiation arose from the transformation of the precedent leiomyoma.

Leptomeningeal metastasis from cervical cancer: Report of two cases and a review of the literature.

Leptomeningeal metastases from cervical cancer are extremely rare, with only 24 cases reported in the English-language literature. Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is usually a late event, but it can develop at any stage. A 44-year-old woman presented with vertigo, tinnitus, diminution of hearing, and a cervical tumor at the initial visit. She underwent whole brain radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy. Five months after the initial visit, her condition deteriorated rapidly and she died. A 49-year-old woman underwent surgery and pelvic radiotherapy for cervical cancer. She underwent resection of lung metastases 2 years later and received systemic chemotherapy for lymph node metastases 4 years later. Five years after the initial visit, the patient suddenly presented with diplopia, headache, and vomiting; her clinical course was fulminant and she died. Most patients with LM present with diverse clinical manifestations and deteriorate rapidly despite multiple treatment modalities. Gynecologic oncologists should be aware of this rare complication.

Outcomes of Chimney Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for an Aortic Arch Aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Chimney thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) has advantages that include no requirements for special devices; however, problems have been identified such as gutter leaks. The aim of this study is to evaluate the short- and mid-term results of TEVAR with chimney technique including the safety, efficacy, and risk factors for occurrence of gutter endoleak in this technique. METHODS: A retrospective single-center study was conducted on 55 consecutive patients who underwent first-time chimney TEVAR for arch aneurysms in the past 7 years. This consisted of 33 cases of single-chimney (SC) TEVAR and 22 cases of double-chimney (DC) TEVAR. The outcomes of these 55 cases of SC-TEVAR and DC-TEVAR were retrospectively examined. Risk factors for endoleaks in chimney TEVAR were also examined. RESULTS: Operative mortalities of 3.0% and 4.5% were observed in SC-TEVAR and DC-TEVAR, respectively. Incidences of stroke were 12.1% in the SC-TEVAR and 4.5% in the DC-TEVAR, resulting in endoleaks in 16 patients (48.5%) in SC-TEVAR and 6 patients (27.3%) in DC-TEVAR. Only 1 of the 77 chimney grafts was occluded, with a patency rate of 98.7%. SC-TEVAR and small distance from the common carotid artery were the risk factors of type I endoleaks. Overall survival rates over a period of 1, 3, and 5 years were 82.3%, 78.0%, and 57.7%, respectively, in the SC-TEVAR group and 95.2%, 89.3%, and 76.5%, respectively, in the DC-TEVAR group. Freedom from aneurysm-related death over 1, 3, and 5 years was 82.3%, 69.0%, and 57.7%, respectively, in the SC-TEVAR group and 95.2%, 89.3%, and 89.3% in the DC-TEVAR group. Freedom from secondary intervention over 1, 3, and 5 years was 80.2%, 64.7%, and 47.2%, respectively, in the SC-TEVAR group and 95.0%, 74.0%, and 74.0%, respectively, in the DC-TEVAR group. CONCLUSIONS: The short- and mid-term results of chimney TEVAR were worse than expectation. Especially, the results of SC-TEVAR were not acceptable because of extremely high incidence of type I endoleak and high incidence of stroke.

Lesion-targeted cytology to improve cytological sampling for atypical polypoid adenomyomas of the uterus: A case series and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Atypical polypoid adenomyomas (APAs) are uncommon tumours consisting of atypical endometrioid glands and fibromyomatous stroma. Identifying the biphasic nature of atypical glandular components and spindle mesenchymal components without atypia is crucial for the cytological diagnosis of APA. We investigated the utility of lesion-targeted cytology (LTC) to directly collect firm spindle components. METHODS: We recruited seven consecutive surgical patients who underwent cytological examinations before surgery and were diagnosed with APA on postoperative histological examinations. Cytological smears were obtained by routine sampling in five cases and by targeted sampling using transvaginal ultrasonography, that is, LTC, in two cases. We retrospectively analysed the cytological findings from our cases and compared them to those of APA cases previously reported in the English literature. RESULTS: Among 5/7 cases that involved routine cytological sampling, normal cytological findings were found in 2 and atypical glandular cells were found in 3, but spindle cells from mesenchymal components were not detected. In contrast, among 2/7 cases in which sampling involved LTC, spindle cells without atypia, in addition to atypical glandular cells were found. CONCLUSIONS: Lesion-targeted cytology is useful to assess mesenchymal components of APAs and may improve the cytological diagnosis of APA.

[IMAGING SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY].

Because of its low invasiveness, endovascular aneurysmal repair was established as a new method of treatment for aortic aneurysms, revolutionizing the treatment of this condition. With the continuing development of technology and devices, endovascular aneurysmal repair has become safer than before. Innovations in imaging support systems including navigation systems have contributed greatly to the development of endovascular procedures, making transcatheter aortic valve implantation a safe surgical option. We discuss such innovations and the future development of imaging support systems for safe cardiovascular surgery.

Dysregulation of CDK inhibitors and p53 in HPV-negative endocervical adenocarcinoma.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative adenocarcinoma (AC) is a minor subset of endocervical cancer, but its pathogenesis has yet to be elucidated. This study investigated the clinicopathologic features of HPV-negative endocervical AC (n=14) in comparison with HPV-positive endocervical AC (n=30), and further studied aberrations of cell-cycle regulators. Expression patterns of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (p16, p14, p27, and p21) and p53 were evaluated immunohistochemically, and nuclear high-risk HPV DNA signals were detected by in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction. Immunoexpression of p16, p14, p27, p21, and p53 were observed in 90%, 67%, 77%, 40%, and 20% of HPV-positive ACs, and in 0%, 0%, 29%, 14%, and 57% of HPV-negative ACs, respectively. A higher frequency of lymph node metastasis and worse prognosis were significantly associated with HPV-negative AC. Our findings suggest that alteration of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors and p53 status may contribute to carcinogenesis and the clinical behavior of HPV-negative AC of the uterine cervix.

An autopsy case of retrograde in situ branched stent grafting for a complex aortic arch aneurysm.

Although retrograde in situ branched stent grafting (RIBS) is one possible treatment option for thoracic aortic aneurysms, concerns exist regarding the durability of the stent graft (SG) at the junction between the main SG and the branched SG. We report on the autopsy results of a patient treated with RIBS for a complex aortic arch aneurysm. The patient had died of a nonaortic cause 14 months after the RIBS procedure. On computed tomography analysis and a leak test, the harvested SG was intact without any stent fracture, stenosis, or junctional leak at 1 atm water pressure (760 mm Hg).

Evaluation of heparin-bonded ePTFE grafts for forearm loop vascular access: Comparison between Gore® PROPATEN vascular graft and ACUSEAL vascular graft.

BACKGROUND: This retrospective study evaluates the clinical outcomes of two heparin-bonded expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts, PROPATEN and ACUSEAL (W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ, USA), for forearm loop vascular access. METHODS: We prospectively collected data on 60 patients who had undergone arteriovenous graft of the forearm loop type between January 2015 and December 2019. The primary endpoints were graft primary, assisted primary, and secondary patency rates. Secondary endpoints were time to first cannulation and postoperative complications. RESULTS: We enrolled 36 patients in the PROPATEN group (Group P) and 24 in the ACUSEAL group (Group A). All procedures were successful without any 30-day mortality. The median times to first cannulation were 16.5 days and 3 days in Groups P and A, respectively (p < 0.001). Mean follow-up periods were 13.4 ± 14.5 and 17.3 ± 9.3 months, respectively. Primary patency rates were 81% and 64%, respectively, at 6 months, and 60% and 40%, respectively, at 12 months (p = 0.008). Assisted primary patency rates were 96% and 83% at 6 months, 91% and 73% at 12 months, and 81% and 35% at 24 months (p = 0.044). Secondary patency rates were 96% and 81% at 12 months, and 87% and 62% at 24 months (p = 0.207). As a remote-period complication, disruption of the luminal layer of the graft was observed in two patients (4.2%) in Group A due to puncture and thrombectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Although the ACUSEAL graft offers the advantage of early cannulation, its primary and assisted primary patency outcomes were inferior to those of the PROPATEN graft. It is important for physicians to be aware of the different characteristics of each graft to select the best option for each patient.

A new option using adjunctive microsheath angiography to increase the safety during percutaneous endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endovascular aortic repair (PEVAR) is widespread for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The purpose of this study was to present outcomes of PEVAR using simultaneous angiography via microsheath. METHODS: There were 100 punctures in 50 patients undergoing PEVAR for AAA. All cases used the ProGlide closure device (Abbot Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA) for PEVAR, and another puncture with microsheath placed on the common femoral artery for a second insertion point of the ProGlide. Basically, a single ProGlide was used for each puncture in the PEVAR. Hemostasis, stenosis, dissection, and distal embolization were confirmed in angiography via the adjunctive microsheath after removal of the delivery system. Since the PEVAR for AAA requires at least two punctures, this procedure was applied to both sites. Primary outcome was technical success and occurrence rates of access-related complications in PEVAR. Technical success was defined as complete hemostasis without surgical intervention and the need for conversion to general anesthesia. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 98% (98/100) of the cases. Access-related complications on perioperative periods were identified in two cases. One case involved a tip of the microsheath being transected by the ProGlide that led to a distal embolization, which is why a cut down was required to retrieve the tip of the sheath. Another case required a cut down due to persistent hemorrhage from the puncture site of the microsheath. Although persistent hemorrhage was identified in five punctures (5.0%) via the adjunctive microsheath angiography, additional manual compression or ProGlide achieved complete hemostasis. Both stenosis and dissection following PEVAR were not identified in any case. CONCLUSIONS: A supporting angiography via microsheath in confirming the absence of hemorrhage, stenosis, dissection, and distal embolization may be worthwhile to selectively use for cases of PEVAR.

MR-guided Focused Ultrasound for Uterine Fibroids: A Preliminary Study of Relationship between the Treatment Outcomes and Factors of MR Images Including Elastography.

We evaluated the value of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) for the prediction of response to magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for uterine fibroids. Eleven patients were enrolled. A fractional change of >30% in Symptoms Severity Score (SSS) was defined as a 'substantial symptomatic improvement' at 12 months after treatment. The fractional stiffness value reduction in the patients with a substantial improvement in SSS was significantly higher than that in those without (P = 0.0446).

Utility of imaging modalities for predicting carcinogenesis in lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the use of imaging methods for predicting carcinogenesis in lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia (LEGH). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed preoperative images on transvaginal sonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 23 cases with histologically diagnosed LEGH. RESULTS: Shape of cervical multicystic lesions on MR images could be divided into two types the flower-type with many small cysts surrounded by larger cysts, and the raspberry-type with many tiny, closely aggregated cysts. Six (46%) of 13 cases had raspberry-type lesions that were not detected on transvaginal sonography but were seen on MRI. Adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) was identified in 4 postmenopausal women with raspberry-type lesions during the follow-up periods. In these cases, cytologic examination by targeted endocervical sampling using sonography enabled early detection of AIS. CONCLUSIONS: MRI and cytologic examination by targeted endocervical sampling may be very useful for predicting carcinogenesis in LEGH.

Clinical impact of preoperative screening for gastric mucin secretion in cervical discharge by HIK1083-labeled latex agglutination test.

The present study evaluated the clinical impact of preoperative screening for gastric mucin in cervical discharge, using a latex agglutination test with HIK1083, a monoclonal antibody against gastric mucin. HIK1083-labeled latex agglutination tests were performed preoperatively using cervical secretions from 44 patients (group 1) with profuse watery vaginal discharge, multiple cervical cysts on vaginal ultrasonography, or yellowish mucin on a Papanicolaou smear and from 31 patients (group 2) with none of these clinical signs. The results were positive in 26 patients in group 1 and in no patients in group 2. Glandular lesions with a gastric phenotype were identified histologically in all 26 cases positive for the HIK1083 latex test, such as minimal deviation adenocarcinoma, lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia (LEGH), and pyloric gland metaplasia, but not in negative cases. In 2 cases of LEGH, adenocarcinoma in situ was identified. Screening of gastric mucin in cervical discharge may facilitate preoperative detection of some early cervical adenocarcinoma.