The Lower Anogenital Squamous Terminology Project and its implications for clinical care

Based on a growing need for unified terminology to describe the pathologic and clinical spectrum of lesions, the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology and the College of American Pathologists Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center convened the Lower Anogenital Squamous Terminology (LAST) Project to reassess and harmonize the terminology used to describe human papillomavirus-associated squamous lesions of the lower anogenital tract as manifested in a variety of end organs. The distinction between cancer precursors and those without malignant potential leads to consistency in the interpretation of management guidelines and the therapeutic options.

Development of squamous cell carcinoma on an inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus in the genital area

Inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus is a rare cutaneous disorder characterized by pruritic, erythematous, and verrucous papules and plaques along the lines of Blaschko. Histopathologically, there is a benign verrucous proliferation of keratinocytes together with alternating parakeratosis and orthokeratosis as well as inflammatory changes. We report a patient who developed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on an inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus and we discuss the importance of regular follow-up of patients with epidermal nevi.

Coexistence of adenomyosis in women operated for benign gynecological diseases

BACKGROUND

To compare demographic, clinical and histopathological characteristics of women diagnosed with adenomyosis (AG) after hysterectomy to those of women diagnosed with leiomyoma (LG) and to investigate the predisposing factors for AG.

METHODS

This study was carried out on 204 patients who underwent gynecologic surgery for various indications except for gynecologic malignancy between January 2005 and December 2009 and whose histopathological analysis of hysterectomy/myomectomy specimen revealed either AG or LG. Women with AG and those with LG were compared with respect to age, parity, menstrual pattern, history of induced abortion, history of prior uterine surgery, smoking, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain and coexisting endometrial and ovarian pathologies.

RESULTS

The mean age of our patients was 51 ± 8 years (range 28-85), 40% of them were postmenopausal, and 64% had a history of uterine surgery. The mean age (p = 0.014), gravida (p = 0.018), parity (p = 0.017) and previous endometrial sampling (p < 0.01) were significantly higher in AG. Main symptoms were abnormal uterine bleeding (39%), dysmenorrhea (63%) and nonmenstrual pelvic pain (62%). Age (p = 0.01), menometrorrhagia (p = 0.02) and endometrial sampling (p < 0.01) were the significant covariants in binary logistic regression for AG.

CONCLUSION

AG is an enigmatic disease frequently causing gynecologic complaints and endomyometrial junction deterioration during endometrial sampling may be a trigger point for developing AG.

[Differential approach to the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and acute gynecological pathology in pregnant women]

This article discusses the differential diagnosis of acute appendicitis and acute gynecological pathology in different terms of the gestation.

[Research advancement of FTIR-MSP mapping and application value in forensic science]

Fourier transformation infrared microspectroscopy (FTIR-MSP) mapping technique can collect the infrared information from micro-samples and scan the tissue slides and cells. The infrared spectral information of pixels from the collected regions is recorded and infrared spectral maps are constructed by computer software. The 2D and 3D mapping images are reflected based on the distributions of absorbance bands. The biochemical compositions, molecular distribution, metabolic changes of tissues and cells are analyzed by the technique due to infrared spectroscopy being sensitive to biomolecules. The article reviews the recent research of FTIR-MSP mapping and explores the future potential value in forensic science practice.

Enhanced neutrophil longevity and recruitment contribute to the severity of oviduct pathology during Chlamydia muridarum infection

Our previous studies revealed that intravaginal infection of mice with a plasmid-deficient strain of Chlamydia muridarum, CM3.1, does not induce the development of oviduct pathology. In this study, we determined that infection with CM3.1 resulted in a significantly reduced frequency and absolute number of neutrophils in the oviducts during acute infection. This reduction in neutrophils was associated with significantly lower levels of neutrophil chemokines in the oviducts and decreased production of neutrophil chemokines by oviduct epithelial cells infected with CM3.1 in vitro. Infection with CM3.1 also resulted in an increased frequency of late apoptotic/dead neutrophils in the oviduct. Examination of the ability of Chlamydia trachomatis to prevent neutrophil apoptosis in vitro revealed that C. trachomatis strain D/UW-3/Cx exhibited an enhanced ability to prevent neutrophil apoptosis compared to plasmid-deficient CTD153, and this effect was dependent on the presence of CD14(high) monocytes. The presence of monocytes also resulted in enhanced neutrophil cytokine production and increased production of tissue-damaging molecules in response to D/UW-3/Cx relative to results with CTD153. Attempts to use antibody-mediated depletion to discern the specific role of neutrophils in infection control and pathology in vivo revealed that although Ly6G(high) neutrophils were eliminated from the blood and oviducts with this treatment, immature neutrophils and high levels of tissue-damaging molecules were still detectable in the upper genital tract. These data support the role of neutrophils in chlamydia-induced pathology and reveal that novel methods of depletion must be developed before their role can be specifically determined in vivo.

[The laboratory evidences of chronic disease impact on the development of anemia under female reproductive system pathology]

The study sample included 170 patients with gynecological diseases, 5 patients with persistent anemia due to systematic blood disorder, 14 healthy patients. The decrease of hemoglobin level lower than 110 g/l is established in 25.7% gynecologic patients and most frequently in those with hysteromyoma. The study revealed that anemia developed due to the female reproductive system disorders and independently of clinically marked loss of blood is an. The biologic characteristic of anemia is the decrease of erythrocytes production under certain diseases against the background of inadequate production of endogenic erythropoietin. The effectiveness of treatment of iron-deficiency anemia is less under decrease of amount of erythrokaryocytes in bone marrow.

Increased vascularity in cervicovaginal mucosa with Schistosoma haematobium infection

Background

Close to 800 million people in the world are at risk of schistosomiasis, 85 per cent of whom live in Africa. Recent studies have indicated that female genital schistosomiasis might increase the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The aim of this study is to quantify and analyse the characteristics of the vasculature surrounding Schistosoma haematobium ova in the female genital mucosa.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Cervicovaginal biopsies with S. haematobium ova (n = 20) and control biopsies (n = 69) were stained with immunohistochemical blood vessel markers CD31 and von Willebrand Factor (vWF), which stain endothelial cells in capillary buds and established blood vessels respectively. Haematoxylin and eosin (HE) were applied for histopathological assessment. The tissue surrounding S. haematobium ova had a higher density of established blood vessels stained by vWF compared to healthy controls (p = 0.017). Immunostain to CD31 identified significantly more granulation tissue surrounding viable compared to calcified ova (p = 0.032), and a tendency to neovascularisation in the tissue surrounding viable ova compared to healthy cervical mucosa (p = 0.052).

Conclusions/Significance

In this study female genital mucosa with S. haematobium ova was significantly more vascularised compared to healthy cervical tissue. Viable parasite ova were associated with granulation tissue rich in sprouting blood vessels. Although the findings of blood vessel proliferation in this study may be a step to better understand the implications of S. haematobium infection, further studies are needed to explore the biological, clinical and epidemiological features of female genital schistosomiasis and its possible influence on HIV susceptibility.

Schistosomiasis is a fresh water parasite infection that affects millions of people, especially in Africa. Recent knowledge about the genital manifestations of schistosomiasis; especially its possible association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, has led to increased focus on this neglected tropical disease. Millions of women remain undiagnosed for genital schistosomiasis, and may suffer from abnormal mucosal blood vessels, contact bleeding and lesions named sandy patches. This study analyses a unique selection of female genital biopsies containing parasite eggs. Protein detection and standard histopathological assessment are combined to quantify and study the characteristics of the mucosal blood vessels surrounding the eggs. Our results show that the genital mucosa with parasite eggs is more vascularised compared to healthy tissue, and that viable eggs tend to be surrounded by proliferating blood vessels. These findings have not yet been correlated directly to clinical manifestations. Further studies are needed in order to provide clinical advice on the risks and consequences of mucosal lesions particular to female genital schistosomiasis.

Genital psoriasis: A systematic literature review on this hidden skin disease

It is well known that the genital skin may be affected by psoriasis. However, little is known about the prevalence and clinical appearance of genital psoriasis, and genital skin is often neglected in the treatment of psoriatic patients. We performed an extensive systematic literature search for evidence-based data on genital psoriasis with respect to epidemiology, aetiology, clinical and histopathological presentation, diagnosis and treatment. Three bibliographical databases (PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library) were used as data sources. Fifty-nine articles on genital psoriasis were included. The results show that psoriasis frequently affects the genital skin, but that evidence-based data with respect to the efficacy and safety of treatments for genital psoriasis are extremely limited. An advised treatment paradigm for genital psoriasis, based on the levels of evidence, is: first-line: (weak) topical corticosteroids; second-line: vitamin D preparations or tar-based treatments.

Artificial neural networks in gynaecological diseases: current and potential future applications

Current (and probably future) practice of medicine is mostly associated with prediction and accurate diagnosis. Especially in clinical practice, there is an increasing interest in constructing and using valid models of diagnosis and prediction. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are mathematical systems being used as a prospective tool for reliable, flexible and quick assessment. They demonstrate high power in evaluating multifactorial data, assimilating information from multiple sources and detecting subtle and complex patterns. Their capability and difference from other statistical techniques lies in performing nonlinear statistical modelling. They represent a new alternative to logistic regression, which is the most commonly used method for developing predictive models for outcomes resulting from partitioning in medicine. In combination with the other non-algorithmic artificial intelligence techniques, they provide useful software engineering tools for the development of systems in quantitative medicine. Our paper first presents a brief introduction to ANNs, then, using what we consider the best available evidence through paradigms, we evaluate the ability of these networks to serve as first-line detection and prediction techniques in some of the most crucial fields in gynaecology. Finally, through the analysis of their current application, we explore their dynamics for future use.

Postoperative pain after laparoscopic and vaginal hysterectomy for benign gynecologic disease: a randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare postoperative pain after laparoscopic and vaginal hysterectomy for benign disease.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective randomized trial was designed to compare laparoscopic hysterectomy and vaginal hysterectomy in patients with uterine volume <or=14 weeks of gestation. Postoperative pain was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS) at 1, 3, 8, and 24 hours postoperatively. Intra- and postoperative outcomes were carefully recorded, including the need for postoperative rescue doses of analgesia.

RESULTS

A total of 82 patients were enrolled. Patients who underwent vaginal hysterectomy complained of higher postoperative pain at each VAS evaluation (VAS-1 hour, P < .0001; VAS-3 hour, P < .0001; VAS-8 hour, P < .0001; VAS-24 hour, P = .0003) with a higher need for rescue analgesia (P < .0001) and a longer hospitalization (P = .001). The other perioperative characteristics were comparable between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic hysterectomy provides an advantage over vaginal hysterectomy in terms of postoperative pain, need for rescue analgesia and hospital stay, with similar perioperative outcomes.

Female hydrocele of canal of nuck

Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck is a very rare condition in females. The processus vaginalis within the inguinal canal forms "the canal of Nuck" in females, homologous to the processus vaginalis in males. Failure of obliteration of the processus vaginalis results in either a direct or an indirect inguinal hernia or if a sac of serous fluid is retained, it forms a hydrocele. Very little has been reported on this condition in the literature. We present a case of hydrocele of canal of Nuck in an 8-year-old female.

[Peculiarities of the treatment of multisystem injury of female pelvis]

The authors evaluated the results of the examination, treatment, and retrospective analysis of medical records of 87 patients with multisystem injuries of the muliebria. Also were analyzed severity of injuries, the dominant damage and complications, compared to the effectiveness of instrumental and laboratory diagnostic techniques.

Symptomatology of gynecological malignancies: experiences in the gynecology out-patient clinic of a tertiary care hospital in kolkata, India

BACKGROUND

This cross-sectional observational study was undertaken in a gynecology out-patient clinic to identify the symptoms suggestive of gynecological malignancies followed by histopathological confirmation of their diagnoses and to determine the proportion of the histopathologically confirmed cases specific to sites.

METHODS

In a gynecology out-patient clinic in Kolkata, India, patients with symptoms suggestive of gynecological malignancies were screened to identify possible cancer cases. Diagnoses were confirmed by histopathology. One hundred thirteen patients with histopathologically confirmed gynecological malignancies were interviewed further.

RESULTS

This study shows that 5.3% of the overall outpatients or nearly one-fourth (23.7%) of the patients with the symptoms suggestive of gynecological malignancies was histopathologically confirmed as having gynecological malignancies. Most of the patients (87.0%) with the symptoms suggestive of gynecological malignancies reported excessive, offensive with or without blood stained vaginal discharge, followed by irregular, heavy or prolonged vaginal bleeding (61.4%). The commonest histopathologically confirmed gynecological malignancy was cervical cancer (61.9%), followed by ovarian cancer (23.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the need to increase the awareness about the symptoms of gynecological malignancies among women and the community. Health care personnel have a major role to identify the warning symptoms early for further investigation of the possible cases of gynecological malignancies.

Development of secondary ovarian lesions after hysterectomy without oophorectomy versus unilateral oophorectomy for benign conditions: a retrospective analysis of patients during a nine-year period of observation

PURPOSE

The effect of retained one or both ovaries on the de novo ovarian pathologies required re-operation after hysterectomy due to benign gynecologic conditions were investigated retrospectively. This study was done to determine the occurrence of disease in retained ovaries after hysterectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of patient charts was performed, comparing the patient reports of women who had secondary ovarian lesions those whose previously undergone total abdominal hysterectomy with unilateral oophorectomy or without oophorectomy in our Department during the nine year period of observation (2000-2009). The study included 1242 women with at least one ovary saved after hysterectomy for benign indications.

RESULTS

De novo ovarian disease was established in 5.1% of patients of hysterectomy without oophorectomy and in 17.6% of patients of at least one ovary saved after hysterectomy for benign indications (p = 0.005). Ovarian pathology requiring re-operation developed in 3.8% of patients who underwent hysterectomy without oophorectomy and in 5.9% of patients who underwent hysterectomy with unilateral oophorectomy (p = 0.536).

CONCLUSION

Women with unilateral oophorectomy at the time of hysterectomy had more than twice the risk of secondary ovarian lesions, compared with those without oophorectomy at hysterectomy. Determinants, such as age, parity and gravidity must be considered when deciding whether or not to perform oophorectomy at hysterectomy.

[Lichen sclerosus]

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease that is highly bothersome for men and women of all ages. The exact etiology is unknown, although genetic and autoimmune factors, as well as infections, have been implicated in its pathogenesis. First-line treatment is highly potent topical corticosteroid therapy for short periods. Surgery is reserved for cases of phimosis, urethral stenosis, synechiae, and squamous cell carcinoma.