Accessory cavitated uterine mass: MRI features and surgical correlations of a rare but under-recognised entity.

OBJECTIVES: To describe MRI features of accessory cavitated uterine mass (ACUM) with surgical correlations. METHODS: Eleven young women with an ACUM at pathology underwent preoperative pelvic MRI. Two experienced radiologists retrospectively analysed MR images in consensus to determine the lesion location within the uterus, its size, morphology (shape and boundaries), and structure reporting the signal and enhancement of its different parts compared to myometrium. The presence of an associated urogenital malformation or other gynaecological anomaly was reported. MRI features were correlated with surgical findings. RESULTS: All 11 lesions were well correlated with surgical findings, lateralised (seven were left-sided), and located under the horn and the round ligament insertion. Nine were located within the external myometrium, bulging into the broad ligament. Two were extrauterine, entirely located within the broad ligament. On MRI, the mean size was 28 mm (range 17-60 mm). Nine lesions were round-shaped, two were oval; all had regular boundaries. At surgery, the ACUM were not encapsulated but were possible to enucleate. On MRI, all lesions were well defined and showed a central haemorrhagic cavity surrounded by a regular ring (mean thickness, 5 mm) which had the same signal compared to the junctional zone. ACUM was isolated in all women, without urogenital malformation, adenomyosis or deep endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS: On MRI, ACUM was an isolated round accessory cavitated functional non-communicating horn-like aspect in an otherwise normal uterus. MRI may facilitate timely diagnosis and appropriate curative fertility-sparing laparoscopic resection. KEY POINTS: • ACUM is rare, with delayed diagnosis in young women with severe dysmenorrhoea. Pelvic MRI facilitates timely diagnosis and appropriate curative fertility-sparing laparoscopic resection. • Quasi-systematically located under the uterine round ligament insertion, ACUM may be intramyometrial and/or in the broad ligament. • On MRI ACUM resemble a non-communicating functional accessory horn within a normal uterus; the mass, most often round-shaped, had a central haemorrhagic cavity surrounded by a regular ring which had the same low signal compared to the uterine junctional zone.

Laparoscopic hysterectomy after concurrent radiochemotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer compared to laparotomy: A multi institutional prospective pilot study of cost, surgical outcome and quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopy allows hysterectomies after chemoradiation to be performed without opening the abdominal wall. We measured the costs and quality of life for locally advanced cervical cancer patients operated on via laparoscopy compared to laparotomy. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted an observational prospective multicenter study on locally advanced cervical cancer patients undergoing an extrafascial hysterectomy after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT). We assessed the costs from the medical visit before surgery up to the first month after surgery from the providers' perspective and measured the quality of life using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CX24 up to six months. RESULTS: Sixty two patients (39 laparoscopy and 23 laparotomy) from December 2008 to November 2011 were included. There was no difference in operative time, or intraoperative and post-operative complication rates between the two groups. Intraoperative transfusion and abdominal drain were significantly lower in the laparoscopy group (respectively, p = 0.04 and p < 0.01), as well as the duration of hospital stay (7.3 d vs. 5.7 d, p < 0.001). All patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy were discharged to home, whereas 4 laparotomy patients used convalescence homes (p = 0.01). Mean costs at one month were €10,991 for laparotomy and €11,267 for laparoscopy (p = 0.76). Sexual activity is better for the laparoscopy group at six months (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy for an extrafascial hysterectomy after CRT in locally advanced cervical cancer patients brought better quality of life with similar costs compared to laparotomy, and should therefore be the first choice for surgeons.

[Lactational breast abscesses: Do we still need surgery?]. / Abcès du sein lactant : et si on ne les opérait plus ?

AIM: To show the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided puncture in the treatment of lactational breast abscess and identify its risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study at the CHU of Lyon-Sud from December 2007 to December 2013, including patients with lactational breast abscess confirmed on ultrasound and treated with antibiotics and analgesics. Realisation of ultrasound-guided needle under local anesthesia by the radiologist and washing the cavity with physiological serum. RESULTS: Forty patients had lactational abscesses at an average of 10 weeks post-partum. Thirty-four patients were treated by needle aspiration, of which 2 had first surgical drainage. The average size of the abscess was 41.2mm. The success rate of needle aspiration was 91.2%. No cases of recurrence were observed, however, there were 5 fistulisations. In all, 91.2% were treated on an outpatient basis. In 87.8% of cases, breastfeeding was continued on the healthy side and in 48.5% of cases on the affected side. The major risk factor for abscess was mastitis in 91.1% of cases. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound guidance of needle aspiration should be gold standard for the treatment of lactational breast abscesses to continue breastfeeding including the affected side.

[Laparoscopic promontofixation: defining early morbidity using a standardized method]. / Promontofixation par cœlioscopie : évaluation de la morbidité précoce par une méthode standardisée.

OBJECTIVE: Adverse event reporting for laparoscopic promontofixation is highly variable and non-standardized in the literature. The aim of this study was to better characterize early postoperative complications of laparoscopic promontofixation for genital prolapse using a standardized reporting methodology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 174 women with genital prolapse undergoing laparoscopic promontofixation from January 2008 to January 2013. Complications arising during the first month after surgery were reviewed according to the Clavien and Dindo classification. RESULTS: At least one postoperative adverse event was reported in 57 out of 174 (33 %) women, grade 1 in 22 patients (13 %), grade 2 in 31 patients (18 %) and grade 3 in 4 patients (2 %). No patient experienced a grade 4 or 5 complication. Fifty-three out of 57 (93 %) complications were grade 1 or 2. The most frequently reported adverse event (n=24; 14 %) was constipation (grade 2). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic promontofixation is a safe procedure with almost exclusively benign (grade 1 or 2) early complications. The hypothesis of induction or increasing constipation by this type of genital prolapse surgery should be further evaluated.

[Hysteroscopic septoplasty: after miscarriages?]. / Faut-il attendre les accidents obstétricaux pour sectionner les cloisons utérines ?

OBJECTIVE: To assess reproductive outcome of women affected by septate uterus after surgical correction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It is a retrospective study. The setting is a French university hospital. Surgery was performed on 66 patients between 2000 and 2010. Hysteroscopic metroplasty was performed in every group once the diagnosis was made. There were two groups: 35 patients affected by septate uterus had past history of miscarriages, preterm and term deliveries. Thirty-six patients had never been pregnant. RESULTS: In the group of 35 patients with a previous obstetric history, the rate of miscarriages was 57.1% before surgery and 10% after surgery. There was a significant gain of live birth ratio of 55% among women being pregnant after surgery compared to women being pregnant before surgery. For patients with no pregnancy before surgery, obstetrical results are the following ones: miscarriages 25.9%, preterm deliveries 11% and term deliveries 59.3%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic septoplasty is an easy technique with few complications in our study. Hysteroscopic septoplasty is strongly recommended after recurrent miscarriages or premature deliveries. We use to propose surgery to every patient affected by septate uterus, even if they have never been pregnant.

Ultrasonography and MRI features of the Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome.

Although Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome is a rare condition with a reported incidence of 1/4500 female live births, it represents the second most common cause of primary amenorrhea and has psychologically devastating consequences. The radiologist plays a pivotal role in both making the accurate initial diagnosis of this condition and assessing findings that may contribute to treatment planning. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the capabilities of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis and management of this syndrome with emphasis on the relevant clinical and surgical findings and to describe potential associated abnormalities and differential diagnosis.

Risk of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia after hCG normalisation according to hydatidiform mole type.

OBJECTIVE: The risk of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) after a hydatidiform mole (HM) is well known. However, the risk of GTN after normalisation of hCG in HM is poorly reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of GTN after normalisation of hCG according to HM types. METHODS: This prospective cohort study carried out between 2000 and 2010 used the database of the French Trophoblastic Disease Centre (FTDC). A total of 2008 registered patients with ascertained types of HM were analysed. Cases of GTN occurring after normalisation of hCG were analysed. RESULTS: A GTN developed in 239 out of 1980 HMs (12.1%) and 6 out of these 239 post-molar GTN (2.5%) were diagnosed after normalisation of hCG. The risk of GTN after normalisation of hCG was 0.34% (6/1747) following a HM, 0% (0/593) after a partial HM (PHM), 0.36% (4/1122) after a complete HM (CHM), and 9.5% (2/21) after a multiple pregnancy with HM. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of post-molar GTN justifies hCG monitoring in all women with HM. However, after normalisation of hCG, monitoring of PHM can be stopped safely while it should be maintained for CHM and more importantly for multiple pregnancies with HM.

[Female sexuality after surgical treatment of symptomatic deep pelvic endometriosis]. / Sexualité féminine après chirurgie pour endométriose pelvienne profonde.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the impact on sexuality of the surgical treatment in patients with symptomatic deep pelvic endometriosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The design is a single-center cohort prospective study including all patients with symptomatic pelvic endometriosis and regular sexual activity who underwent surgery between October 2009 and September 2010. Sexual function was evaluated by the "Brief Index of Sexual Functioning for Women" (BISF-W) questionnaire translated and validated in French, including a global evaluation by the Composite Score (CS). Pain symptoms related to endometriosis were evaluated by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the simple Verbal Rating Scale (VRS). Questionnaires were answered before surgery. A standardized mid and long-term postoperative follow-up was performed to compare sexuality and pain symptoms. RESULTS: Twenty women were included in the study. Mean follow-up was 23.3 months. When compared to a French reference population, global preoperative sexual function was significatively deteriorated (CS=14.3±10.8 vs 32.2±12.6; P<0.001), especially for arousal, frequency of sexual activity, pleasure and orgasm. Significant improvements in sex life were observed after surgery at the long-term follow-up (CS=33.0±11.7 vs 14.3±10.8; P=0.02). and sexual function was similar to the reference population (CS=33.0±11.7 vs 32.2±12.6; P=0.806). At the mid-follow-up, a significant improvement in the intensity of dysmenorrhoea, non-cyclic pelvic pain, dyspareunia and bowel symptoms were observed on the VAS. At the long-term follow-up, dysmenorrhoea and dyspareunia were significatively ameliorated. Pelvic pain recurrence related to endometriosis was 13.3%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Surgical management of deep pelvic endometriosis in symptomatic patients improves sexual life at the long term follow-up. Deep dyspareunia pain decreases significantly, although other conditions are involved in the improvement of sexual function.

[Living birth after partial hysterectomy for chemorefractory gestational choriocarcinoma]. / Naissance vivante après hystérectomie partielle pour choriocarcinome gestationnel chimiorésistant.

Chemotherapy is the reference treatment for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. In case of chemoresistance, hysterectomy has to be considered even in women wishing to conceive. A 31-year-old nulliparous patient presented a recurrent invasive mole, despite two regimens of chemotherapy. She underwent a partial uterine resection of an intramyometrial choriocarcinoma followed by a third-line regimen. Two years later she gave birth by cesarean section at 32 weeks of amenorrhea to a healthy child after a spontaneous pregnancy. In order to preserve patient's fertility, conservative uterine surgery is an alternative to hysterectomy for selected chemoresistant gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

[Unilateral adrenal ischemia during third trimester of pregnancy: about two cases]. / Ischémie aiguë unilatérale de la glande surrénale en cours du 3e trimestre de grossess: à propos de deux cas.

Unilateral adrenal ischemia by venous thrombosis during pregnancy is an extremely rare event. We report the case of two women, in their third trimester who presented intense abdominal pain located on their right flank. Obstetric and clinical examination are normal, so as are the biological check-up and hepatic and renal imaging. The thoraco-abdominal CAT scan shows the right adrenal necrosis associated with the vein thrombosis. A C-section was decided to allow administration of appropriate treatment: analgesics and anticoagulants. Clinical evolution was rapidly favorable. Protein S deficiency was diagnosed in one of the patients. The follow-up CAT scan shows the vein re-permeabilisation and disappearing of necrosis signs.

[Hysteroscopic myomectomy using bipolar energy: a gold standard?]. / Myomectomie hystéroscopique utilisant l'énergie bipolaire: vers un "gold standard"?

In recent years, hysteroscopic resection has become the treatment of choice for submucous fibroids. Technological advances enabled the use of bipolar resectoscopes, in the same way as new bipolar instruments used in laparoscopy or open surgery. Bipolar systems would be expected to eliminate the risks of hyponatremia and electrical burns. In evaluation studies, bipolar energy used in operative hysteroscopy is as effective in comparison with the unipolar system. However, no clinical study has yet shown increased reliability of bipolar resection to consider their use as a gold standard. Outpatient operative hysteroscopy is now developing rapidly with the introduction of bipolar energy and small-diameter endoscopes. Although the financial impact is unknown, It allows time saving with maximal safety, avoiding cervical dilatation and anesthetic procedures.

Features of pigmented vulval lesions on dermoscopy.

BACKGROUND: The dermoscopic criteria for benign and malignant lesions on the vulva are not well established due to the lack of large series of such lesions. Melanoma should always be included in the differential diagnosis of pigmented lesions on the vulva especially when they are wide, or of recent onset. Elsewhere on the skin dermoscopy plays an important role in the selection of suspicious pigmented lesions, as well as in the selection of the best site to perform the biopsy. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the dermoscopic patterns observed in pigmented lesions of the vulva. METHODS: We analysed a nonselected consecutive series of 68 histopathologically proven cases comprising five melanomas, 16 naevi, 20 lentigos, 12 benign vulval melanoses, 11 cases of postinflammatory pigmentation, three pigmented cases of usual vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) and one seborrhoeic keratosis seen at our institution. The dermoscope was covered by translucent disposable food wrap and/or antibacterial gel to prevent possible transmission of infections. Descriptive statistics were performed using multiple correspondence analysis. RESULTS: The parallel (37%), ring-like (9%), homogeneous (22%), globular-like (13%) and reticular-like (6%) patterns were observed on benign lesions (naevi, lentigo, vulval melanosis and postinflammatory pigmentation). The cerebriform pattern (6%) was observed only on VIN and seborrhoeic keratosis. The multicomponent pattern (6%) was associated with melanoma (60%). In cases of melanoma we also occasionally observed an irregular pattern, a whitish or blue-whitish veil, irregularly distributed dots and globules and atypical vascular pattern. Using multiple correspondence analysis, we designed a new algorithm for the early detection of vulval melanomas. CONCLUSIONS: Dermoscopy can play a role in the noninvasive classification of vulval melanosis. However, further studies of larger collaborative series are needed to validate our vulval melanoma diagnostic algorithm. VIN and seborrhoeic keratosis share the same dermoscopic features and biopsy should be considered for seborrhoeic-like keratosis. In case of doubt pathological examination of a biopsy remains mandatory.

[Review: Repetitive hydatidiform moles]. / Review : les môles hydatiformes à répétition.

Repetitive moles are rare. They are either sporadic or familial, with or without consanguinity. Some of them can be explained by a NLRP7 mutation, which causes genomic parental imprinting alteration, with a preferential paternal phenotypic expression. Currently, no effective therapeutic solution has been developed. Among the 1687 patients declared to the French Trophoblastic Disease Reference Center, 13 presented at least two hydatidiform moles, thus less than 1% of the patients. A mutation of the NLRP7 gene was shown in six of 12 tested patients (50%) among whom three presented a homozygous mutation and three a heterozygous mutation. For an affected patient, type of mole can indifferently be a complete hydatidiform mole or a partial hydatidiform mole. We describe these cases and compare them to those already published.

Predictive values of hCG clearance for risk of methotrexate resistance in low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasias.

BACKGROUND: Early identification of patients at high risk for chemoresistance among those treated with methotrexate (MTX) for low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is needed. We modeled human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) decline during MTX therapy using a kinetic population approach to calculate individual hCG clearance (CL(hCG)) and assessed the predictive value of CL(hCG) for MTX resistance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 154 patients with low-risk GTN treated with 8-day MTX regimen were retrospectively studied. NONMEM was used to model hCG decrease equations between day 0 and day 40 of chemotherapy. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis defined the best CL(hCG) threshold. Univariate/multivariate survival analyses determined the predictive value of CL(hCG) and compared it with published predictive factors. RESULTS: A monoexponential equation best modeled hCG decrease: hCG(t) = 3900 x e(-0.149 x t). Median CL(hCG) was 0.57 l/day (quartiles: 0.37-0.74). Only choriocarcinoma pathology [yes versus no: hazard ratio (HR) = 6.01; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2-16.6; P < 0.001] and unfavorable CL(hCG) quartile (< or =0.37 versus >0.37 l/day: HR = 6.75; 95% CI 2.7-16.8; P < 0.001) were significant independent predictive factors of MTX resistance risk. CONCLUSION: In the second largest cohort of low-risk GTN patients reported to date, choriocarcinoma pathology and CL(hCG) < or =0.37 l/day were major independent predictive factors for MTX resistance risk.

[Adrenal vein thrombosis during pregnancy]. / Thrombose veineuse surrénalienne en cours de grossesse.

Pregnancy represents an inner transitional prothrombotic state; that is why other coagulation abnormalities may be revealed during this time. Factor V Leiden mutation is the most frequent inherited thrombophilia in the general population. We report the case of a patient by whom this mutation has been revealed during pregnancy by an adrenal vein thrombosis. Through this case, we will review the physiopathology of resistance to activated protein C and its consequences.