Update on the clinical use of trabecular bone score (TBS) in the management of osteoporosis: results of an expert group meeting organized by the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO), and the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) under the auspices of WHO Collaborating Center for Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Health and Aging.

PURPOSE: Trabecular bone score (TBS) is a grey-level textural measurement acquired from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry lumbar spine images and is a validated index of bone microarchitecture. In 2015, a Working Group of the European Society on Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO) published a review of the TBS literature, concluding that TBS predicts hip and major osteoporotic fracture, at least partly independent of bone mineral density (BMD) and clinical risk factors. It was also concluded that TBS is potentially amenable to change as a result of pharmacological therapy. Further evidence on the utility of TBS has since accumulated in both primary and secondary osteoporosis, and the introduction of FRAX and BMD T-score adjustment for TBS has accelerated adoption. This position paper therefore presents a review of the updated scientific literature and provides expert consensus statements and corresponding operational guidelines for the use of TBS. METHODS: An Expert Working Group was convened by the ESCEO and a systematic review of the evidence undertaken, with defined search strategies for four key topics with respect to the potential use of TBS: (1) fracture prediction in men and women; (2) initiating and monitoring treatment in postmenopausal osteoporosis; (3) fracture prediction in secondary osteoporosis; and (4) treatment monitoring in secondary osteoporosis. Statements to guide the clinical use of TBS were derived from the review and graded by consensus using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. RESULTS: A total of 96 articles were reviewed and included data on the use of TBS for fracture prediction in men and women, from over 20 countries. The updated evidence shows that TBS enhances fracture risk prediction in both primary and secondary osteoporosis, and can, when taken with BMD and clinical risk factors, inform treatment initiation and the choice of antiosteoporosis treatment. Evidence also indicates that TBS provides useful adjunctive information in monitoring treatment with long-term denosumab and anabolic agents. All expert consensus statements were voted as strongly recommended. CONCLUSION: The addition of TBS assessment to FRAX and/or BMD enhances fracture risk prediction in primary and secondary osteoporosis, adding useful information for treatment decision-making and monitoring. The expert consensus statements provided in this paper can be used to guide the integration of TBS in clinical practice for the assessment and management of osteoporosis. An example of an operational approach is provided in the appendix. This position paper presents an up-to-date review of the evidence base, synthesised through expert consensus statements, which informs the implementation of Trabecular Bone Score in clinical practice.

Indices in dental image exams for bone mineral density evaluation of aromatase inhibitor users.

We evaluated the accuracy of radiomorphometric indices (RI) and fractal dimension (FD) for screening bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal patients who had breast cancer and were using aromatase inhibitors (AI). The sample consisted of 40 participants. Digital panoramic radiography (DPR) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) were evaluated along with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), which is the gold standard for detecting low BMD. According to the T-scores of DXA, the subjects were assigned into two groups: with normal BMD and with low BMD (osteopenia and osteoporosis). The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity with their respective confidence intervals were determined for DPR and CBCT. For DPR indices, AUC ranged from 52.6 to 75.8%. The mandibular cortical width (MCW) had the highest AUC. For FD, the total trabecular index had the highest sensitivity, while the index anterior to the mental foramen (MF) had the highest specificity. In CBCT, the AUC ranged from 51.8 to 62.0%. The indices with the highest AUC were the molar (M) and anterior (A). The symphysis (S) index had the highest sensitivity and the posterior (P) index had the highest specificity. Sensitivity and specificity were adequate for the computed tomography index (Inferior; CTI [I]). Therefore, MCW, FD of the mandible angle, and total trabecular ROI in DPR and the CTI (I), M, P, and A indices in CBCT proved to be promising tools in distinguishing individuals with low BMD. Cutoff point for these indices could be a useful tool to investigate low BMD in postmenopausal women taking AI.

A Single Bout of Fatiguing Aerobic Exercise Induces Similar Pronounced Immunological Responses in Both Sexes.

Introduction: Physical exercise can acutely and chronically modulate immunological responses. Women and men have different innate and adaptive immune responses, and in this sense, these two groups may also have different acute immunological responses induced by exercise. In addition, it is essential to understand further whether the effects of physical exercise on the immune system responses depend on sex because limited scientific evidence on this topic is available. This information may allow athletes and coaches to improve the training process, mainly to understand if the physiological impact of given training stimuli in women is similar to that in men. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the acute effects of continuous submaximal exercise until fatigue on physiological and immunological parameters in amateur female and male runners. Methods: This study included 18 female and 15 male volunteers. Each participant visited the laboratory on four consecutive days. The first visit consisted of medical history taking and explaining the study design. On the second visit, the participants were subjected to an incremental test to determine their maximal rate of oxygen consumption (VO2max) that was required to prescribe the intensity of the submaximal exercise protocol. On the third visit, the fatiguing exercise protocol was performed at 77%-80% of the VO2max. During this submaximal exercise, the heart rate, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and blood lactate were recorded. Blood samples were collected before, immediately after, and 1 h after the fatiguing protocol to analyze the plasma levels of cytokines and creatine kinase (CK) and to count leukocytes. Finally, on the fourth visit, the participants underwent physical evaluations to measure their body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) imaging. Results: The average ages of the female and male groups were 34.2 ± 3.7 and 30.5 ± 4.3 years old, respectively. The female group ran 57 ± 27 min, while the male group ran 52 ± 15 min before fatiguing. In the female group, when comparing before and after the submaximal exercise, marked increases were observed in the following variables: heart rate (from 68.5 to 180.4 bpm), RPE (from 3.6 to 8.2), lactate (from 2.1 to 4.49 mmol/L), and CK (from 89.5 to 126.3 U/L). In addition, the female group showed an increased number of total leukocytes (from 7222.3 to 11162.9 × 106/µl), neutrophils (from 4,403 to 6,480 × 106/µl), and lymphocytes (from 2,342 ± to 3,562 × 106/µl) from pre- to post-submaximal exercise. In the male group, similar elevations in psychophysiological variables were observed, as evidenced by comparing the heart rate (from 52.8 to 184.1 bpm), RPE (from 0.0 to 8.9), lactate (from 2.7 to 7.2 mmol/L), and CK (from 106.2 to 165 U/L) before and after the submaximal exercise. The male group also showed an augmented number of total leukocytes (from 6,245 to 8,050 × 106/µl), neutrophils (from 3,335 to 4,128 × 106/), and lymphocytes (from 2,191 to 3,212 × 106/µl) when comparing pre- and post-submaximal exercise. There were no differences in the changes between women and men for these parameters. Conclusion: The aerobically fatiguing exercise protocol induced pronounced changes in the heart rate, plasma levels of lactate and CK, total leukocyte count, especially the number of neutrophils and lymphocytes, in both sexes. The fatiguing exercise protocol also changed the plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in the female and male groups. Under the present conditions, the physiological changes induced by fatiguing submaximal exercise, including the immunological changes, were not influenced by sex. This study shows that the same aerobic physical exercise can alter immunological parameters in women and men, and this response is similar between sexes.

Indices in dental image exams for bone mineral density evaluation of aromatase inhibitor users

Abstract We evaluated the accuracy of radiomorphometric indices (RI) and fractal dimension (FD) for screening bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal patients who had breast cancer and were using aromatase inhibitors (AI). The sample consisted of 40 participants. Digital panoramic radiography (DPR) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) were evaluated along with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), which is the gold standard for detecting low BMD. According to the T-scores of DXA, the subjects were assigned into two groups: with normal BMD and with low BMD (osteopenia and osteoporosis). The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity with their respective confidence intervals were determined for DPR and CBCT. For DPR indices, AUC ranged from 52.6 to 75.8%. The mandibular cortical width (MCW) had the highest AUC. For FD, the total trabecular index had the highest sensitivity, while the index anterior to the mental foramen (MF) had the highest specificity. In CBCT, the AUC ranged from 51.8 to 62.0%. The indices with the highest AUC were the molar (M) and anterior (A). The symphysis (S) index had the highest sensitivity and the posterior (P) index had the highest specificity. Sensitivity and specificity were adequate for the computed tomography index (Inferior; CTI [I]). Therefore, MCW, FD of the mandible angle, and total trabecular ROI in DPR and the CTI (I), M, P, and A indices in CBCT proved to be promising tools in distinguishing individuals with low BMD. Cutoff point for these indices could be a useful tool to investigate low BMD in postmenopausal women taking AI.

Trabecular bone score: a useful clinical tool for the evaluation of skeletal health in women of short stature.

PURPOSE: Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) by DXA is underestimated in those with smaller bones and overestimated in those with larger bones. Trabecular bone score (TBS) predicts fracture risk, and is not influenced by bone size. The aim of this study was to evaluate TBS and BMD in women with short stature. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed DXA scans of all women aged 50-90 years with short stature (<144 cm) obtained in a single center, from 2006 to 2016. The comparison group comprised women >161 cm in height, matched for age and LS BMD, selected from the same database. RESULTS: The study population included 342 women. The two groups were similar in age, and aBMD at the LS and total hip. Femoral neck aBMD was lower in cases than in taller women. In contrast, TBS was higher in women with short stature than in their taller counterparts (1.347 ± 0.102 vs. 1.250 ± 0.110; p < 0.001). Bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) and the LS TBS-adjusted BMD T-score were also significantly higher in shorter than in taller women. From the entire cohort, 121 women (67 cases) were osteoporotic by aBMD determinations. Among these subjects, TBS was also greater in cases (1.303 ± 0.103) than in women with standard height (1.190 ± 0.099; p < 0.001). Despite being considered osteoporotic, 36% of short women, but none of the taller ones, had a normal TBS. CONCLUSIONS: TBS can be a useful adjunct to aBMD for assessing bone quality in short women, in whom aBMD measurement tends to read lower, and, thus could overestimate fracture risk.

Best Practices for Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry Measurement and Reporting: International Society for Clinical Densitometry Guidance.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a technology that is widely used to diagnose osteoporosis, assess fracture risk, and monitor changes in bone mineral density (BMD). The clinical utility of DXA is highly dependent on the quality of the scan acquisition, analysis, and interpretation. Clinicians are best equipped to manage patients when BMD measurements are correct and interpretation follows well-established standards. Poor-quality acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of DXA data may mislead referring clinicians, resulting in unnecessary diagnostic evaluations, failure to evaluate when needed, inappropriate treatment, or failure to provide medical treatment, with potentially ineffective, harmful, or costly consequences. Misallocation of limited healthcare resources and poor treatment decisions can be minimized, and patient care optimized, through meticulous attention to DXA instrument calibration, data acquisition and analysis, interpretation, and reporting. This document from the International Society for Clinical Densitometry describes quality standards for BMD testing at DXA facilities worldwide to provide guidance for DXA supervisors, technologists, interpreters, and clinicians. High-quality DXA testing is necessary for correct diagnostic classification and optimal fracture risk assessment, and is essential for BMD monitoring.

[FRAX: building an idea to Brazil]. / FRAX: construindo uma ideia para o Brasil.

Genetic and racial background, body composition, bone mineral density (BMD), diet, physical activity and life style help to explain the wide difference observed in the world prevalence and incidence of osteoporosis. Recently, a fracture assessment tool, named FRAX TM, was developed to integrate clinical risk factors (genetic and environmental conditions) and BMD, in order to quantify the ten-year probability of an osteoporotic fracture. Shortly, it will be used to indicate treatment for high risk patients. However, this tool is now available only to those populations with known reliable and prospective epidemiologic data of the osteoporotic fractures - fact that does not include the Brazilian population. The aim of this paper was to review the main national and international epidemiologic studies to better understand the differences between the clinical risk factors, BMD and fracture probability of these populations. The authors concluded that, to use the FRAX TM tool, it is necessary more epidemiological data that could characterize the Brazilian population. The future studies should be prospective, evaluate the quality of life, mortality and morbidity after a fracture, as well the life expectancy of the population and the cost-effectiveness and utility related to the osteoporotic fracture. In fact, it is not recommended to use any of the populations available in the FRAX TM tool, as a substitute for the Brazilian population.

FRAX TM: construindo uma ideia para o Brasil / FRAX TM: building an idea to Brazil

Diferenças genéticas, raciais e antropométricas, bem como da composição corporal, densidade óssea, dieta, atividade física e outros hábitos de vida, contribuem para explicar as divergências na incidência e prevalência de baixa densidade óssea e fraturas em diversos países do mundo. Recentemente, foi desenvolvida uma ferramenta, denominada FRAX TM, para aglutinar os fatores clínicos de risco (genéticos e ambientais) e a densidade óssea, a fim de quantificar a probabilidade de fratura osteoporótica nos próximos dez anos. Em breve, ela será utilizada para indicação de tratamento em pacientes de risco. No entanto, atualmente, está disponível somente para uso em algumas populações que possuem banco de dados prospectivos e consistentes - o que não inclui o Brasil. Este estudo teve o objetivo de fazer uma revisão dos estudos epidemiológicos nacionais e internacionais para melhor compreender peculiaridades e diferenças de fatores clínicos de risco, densidade óssea e probabilidade de fratura entre essas populações. Os autores concluíram que se faz necessária a obtenção de mais dados epidemiológicos representativos da população brasileira para utilização da ferramenta FRAX TM. Para isso, os estudos brasileiros deverão possuir características adequadas, como o delineamento prospectivo, avaliação da qualidade de vida, mortalidade e incapacidade física após as fraturas, levando em consideração a expectativa de vida da população brasileira e a análise de custos diretos e indiretos relacionados às fraturas por osteoporose. À luz do conhecimento atual, a utilização de qualquer um dos bancos de dados das populações, disponibilizadas pelo FRAX TM, não é recomendada no Brasil.

Genetic and racial background, body composition, bone mineral density (BMD), diet, physical activity and life style help to explain the wide difference observed in the world prevalence and incidence of osteoporosis. Recently, a fracture assessment tool, named FRAX TM, was developed to integrate clinical risk factors (genetic and environmental conditions) and BMD, in order to quantify the ten-year probability of an osteoporotic fracture. Shortly, it will be used to indicate treatment for high risk patients. However, this tool is now available only to those populations with known reliable and prospective epidemiologic data of the osteoporotic fractures - fact that does not include the Brazilian population. The aim of this paper was to review the main national and international epidemiologic studies to better understand the differences between the clinical risk factors, BMD and fracture probability of these populations. The authors concluded that, to use the FRAX TM tool, it is necessary more epidemiological data that could characterize the Brazilian population. The future studies should be prospective, evaluate the quality of life, mortality and morbidity after a fracture, as well the life expectancy of the population and the cost-effectiveness and utility related to the osteoporotic fracture. In fact, it is not recommended to use any of the populations available in the FRAX TM tool, as a substitute for the Brazilian population.

[2008 official positions of the Brazilian Society for Clinical Densitometry--SBDens]. / Posições oficiais 2008 da Sociedade Brasileira de Densitometria Clínica (SBDens).

With the evolution of bone densitometry, differences in technologies, acquisition techniques, reference databases, reporting methods, diagnostic criteria and terminology have developed and the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) periodically holds Position Development Conferences, the latest in 2007. The Brazilian Society for Clinical Densitometry (SBDens), with support from many Brazilian societies interested in bone health, gathered numerous specialists to discuss the ISCD proposals and to evaluate the validity of the extension of those norms to Brazilian population. The SBDens reunion of consensus made a very useful document to help the understanding and interpretation of bone densitometry and other methods of bone assessment.

Posições oficiais 2008 da Sociedade Brasileira de Densitometria Clínica (SBDens) / 2008 official positions of the Brazilian Society for Clinical Densitometry - SBDens

A evolução dos métodos de avaliação da massa óssea trouxe diferentes tecnologias, modos de aquisição de imagens, bancos de dados de referência, terminologias, critérios diagnósticos fez com que a International Society for Bone Densitometry (ISCD) tomasse a iniciativa de promover reuniões periódicas de consenso, a última em 2007. A Sociedade Brasileira de Densitometria Clínica (SBDens), com apoio de várias sociedades brasileiras ligadas ao estudo da saúde óssea, reuniu diversos especialistas para discutir as propostas da ISCD e validar a aplicação destas normas à população brasileira. A reunião de Posições Oficiais da SBDens produziu um documento extremamente útil para a compreensão e interpretação da densitometria e de outros métodos de avaliação da massa óssea.

With the evolution of bone densitometry, differences in technologies, acquisition techniques, reference databases, reporting methods, diagnostic criteria and terminology have developed and the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) periodically holds Position Development Conferences, the latest in 2007. The Brazilian Society for Clinical Densitometry (SBDens), with support from many Brazilian societies interested in bone health, gathered numerous specialists to discuss the ISCD proposals and to evaluate the validity of the extension of those norms to Brazilian population. The SBDens reunion of consensus made a very utile document to help the understanding and interpretation of bone densitometry and other methods of bone assessment.

[Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its correlation with PTH, biochemical bone turnover markers and bone mineral density, among patients from ambulatories]. / Prevalência de deficiência e insuficiência de vitamina D e sua correlação com PTH, marcadores de remodelação óssea e densidade mineral óssea, em pacientes ambulatoriais.

Consequences of VD deficiency include rickets and osteomalacia. However, marginal concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)VD) are associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism and osteoporosis. In this context, levels of 25(OH)VD capable to elevate parathyroid hormone (PTH) could be considered as insufficient. The VD insufficiency, although widely prevalent, is still under-recognized and under-treated. The authors have studied 180 patients followed in a endocrinology clinic in Belo Horizonte, who had 25(OH)VD measured, correlating it with PTH, biochemical bone turnover markers and bone mineral density. To determine the sufficiency of VD, 25(OH)VD was correlated with PTH and the cutoff found was of 32ng/ml. CTX-1 and PTH were significantly negative correlated to 25(OH)VD and the prevalence of VD insufficiency was 42%. One concludes that the VD insufficiency is widely prevalent among patients who frequently come to our offices, alerting us for the importance to assess VD status more often and to practice politics for prevention of VD insufficiency.

Prevalência de deficiência e insuficiência de vitamina D e sua correlação com PTH, marcadores de remodelação óssea e densidade mineral óssea, em pacientes ambulatoriais / Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its correlation with PTH, biochemical bone turnover markers and bone mineral density, among patients from ambulatories

A deficiência de vitamina D (VD) leva ao raquitismo e à osteomalacia e sua insuficiência, caracterizada pelo hiperparatireoidismo secundário, pode resultar osteoporose. Apesar de amplamente prevalente, a insuficiência de VD ainda é pouco reconhecida e subtratada. Os autores estudaram 180 pacientes atendidos em ambulatório de endocrinologia em Belo Horizonte, que tiveram os níveis de 25(OH)VD mensurados, correlacionando-os com paratormônio (PTH), marcadores de remodelação óssea e densidade mineral óssea. Para caracterização de níveis insuficientes de VD, foram correlacionados os níveis de 25(OH)VD com os de PTH, definindo-se, nesta série, ponto de corte de 25(OH)VD de 32 ng/ml. Foi encontrada correlação inversa e significativa entre 25(OH)VD e PTH e entre 25(OH)VD e C-telopeptídeo. A prevalência de insuficiência de VD na população estudada foi de 42,4 por cento. Conclui-se que a insuficiência de VD tem alta prevalência entre pacientes que freqüentam nossos consultórios, alertando para a importância da sua investigação na prática clínica e na instituição de políticas para sua prevenção.

Consequences of VD deficiency include rickets and osteomalacia. However, marginal concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)VD) are associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism and osteoporosis. In this context, levels of 25(OH)VD capable to elevate parathyroid hormone (PTH) could be considered as insufficient. The VD insufficiency, although widely prevalent, is still under-recognized and under-treated. The authors have studied 180 patients followed in a endocrinology clinic in Belo Horizonte, who had 25(OH)VD measured, correlating it with PTH, biochemical bone turnover markers and bone mineral density. To determine the sufficiency of VD, 25(OH)VD was correlated with PTH and the cutoff found was of 32ng/ml. CTX-1 and PTH were significantly negative correlated to 25(OH)VD and the prevalence of VD insufficiency was 42 percent. One concludes that the VD insufficiency is widely prevalent among patients who frequently come to our offices, alerting us for the importance to assess VD status more often and to practice politics for prevention of VD insufficiency.

Gestaçäo de substituiçäo / Surrogate mother

O presente estudo faz uma análise dos principais aspectos da gestaçÝo de substituiçÝo e relata o primeiro caso inserido no programa de DoaçÝo Temporária de ùtero do FERTIMATER - Unidade de ReproduçÝo Humana do Hospital Mater Dei. Os autores destacam aspectos relacionados às indicaçSes, escolha dos casais envolvidos, técnica e discutem a atual posiçÝo ética e legal para o precedimento. Concluem que a doaçÝo temporária de útero representa uma alternativa real, e já disponível em nosso estado, para que pacientes se útero funcional atinjam a maternidade

Programa de doaçäo de oócitos na Unidade de Reproduçäo Humana do Hospital Mater DEI: Fertimater / Oocyte donation program at the Hospital Mater Dei Human Reproduction Unit: Fertimater

O programa de doaçäo de oócitos do Fertimater foi implantado em 1994 com a finalidade de beneficiar casais inférteis com fator feminino. As pacientes com funçäo ovariana insuficiente, anormalidades genéticas e insucessos repetidos de FIV clássica constituem as principais indicaçöes para a doaçäo de oócitos. As pacientes doadoras foram submetidas a um protocolo de FIV, incluindo rastreamento para doenças infecciosas. As receptoras foram submetidas a um protocolo especial que consistia no preenchimento de consentimento informada, de uma avaliaçäo psicológica especializada, anamnese, exame físico e exames complementares (incluido HIV, HbsAg, VDRL e Machado-Guerreiro). Os ciclos menstruais das doadoras e receptoras foram sincronizados de acordo com a necessidade através de análogo de GnRH (acetado de Goserelina). Os oócitos foram obtidos a partir de pacientes que se submeteram a fertilizaçäo in-vitro e doaram seus óvulos excedentes ou entäo, através de doaçäo cruzada, sempre mantendo o caráter näo comercial e anônimo. Os óvulos foram inseminados com os gametas do parceiro da receptora e transferidos após 48 horas, no estágio de duas a quatro células. Um número máximo de quatro embriöes foram transferidos para o útero das receptoras e uma dosagem de ß-HCG sérico foi realizada após 12 dias para o diagnóstico de gravidez

Doaçäo cruzada de oócitos: relato de caso / Oocyte crossing donation: case report

Os autores relatam um caso de doaçäo de oócitos, programa implantado no Fertimater - Unidade de Reproduçäo Humana do Hospital Mater Dei - como alternativa para obtençäo de oócitos mantendo o caratér näo comercial e anônimo do ato. Dois casais inférteis, na mesma situaçäo clínica, trazem cada um uma doadora sendo os oócitos cruzados posteriormente. O casal A traz uma doadora de parentesco de primeiro grau cujos oócitos obtidos seräo usados no casal B, que por sua vez também traz uma doadora sendo seus oócitos utilizados pelo casal A

Princípios básicos e aplicaçöes da dopplerfluxometria em ginecologia e obstetrícia / Applications od dopplerfluxometry in gynecology and obstetrics

Os autores elaboram uma atualizaçäo sobre a dopplerfluxometria em ginecologia e obstetrícia. O artigo apresenta histórico, bases físicas, tipos de dopller utilizados, análise do sinal, curvas e índices dopplerfluxométricos, padöes de normalidade nas diferentes fases da vida reprodutiva da mulher e relaciona as principais indicaçöes desses recursos diagnóstico em ginecologia e obstetrícia

Estudo da vascularizaçåo ovariana através da dopplerfluxometria transvaginal colorida (DTC) / Study of ovarian vascularity using the transvaginal color dopplerflow (DTC)

Os autores apresentam a importância do Doppler Transvaginal (DTC) em fertilizaçåo "in vitro" e na avaliaçåo de massas ovarianas. Revisando a literatura, demonstraram que através do estudo da vascularizaçåo ovariana, a viabilidade folicular pode ser inferida e o momento mais adequado para ser proceder a fertilizaçåo, determinado. Para a avaliaçåo de massas ovarianas e determinaçåo de benignidade e/ou malignidade, a aplicaçåo do DTC baseia-se no fenômeno de neovascularizaçåo que acompanha a carcinogênese. A análise semiquantitativa e qualitativa das curvas de doppler tem se mostrado mais adequada nestes casos. Concluem que o método é capaz de aperfeiçoar o estudo da endocrinologia da reproduçåo e auxiliar no diagnóstico das massas tumorais ovarianas