Ultrasound features of highly vascularized uterine myomas (uterine smooth muscle tumors) and correlation with histopathology.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate the ultrasound appearance of highly vascularized uterine myomas with their histopathological diagnosis. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of patients with a preoperative ultrasound diagnosis of a highly vascularized uterine myoma (color score of 3 or 4, according to the Morphological Uterus Sonographic Assessment (MUSA) criteria), characterized by circumferential and intralesional vascular pattern, who underwent myomectomy or hysterectomy. For each patient, ultrasound characteristics were recorded at baseline, including the number of lesions, the size, echogenicity and border regularity of the lesion, presence of cystic areas and shadowing within the myoma, and visualization of the endometrium. Ultrasound features were correlated with the definitive histological diagnosis. Ultrasound features were then compared between malignant and benign lesions. RESULTS: We included 70 patients with highly vascularized uterine myomas on power/color Doppler. Their mean age was 46.5 ± 11.4 years and 13 (18.6%) were postmenopausal. At histological examination, 65 (92.9%) uterine myomas were benign lesions, comprising 32 typical leiomyomas, 29 leiomyoma variants and four adenomyomas. The remaining five (7.1%) uterine myomas were malignant masses, comprising two uterine sarcomas, one leiomyosarcoma, one neuroendocrine tumor and one uterine smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP). The mean age of patients with a malignant lesion was significantly higher than the age of those with a benign lesion (64.8 ± 16.0 vs 42.4 ± 5.1; P < 0.001). Four out of five patients with a malignant lesion were over 45 years old. Ultrasound demonstrated cystic areas within the lesion in 10/32 (31.3%) typical leiomyomas, 16/29 (55.2%) leiomyoma variants, all four adenomyomas and in the cases of STUMP and leiomyosarcoma. Lesion borders were regular in 64/65 (98.5%) benign lesions and 2/5 (40%) malignant lesions (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between benign and malignant lesions with respect to echogenicity, presence of shadowing and size. The endometrium was visible in 55/65 women with benign lesions and in 2/5 with malignant lesions (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that ultrasound features of uterine myomas, such as circumferential and intralesional vascularity, cystic areas and lesion borders, are important parameters for differential diagnosis, especially when combined with the patient's age. Such features could be useful to differentiate typical myomas from benign variants and malignant lesions in a preoperative setting and to select patients that may benefit from conservative management rather than surgery. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Endometriosis: seeking optimal management in women approaching menopause.

The incidence of endometriosis in middle-aged women is not minimal compared to that in the reproductive age group. The treatment of affected women after childbearing age to the natural transition toward menopause has received considerably poor attention. Disease management is problematic for these women due to increased contraindications regarding hormonal treatment and the possibility for malignant transformation, considering the increased cancer risk in patients with a long-standing history of the disease. This state-of-the-art review aims for the first time to assess the benefits of the available therapies to help guide treatment decisions for the care of endometriosis in women approaching menopause. Progestins are proven effective in reducing pain and should be preferred in these women. According to the international guidelines that lack precise recommendations, hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy should be the definitive therapy in women who have completed their reproductive arc, if medical therapy has failed. Strict surveillance or surgery with removal of affected gonads should be considered in cases of long-standing or recurrent endometriomas, especially in the presence of modifications of ultrasonographic cyst patterns. Although rare, malignant transformation of various tissues in endometriosis patients has been described, and management is herein discussed.

Reproducibility of #Enzian classification by transvaginal ultrasound and its correlation with symptoms.

Background: The #Enzian classification represents a system to describe endometriotic lesions during surgery. Its use is well established in correlating ultrasound and surgical findings. Objectives: To describe interobserver reproducibility of ultrasound use and symptom correlation with compartments involved using #Enzian classification. Materials and Methods: Two experienced operators performed transvaginal sonography (TVS) in 52 patients affected by pelvic endometriosis. A rate agreement was determined. A further 200 women with endometriotic TVS signs, with no previous surgery and not taking any hormonal therapy, were staged by one of three different operators according to the #Enzian (compartments A, B, C, O, T, FA, FB, FI, FU, FO). Statistical analysis compared all the compartments, as single or associated, with single or combined symptoms (dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, heavy menstrual bleeding - HMB, bowel symptoms). Main outcome measures: Evaluation of the reproducibility of #Enzian classification in assessing pelvic endometriosis among different operators using TVS, and of possible associations between symptoms and specific #Enzian compartments. Results: Excellent agreement between the two operators in evaluating almost all the compartments (k >0.8) was observed. Dysmenorrhea did not correlate with any specific compartment. We observed a significant association between dyspareunia and B compartment (p=0.02). HMB is associated with FA (p=0.02). Bowel symptoms were associated with B (p=0.02). Combining more symptoms, we observed more significant associations with different compartments. Conclusions: #ENZIAN classification is reproducible in the evaluation of pelvic endometriosis. Some symptoms are correlated to specific ultrasound signs of the disease. What is new?: An accurate evaluation of symptoms could guide TVS examination to detect specific endometriotic lesions and establish the best management for the patients.

3D transvaginal ultrasound diagnosis of uterine septa according to different classifications: are there other measurements that correlate to reproductive outcome in small indentation length?

Background: High discrepancy between current classifications was observed in the definition of uterine septa, especially for indentation lengths >5 <10mm. Objectives: To assess the discrepancy between current classifications in the diagnoses of septate uterus and to correlate them with reproductive outcomes; to detect 3D transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) additional measurements, which can better correlate small indentation lengths >5 <10mm to reproductive failures. Materials and Methods: Observational study enrolling 664 women of reproductive age with 3D ultrasound diagnosis of an indentation length ≥3mm. For each patient a detailed reproductive history was taken before performing 3D transvaginal examination. Patients with previous uterine surgery or metroplasty were excluded. Main Outcome Measures: Indentation lengths >5 <10mm showed high discrepancy in the diagnosis of uterine septum between different classifications. For these small indentations additional 3D measurements (indentation angle, septal width and septal length/ fundal myometrial thickness (L/M) ratio) were correlated to infertility and recurrent miscarriage. Results: Among the cohort, 215 patients showed an indentation length >5 <10mm; 136 tried to conceive: 69 (51%) were infertile, 38 (28%) had recurrent miscarriages (≥2) and 5 (4%) had at least one delivery. Recurrent miscarriage significantly correlated to an indentation angle >134°; whereas infertility to an indentation width <32mm and a L/M ratio >75%. Conclusions: Wide discrepancies between different classifications are more evident in indentation lengths >5 <10mm. Additional measurements on 3D coronal section may help to evaluate the risk of infertility or recurrent miscarriage. What is New?: Additional 3D TVS measurements, beyond septal lengths, in particular for small fundal indentation, may help in predicting the risk of developing adverse reproductive outcomes.

Postoperative Autologous Reinfusion in Total Knee Replacement.

Surgeries for total knee replacement (TKR) are increasing and in this context there is a need to develop new protocols for management and use of blood transfusion therapy. Autologous blood reduces the need for allogeneic blood transfusion and the aim of the present study was to verify the safety and the clinical efficacy. An observational retrospective study has been conducted on 124 patients, undergoing cemented total knee prosthesis replacement. Observed population was stratified into two groups: the first group received reinfusion of autologous blood collected in the postoperative surgery and the second group did not receive autologous blood reinfusion. Analysis of data shows that patients undergoing autologous blood reinfusion received less homologous blood bags (10.6% versus 30%; p = 0.08) and reduced days of hospitalization (7.88 ± 0.7 days versus 8.96 ± 2.47 days for the control group; p = 0.03). Microbiological tests were negative in all postoperatively salvaged and reinfused units. Our results emphasize the effectiveness of this procedure and have the characteristics of simplicity, low cost (€97.53 versus €103.79; p < 0.01), and easy reproducibility. Use of autologous drainage system postoperatively is a procedure that allows reducing transfusion of homologous blood bags in patients undergoing TKR.

Population exposure to electromagnetic fields generated by radio base stations: evaluation of the urban background by using provisional model and instrumental measurements.

Electromagnetic radiation, which is used by broadcasting and mobile telephone systems to transmit information, permeates the city environment. In order to properly evaluate population exposure to electromagnetic fields, knowledge of their intensity and spectral components is necessary. In this study the results of radiofrequency field monitoring carried out in Torino, a large town located in the north-west of Italy are shown: the variation of the electromagnetic field strength is evaluated as a function of the height from the ground, the location in the urban area and the frequency. separating the contributions of the different sources (broadcasting antennas and radio base stations for mobile phones). Furthermore, the contribution of the radio base stations is theoretically evaluated, adding the emissions off all installations situated in Torino and examining the field strength maps calculated, considering the orography, for different heights. The theoretical values are also compared with those measured in the frequency range of mobile telephony emissions.

[The treatment of the cutaneous larva migrans syndrome with albendazole. The authors' experience]. / Trattamento della sindrome da larva migrans cutanea con albendazolo. Esperienze personali.

In 26 cases of creeping eruption observed during the years 1986-1989 the treatment with albendazole per os (200 mg twice a day for 5 days) led to the disappearance of all clinical manifestations within 2-3 days. Only in two cases, in which the larvae were clearly in hypobiosis, the treatment had to be repeated at the same posology when the helminths appeared to be clearly active; the second course of treatment was fully effective. No side effects were recorded.