Hysteroscopy-assisted suction curettage for early pregnancy loss: does it reduce retained products of conception and postoperative intrauterine adhesions?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the feasibility of hysteroscopy-assisted suction curettage for early pregnancy loss and to investigate whether it reduces the rates of retained products of conception (RPOC) and intrauterine adhesions (IUA). DESIGN: Prospective single-arm cohort study. SETTING: University-affiliated Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. PATIENTS: Women admitted for surgical evacuation of early pregnancy loss were invited to participate in the study. INTERVENTION: Vaginal misoprostol was administered for cervical ripening preoperatively. Under general anesthesia, a diagnostic hysteroscopy was performed to identify the pregnancy's implantation wall, followed by ultrasound-guided suction and curettage directed to the implantation wall, and then diagnostic hysteroscopy to verify complete uterine cavity emptying. Postoperative IUA were evaluated by follow-up office hysteroscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Identification of the pregnancy's implantation wall on hysteroscopy, and intra-, and postoperative complications associated with the procedure. The evaluation of postoperative IUA was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions on elective procedures. RESULTS: Forty patients were included in the study group. Their mean age was 34.0 ± 6.6 years, and their mean gestational age was 8.9 ± 1.6 weeks. The implantation wall was clearly visualized on hysteroscopy in 33 out of 40 cases (82.5%). The mean operative time was 17.2 ± 8.8 min, and no intraoperative complications occurred. Suspected RPOC were diagnosed intraoperatively by hysteroscopy and removed in 4 cases, and the histologic examination confirmed the presence of RPOC in three of them. Follow-up office hysteroscopy was performed in nine women: mild IUA was diagnosed in one case and a normal cavity was confirmed in eight cases. A new pregnancy was reported at the time of follow-up in 15 cases, while 12 women declined to attend the follow-up hysteroscopy and four were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Hysteroscopy-assisted suction curettage for early pregnancy loss is a safe, short, and inexpensive procedure, which allows the identification of the pregnancy's wall in most cases and may reduce the rates of RPOC.

Recurrent torsion of otherwise normal adnexa: oophoropexy does not prevent recurrence.

PURPOSE: Recurrence of adnexal torsion involving otherwise normal adnexa is not rare. Various oophoropexy (ovarian fixation) procedures have been suggested to prevent recurrence; however, long-term information of their efficacy is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the recurrence rate of adnexal torsion following oophoropexy. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study, including all consecutive patients who underwent an oophoropexy procedure for the prevention of recurrent torsion of "normal adnexa" in our department from 2008 to 2019 by shortening of the utero-ovarian ligament. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (age range 7-35 years) with a mean follow-up of 90.9 ± 57.7 months were identified. Fifteen of them (78.9%) were re-operated for recurrent torsion following an oophoropexy procedure, while four (21.1%) did not experience recurrence. Nine torsion recurrences following an oophoropexy occurred within the first 2 postoperative years. There were no differences in mean age and menarcheal status )pre- or post-menarcheal) at the time of the first torsion event, age at the time of oophoropexy, oophoropexy side, number of adnexal torsion events before oophoropexy, and follow-up duration between those with and those without post-oophoropexy recurrences. CONCLUSION: Oophoropexy procedure by shortening of the utero-ovarian ligament may not prevent recurrent torsion of otherwise normal adnexa. Further studies to determine whether combined fixation (utero-ovarian and round ligament plication) is more efficacious than isolated utero-ovarian plication for the prevention of recurrent torsion are warranted.

Caesarean scar pregnancy: is there a light in the end of the tunnel?

PURPOSE: To summarize and present a single tertiary center's 25 years of experience managing patients with caesarean scar pregnancies and their long-term reproductive and obstetric outcomes. METHODS: A 25-year retrospective study included women diagnosed with CSP from 1996 to 2020 in one tertiary center. Data were retrieved from the medical records and through a telephone interview. Diagnosis was made by sonography and color Doppler. Treatments included methotrexate, suction curettage, hysteroscopy, embolization and wedge resection by laparoscopy or laparotomy as a function of the clinical manifestations, the physicians' decisions, patient counseling, and parental requests. RESULTS: Analysis of the records recovered 60 cases of CSP (two of whom were recurrent). All patients had complete resolution with no indication for hysterectomy. Thirty-five patients had a long-term follow-up, of whom 24 (68.6%) attempted to conceive again and 22 (91.6%) succeeded. There were 17/22 (77.3%) patients with at least one live birth, 3/22 (13.6%) spontaneous miscarriages and 2/22 (9%) recurrent CSP. The obstetric complications included abnormal placentation 5/19 (26.3%), premature rupture of membranes 2/19 (10.5%), preterm delivery 4/19 (21%) and abnormality of the uterine scar 2/19 (10.5%). There was one case of neonatal death due to complications of prematurity 1/19 (5.2%). CONCLUSION: CSP treatment focusing on reducing morbidity and preserving fertility has encouraging long-term reproductive and obstetric outcomes. In subsequent pregnancies, we recommend performing an early first trimester vaginal scan to map the location of the new pregnancy, followed by close monitoring given the obstetric complications mentioned above.

Should it really be called a heroic cerclage? The obstetrical results of emergency late second-trimester cerclage compared with early history-indicated elective cerclage: a retrospective trial.

PURPOSE: Women diagnosed with mid-trimester cervical insufficiency and dilatation are offered interventions to salvage and support the cervix, where the mainstay of therapy is emergency cervical cerclage. However, considering the significant morbidity associated with delivery in the extreme prematurity period, some women may opt for pregnancy termination. In addition, it is expected that elective cerclage in a subsequent pregnancy may yield better obstetrical results. The objective of this study was, therefore, to compare the obstetrical outcomes of emergency cerclage versus elective cerclage. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of the pregnancy outcomes of women with a singleton pregnancy who underwent cervical cerclage at our institution between December 2008 and November 2021. Women who underwent emergency cervical cerclage due to painless dilatation in the second trimester were compared with women who underwent elective cerclage. RESULTS: Overall, 32 women who underwent emergency cerclage and 183 women who underwent elective cerclage were included. No cases of iatrogenic membrane rupture were noted during the cerclage procedure. There was no statistical difference between the emergency cerclage group and the elective cerclage group in the primary outcomes: gestational age at delivery (35.8 + 4.7 vs 36.3 + 4.9, p = 0.58, respectively), delivery in the extreme prematurity period (between 24 and 28 gestational weeks, 6.5% vs 2.3%, p = 0.21, respectively), and fetal or neonatal death (6.9% vs 6.3%, p = 0.91, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although there are much less favourable circumstances, emergency cerclage is a safe procedure with comparable obstetrical outcomes to elective cerclage. Patient selection and experienced medical team may play a significant role in those cases.

Prognostic significance of pretreatment thrombocytosis in endometrial cancer: an Israeli Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

OBJECTIVE: Endometrial cancer prognosis is related to stage, histology, myometrial invasion, and lymphovascular space invasion. Several studies have examined the association between pretreatment thrombocytosis and patient outcomes with contrasting results regarding prognosis. Our aim was to evaluate the association of pretreatment platelet count with outcomes in endometrial cancer patients. METHODS: This is an Israeli Gynecologic Oncology Group multicenter retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with endometrial cancer, who underwent surgery between January 2002 and December 2014. Patients were grouped as low risk (endometrioid G1-G2 and villoglandular) and high risk (endometrioid G3, uterine serous papillary carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, and carcinosarcoma). Those with stage I disease were compared with stages II-IV. Disease stages were reviewed and updated to reflect International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 staging. All patients underwent pelvic washings for cytology and total abdominal or laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Pelvic lymph node assessment was performed in patients with tumors of moderate-high risk histology or deep myometrial invasion. Para-aortic sampling was performed at the surgeon's discretion. Patients were categorized by pretreatment platelet count into two groups: ≤400×109/L and >400×109/L (defined as thrombocytosis). Clinical and pathological features were compared using Student t-test, χ2 or Fisher's exact test. Survival measures were plotted with the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. A Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariable comparison of associations. RESULTS: Of the 1482 patients included, most had stage I disease (961; 74.8%) and most had endometrioid histology (927; 64.1%). A total of 1392 patients (94%) had pretreatment platelet counts ≤400×109/L and 90 (6%) had pretreatment thrombocytosis. Patients with thrombocytosis had a significantly higher rate of high-grade malignancy, advanced stage, lymphovascular space invasion, low uterine segment involvement, and lymph node metastases. They also had shorter 5 year disease-free survival (65% vs 80%, p=0.003), disease-specific survival (63% vs 83%, p<0.05) and overall survival (59% vs 77%, p<0.05). On multivariate analysis, an elevated pretreatment thrombocyte count remained a significant independent predictor for disease-specific survival and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment thrombocytosis is an independent prognostic factor for decreased disease-specific survival and overall survival among patients with endometrial cancer, and can serve as a predictor of poor outcome.

Age is an independent predictor of outcome in endometrial cancer patients: An Israeli Gynecology Oncology Group cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Advanced age is considered an adverse factor in endometrial cancers but may be a surrogate for other conditions that impact outcomes. The study objective was to assess the association of age with endometrial cancer features, treatment and prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this multicenter cohort study, consecutive women with endometrial cancer treated at 10 Israeli institutions between 2000 and 2014 were accrued in an assimilated database. Postmenopausal women were stratified into age groups with a cut-off of 80. Clinical, pathological and treatment data were compared using t test or Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables, and Chi-square Test or Fisher's Exact test for categorical variables. Main outcome measures included disease recurrence and disease-specific and overall survival; these were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. The association between age and recurrence and survival, adjusted for other clinical and pathological factors, was assessed using multivariable Cox regression modeling. RESULTS: A total of 1764 postmenopausal women with endometrial cancer were identified. Adverse pathological features were more prevalent in older women, including high-risk histologies (35% vs 27%, P = .025), deep myoinvasion (44% vs 29%, P = .001) and lymphovascular involvement (22% vs 15%, P = .024). Surgical staging was performed less frequently among older women (33% vs 56%; P < .001). Chemotherapy was less often prescribed, even for non-endometrioid histologies (72% vs 45%; P < .001). On multivariable analysis, age remained a significant predictor for recurrence (HR = 1.75, P = .007), death of disease (HR = 1.89, P = .003) and death (HR = 2.4, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Older age in women with endometrial cancer is associated with more adverse disease features, limited surgery and adjuvant treatment, and worse outcomes. On multivariable analysis, age remains an independent prognosticator in this population.

Second-trimester and early third-trimester spontaneous uterine rupture: A 32-year single-center survey.

BACKGROUND: Second-trimester and early third-trimester uterine rupture in a nonlaboring woman is a very rare and life-threatening condition for both mothers and newborns. We aimed to present clinical characteristics, prenatal findings, and maternal and neonatal outcomes following second-trimester and early third-trimester spontaneous antepartum uterine rupture in our institute. METHOD: The medical records of all women with full-thickness second-trimester and early third-trimester uterine rupture treated in our department from 1988 to 2019 were retrieved from the institutional database and reviewed. Small uterine defects, incomplete ruptures, and silent uterine incision dehiscence were excluded. RESULTS: From 1988 to 2019, 213 665 deliveries were recorded in our institute. Of these, 12 patients experienced second-trimester or early third-trimester spontaneous uterine rupture. Obstetric history revealed that 50% of the women in each period had undergone previous classical uterine incisions and 50% had a short interpregnancy (IP) interval. The mean age at diagnosis of uterine rupture was 26.3 ± 5.1 weeks. The ruptures were associated with abnormal placentation in 10 cases (83.3%): placenta previa (n = 7); and placenta previa and percreta (n = 3). No maternal mortality occurred. Seven of the 10 (70%) viable newborns survived. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing rates of cesarean births (CB) may lead to iatrogenic complications including midgestational prelabor spontaneous uterine rupture, an obstetric emergency, which is hard to diagnose. Maternal and neonatal outcomes can be optimized by a greater awareness of the risk factors, recognition of clinical signs and symptoms, and the availability of ultrasound to assist in establishing a diagnosis to enable prompt surgical intervention.

Ovarian Dermoid Cysts Associated with Paraneoplastic Syndrome N-methyl-D-aspartic Acid Receptor Antibodies Encephalitis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence of ovarian dermoid cysts associated with paraneoplastic encephalitis syndrome due to N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antibodies among women undergoing surgical resection of dermoid cysts. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: University-affiliated department of obstetrics and gynecology. PATIENTS: All patients with pathology-proven ovarian dermoid cysts who underwent surgical resection in our department between January 2008 and December 2019. Their demographic, clinical, and surgical characteristics are described, with emphasis on cases diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. INTERVENTIONS: Ovarian dermoid cyst resection by cystectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 233 patients were operated on for ovarian dermoid cysts, comprising 2 cases diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (0.85%). Among the women without NMDA receptor encephalitis, the mean age was 33.3 ± 14.9 years, 84.0% were of reproductive age, 5.2% were premenarchal, and 10.8% were menopausal. The mean diameter of the dermoid cyst in this group was 77.3 ± 33.3-mm. The 2 patients diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis were 21 years old and 42 years old. The diameters of their dermoid cysts were 15-mm and 80-mm, respectively. The patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis were managed with laparoscopic resection, plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulins, and corticosteroids; 1 patient also received immunosuppressive treatment. Both recovered without significant neurologic sequela. CONCLUSION: Paraneoplastic syndrome due to NMDA receptor antibodies is a rare complication of dermoid cysts. This complication may occur in younger or older women, as well as in small- or large-diameter cysts. Thus, a high index of suspicion is required to correctly diagnose and treat women presenting with neurologic symptoms in the presence of dermoid cysts.

Tubal stump pregnancy after salpingectomy-Does the time interval from surgical intervention to conception matter?

AIM: Ectopic pregnancy implantation on the tubal stump after salpingectomy is a rare location for extrauterine pregnancy, whose pathogenesis is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the time interval elapsed from salpingectomy may predispose the embryo to implantation on the tubal stump in the next pregnancy subsequent to tube removal. METHODS: Nine women operated for stump pregnancy (study group) between 2008 and 2019 were retrospectively identified. For each case in the study group, 12 consecutive cases that underwent laparoscopic salpingectomy constituted the control group. A sample size of 100 control patients was calculated to achieve statistical power (97.8%) and an α of 0.05. The control groups were triple-matched with the study group for patients' age, indications for salpingectomy (tubal pregnancy or hydrosalpinx prior to in vitro fertilization treatment) and mode of conception of the subsequent pregnancy following salpingectomy. RESULTS: Nine women underwent surgery for stump pregnancy during the study period. All women had a surgical history of laparoscopic salpingectomy. The time interval from prior salpingectomy to subsequent pregnancy was significantly shorter in study group than in the control group (4.3 ± 2.1 months vs. 15.6 ± 13.7 months, respectively, p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: A possible association between the short time interval from prior salpingectomy to ectopic implantation on the tubal stump in the subsequent pregnancy was found. The clinical implications of these findings and in particular whether patients should be advised to wait at least 4 months from the salpingectomy to the subsequent pregnancy remain unclear.

Torsion of Functional Adnexal Cysts in Pregnancy: Aspiration and Drainage are Important in Preventing Recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Adnexal torsion in pregnancy is often associated with functional adnexal cysts, especially in pregnancies conceived by ovulation induction (OI) or in-vitro fertilization (IVF). During laparoscopy for adnexal de-torsion, drainage of the functional cysts can be attempted, although this procedure may cause bleeding. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the characteristics of ovarian torsion in pregnancy associated with functional cysts and to compare the rate of torsion recurrence following de-torsion alone versus cyst drainage. METHODS: All cases of surgically diagnosed adnexal torsion occurring during pregnancy between January 2007 and April 2019 in our department were retrospectively analyzed. The cases of torsion associated with presumed functional ovarian cysts were selected. The rate of recurrent torsion during the same pregnancy was compared for de-torsion alone versus de-torsion and cyst aspiration. RESULTS: Of the 113 women who experienced adnexal torsion during pregnancy, 71 (67.0%) of torsion cases were caused by presumed functional ovarian cysts. Among women with torsion of functional ovarian cysts, the rate of torsion recurrence was significantly higher in patients who underwent de-torsion alone (n=28) compared to women who underwent aspiration and drainage of the ovarian cysts (n=43) (14.3% vs. 0, P = 0.021). There were no cases of intra- or post-operative bleeding in the study cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Functional ovarian cysts are the most common adnexal pathology encountered in pregnant women with torsion. Intra-operative cyst aspiration and drainage may reduce the risk of recurrent torsion. Further multi-center studies are required to validate our data prospectively.

Adnexal Torsion in Pregnancy Managed by Laparoscopy Is Associated with Favorable Obstetric Outcomes.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Most cases of adnexal torsion in pregnancy are currently managed by laparoscopy, which may be associated with increased risks for spontaneous abortion and preterm delivery. We sought to evaluate the obstetric outcomes of these women, with emphasis on their live birth rate and gestational age at delivery. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study and telephone questionnaire. SETTING: University-affiliated obstetrics and gynecology department. PATIENTS: All pregnant women who underwent laparoscopy for adnexal torsion between 2007 and 2017. Their obstetric outcomes were obtained by retrospective review of medical records and a telephone questionnaire. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopy for adnexal detorsion, with or without cyst drainage or cystectomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The study cohort included 94 women. Most torsion cases (71, 75.5%) were diagnosed in the first trimester of pregnancy, whereas 21 (22.3%) cases and 2 (2.1%) cases were diagnosed in the second and third trimesters, respectively. Conception was achieved by in vitro fertilization or by ovulation induction in 45 (47.9%) cases. The information on pregnancy outcomes was available for 93 women. Of those, live birth was reported for 86 (92.5%) pregnancies, while 6 (6.5%) women had a spontaneous abortion, and 1 woman experienced an intrauterine fetal death. Five cases of spontaneous abortion were diagnosed in the first trimester, all within 3 weeks of surgery. Preterm delivery before 37 gestational weeks was reported for 18 (19.4%) pregnancies and was significantly associated with twin pregnancy (p = .002) and with conception following in vitro fertilization and ovulation induction (p = .03). On logistic regression analysis, preterm delivery was only associated with twin vs singleton gestation (odds ratio, 6.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-34.8; p = .02). CONCLUSION: The obstetric outcomes of pregnant women who underwent laparoscopy for adnexal torsion are generally favorable. However, there is a risk for preterm delivery, which is primarily associated with multiple gestations.

Is Hysteroscopy the Best Surgical Approach for Removal of Retained Products of Conception Following Surgical Termination of Pregnancy?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the rates of intrauterine adhesion following hysteroscopy for removal of RPOC associated with surgical termination of pregnancy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all cases of removal by hysteroscopy of RPOC associated with surgical termination of pregnancy carried out at the Yitzhak Shamir (Assaf Harofe) Medical Center from January 2013 to December 2018. The rates of postoperative intrauterine adhesion were assessed by follow-up hysteroscopy. RESULTS: Our study involved 85 cases of removal by hysteroscopy of RPOC associated with surgical termination of pregnancy. The mean size of the RPOC was 1.9 ± 0.9 cm, and the mean time from termination of pregnancy to hysteroscopy was 1.5 ± 0.9 months. Two patients (2.4%) were readmitted for postoperative complications (fever). Postoperative follow-up information was available for 49 cases (57.6%). A total of 47 of these women had a normal uterine cavity (95.9%) while 2 women (4.1%) were diagnosed with mild intrauterine adhesions. CONCLUSIONS: Hysteroscopy for removal of RPOC following surgical termination of pregnancy is associated with low rates of postoperative intrauterine adhesions. Additional studies may determine whether this is the procedure of choice in these cases.

Prediction of Premalignant and Malignant Endometrial Polyps by Clinical and Hysteroscopic Features.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether hysteroscopic features can contribute to the diagnosis of malignancy in endometrial polyps. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Obstetrics and gynecology department. PATIENTS: All women who underwent operative hysteroscopy for the removal of endometrial polyps between January 2012 and September 2017. Their medical records were reviewed, and information on medical, surgical, and obstetric history and hysteroscopic findings (including the number, size, and vascular appearance of the polyps) were abstracted. INTERVENTIONS: Operative hysteroscopy with resection or biopsy of endometrial polyps. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Five hundred fifty-six women were included in the study. Their mean age was 55.4 ± 12.4 years, and 322 (57.9%) were menopausal. Endometrial carcinoma was found in 26 (4.7%) cases, whereas endometrial hyperplasia was found in 5 (0.9%) cases. Endometrial carcinoma or hyperplasia was significantly associated with patients' age, menopausal status, increased polyp vascularity on hysteroscopy, and the presence of 3 or more polyps on hysteroscopy (p <.01 for all comparisons). However, the size of the largest polyp was not associated with endometrial carcinoma or hyperplasia. On logistic regression analysis, only increased polyp vascularity was associated with endometrial carcinoma or hyperplasia (odds ratio =13.5; 95% confidence interval, 5.6-32.3; p <.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of polyp vascularity for the diagnosis of polyps of nonbenign pathology were 51.6%, 94.3%, 34.8%, and 97.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic findings of increased vascularity of endometrial polyps and numerous endometrial polyps may suggest the diagnosis of malignant polyps, in addition to demographic parameters such as age and menopausal status.

Two-step hysteroscopy for management of morbidly adherent retained products of conception.

PURPOSE: Retained products of conception (RPOC) may occur as the result of a morbidly adherent placenta. In these cases, the hysteroscopic removal of RPOC may be technically challenging, and may require more than one hysteroscopic procedure. We sought to compare the clinical, surgical, and postoperative characteristics of cases managed by either a one-step hysteroscopy procedure or a two-step hysteroscopy approach. METHODS: A retrospective review of all RPOC cases managed by hysteroscopy from 1/2013 to 3/2018. We included cases of RPOC occurring following delivery and medical or surgical pregnancy terminations. The rates of postoperative intrauterine adhesions were assessed by office hysteroscopy. RESULTS: A two-step procedure was required in 11 (3.9%) of the 358 women who underwent hysteroscopy for removal of RPOC during the study period. Comparison between the two-step and the one-step procedure groups revealed that the women in the two-step group were significantly older and the mean RPOC size was significantly larger (35.5 ± 4.1 years versus 30.7 ± 5.9 years, respectively, p = 0.01, and 38.6 ± 9.8 mm versus 22.3 ± 7.5 mm, p < 0.001, respectively). While the rates of intraoperative complications were similar between groups, readmission for postoperative fever was more common in the two-step group (18.2% versus 2.0%, respectively, p = 0.03). Postoperative intrauterine adhesions were diagnosed in 20.0% and 5.2%, respectively (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The two-step hysteroscopic approach enabled the complete removal of larger RPOC masses without the use of uterine curettage. The women who underwent the two-step procedure, however, were at increased risk for postoperative fever and postoperative intrauterine adhesions.

Postoperative radiation rates in stage IIA1 cervical cancer: Is surgical treatment justified? An Israeli Gynecologic Oncology Group Study.

OBJECTIVES: Data on the outcome of stage IIA1 cervical cancer is limited, as these tumors comprise a small percentage of early tumors. NCCN guidelines suggest consideration of surgical management for small tumors with vaginal involvement. Our objective was to evaluate the risk of adjuvant radiotherapy in stage IIA1 cervical cancer and its associated features, in order to improve selection of patients for surgical management. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study comparing surgically treated cervical cancer patients with stage IB1 and stage IIA1 disease. Women treated between 2000 and 2015 in ten Israeli medical centers were included. Patient and disease features were compared between stages. The relative risk (Fisher's exact test) of receiving post-operative radiation was calculated and compared for each risk factor. A general linear model (GLM) was used for multivariable analysis. RESULTS: 199 patients were included, of whom 21 had stage IIA1 disease. Most features were comparable for stage IB1 and stage IIA1 disease, although patients with vaginal involvement were more likely to have close surgical margins (23.8% vs 8.5%, p = 0.03). Patients with stage IIA1 disease were more likely to receive radiation after surgery (76% vs. 46%, RR = 1.65 (1.24-2.2), p = 0.011). Vaginal involvement as well as depth of stromal invasion, LVSI and lymph node metastases were independent predictors of radiation on multivariable general linear modeling. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical cancer patients with vaginal involvement are highly more likely to require postoperative radiation. We recommend careful evaluation of these patients before surgical management is offered.

Is there a survival advantage in diagnosing endometrial cancer in asymptomatic postmenopausal patients? An Israeli Gynecology Oncology Group study.

BACKGROUND: Incidental ultrasonographic findings in asymptomatic postmenopausal women, such as thickened endometrium or polyps, often lead to invasive procedures and to the occasional diagnosis of endometrial cancer. Data supporting a survival advantage of endometrial cancer diagnosed prior to the onset of postmenopausal bleeding are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To compare the survival of asymptomatic and bleeding postmenopausal patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer. STUDY DESIGN: This was an Israeli Gynecology Oncology Group retrospective multicenter study of 1607 postmenopausal patients with endometrial cancer: 233 asymptomatic patients and 1374 presenting with postmenopausal bleeding. Clinical, pathological, and survival measures were compared. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the asymptomatic and the postmenopausal bleeding groups in the proportion of patients in stage II-IV (23.5% vs 23.8%; P = .9) or in high-grade histology (41.0% vs 38.4%; P = .12). Among patients with stage-I tumors, asymptomatic patients had a greater proportion than postmenopausal bleeding patients of stage IA (82.1% vs 66.2%; P < .01) and a smaller proportion received adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy (30.5% vs 40.6%; P = .02). There was no difference between asymptomatic and postmenopausal bleeding patients in the 5-year recurrence-free survival (79.1% vs 79.4%; P = .85), disease-specific survival (83.2% vs 82.2%; P = .57), or overall survival (79.7% vs 76.8%; P = .37). CONCLUSION: Endometrial cancer diagnosed in asymptomatic postmenopausal women is not associated with higher survival rates. Operative hysteroscopy/curettage procedures in asymptomatic patients with ultrasonographically diagnosed endometrial polyps or thick endometrium are rarely indicated. It is reasonable to reserve these procedures for patients whose ultrasonographic findings demonstrate significant change over time.

Does she have adnexal torsion? Prediction of adnexal torsion in reproductive age women.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of clinical, laboratory and ultrasound findings with the surgical diagnosis of adnexal torsion in a retrospective cohort of women operated for suspected torsion. METHODS: The study included 199 reproductive age women > 16-year-old who underwent urgent laparoscopy for suspected adnexal torsion between January 2008 and December 2014. The association of various parameters with adnexal torsion was analyzed with a multivariate logistic regression analysis and described as odds ratios (OR) ± 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Adnexal torsion was surgically diagnosed in 111/199 (55.8%) cases. On the multivariate logistic regression analysis, complaints of nausea/vomiting (OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.8-11.1), peritoneal irritation signs (OR 100.9, 95% CI 4.2-2421.9), elevated white blood cell count > 11,000 cells/mL (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.3-10.8), presence of free pelvic fluid on ultrasound (OR 34.4, 95% CI 6.7-177.9), ultrasound findings suggestive of ovarian edema (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.5-11.6), ultrasound findings suggestive of benign cystic teratoma (OR 7.8. 95% CI 1.2-49.4) and location of the ultrasound pathology on the right side (OR 4.7. 95% CI 1.9-11.9) were positively associated with adnexal torsion, while ultrasound findings suggestive of hemorrhagic corpus luteum cyst (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.008-0.2) were negatively associated with adnexal torsion. By combining these eight parameters, the ROC curve was calculated, yielding an area under the curve of 0.93, 95% CI 0.90-0.97 (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Routine clinical, laboratory and grayscale ultrasound findings may be incorporated into the emergency room workup of women with suspected adnexal torsion. Laparoscopy should be considered in all patients with suspected adnexal torsion.

Role of collagen type IV in the pathogenesis of increased prenasal thickness in Down syndrome fetuses: sonographic and immunohistological findings.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to compare the presence and localization of collagen type IV in the prenasal tissue of fetuses with and without Down syndrome (DS). METHODS: Products of conception were obtained from mid-gestation uterine evacuations of 14 DS fetuses and 15 unaffected controls. Microdissection of the prenasal area and an analysis of the prenasal tissue specimens were performed by a single pathologist, blinded to the karyotype results. Immunohistological presence and localization of type IV collagen were analyzed in the basement membrane (BM), blood vessels, and stroma of the tissues. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the presence and localization of antibodies for collagen IV in the blood vessels and stroma between the two groups. However, the presence and localization of type IV collagen in the BM of the prenasal skin were significantly higher in DS specimens compared to the control group (P=0.023). When combining both groups altogether, a significant correlation was found between the increased prenasal thickness (PT) and the high presence and location of collagen type IV, irrespective of the karyotype results (Spearman's correlation; R=0.459; P=0.012). CONCLUSION: Using the immunohistochemistry technique, we were able to confirm the overexpression of collagen type IV in the BM of the prenasal area. This may explain the sonographic finding of increased PT seen mainly in DS fetuses.

Should the Risk of Invasive Cancer in Pregnancy and the Safety of Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure During the First 15 Weeks Change Our Practice?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was to describe the outcome of women diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grades 2 or 3 in pregnancy either observed or treated by loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) in the first 15 weeks of gestation. METHODS: Loop electrosurgical excision procedure during the first 15 gestational weeks compared with observation of CIN2/3. This is a retrospective analysis of a nonrandomized study at tertiary, academic, and referring centers in Israel. Ninety-three pregnant women diagnosed with CIN2/3 between 2006 and 2016 were included in this study. Fifty patients with CIN2/3 on cervical biopsy were conservatively followed-up, and 43 patients have undergone LEEP during the first 15 gestational weeks. Main outcome measures were ultimate diagnosis of invasive cancer or CIN, pregnancy outcome, and complications. RESULTS: In 5.4% of CIN2/3 during pregnancy, the final diagnosis was invasive cancer. The postpartum results of 50 women who were conservatively observed were as follows: 3 (6.0%) had cervical cancer and undergone radical hysterectomy, 33 (66.6%) had CIN2/3, and 14 (28%) had CIN1 or normal histology. The diagnoses of the 43 patients who have undergone LEEP were invasive cancer in 2 patients (4.6%) but did not undergo hysterectomy, CIN2/3 or adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) in 38 patients (88.4%), and 3 women (7%) had CIN1 or normal histology. None of them suffered severe bleeding. Thirty-seven women continued their pregnancy, 34 (91.9%) had term deliveries, 2 (5.4%) gave birth at 34 and 36 weeks, and 1 patient had missed abortion (2.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The LEEP procedure during the first 15 weeks of pregnancy is safe. A total of 5.4% of the women with CIN2/3 during pregnancy were diagnosed with invasive cancer. It is time to reconsider the recommendations about CIN2/3 in early gestation.