Reflectance confocal microscopy features of vulvar lichen sclerosus in Chinese juvenile girls.

Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis of unknown pathogenesis, characterized by porcelain-white atrophic plaques around the vulvar and anal areas in girls. With this communication, we performed the study on 16 female girls with clinically and histologically confirmed VLS, described the main identifying characteristics of the lesions in reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and elucidated the corresponding relationship between RCM findings and histology. We recommend RCM, a noninvasive technique, as a complementary diagnostic tool for VLS.

Ultrasonography in the diagnosis of vulvar abscess.

This case image demonstrates the usefulness of vulvar ultrasound in the diagnosis of vulvar abscess.

Magnetic resonance imaging features of a solitary fibrous tumor of the vulva: a case report.

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are commonly seen in the pleura. SFT involvement of the vulva is rare, and clinical diagnosis is mainly based on histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. We herein describe the imaging features of a 69-year-old woman with an SFT of the vulva. The SFT was hypointense on T1-weighted images, similar to muscle; however, it showed inhomogeneous hyperintensity predominantly on fat-suppressed T2-weighted images. An area of low signal intensity was evident on T2-weighted images, and the tumor showed progressive enhancement in delayed phases. The tumor also displayed heterogeneous and prolonged, persistent enhancement, and serpentine vessels were present in the peritumoral area as signal voids. Pathological examination confirmed that the lesion was an atypical SFT originating from the vulva, and it was composed of spindle cells and perivascular and stromal hyalinization. This case reveals the characteristic imaging findings of vulvar SFT and their association with the relevant pathological findings, thus contributing to the primary diagnosis and preoperative evaluation of this potentially aggressive tumor.

Portable three-dimensional imaging to monitor small volume enhancement in face, vulva, and hand: A comparative study.

Multiple handheld three-dimensional (3D) systems are available on the market, but data regarding their use in detecting small volumes are limited. The aim of this study was to compare different portable 3D technologies in detecting small volumetric enhancement on a mannequin model and a series of patients. Five portable 3D systems (Artec Eva, Crisalix, Go!Scan, LifeViz Mini, and Vectra H1) were tested in a controlled environment with standardised volumes and in a clinical setting with patients undergoing small volume fat grafting to face, vulva, and hand. Accuracy was assessed with absolute and relative technical error measurement (TEM and rTEM); precision with intra- and inter-observer reliability (rp and ICC); and usability in clinical practice with the following parameters: portability, suitability of use in operating theatre/clinic, ease of use of hardware and software, speed of capture, image quality, patient comfort, and cost. All tested devices presented overall good accuracy in detecting small volumetric changes ranging from 0.5 to 4 cc. Structured-light laser scanners (Artec Eva and Go!Scan) showed high accuracy, but their use in clinical practice was limited by longer capture time, multiple wiring, and complex software for analysis. Crisalix was considered the most user-friendly, less bothering for patients, and truly portable, but its use was limited to the face because the software does not include vulva and hand. Three-dimensional technologies exploiting the principle of passive stereophotogrammetry such as LifeViz Mini and Vectra H1 were the most versatile for assessing accurately multiple body areas, representing overall the best long-term value for money. Therefore, 3D portable technology is a non-invasive, accurate, and reproducible method to assess the volumetric outcome after facial, vulval, and hand injectables. The choice of the 3D system should be based on the clinical need and resources available.

Study on the application and imaging characteristics of optical coherence tomography in vulva lesions.

In this study, a prospective study was conducted by using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the in vivo detection of vulvar diseases. The clinical efficacy of the OCT we investigated in the detection of vulvar diseases, and the characteristics of the OCT images were defined. Overall, this study recruited 63 patients undergoing the colposcopy for vulvar lesions in three Chinese hospitals from December 20th, 2018 and September 24th, 2019. The colposcopy and the OCT examination were performed successively, and the OCT images were compared with the relevant tissue sections to characterize different lesions. The OCT diagnoses where categorized into 7 types, including normal and inflammatory vulva, condyloma acuminata, papilloma, lichen sclerosus, atrophic sclerosing lichen, fibrous epithelial polyp as well as cysts. The structural characteristics of the vulva tissue can be clearly observed in the OCT image, which are consistent with the characteristics of the tissue section. Compared with the pathological results, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the OCT examination reached 83.82% (95% confidence interval, CI 72.5%-91.3%), 57.89% (95% CI 34.0%-78.9%) and 78.16%, respectively. The OCT is found with the advantages of being noninvasive, real-time and sensitive and with high resolution. It is of high significance to screening vulva diseases, and it is expected as one of the methods to clinically diagnose vulva diseases.

Location of obstetric anal sphincter injury scars on translabial tomographic ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: Obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) is a common preventable cause of anal incontinence. Both diagnosis and primary repair of OASI are often suboptimal, partly owing to the absence of effective clinical audit. The aim of this study was to evaluate the location of scars or defects of the external anal sphincter (EAS), diagnosed by translabial ultrasound (TLUS), following primary OASI repair. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 309 women who were seen at a tertiary obstetric unit after primary repair of OASI between June 2012 and May 2019. All women underwent a standardized interview, including St Mark's incontinence score, followed by clinical examination and TLUS assessment within 2-9 months after OASI repair. Postprocessing of TLUS volume datasets was performed by an investigator who was blinded to all other information. Tomographic ultrasound imaging was used to evaluate the presence of a scar or defect in the proximal and distal parts of the EAS. Women were classified into four groups according to the imaging findings: (1) no visible defect or distortion (likely false positive); (2) only proximal OASI; (3) only distal OASI; and (4) both proximal and distal OASI. RESULTS: Of the 309 women seen during the study period, 34 were excluded because they were referred for reasons other than recent (< 1 year) OASI, 16 owing to missing data and four owing to poor image quality, leaving 255 patients for analysis. Women were seen on average 0.25 ± 0.1 years after the index birth, and their mean age at delivery was 29.1 ± 4.6 years. Anal incontinence was reported by 97 (38.0%) women. A scar or defect was seen only in the proximal part of the EAS in 64 (25.1%) women and only in the distal part in 19 (7.5%) (P < 0.001). In 165 (64.7%) women, the damage affected both the proximal and distal EAS. CONCLUSIONS: EAS scars after primary OASI repair commonly affect the entire length of the EAS; however, partial tears seem to be more likely to occur proximally. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Multizonal anogenital neoplasia in women: a cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is currently a lack of information on full anogenital evaluation of women with a previous history of anogenital neoplasia. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the Homerton Anogenital Neoplasia Service records from January 2012 to March 2017, to identify all new referrals of women with previous anogenital neoplasia, who had had at least one complete examination of all anogenital sites. Multizonal anogenital disease (MZD) was defined as the presence of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL)/carcinoma concurrently at two or more of the following sites/zones: perianus, anal canal, vulva, vagina or cervix. RESULTS: 253 women were included, mean age was 47 (SD=15) years and median duration of follow-up was 12 (IQR=21) months. Fifty-six women (22%) were diagnosed with MZD at first assessment and/or during follow-up. Current smokers (RR=1.84, 95% CI 1.21-2.79, p=0.004) and women on immunodulators/immunosuppressive drugs (RR=2.57, 95% CI 1.72-3.86, p<0.001) had an increased risk for MZD. The risk was lower for women without a previous history of anogenital high-grade lesions/cancer compared to those with this history (RR=0.06, 95% CI 0.01-0.45, p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Multizonal assessment was important to diagnose occult areas of disease and should be especially considered in current smokers, pharmacologically immunocompromised and those with a previous history of anogenital HSIL/cancer.

Extraskeletal Myxoid Chondrosarcoma of the Vulva Confirmed by EWSR1 FISH: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma of the vulva is a very rare tumor, with less than 10 cases reported in the literature. We report a case of a 45-yr-old woman with extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma of the vulva confirmed by EWSR1 fluorescence in situ hybridization. Given the unusual site and prominent myxoid morphology, a broad differential diagnosis and a variety of ancillary testing was required. This article aims to review extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma of the vulva, the differential diagnosis of a myxoid spindle cell neoplasm of the vulva, and the diagnostic importance of immunohistochemistry and EWSR1 fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Cancer of the Vulva: A Review.

BACKGROUND: Vulvar cancers, although rare, are becoming an increasingly serious threat to women's health. Cancer of the vulva accounted for 0.3% of all new cancers in the United States in 2019, with 6,070 newly diagnosed cases. This review details the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, staging, and treatment of vulvar malignancies. OBJECTIVE: To review cancer entities of the vulva, including vulvar intraepithelial neoplasms, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors, and adenocarcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature review using PubMed search for articles related to cancer of the vulva. RESULTS: Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasms represent premalignant precursors to SCC of the vulva. There are several different histopathologic subtypes of SCC, and treatment is dependent on characteristics of primary tumor and lymph node involvement. Melanoma is the second most common cancer to affect the vulva, and staging is based on tumor, node, and metastatic spread. CONCLUSION: Vulvar malignancies are rare, and diagnosis is dependent on biopsy and pathologic evaluation. Treatment for vulvar malignancies depends on histopathologic diagnosis but ranges from wide local excision with or without lymph node biopsy or dissection to radiation therapy with chemo- or immunotherapy. Overall survival varies by diagnosis.

Is location of urethral kinking a confounder of association between urethral closure pressure and stress urinary incontinence?

OBJECTIVES: Intact urethral support and normal sphincter function are deemed important for urinary continence. We aimed to test whether the location of urethral kinking (as the probable anatomical correlate of maximal pressure transmission) is associated with stress urinary incontinence and/or urodynamic stress incontinence. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of women seen at a tertiary urogynecological center in 2017. Patients had undergone an interview, multichannel urodynamic testing and four-dimensional translabial ultrasound examination. Those with a history of anti-incontinence surgery, absence of urethral kinking on ultrasound and/or missing or inadequate ultrasound volume data were excluded. Volume data were used to assess urethral mobility using a semi-automated Excel® urethral motion profile program. Mobility vectors were calculated using the formula √((x valsalva - x rest )2 + (y valsalva - y rest )2 ), where x and y are the coordinates of six equidistant points along the length of the urethra from the bladder neck to the external urethral meatus. The location of urethral kinking was identified as a concave contour of the urethra on the vaginal side in the midsagittal plane on maximum Valsalva maneuver. The distance between the center of the kink and the bladder neck was measured and expressed as a centile in relation to the total length of the urethra, using the formula: (distance from bladder neck/total length of urethra) × 100. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to test the associations of stress urinary incontinence and urodynamic stress incontinence with age, maximum urethral pressure, urethral mobility vectors and location of urethral kinking. RESULTS: Of 450 women seen during the study period, 61 were excluded owing to previous incontinence surgery and 82 owing to absence of urethral kinking, inadequate volume data or missing data, leaving 307 women included, of whom 227 (74%) complained of stress urinary incontinence and 211 (69%) complained of urgency urinary incontinence. 190 (62%) of the women were diagnosed with urodynamic stress incontinence. On multivariate analysis, maximum urethral pressure (36 vs 50 cmH2 O; P < 0.001), mid-urethral mobility (2.27 vs 2.03 cm; P = 0.003) and location of urethral kinking (63.1st vs 59.7th centile; P = 0.002) were associated significantly with urodynamic stress incontinence. The location of urethral kinking was associated with stress urinary incontinence on univariate analysis (P = 0.026) but not on multivariate analysis (P = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: The location of urethral kinking is associated with urodynamic stress incontinence. The further urethral kinking is from the mid urethra, the more likely is urodynamic stress incontinence. This provides circumstantial evidence for the pressure-transmission theory of stress urinary continence. © 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

[Labium majus enlargement in a 6-year old girl: benign or alarming?] / Zwelling van een labium majus bij een 6-jarig meisje.

A 6-year old girl was referred because she had a painless enlarged left labium majus. There were no further symptoms. Ultrasound and MRI revealed no hernias, malignancy or cystic abnormalities. We diagnosed CALME, Childhood Asymmetry Labium Majus Enlargement, a non-neoplastic expansion of normal vulvar tissue in response to hormonal changes. Expectant management is preferred.

Clinical and Dermoscopic Features of Vulvar Melanosis Over the Last 20 Years.

Importance: Vulvar melanosis is a common pigmentary change that accounts for most pigmented vulvar lesions. It presents as single or multiple asymptomatic macules or patches of varying size and color that may be asymmetric with poorly defined borders. The differential diagnosis of melanocytic lesions includes melanoma, which creates anxiety for patients and the physicians who diagnose the condition and treat the patients. Objective: To evaluate the clinical and dermoscopic features of vulvar melanosis and their changes over time. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this cohort study, patients with vulvar melanosis were recruited and followed up in the Department of Dermatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy, between January 1, 1998, and June 30, 2019. Data on patient characteristics and on both the clinical and dermoscopic features of the vulvar lesions were collected. Each lesion was photographed clinically and dermoscopically at initial evaluation and at annual follow-up visits. Main Outcomes and Measures: The clinical, dermoscopic, and histopathologic features of vulvar melanosis and their changes over time. Results: This cohort study included 129 women (mean age at diagnosis, 46 years [range, 19-83 years]) with vulvar melanosis. A total of 87 patients (67%) with vulvar melanotic lesions were premenopausal, and 84 patients (65%) had received some type of hormone therapy. The most frequent location for vulvar melanosis was the labia minora (55 [43%]), followed by the labia majora (33 [26%]). In 39 of 129 cases (30%), the lesions increased in size and changed color after initial evaluation but ultimately stabilized. No malignant evolution was documented in any patient during a median follow-up of 13 years (range, 5-20 years). Conclusions and Relevance: This study suggests that vulvar melanosis was a benign entity, and changes in lesions over time did not signify malignant transformation. An association between hormonal status and vulvar melanosis may be hypothesized.

Sonoanatomy of female reproductive organ of Sunda porcupine (Hystrix javanica).

The conventional anatomical study of specimens requires cutting processes which destruct the limited specimens. A non-destructive method, namely an ultrasonography, can be used to assess the anatomical organ information of those specimens. The aim of this research is to analyse the macroanatomy of the female reproductive organ in the Sunda porcupine (Hystrix javanica), using ultrasonographical imaging. In this study, four formaldehyde-fixed reproductive organ specimens of the Sunda porcupine were used. A 10-12 MHz linear ultrasound transducer was utilized to provide an imaging format of both longitudinal and transversal views. Photographic images were then used as comparison with a sonographic image. The results show that the ultrasound image of the Sunda porcupine reproductive organ soft tissue was hypoechoic, the lumen and antrum follicles were anechoic, while atretic follicles and the mons pubis were hyperechoic. Generally, the size of the organ was not significantly different between photographical and ultrasonographical imaging (p > .05). In conclusion, ultrasound images can be utilized for anatomical studies of the Sunda porcupine reproductive organs without destructing the specimen.

How comparable is clinical grading of obstetric anal sphincter injury with that determined by four-dimensional translabial ultrasound?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the agreement between grading of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASI) on translabial ultrasound (TLUS), using a newly developed algorithm, and grading on postpartum examination. A secondary aim was to assess the correlation between tear severity, as defined on ultrasound, and symptoms of anal incontinence and/or fecal urgency. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients seen at a perineal clinic between 2012 and 2018, after recent primary repair of OASI. All patients underwent a standardized interview including the St Mark's anal incontinence test and four-dimensional TLUS. Post-processing of ultrasound volume data was performed blinded to all other data. Using tomographic ultrasound imaging, a set of eight slices was obtained, and the central six slices were evaluated for sphincter abnormalities. Slices with distortion, thinning or defects were rated as abnormal. The following algorithm was used to grade OASI: a Grade-3a tear was diagnosed if the external anal sphincter (EAS) was abnormal in < 4/6 slices; a Grade-3b tear was diagnosed if the EAS was abnormal in ≥ 4/6 slices; and a Grade-3c/4 tear was diagnosed if both the EAS and internal anal sphincter were abnormal in ≥ 4/6 slices. Clinical grading of OASI was determined according to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidelines. Agreement between clinical and TLUS diagnosis of OASI was evaluated using weighted κ. RESULTS: Of the 260 women seen during the study period, 45 (17%) were excluded owing to missing data or a repeat OASI, leaving 215 complete datasets for analysis. The average follow-up interval was 2.4 months (range, 1-11 months) after OASI and the mean age of the women was 29 years (range, 17-42 years). One hundred and seventy-five (81%) women were vaginally primiparous. OASI was graded clinically as Grade 3a in 87 women, Grade 3b in 80, Grade 3c in 29 and Grade 4 in 19. On imaging, full agreement between clinical and TLUS grading was noted in 107 (50%) women, with a weighted κ of 0.398. In 96 (45%) women, there was disagreement by one category, with a weighted κ of 0.74 and in 12 (6%) there was disagreement by two categories. Twenty-four (11%) women were found to have a normal anal sphincter on imaging. Overall, potential clinical over-diagnosis was noted in 72 (33%) women and potential under-diagnosis in 36 (17%). The seniority of the diagnosing obstetrician did not significantly alter agreement between clinical and sonographic OASI grading (κ 0.44, 0.43, and 0.34, for specialists and senior and junior residents, respectively). The association between symptoms of anal incontinence and/or fecal urgency and TLUS grading did not reach significance (P = 0.052). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and TLUS-based grading of OASI showed fair agreement. Clinical over-diagnosis may be increasingly common in our population, although under-diagnosis may still occur in a significant minority. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Does exclusion of subcutaneous external anal sphincter on exoanal imaging matter?

OBJECTIVE: There is some speculation that an intact distal anal sphincter complex is of decisive importance for continence, although the external anal sphincter (EAS) is considered to be a single functional and anatomical entity. On tomographic translabial ultrasound (TLUS), the caudal slice at the level of the subcutaneous EAS is currently omitted from the diagnostic algorithm due to the prevalence of artifact at that level. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of assessment of the subcutaneous EAS on tomographic TLUS for anal incontinence (AI). METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 463 women seen at our urogynecological service in 2015. All underwent a standardized questionnaire, including determination of St Mark's incontinence score (SMIS), clinical examination and three-/four-dimensional TLUS. On tomographic TLUS, EAS defect angles in slices one to seven were measured on maximum pelvic floor muscle contraction. A slice was defined as positive for a defect if the defect angle was ≥ 30°. The association between significant subcutaneous EAS trauma (i.e. defect angle of ≥ 30° in slice seven) and symptoms of AI, symptom bother score and SMIS was assessed. The performances of the standard six-slice model and the seven-slice model, including the subcutaneous EAS, in the prediction of AI were compared. RESULTS: While there was a highly significant association between all measures of AI and significant EAS trauma in slice seven, addition of the seventh slice to the existing six-slice model did not improve the predictive value for AI. CONCLUSION: As inclusion of the subcutaneous slice of the EAS on tomographic TLUS does not seem to improve the predictive value for AI, the current methodology for assessment of EAS trauma on tomographic TLUS can remain unchanged. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A Case of Recurrent Vulvar Carcinoma With Cardiac Metastasis: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

A 67-yr-old female patient was diagnosed with squamous cell vulvar carcinoma and treated with a radical vulvectomy and bilateral sentinel lymphadenectomy. Three months after the surgery, the patient presented with local recurrence and underwent surgical excision of the mass, followed by chemotherapy. Eight months later, the patient was admitted due to weakness and pleural effusion. The patient underwent a chest computed tomography and echocardiogram, which revealed a large mass in the right ventricle penetrating into the pericardium and an additional mass residing on the tricuspid valve. She underwent a pericardial biopsy, and the pathology revealed a moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma metastasis. The patient was admitted thereafter in the oncological department for additional chemotherapy treatment. Because of a rapid deterioration in the patient's condition, only palliative treatment was given, and the patient died shortly after. Secondary cardiac tumors are very rare and have not been extensively studied in oncology. Therefore, optimal management is not entirely clear. It is extremely rare for vulvar cancer to metastasize to the heart, and only a handful of cases have been reported in the literature.

Vaginal laxity: which measure of levator ani distensibility is most predictive?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive value of measures of levator hiatal distension at rest and on maximum Valsalva maneuver for symptoms of vaginal laxity. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of women seen at a tertiary urogynecological unit. All women underwent a standardized interview, clinical examination and four-dimensional translabial ultrasound examination. Area, anteroposterior diameter (APD) and coronal diameter (CD) of the levator hiatus were measured at rest and on maximum Valsalva maneuver in the plane of minimal hiatal dimensions using the rendered volume technique, by an operator blinded to all clinical data. The association between levator hiatal measurements and vaginal laxity was assessed, and receiver-operating-characteristics (ROC)-curve analysis was used to determine their predictive value. RESULTS: Data from 490 patients were analyzed. Mean age was 58 (range, 18-88) years, and vaginal laxity was reported by 111 (23%) women. Measurements obtained on maximum Valsalva were significantly larger in women who reported vaginal laxity than in those who did not, with mean levator hiatal area, APD and CD of 30.45 ± 8.74 cm2 , 7.24 ± 1.16 cm and 5.60 ± 0.89 cm, respectively, in the vaginal-laxity group, compared with 24.84 ± 8.63 cm2 , 6.64 ± 1.22 cm and 5.01 ± 0.97 cm in the no-laxity group (P < 0.001 for all). Measurements obtained at rest were not significantly different between the groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis controlling for age, body mass index, vaginal parity and levator avulsion confirmed these results. The best regression model for the prediction of vaginal laxity included age, vaginal parity and levator hiatal area on maximum Valsalva. ROC-curve analysis of levator hiatal measurements on maximum Valsalva in the prediction of vaginal laxity demonstrated areas under the curve of 0.68 (95% CI, 0.63-0.73) for area, 0.63 (95% CI, 0.57-0.68) for APD and 0.68 (95% CI, 0.62-0.73) for CD. CONCLUSIONS: Levator hiatal area on maximum Valsalva seems to be the measure of levator ani distensibility that is most predictive of symptoms of vaginal laxity. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.