Clinical analysis of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) combined with hysteroscopy-guided suction curettage (HGSC) in patients with cervical pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) combined with hysteroscopy-guided suction curettage (HGSC) in treating cervical pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study. Seven patients with cervical pregnancy who visited the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2015 to December 2020 were enrolled in the current study. All seven patients were treated with HIFU under conscious sedation. All of them underwent HGSC at an average of 2 ± 1 days (range: 1-3 days) after HIFU. Before the therapy, the patient's clinical characteristics were collected, including duration of amenorrhea, gravidity and parity, the patient history of cesarean section and miscarriage, and the size of the gestational sac. The levels of ß-hCG and hemoglobin in serum were also reviewed. To assess the clinical outcomes of this combined treatment, the suction time of HGSC, bleeding volume, the clearance time of ß-hCG, and the time with returning of menstruation were evaluated. RESULTS: All seven patients (average age: 31 ± 6 years) have experienced amenorrhea (duration range, 48 ± 8 days) before the treatment of HIFU. The average number of pregnancies was four, and the number of deliveries was one. Previous medical history showed six patients had cesarean sections, and five patients have been miscarriages. After HIFU treatment, the fetal heartbeats were stopped in all seven patients based on the diagnosis by doppler ultrasound. The bleeding of gestational tissue decreased significantly. All patients had only mild lower abdominal pain, no fever, intestinal damage, or other complications were reported. The average operation time of operative suction curettage was 21 ± 9 min (range: 9-32 min), and the median bleeding volume was 10 ± 8 mL (range: 2-20 mL). Follow-up observations showed that the menstruations were returned in patients at an average of 38 ± 9 days (range: 30-50 days) after the treatment. The ß-hCG decreased from 41773 ± 32242 mIU/mL to 13101 ± 8454 mIU/mL in 29 ± 10 days after surgery. CONCLUSION: Based on these results with small subjects, we concluded that HIFU combined with HGSC might be an effective and safe treatment for patients with cervical pregnancy.

Comparison of ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation and hysteroscopic myomectomy for submucosal fibroids: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety, reintervention and pregnancy outcomes between ultrasound-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) and hysteroscopic myomectomy (HM) for submucosal fibroids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 215 patients with a solitary submucosal fibroid treated by USgHIFU or HM at the third Xiangya Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, 58 treated with USgHIFU, 157 treated with HM. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in size, location and type of the fibroids, effective rate, and cumulative reintervention rate between the two groups (p < .05). The size of the fibroids was 57.9 ± 1.9 mm in the USgHIFU group, while it was 32.6 ± 1.2 mm in the HM group. The number of the fibroids at horn or fundus/uterine cavity was 16/42 in the USgHIFU group, while it was 21/136 in the HM group. The number of type I/II/2-5 was 16/17/25 in the USgHIFU group, while it was 133/24/0 in the HM group. In the USgHIFU group, the effective rate was 100% and the cumulative reintervention rate at 50 (17-97) months was 19.0%, while in the HM group, it was 94.3% and 7.6%, respectively. During the follow-up period, the pregnancy rate was 22.4% (13/58) and the reintervention rate due to invalid and recurrence was 15.5% (9/58) in the USgHIFU group, while they were 18.5% (29/157) and 7.0% (11/157) in the HM group. No significant difference was observed between the two groups (p > .05). Furthermore, the reintervention rate was positively correlated with age, treatment methods and parity and fertility requirements. No other significant difference was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both USgHIFU and HM are safe and effective in treating submucosal fibroids. Compared with the HM group, the USgHIFU group had lower postoperative complications, but higher reintervention rate, with similar recurrence rate, pregnancy rate and reintervention rate due to invalid and recurrence. Reintervention was related to age, treatment methods, parity and fertility requirements.

High-intensity focused ultrasound in the management of adenomyosis: long-term results from a single center.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term clinical outcomes of patients with adenomyosis treated by high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2012 to January 2020, 2311 patients with adenomyosis were treated with HIFU at our center, 1982 patients who have complete clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. Among the patients who completed the follow-up, 485 were treated with HIFU alone, 289 were treated with HIFU followed by GnRH-a, 255 were treated with HIFU combined with Mirena and 594 were treated with HIFU combined with GnRH-a and Mirena. The dysmenorrhea severity pain score and average menorrhagia severity score before and at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years and 5 years after HIFU were compared. The adverse effects were recorded. In addition, the efficacy between patients treated with GnRH-a and/or Mirena were compared. RESULTS: After HIFU ablation, the dysmenorrhea severity pain score and the menorrhagia severity score were significantly decreased at each follow-up time point. However, it was observed that as the follow-up time increased, the effective rate of HIFU treatment in improving dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia decreased. The 6 months and 3 years follow-up results showed that the efficacy of HIFU combined with Mirena and HIFU combined with GnRH-a and Mirena were significantly higher than HIFU alone and HIFU combined with GnRH-a (p < 0.05). The major complications were rare. CONCLUSION: HIFU is a safe and effective treatment for patients with adenomyosis. HIFU combined with Mirena or HIFU combined with GnRH-a and Mirena can significantly enhance the long-term treatment results.

Long-term follow-up outcome and reintervention analysis of ultrasound-guided high intensity focused ultrasound treatment for uterine fibroids.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term reintervention of ultrasound-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) treatment for uterine fibroids and analyze the factors affecting reintervention rate after USgHIFU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred and eight-one patients with uterine fibroids treated by USgHIFU at the third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from April 2012 to December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. The factors that affect the reintervention rate were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 70.0 ± 9.0 months. During the follow-up period, 86.4% (329/381) of the patients reported symptomatic relief and the fibroids shrank after USgHIFU treatment. Seventy-nine patients received reintervention included myomectomy, a second session of HIFU, and hysterectomy. The overall reintervention rate was 20.7% (79/381). The reasons for reintervention included symptomatic recurrence in 50 (50/79, 63.3%) patients, psychological factors in 14 (14/79, 17.7%) patients, fertility requirement in three (3/79, 3.8%) patients, suspected uterine sarcoma in two (2/79, 2.5%) patients and others in 10 (10/79, 12.7%) patients. The reintervention rate has significant correlation with some factors including age, size, type and the signal intensity on T2 weighted image (T2WI) of the uterine fibroids. CONCLUSION: USgHIFU for uterine fibroids is effective due to low reintervention rate in a long-term follow-up.

A comparison of high-intensity focused ultrasound and uterine artery embolisation for the management of caesarean scar pregnancy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyse the clinical data of 122 patients with caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) treated in our hospital, to compare the outcomes between high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and uterine artery embolisation (UAE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the 122 patients, 76 patients were treated with HIFU followed by suction curettage under hysteroscopic guidance, 46 patients were treated with UAE followed by suction curettage under hysteroscopic guidance. Pain score, intraoperative blood loss in suction curettage under hysteroscopy guidance, time for vaginal bleeding, ß-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) to return to normal level, normal menstruation recovery, hospital stay, and the adverse effects were all compared. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences between the two groups in the intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, time for ß-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) to return to normal level, or time for normal menstruation recovery were observed. The pain score was lower and the adverse effects were fewer in the HIFU group than those in the UAE group. However, the time for vaginal bleeding was longer in the patients treated with HIFU than that of patients treated with UAE. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, it appears that either HIFU or UAE combined with suction curettage under hysteroscopic guidance is safe and effective in treating patients with CSP. Compared with UAE, HIFU treatment for CSP has the advantages of a lower pain score and fewer adverse effects.

[Effects of methylseleninic acid on cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells (SKOV3/DDP) and the mechanisms].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reversal effect of methylseleninic acid on cisplatin (DDP)-resistant ovarian cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms.
 Methods: SKOV3/DDP cells were incubated with cisplatin at different concentrations for 48 h, then the proliferation rate of SKOV3/DDP cells was detected by MTT assays, and the expression of ß-catenin in SKOV3/DDP cells was examined by Western blot. The inhibitory effect of methyl-seleninic acid (MSA) combined with DDP at different concentrations on SKOV3/DDP cells was assayed by MTT method. Western blot was used to detect the expression of ß-catenin protein in the cells.
 Results: The inhibitory rate for proliferation in DDP-treated SKOV3/DDP cells with different concentrations is lower than that in the SKOV3 cells (P<0.05); ß-catenin expression in SKOV3/DDP cells was significantly higher than that in the SKOV3 cells (P<0.05). The inhibitory rate for proliferation in SKOV3/DDP cells with different concentrations of MSA was increased with the increase in concentration (P<0.05). The inhibitory rate for proliferation in SKOV3/DDP cells with 2 or 6 µmol/L MSA plus cisplatin was lower than that in cisplatin alone group (P<0.05). ß-catenin expression in SKOV3 /DDP cells with 2 or 6 µmol/L MSA plus cisplatin was higher than that in the cisplatin alone group (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: MSA can reverse cisplatin resistance on SKOV3 / DDP cells, which may be related to the decrease in ß-catenin expression.

High intensity focused ultrasound treatment for non-neoplastic epithelial disorders of the vulva: Factors affecting effectiveness and recurrence.

OBJECTIVE: This paper investigates the effectiveness of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for treating non-neoplastic epithelial disorders of the vulva (NNEDV) and to analyse the factors that affect the effectiveness of HIFU and recurrence. METHODS: This study included a total of 950 patients with pathologically confirmed NNEDV, who underwent HIFU treatment in our hospital between August 2008 and June 2013 and had completed follow-up data. Treatment efficacy and recurrence were evaluated retrospectively by analysing the patients' clinical pathological data and by following up their symptomatic changes. We also explored factors including age, status of menopause, HPV infection, lesion size, pathological type, and symptom severity for their correlation with treatment effectiveness and recurrence. RESULTS: HIFU was effective in alleviating symptoms and improving vulva signs, with a cure rate of 42.2%, an effective rate of 56.1%, and a low recurrence rate of 9.4%. No severe complications were recorded during or after the treatment. The treatment was statistically more effective in younger patients with squamous hyperplasia and smaller lesions than in older patients with lichen sclerosus and larger lesions (P < 0.05). Patients with a longer disease course or with lichen sclerosus had significantly higher recurrence rates than those with a shorter disease course or with squamous hyperplasia (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HIFU is safe and effective in treating NNEDV. Its effectiveness is correlated with age, size of lesion and pathological type, whereas post-treatment recurrence rates may be related to the duration of the disease and the pathological sub-types.

[Analysis of human papillomavirus infection in 16 320 patients from gynecologic clinic].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in patients from gynecology clinic, and to investigate the association of persistent HPV infection with cervical lesions. METHODS: From January, 2009 to December, 2013, clinical data of 16 320 patients in Third Xiangya Hospital were collected. A retrospective analysis was carried out to evaluate the overall prevalence of HPV infection. The prevalence of HPV infection in different ages and subtypes were compared. The prevalence of persistent HPV infection and results of cervical cytology were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall HPV prevalence was 26.54%. The lowest overall and high-risk HPV prevalence were found in women at the age of 30-39 years old (P<0.05); the highest ones were found at the age of over 60 years old, with significant difference among the aged groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in low-risk HPV prevalence among the aged groups (P=0.693). The clearance rate of HPV was 87.65% one year later. There was no significant difference in high-risk and low-risk HPV infection between the non-persistent positive group and the persistent positive group (P=0.545), but the difference in single and multiple subtypes infection between these 2 groups was significant (P<0.05). In the persistent positive group, the most common genotypes were HPV 16, 52, 58, CP8304, and 33. The incidence of ASC-US, HSIL or SCC was significantly increased in the persistent positive group. CONCLUSION: Persistent HPV infection mainly consists of multiple and high-risk HPV infection. It is necessary to focus on the prevention of HPV 16, 52 and 58 persistent infection in our region.

[Expression of HPV16 E6 protein in nonneoplastic epithelial disorder of the vulva and squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of high risk human papilloma virus (HPV) 16-E6 protein in non-neoplastic epithelial disorders of the vulva (NNEDV) and squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva (VSCC), and to explore whether HPV16-E6 protein is the etiological factor in NNEDV and its correlation with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulvae. METHODS: We detected HPV16-E6 protein expression in 15 normal vulvae cases, 40 NNEDV cases and 45 VSCC cases by immunohistochemistry SP method. RESULTS: The positive rate of HPV16-E6 in different vulva tissues: was 0% in the normal vulva, 30% in NNEDV and 66.67% in VSCC, respectively. The overall positive rate and two two comparison had statistical significance. In the NNEDV group, the positive rate of squamous hyperplasia type and lichen sclerosus type was 35% and 25%, respectively, with no statistical significance (P>0.05), but higher than that in the normal vulva skin group (P<0.05) and lower than that in the VSCC group (P<0.05). The positive rate of HPV16-E6 in VSCC was 66. 67%. The positive rate increased with the clinical stage. The positive rate between Phase I and Phase II, and that between Phase I and Phase III had statistical significance (P<0.017), but that between Phase II and Phase III had no statistical significance (P>0.017). The positive rate gradually decreased with the tumor differentiation. The difference in well-differentiated and poorly differentiated, moderately and poorly differentiated had statistical significance (P<0.017), but that of well-differentiated and moderately differentiated had no statistical significance (P>0.017). The positive rate of lymph node metastasis VSCC was significantly higher than that of non-lymph node metastasis VSCC (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: HPV infection may be an etiological factor for NNEDV. The rise of HPV16-E6 positive rate may be related to the occurrence and development of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma.

Activation of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in adenomyosis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Adenomyosis is characterized by the presence of endometrium or endometrium-like glands and stroma within the myometrium. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the cGAS-STING pathway was activated and correlated with clinical outcomes in adenomyosis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients diagnosed with adenomyosis and 10 patients diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN-3) but no adenomyosis were enrolled in this study. Specimens were collected during surgery from August 2017 to December 2017 at Third Xiangya Hospital. The messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of key cGAS-STING pathway factors in uterine tissue were detected by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The correlations of gene expression and clinical outcomes, including dysmenorrhea and uterine volume, were analyzed. RESULTS: The cGAS, STING, TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK-1), interferon-α (IFN-α), IFN-ß, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA and protein levels in the ectopic endometrial tissue from adenomyosis patients were significantly higher compared with that from the controls in endometrium (p < .05). cGAS and STING gene expression were correlated with TBK-1, IFN-ß, and TNF-α expression (p < .05). Importantly, TBK-1 and TNF-α expression were correlated with the clinical outcome of dysmenorrhea (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Our study reveals that the cGAS-STING pathway is activated in adenomyosis patients and its activation is subsequently correlated with clinical outcomes, which suggests that the cGAS-STING pathway may contribute to adenomyosis pathogenesis.

Clinical factors analysis of curative effect of focused ultrasound treatment for non neoplastic epithelial disorders of vulva.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the related factors to influence the curative effect of focused ultrasound treatment for non neoplastic epithelial disorders of vulva. METHODS: A total of 382 patients with non neoplastic epithelial disorders of vulva were included in this study and treated by focused ultrasound. During and after the treatment, the symptoms and physical signs of the subjects were observed, and the efficacy was evaluated. We analyzed the relation between pathologic type, age, course, area, or itch degree and curative effect. RESULTS: Symptoms of all patients were relieved, and appearance and color of the vulva became normal after the ultrasound treatment, with a total effective rate of 99.74%. The cure ratios of patients with different pathologic types, ages, courses, areas, and itch degrees were significantly different (χ(2)=9.58, P<0.01; χ(2)=22.385, P<0.01; χ(2)=32.260, P<0.01; χ(2)=57.99,P<0.01; χ(2)=42.13,P<0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: Focused ultrasound treatment is safe and effective for the nonneoplastic epithelial disorders of the vulva and the efficacy is associated with the pathologic type, age, course, area, and itch degree.

Clinical characteristic and intraoperative findings of uterine perforation patients in using of intrauterine devices (IUDs).

BACKGROUND: Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are the most popular form of contraception used worldwide; however, IUD is not risk-free. IUD migrations, especially uterine perforations, were frequently occurred in patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and intraoperative findings in patients with migrated IUDs. RESULTS: 29 cases of uterine perforation associated with migrated IUDs and 69 control patients were followed between January 2008 to March 2015. Patients who used IUDs within first 6 months from the last delivery experienced a characteristically high rate of the perforation of the uterine wall. A significantly larger number of IUD insertion associated with uterine perforation were performed in rural hospitals or operated at a lower level health care system. There was no clear difference in the age and presented symptoms in patients between two groups. Majority of contraceptive intrauterine devices was the copper-releasing IUDs. Furthermore, patients who used V-shaped IUD showed significantly higher incidence of pelvic adhesions when compared with the users of O-shaped IUDs. CONCLUSIONS: Unique clinical characteristics of IUD migration were identified in patients with uterine perforation. Hysteroscopy and/or laparoscopy were the effective approaches to remove the migrated IUDs. Improving operating skills is required at the lower level of health care system.

[Peritoneal fluid leptin concentration and endocrine hormone in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the infertile patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is related to dysregulation of peritoneal fluid and serum leptin concentration, and to investigate the relationship between the leptin and some endocrine hormones in PCOS. METHODS: Twenty subjects with PCOS and 20 control women were included in the study. Peritoneal fluid and serum concentration of leptin, insulin, insulin-antibody, testosterone (T), estrogen (E(2)), and progestogen (P) were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). RESULTS: Peritoneal fluid concentrations of leptin, insulin, T and insulin-antibody in PCOS patients were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in peritoneal fluid E(2) and P between PCOS and the control group (P>0.05). The serum concentrations of leptin and T in PCOS were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05), but the levels of insulin, E(2), P and insulin-antibody were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P>0.05). With the BMI> or =23 kg/m(2) subgroup in PCOS patients, the peritoneal fluid and serum concentrations of leptin, insulin and T were significantly higher than those of BMI 23 kg/m(2) subgroup (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in E(2)and insulin-antibody between the 2 subgroups (P>0.05). Pearson correlation analysis indicated that peritoneal fluid and serum leptin levels were positively correlated with BMI, insulin, T and insulin-antibody, but negatively correlated with E(2), with no significant correlation with P. Multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated that the factors that influenced the peritoneal fluid and serum leptin levels were BMI, insulin, T and E(2) ordinally. CONCLUSION: Peritoneal fluid and serum leptin concentration and insulin,T, Ins-antibody level are abnormal in PCOS patients. Leptin may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PCOS. BMI is the main factor to correlate with leptin.

Hysteroscopic management of a heterotopic pregnancy following uterine artery embolization: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Intra-uterine pregnancy coexisting with cervical pregnancy (heterotopic pregnancy) is a rare condition and its management is challenging because of the massive bleeding associated with cervical pregnancy. Uterine artery embolization followed by hysteroscopic removal of cervical and intra-uterine products of conception can theoretically prevent massive bleeding and provide a direct view during the removal. Hysteroscopic management following uterine artery embolization of heterotopic pregnancy after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer is rarely reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 33-year-old primigravida, Asian, married, nonsmoker, nonalcoholic woman presented with heavy vaginal bleeding 3 weeks after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer with a documented history of two embryo implantations in her uterine cavity. Transvaginal ultrasonography revealed a gestational sac of 15 mm × 9 mm × 9 mm with cardiac activity, showing a 3.0-mm-diameter yolk sac in the uterine cavity and a 15 mm × 11 mm × 8 mm gestational sac with cardiac activity, showing a 2.9-mm-diameter yolk sac in the cervical canal. The bilateral uterine artery embolization followed by hysteroscopic removal of both the gestational products was successfully performed after our patient and her family chose to give up the intra-uterine pregnancy due to the risk of heavy bleeding associated with cervical pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Uterine artery embolization followed by hysteroscopic removal of cervical and intra-uterine gestational products in the first trimester is safe and feasible, while preserving future fertility.

High-intensity focused ultrasound combined with suction curettage for the treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy.

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the safety and feasibility of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment combined with suction curettage under hysteroscopic guidance for cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP).Fifty-three patients with definite CSP were treated with HIFU followed by suction curettage under hysteroscopic guidance. All the patients received 1 session of HIFU ablation under conscious sedation. Suction curettage under hysteroscopic guidance was performed at an average of 2.9 (range: 1-5) days after HIFU ablation. Blood flow of pregnancy tissue before and after HIFU, intraoperative blood loss in suction curettage and hysteroscopy procedure, time for ß-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) to return to normal level, and time for normal menstruation recovery were recorded.Immediately after HIFU treatment, color Doppler ultrasound showed that the fetal cardiac activity disappeared and the blood flow in the pregnancy tissue significantly decreased. All the patients underwent suction curettage under hysteroscopic guidance after the treatment of HIFU, the median volume of blood loss in the procedure was 20 mL (range: 10-400 mL). The average time for menstruation recovery was 35.1 ±â€Š8.1 (range: 19-60) days. The average time needed for serum ß-hCG to return to normal levels was 27.5 ±â€Š6.4 (range: 12-40) days. The average hospital stay was 7.8 ±â€Š1.5 (range: 5-11) days.Based on our results, it appears that HIFU combined with suction curettage under hysteroscopic guidance is safe and effective in treating patients with CSP at gestational ages <8 weeks.

[Successful delivery in a women with natural pregnancy and severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: a case report and literature review].

OBJECTIVE: Spontaneous severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome-complicated natural pregnancy (SOHSSp) is a rare clinical entity and can be easily misdiagnosed as ovarian tumors. We report a case of SOHSSp in a 26-year-old women with successful delivery, and reviews the clinical data and the diagnosis and treatment of this case. The patient underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy and was followed-up for 1 year with a favorable prognosis.