Multimodality imaging of diseases of the vagina.

Pathologies of the vagina are important causes of symptoms related to the genital tract in women. They can be missed on transabdominal ultrasonography (USG), which is the baseline modality used for evaluation of gynaecological complaints. Transperineal USG and MRI are the imaging modalities of choice for evaluation of the vagina. Diseases of the vagina can be grouped depending upon the age group in which they occur. In children and young adults, congenital anomalies like longitudinal or transverse vaginal septum, imperforate hymen, vaginal aplasia or atresia, and rectovaginal fistula can be seen. Malignant tumours can rarely occur in children, rhabdomyosarcoma being the most common one. Common diseases affecting adults include benign lesions like epidermoid, Gartner duct, and Bartholin cysts, and urogenital fistulas involving the vagina. Endometriosis and other benign tumours of vagina including leiomyoma, fibroepithelial polyp, and angiomyxoma are occasionally seen. Malignant tumours can be primary, the most common one being squamous cell carcinoma, or secondary, due to direct extension from cancers involving the adjacent organs. Characteristic morphological changes occur in the vagina after radiotherapy, which can be identified on imaging. Knowledge about the imaging appearances of these diseases is crucial in guiding appropriate management.

Malformaciones müllerianas: actualización y revisión a propósito de casos clínicos, 2022 / Müllerian malformations: update and review of clinical cases, 2022

Las malformaciones müllerianas (MM) son un grupo de anomalías estructurales originadas por fallas de desarrollo de los conductos paramesonéfricos o de Müller durante las primeras 16 semanas de gestación. Un oportuno diagnóstico y una correcta clasificación permiten ofrecer el mejor manejo y diferenciar aquellas pacientes que requieren tratamiento quirúrgico. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura sobre MM en las bases de datos Epistemonikos, SciELO, Cochrane y PubMed. Se rescataron todas las pacientes ingresadas con diagnóstico de MM. En el año 2021, la American Society of Reproductive Medicine publicó un consenso en el que se estandarizó la nomenclatura, se amplió el espectro y se simplificó la clasificación. La clínica es variada, e incluye pacientes asintomáticas cuyo diagnóstico es un hallazgo por imágenes. Los mejores estudios imagenológicos son la resonancia magnética (RM) y la ultrasonografía 3D, dejando la histeroscopia y la laparoscopia (método de referencia) como procedimiento diagnóstico-terapéutico. Se presentan casos clínicos desarrollados durante el primer trimestre de 2022. Recomendamos la utilización sistemática de la RM para el diagnóstico de anomalías complejas u obstructivas del aparato genital. El tratamiento de estas patologías debe ser realizado por ginecólogos endoscopistas expertos, e incluye tratamiento médico y quirúrgico, el cual debe ser enfocado en cada paciente dependiendo del tipo de MM y de los deseos de fertilidad.

Müllerian malformations (MM) are a group of structural anomalies caused by developmental failure of the paramesonephric or Müllerian ducts during the first 16 weeks of gestation. Timely diagnosis and classification allow us to offer the best management and to differentiate those patients who require surgical treatment. Literature review on MM in Epistemonikos, SciELO, Cochrane and PubMed databases. All patients admitted with a diagnosis of MM were rescued. In 2021, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine publishes a consensus where it standardizes the nomenclature, broadens the spectrum, and simplifies the classification. The clinical picture is varied and includes asymptomatic patients whose diagnosis is an imaging finding. The best imaging studies are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 3D ultrasonography, leaving hysteroscopy and laparoscopy (gold standard) as diagnostic therapeutic. Clinical cases developed during the first trimester 2022 are presented. We recommend the routine use of MRI for the diagnosis of complex and/or obstructive anomalies of the genital tract. The treatment of these pathologies should be performed by expert endoscopic gynecologists and include medical and surgical treatment, which should be focused on each patient, depending on the type of MM and fertility desires.

Transperineal Ultrasonographic and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of Vaginal Adenosis.

BACKGROUND: Vaginal adenosis is a rare clinicopathological entity which refers to the presence of glandular endometrial tissue in the vaginal wall. CASE REPORT: A gravida 2 para 0 46-year-old woman presented to the gynecology department with symptoms of chronic pelvic pain. Maternal Diethylstilbestrol (DES) usage has been proven to be effective in the development of vaginal adenosis. It can also be idiopathic. Its sonographic or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings have not been described in English literature previously. CONCLUSION: Here, we report the clinical, transperineal ultrasonographic (US) and MRI findings of a pathologically proven case of vaginal adenosis.

Congenital vaginal atresia: about an uncommon case.

Congenital vaginal atresia is a rare congenital abnormality of the female reproductive tract due to a failure of canalisation in the urogenital sinus. We report the uncommon case of a 14-year-old girl with a primary amenorrhea associated to a cyclical pelvic pain, in whom examination objectified a vaginal cup that replaced the introitus. Ultrasound examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed atresia of the lower third of the vagina. The diagnosis of partial vaginal aplasia on functional uterus was retained, the patient had a perineal vaginoplasty. The evolution was satisfactory with regular cycles and improvement of pelvic pain. The decline is three years. Congenital vaginal atresia is a rare malformation classically and clinically pictured as a primary amenorrhea with chronic cyclic pelvic pain. Diagnosis is based on clinical examination and imaging. The MRI is designed to assess the importance of atresia and guide surgical management while the surgical technique aims to restore the integrity of the utero-vaginal tract and to increase the possibility of pregnancy for these patients.

Primary vaginal calculus in a woman with urogenital sinus anomaly: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Primary vaginal calculus is rare and often misdiagnosed due to its low incidence. The formation of primary vaginal calculus is mainly due to the pooling and stasis of urine within the vagina, and associated with urogenital tract abnormalities. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 23-year-old woman with urogenital sinus anomaly who presented with a vaginal calculus. The patient was not suspected of a calculus in the vagina until the patient suffered amenorrhea and dyspareunia. Pelvic computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the patient had urogenital sinus anomaly with vaginal calculus. For the reason, the calculus was removed by surgery, and the reconstruction of vagina and urethra was performed. The postoperative recovery and follow-up were uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: Although vaginal calculus and urogenital sinus anomaly are extremely rare in literature, the radiologist should be familiar with the imaging appearance of urogenital sinus anomaly, and be aware of the possibility of vaginal calculus.

Endometriosis of the vesico-vaginal septum: a rare and unusual localization (case report).

BACKGROUND: We report a rare and unusual case of endometriosis in the vesico-vaginal septum. The location of this disease at this site is so uncommon that the literature about is very rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 41-year-old female was presented with urinary symptoms. There was history of caesarean section. Physical examination revealed an anterior vaginal wall mass. Pelvic MRI showed an inter vesico-vaginal mass, suggesting a leiomyoma. Surgical excision was performed by the vaginal route. There were no postoperative complications. Histopathology examination showed focal endometriosis. CONCLUSION: Endometriosis of the anterior compartment remains relatively rare; its localization to the vesico-vaginal septum (VVS) is very rare. With the occurrence of nonspecific cyclic urinary signs in women during periods of genital activity, endometriosis should be mentioned, especially in the presence of an antecedent of pelvic surgery.

Symptomatic Imperforate Hymen in Early Infancy: A Case Report.

Imperforate hymen, though a congenital anomaly, usually presents late in puberty as lower abdominal pain, primary amenorrhea, and cyclical pain. Blood collects in vagina and uterus, proximal to imperforate hymen leading to their distention. Its presentation at infancy is a rare entity. We report such a rare case of symptomatic imperforate hymen in infancy, who presented with acute retention of urine, chills and rigor. Abdominal examination revealed an intra-abdominal mass in the lower abdomen and pelvis with the absence of vaginal opening on perineal examination. Contrast enhanced computed tomography abdomen showed large abdominopelvic cystic lesion posterior to the urinary bladder and anterior to the rectum consistent with a highly distended vagina. She was managed by the incision of the imperforate hymen and drainage of the pus. A high index of suspicion is necessary whenever a female infant presents with abdomino-pelvic mass with symptoms of fever or urinary retention.

Gartner's Duct Cyst of the Vagina: A Case Report.

Paramesonephric duct or Mullerian ducts forms female genital organs whereas mesonephric duct forms male genital organs. The remnant of the mesonephric duct or Wolffian duct in females sometimes forms a mesonephric cyst or Gartner's duct cyst. They are usually asymptomatic and <2 cm but sometimes can be bigger. It is diagnosed with pelvic examination. It is treated with surgical excision of the cyst. This is a unique case in urogynecology as it confuses with pelvic organ prolapse and the mode of treatment is completely different. We report a case of 32-years old lady who presented in urogynecology outpatient department with complain of pelvic organ prolapse. After examination she was diagnosed as vaginal cyst and excision was done and confirmed as Gartners cyst in histopathological examination.

Indocyanine green in deep infiltrating endometriosis: a preliminary feasibility study to examine vascularization after rectal shaving.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of using indocyanine green (ICG) to estimate the vascularization of the resected zone during a laparoscopic rectal shaving. DESIGN: Indocyanine green can highlight blood vascularization when injected intravenously. There is no relevant, objective, intraoperative method to assess the vascularity of the resected zone during a laparoscopic rectal shaving for deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) to prevent fistula. We conducted a registered clinical trial examining the feasibility of the use of ICG to evaluate the bowel vascularization after endometriosis rectal shaving (Institutional Review Board number 2016-002773-35). SETTING: Tertiary university hospital. PATIENT(S): Twenty-one patients underwent laparoscopic surgery for DIE with a rectal shaving. INTERVENTION(S): Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for DIE received ICG intravenously at the end of the endometriosis resection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The main evaluation criteria was the fluorescence degree in the operated rectal area and in the vaginal suture. We used a visual assessment with a Likert-type scale from 0 to 4 (0 = no fluorescence; 4 = very good fluorescence). RESULT(S): No adverse reaction was recorded. Most of the patients (81%) showed very good fluorescence levels at the rectal shaving area. The protocol did not increase the operating time. In one patient we changed the surgical strategy making two stitches to bring the rectal muscularis closer together, which improved the degree of fluorescence. There was no case of digestive fistula. CONCLUSION: Indocyanine green fluorescent imaging is feasible in endometriosis surgery and may be considered as a potential candidate to further enhance patient safety in endometriosis bowel surgery. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03080558.

DW-MRI predictive factors for radiation-induced vaginal stenosis in patients with cervical cancer.

AIM: To find diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters predictive for radiation-induced vaginal stenosis (VS) in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 43 patients with LACC who underwent 1.5 T DW-MRI before (baseline), after 2 weeks (early), and at the end of CRT (final). At MRI, vaginal length, thickness, width, and cervical tumour volume (TV) were measured. Vaginal signal intensity at DW-MRI was analysed at final MRI. CRT-induced VS was graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.03. Correlations between DW-MRI and clinical data were made using Wilcoxon's test, Mann-Whitney test, Fisher's exact test, or chi-squared test as appropriate. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for variables to evaluate diagnostic ability to predict CRT-induced VS using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Asymptomatic vaginal toxicity (CTCAE Grade 1) was observed in 14 patients and symptomatic CRT-induced VS (CTCAE Grade ≥2) was detected in 29 patients. Baseline TV was higher in Grade 1 than in Grade ≥2 (p=0.013). Median vaginal length, thickness, and width decreased between baseline and final MRI in all patients (p<0.0001) without significant variances between CTCAE grades. Significant differences were observed in DW-MRI patterns (p<0.0001). In Grade ≥2, DWI showed signal loss of vaginal mucosa in 17 patients (63%) and diffuse restricted diffusion of vaginal wall in eight patients (30%). AUC was 0.938 (coefficient=4.72; p<0.001) for DWI and 0.712 (coefficient=-2.623×10 -5; p=0.004) for TV. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study using DW-MRI for predicting CRT-induced VS. DWI is useful tool in patients with LACC after CRT for early prevention and management strategies for VS.

Magnetic resonance imaging versus transvaginal ultrasound for complete survey of the pelvic compartments among patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) in detecting deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), using Enzian classification. Secondarily, to evaluate the influence of nodule size on the accuracy of MRI and TVU. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out at "La Paz" University Hospital, Madrid, Spain, between April 2012 and December 2014. Inclusion criteria were suspicion of DIE at gynecologic examination, indication to undergo TVU, MRI and surgery. Exclusion criteria were previous hysterectomy, bowel resection, or urinary tract surgery. The diagnosis of DIE using MRI or TVU was considered positive when it correlated with histology. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and mean size of the nodule were calculated. RESULTS: In the present study involving 48 women, TVU demonstrated greater accuracy than MRI for recto-vaginal (77% vs 69%) and vaginal (94% vs 89%) endometriosis. MRI showed greater accuracy (96%) than TVU (92%) for bladder endometriosis. The size of the nodule did not have a significantly different effect on the accuracy of TVU compared with MRI. CONCLUSION: In the present study, TVU provided a more accurate localization of vaginal and recto-vaginal endometriosis as compared with MRI; however, MRI should be recommended if a suspicion of bladder endometriosis exists. The nodule size did not seem to influence the accuracy of the two techniques.

A case of urinary bladder agenesis and bilateral ectopic ureters: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Urinary bladder agenesis is a very rare congenital anomaly with very few cases reported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a one-month-old baby presenting with ambiguous genitalia and recurrent urinary tract infections. Her clinical course was complicated by renal impairment. Magnetic resonant imaging (MRI) revealed a diagnosis of bladder agenesis with bilateral ectopic insertion of the ureters into the vagina, associated with several other anomalies. The patient underwent bilateral high anterior ureterostomies in an hospital abroad at 5.5 months of age. She then developed ureteral necrosis that had to be corrected with left pyeloplasty and by placing a left nephrostomy tube for drainage. Eventually, the patient's renal function declined, and she developed chronic kidney disease (CKD).The case with its imaging findings and pathogenesis as well as a review of the literature are presented. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary bladder agenesis is a rare congenital condition that can be associated with multiple anomalies. Early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention can prevent progression to chronic kidney disease.

Novel management of vaginal chronic graft-versus-host disease causing haematometra and haematocolpos.

Genital chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in women posthaematopoietic cell transplantation may cause vaginal mucosal sclerosis. Human papillomavirus (HPV) reactivation, also common post-transplantation, limits local immunosuppressive, but not oestrogen treatment. A 36-year-old nulliparous woman developed coincidental genital chronic GVHD and HPV 22 months after transplant for aplastic anaemia. Topical immunosuppression for GVHD led to an eruption of warts successfully treated with laser surgery and cone biopsy. She maintained normal ovarian function and used extended cycle combined hormonal contraception. A vaginal oestrogen ring used continuously limited most scarring for 8 years. Progressive apical vaginal scarring obstructed menstrual flow leading to haematocolpos and haematometra. Normal anatomy was restored with a cruciate incision in the cervicovaginal scar performed during menses. When HPV disease limits use of topical immunosuppression in women with vaginal GVHD, the local scar-reducing effect of a vaginal oestrogen ring is limited, and surgery may be needed and can be successful in treating haematocolpos.This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with trial registration number of NCT00003838.

Sonovaginography: A Useful Technique in the Assessment of the Lower Genital Tract.

Conventional sonographic evaluation of the cervix and vagina is compromised by inattention, poor subject contrast, and obscuring artifacts. We describe a technique involving distention of the vaginal canal and fornices with ultrasound gel, providing an acoustic window for improved definition of the cervix and vagina. This exam is usually performed in concert with transvaginal sonography, but a transabdominal or transperineal approach may be more useful in selected scenarios. A wide variety of formerly sonographically inconspicuous conditions are demonstrable with this technique, many of which were undetected or inadequately characterized on the physical exam. Cervical polyps were the most commonly seen abnormality.

Diagnosis of endometriotic lesions by sonovaginography with ultrasound gel.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic ability of sonovaginography (SVG) with ultrasound gel in patients with endometriosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a multicentre prospective study, which included 193 patients with symptoms highly suggestive for endometriosis. All patients were investigated by transvaginal sonography and SVG with gel and afterwards underwent laparoscopic surgery. For each category of endometriotic lesions investigated, we calculated and compared the sensitivity, specificity,  positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the imagisticinvestigations used. RESULTS: In the case of endometriotic lesions of the uterosacral ligaments, SVG with gel had a sensitivity of 78.5% and a specificity of 96% (p=ns). The lesions of the vagina and rectovaginal septum were diagnosed with a sensitivity of 79%, respectively 94% (p=ns), obtaining a specificity of 99%, respectively of 97% (p=0.007). The lesions of the Douglas pouch were identified with a sensitivity of 81% (p=0.015), and those of the rectosigmoid with a 94% sensitivity (p=0.010). We obtained lower sensitivity (67%) in detecting the lesions of the urinary bladder (p=ns). CONCLUSIONS: SGV with ultrasound gel represents a useful investigation tool for the evaluation of endometriotic lesions in the posterior pelvic compartment.

Gel Sonovaginography: A New Way of Evaluating a Variety of Local Vaginal and Cervical Disorders.

Gel sonovaginography is a new way of assessing local cervical and vaginal disorders, in which regular transvaginal sonography is known to have limitations. In gel sonovaginography, 20 mL of ultrasound gel is instilled into the vagina, followed by examination with a transvaginal transducer. In a study involving 28 women with known or suspected disorders such as cervical and vaginal cancer, cervical polyps, vaginal septa, and deep infiltrating endometriosis, a substantial improvement in visualization and assessment of local lesions and structures was noted with gel sonovaginography. This simple technique appears to be valuable for accurate diagnosis of local cervical and vaginal disorders.

Endometriosis and Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia.

Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare bleeding syndrome characterized by deficiency or defect of platelet aggregation complex. The pathogenesis of endometriosis is controversial but the strongest evidence leans towards retrograde menstruation. GT probably predisposes to endometriosis. The management of women affected by this disease can be difficult due to the risk of bleeding complications, especially during surgical treatment. We describe the cases of three sisters affected by endometriosis and GT, referred to our Department, who received different therapeutic management.

Complications during pregnancy and delivery in women with untreated rectovaginal deep infiltrating endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To study outcomes and complications during pregnancy and at delivery in women with a posterior deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) nodule persisting after surgery and diagnosed at transvaginal sonography (TVS) in comparison with a control group of women without endometriosis. DESIGN: Multicenter observational and cohort study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Women (n = 200) with a posterior DIE nodule equal or more than 2 cm centimeters in size who desired a pregnancy and a control group of women (n = 300) with no previous recorded diagnosis of endometriosis who delivered in our clinic during the same time period. INTERVENTION(S): Patient data collected from medical charts and by phone interviews. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Evaluation of complications during pregnancy and delivery. RESULT(S): Of the 101 women with a posterior DIE nodule, 52 become pregnant among whom 25 used assisted reproductive technology. Of these 52 pregnancies, 11 ended in an early abortion, and 41 delivered a baby; 13 (31.7%) had a premature delivery, 7 (17.8%) a placenta praevia, and 28 (68.2%) had a cesarean delivery. When compared with the control group, the women with endometriosis had a higher risk of pregnancy complicated by preterm birth, placenta previa, placental abruption, and hypertension. Cesarean delivery and complications during surgery (hysterectomy, hemoperitoneum, and bladder injuries) were statistically significantly more frequent in women with endometriosis than in controls. CONCLUSION(S): Women with an incomplete removal of posterior DIE have a high complications rate during pregnancy and delivery.

Vaginal Repair of Cesarean Section Scar Diverticula that Resulted in Improved Postoperative Menstruation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Owing to the increase in cesarean sections (C-sections) worldwide, long-term complications such as postmenstrual spotting, chronic pelvic pain, and C-section scar ectopic pregnancies have created a new medical era of gynecologic disease. A new type of vaginal repair is evaluated to repair C-section diverticulum (CSD) and rebuild the muscular layer to improve symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding and decrease the risk of uterine rupture. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 121 patients with CSD diagnoses by transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) presented with postmenstrual spotting between June 2012 and March 2015. All patients had undergone at least 1 C-section delivery and had no history of postmenstrual spotting before undergoing C-section. INTERVENTION: Vaginal excision and suture of CSD. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: The mean duration of menstruation was 14.87 ± 3.46 days preoperatively and decreased to 8.22 ± 2.73 days at 1 month after surgery, 8.89 ± 2.67 days at 3 months after surgery, and 9.02 ± 2.47 days at 6 months after surgery (p < .01). The length, width, depth, and thickness of the remaining muscular layer (TRM) at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months assessed by TVU also improved significantly after surgery (p < .05). However, postoperative menstruation and imaging data did not differ markedly between 3 months and 6 months, suggesting that follow-up at 3 months represents an adequate endpoint for evaluating the effectiveness of surgery. At 6 months, 80.3% of patients (94 of 117) reached ≤10 days of menstruation. Further study revealed that a TRM at 6 months of ≥8.5 mm measured by TVU (relative risk [RR], 6.418; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.478-28.443) and an interval between CS and vaginal repair of ≤2.5 years (RR, 12.0; 95% CI, 1.541- 93.454) were good prognostic factors associated with surgery. CONCLUSION: Vaginal repair of CSD improved the symptoms of postmenstrual spotting and anatomically corrected the scars. An interval between C-section and a surgery of ≤2.5 years was optimal for vaginal repair, and a TRM at 6 months of ≥8.5 mm represented the standard healing of CSD.