MRI of Adenomyosis: Where Are We Today?

Purpose of Review: The purpose of this review is to (i) summarize the current literature regarding the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing adenomyosis, (ii) examine how to integrate MRI phenotypes with clinical symptomatology and histological findings, (iii) review recent advances including proposed MRI classifications, (iv) discuss challenges and pitfalls of diagnosing adenomyosis, and (v) outline the future role of MRI in promoting a better understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment options for patients with uterine adenomyosis. Recent Findings: Recent advances and the widespread use of MRI have provided new insights into adenomyosis and the range of imaging phenotypes encountered in this disorder. Summary: Direct and indirect MRI features allow for accurate non-invasive diagnosis of adenomyosis. Adenomyosis is a complex and poorly understood disorder with variable MRI phenotypes that may be correlated with different pathogeneses, clinical presentations, and patient outcomes. MRI is useful for the assessment of the extent of findings, to evaluate for concomitant gynecological conditions, and potentially can help with the selection and implementation of therapeutic options. Nevertheless, important gaps in knowledge remain. This is in part due to the lack of standardized criteria for reporting resulting in heterogeneous and conflicting data in the literature. Thus, there is an urgent need for a unified MRI reporting system incorporating standardized terminology for diagnosing adenomyosis and defining the various phenotypes.

The effect of adenomyosis types on clinical outcomes of IVF embryo transfer after ultra-long GnRH agonist protocol

RESEARCH QUESTION

What is the effect of adenomyosis types on IVF and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) after ultra-long gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist protocol?

DESIGN

Patients who underwent the first cycle of IVF-ET with ultra-long GnRH agonist protocol were included in this retrospective cohort study. They were divided into three groups: (A) 428 patients with diffuse adenomyosis; (B) 718 patients with focal adenomyosis; and (C) 519 patients with tubal infertility. Reproduction outcomes were analysed.

RESULTS

Logistic regression analysis revealed that, compared with focal adenomyosis and tubal infertility, diffuse adenomyosis was negatively associated with clinical pregnancy and live birth (clinical pregnancy: A versus B: OR 0.708, 95% CI 0.539 to 0.931, P = 0.013; A versus C: OR 0.663, 95% CI 0.489 to 0.899, P = 0.008; live birth: A versus B: OR 0.530, 95% CI 0.385 to 0.730, P < 0.001; A versus C: OR 0.441, 95% CI 0.313 to 0.623, P < 0.001), but positively associated with miscarriage (A versus B: OR 1.727, 95% CI 1.056 to 2.825, P = 0.029; A versus C: OR 2.549, 95% CI 1.278 to 5.082, P = 0.008). Compared with patients with tubal infertility, focal adenomyosis was also a risk factor for miscarriage (B versus C: OR 1.825, 95% CI 1.112 to 2.995, P = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with patients with focal adenomyosis or tubal infertility, the reproduction outcomes of IVF-ET in patients with diffuse adenomyosis seems to be worse.

Bioinformatic analysis and machine learning to identify the diagnostic biomarkers and immune infiltration in adenomyosis

Background: Adenomyosis is a hormone-dependent benign gynecological disease characterized by the invasion of the endometrium into the myometrium. Women with adenomyosis can suffer from abnormal uterine bleeding, severe pelvic pain, and subfertility or infertility, which can interfere with their quality of life. However, effective diagnostic biomarkers for adenomyosis are currently lacking. The aim of this study is to explore the mechanism of adenomyosis by identifying biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for adenomyosis and analyzing their correlation with immune infiltration in adenomyosis. Methods: Two datasets, GSE78851 and GSE68870, were downloaded and merged for differential expression analysis and functional enrichment analysis using R software. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVE-RFE) were combined to explore candidate genes. Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) was conducted to verify the biomarkers and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to assess the diagnostic value of each biomarker. Single-sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA) and CIBERSORT were used to explore immune cell infiltration in adenomyosis and the correlation between diagnostic biomarkers and immune cells. Results: A total of 318 genes were differentially expressed. Through the analysis of differentially expressed genes and WGCNA, we obtained 189 adenomyosis-related genes. After utilizing the LASSO and SVM-RFE algorithms, four hub genes, namely, six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate-1 (STEAP1), translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20 (TOMM20), glycosyltransferase eight domain-containing 2 (GLT8D2), and NME/NM23 family member 5 (NME5) expressed in nucleoside-diphosphate kinase, were identified and verified by qRT-PCR. Immune infiltration analysis indicated that T helper 17 cells, CD56dim natural killer cells, monocytes, and memory B-cell may be associated with the occurrence of adenomyosis. There were significant correlations between the diagnostic biomarkers and immune cells. Conclusion: STEAP1, TOMM20, GLT8D2, and NME5 were identified as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for adenomyosis. Immune infiltration may contribute to the onset and progression of adenomyosis.

Comparison of high-intensity focused ultrasound for the treatment of internal and external adenomyosis based on magnetic resonance imaging classification

OBJECTIVE

To compare the safety and efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for patients with internal or external adenomyosis based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) classification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 238 patients with internal adenomyosis and 167 patients with external adenomyosis who received HIFU treatment were enrolled. HIFU treatment results and adverse effects between patients with internal and external adenomyosis were compared.

RESULTS

The treatment time and sonication time for patients with external adenomyosis were significantly longer than that for patients with internal adenomyosis. The total energy used and EEF for patients with external adenomyosis were higher than that for patients with internal adenomyosis (p < 0.05). The pre-HIFU median dysmenorrhea score in patients with internal or external adenomyosis was 5 or 8 points, the median score decreased to 1 or 3 points in these two groups at 18-month post-HIFU (p < 0.05). The relief rate of dysmenorrhea was 79.5% in patients with internal adenomyosis, and it was 80.8% in patients with external adenomyosis. The pre-HIFU median menorrhagia score in patients with internal or external adenomyosis was 4 or 3 points, the median score decreased to 1 point in both groups at 18-month post-HIFU with a relief rate of 86.2% and 77.1%, respectively (p = 0.030). No serious complication occurred in any of these patients.

CONCLUSIONS

HIFU is a safe and effective treatment either for patients with internal adenomyosis or external adenomyosis. It seemed that internal adenomyosis is easier to be treated with HIFU and with a higher relief rate of menorrhagia than external adenomyosis.

Comparison of pregnancy outcomes in infertile patients with different types of adenomyosis treated with high-intensity focused ultrasound

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the improvement of symptoms and pregnancy outcomes in infertile patients with various types of adenomyosis who were treated with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between October 2017 and January 2022, 129 infertile patients with adenomyosis who wished to conceive were treated with HIFU. Based on the relationship between the adenomyotic lesion, the endometrium, and the subserosa of the uterus on magnetic resonance imaging, the adenomyotic lesions were divided into internal, external, intramural, and full-thickness types. Menstruation pain score, menstruation blood volume score, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, reproductive results, pregnancy and delivery complications, and other clinical variables were compared among these four groups.

RESULTS

Patients with external adenomyosis had the greatest menstrual distress, whereas patients with internal adenomyosis had the greatest menstrual blood volume. Dysmenorrhea and heavy menstruation were significantly improved after HIFU treatment in all groups. AMH levels were not significantly different before and six months after HIFU. Of the 129 patients, 50 (38.7%) became pregnant after HIFU, and patients with internal adenomyosis had the highest pregnancy rate. Patients with adenomyotic lesions located in the posterior wall of the uterus had a higher pregnancy rate than those with lesions located in the fundus of the uterus.

CONCLUSIONS

The classification of adenomyosis is closely related to distinctions in clinical symptoms and pregnancy outcomes. Infertile patients with different types of adenomyosis could be effectively treated with HIFU. HIFU can be considered as an option for infertile patients with adenomyosis who want to maintain their fertility.

Higher miscarriage rate in subfertile women with endometriosis receiving unbiopsied frozen-warmed single blastocyst transfers

Background: Assisted reproductive technology treatment is recommended to overcome endometriosis-associated infertility but current evidence is controversial. Endometriosis is associated with lower antral follicle count (AFC) and oocyte yield but similar clinical outcomes compared to controls. Unaffected ovarian stimulation response and embryological outcomes but lower clinical pregnancy and live birth rates and higher miscarriage rates have been reported, implying direct impact on endometrial receptivity. With evidence emerging on the benefit of frozen-warmed and blastocyst stage transfer, we investigated ART outcomes in endometriosis using homogeneous case-control groups. Methods: This is a retrospective observational case-control study including n = 66 frozen-warmed unbiopsied single blastocyst transfers of patients with endometriosis and n = 96 of women exhibiting idiopathic sterility. All frozen-warmed transfers followed artificial endometrial preparation. Results: In control women, the mean number of oocytes recovered at oocyte pick up was higher compared to women with endometriosis (15.3 ± 7.1 vs. 12.7 ± 5.2, p = 0.025) but oocyte maturation index (mature oocytes/total oocytes at oocyte pick up) was significantly higher for endometriosis (48.2% vs. 34.0%, p = 0.005). The same was shown for the subgroup of 44 endometriosis patients after endometrioma surgery when compared with controls (49.1% vs. 34.0%, p = 0.014). Clinical pregnancy rate was not higher in endometriosis but was close to significance (47.0% vs. 32.3%, p = 0.059) while live birth rate was comparable (27.3% vs. 32.3%, p = 0.746). Miscarriage rate was higher in the endometriosis group (19.7% vs. 7.3%, p = 0.018). A significantly higher AFC was observed in the control group in comparison with the endometriosis group (16.3 ± 7.6 vs. 13.4 ± 7.0, p = 0.014). Live birth rate did not differ when comparing all endometriosis cases (p = 0.746), ASRM Stage I/II and Stage III/IV (p = 0.348 and p = 0.888) with the control group but the overall pregnancy rate was higher in ASRM Stage I/II (p = 0.034) and miscarriage rate was higher in ASRM Stage III/IV (p = 0.030) versus control. Conclusion: Blastocyst transfers in women with endometriosis originate from cycles with lower AFC but higher share of mature oocytes than in control women, suggesting that endometriosis might impair ovarian reserve but not stimulation response. A higher miscarriage rate, independent of blastocyst quality may be attributed to an impact of endometriosis on the endometrium beyond the timing of implantation.

SFRP4+IGFBP5hi NKT cells induced neural-like cell differentiation to contribute to adenomyosis pain

Background

Adenomyosis is an estrogen-dependent gynecological disease. The pathogenesis of chronic pain, the main clinical symptom of adenomyosis, remains undefined. As a combination lymphocyte with both T-cell and natural killer (NK)-cell properties, NK T (NKT) cells play a role in immune defense against numerous diseases and modulate cell differentiation.

Method

This study analyzed the tissue-cell samples from adenomyosis with or without pain by single-cell sequencing.

Result

We found a specific population of secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4)⁺NKT cells and a large amount of undifferentiated multipotent stem cells in the adenomyosis pain group. We discovered that a high expression of IGFBP5 in SFRP4⁺NKT cells could promote the differentiation of multipotent stem cells into neural-like cells via the single-cell trajectory. Through verification by the sample, we found that the degree of the expression of the neuronal marker NEFM was correlated with the duration of pain in adenomyosis patients. The expression of IGFBP5 was positively correlated with the pain scores of adenomyosis patients.

Conclusion

Collectively, these findings suggest that SFRP4⁺IGFBP5^hi NKT cells were capable of converting part of the stem cells into neurogenic cells and inducing adenomyosis pain.

Uterine junctional zone and adenomyosis: comparison of MRI, transvaginal ultrasound and histology

The uterine junctional zone is the subendometrial area in the myometrium that contributes to peristalsis and aids in spermatozoa and blastocyst transport. Alterations in the appearance of the junctional zone on transvaginal sonography (TVS) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are associated with adenomyosis. The lack of standardization of description of its appearance and ill-defined boundaries on both histology and imaging hamper understanding of the junctional zone and limit its role in the diagnosis of adenomyosis. The objectives of this review were to investigate the accordance in definition of the junctional zone across different diagnostic approaches and to examine how imaging findings can be linked to histological findings in the context of diagnosis of adenomyosis. A comprehensive literature review was conducted of articles describing the appearance on imaging and the histological structure of the uterine junctional zone. Our review suggests that the junctional zone is distinguished from the middle and outer myometrium by gradual changes in smooth-muscle cell density, extracellular space, connective tissue, water content and vascular properties. However, while the signal intensity from the junctional zone to the middle myometrium changes abruptly on MRI, the histopathological changes are gradual and its border may be difficult or impossible to distinguish on two-dimensional TVS. Moreover, the thickness of the junctional zone measured on MRI is larger than that measured on TVS. Thus, these two imaging modalities reflect this zone differently. Although a thickened junctional zone is often used to diagnose adenomyosis on MRI, the presence of adenomyosis can be described more accurately as interruptions of the junctional zone by endometrial tissue, which leads to direct signs on imaging such as subendometrial lines and buds on two- and three-dimensional TVS or bright foci on MRI. The histopathological criteria for diagnosis are based on enlargement of the uterus with severe adenomyosis, and might not reflect its early stages. Clinicians should be aware that findings on MRI cannot be extrapolated readily to ultrasound. An understanding of this is necessary when investigating the uterine junctional zone as a functional unit and the association between visualization of direct features of adenomyosis in the junctional zone and clinical symptoms. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Cracking the enigma of adenomyosis: an update on its pathogenesis and pathophysiology

In brief

Traditionally viewed as enigmatic and elusive, adenomyosis is a fairly common gynecological disease but is under-recognized and under-researched. This review summarizes the latest development on the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of adenomyosis, which have important implications for imaging diagnosis of the disease and for the development of non-hormonal therapeutics.

Abstract

Traditionally considered as an enigmatic disease, adenomyosis is a uterine disease that affects many women of reproductive age and is a contributing factor for pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), and subfertility. In this review, the new development in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of adenomyosis has been summarized, along with their clinical implications. After reviewing the progress in our understanding of the pathogenesis and describing the prevailing theories, in conjunction with their deficiencies, a new hypothesis, called endometrial-myometrial interface disruption (EMID), which is backed by extensive epidemiologic data and demonstrated by a mouse model, is reviewed, along with recent data implicating the role of Schwann cells in the EMI area in the genesis of adenomyosis. Additionally, the natural history of adenomyotic lesions is elaborated and underscores that, in essence, adenomyotic lesions are fundamentally wounds undergoing repeated tissue injury and repair (ReTIAR), which progress to fibrosis through epithelial-mesenchymal transition, fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation, and smooth muscle metaplasia. Increasing lesional fibrosis propagates into the neighboring EMI and endometrium. The increased endometrial fibrosis, with ensuing greater tissue stiffness, results in attenuated prostaglandin E2, hypoxia signaling and glycolysis, impairing endometrial repair and causing HMB. Compared with adenomyosis-associated HMB, the mechanisms underlying adenomyosis-associated pain are less understood but presumably involve increased uterine contractility, hyperinnervation, increased lesional production of pain mediators, and central sensitization. Viewed through the prism of ReTIAR, a new imaging technique can be used to diagnose adenomyosis more accurately and informatively and possibly help to choose the best treatment modality.

Uterine disorders and iron deficiency anemia

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a clinical entity which can lead to iron deficiency anemia. Classification according to the acronym PALM-COEIN (polyp, adenomyosis, leiomyoma, malignancy, and hyperplasia; coagulopathy, ovulatory dysfunction, endometrial, iatrogenic, and not otherwise classified) provides a structured approach to establish the cause of AUB. The goal of this review is to discuss the different mechanisms and the relationship between uterine disorders and AUB. Heavy menstrual bleeding, a subgroup of AUB, is more closely related to the presence of uterine fibroids. The relationship between heavy menstrual bleeding and uterine fibroids remains poorly characterized, particularly the understanding of endometrial function in women with structural myometrial features such as leiomyomas. A number of theories have been proposed in the literature and are discussed in this review. Uterine adenomyosis is also a frequent cause of AUB, and its pathogenesis is still far from being fully elucidated. The mechanisms contributing to its development are multifactorial. Many theories lean toward invasion of the myometrium by endometrial cells. Both clinical and basic studies favor the theory of direct invasion, although de novo development of adenomyosis from Müllerian rests or stem cells has not been ruled out. Development of adenomyotic lesions involves repeated tissue injury and repair. In addition, this review describes the other causes of AUB such as endometrial polyps, cesarean scar defects, and uterine vascular abnormalities. Endometrial polyps are often asymptomatic, but approximately 68% of women have concomitant AUB. Histologic alterations in the lower uterine segment in patients who had undergone cesarean sections were identified and may explain the cause of AUB.

Application of modified subtotal resection of adenomyosis combined with LNG-IUS and GnRH-a sequential therapy in severe adenomyosis: A case series

Background and Objective

Adenomyosis focus resection has always been the main surgical method for patients with uterine preservation, but its curative effect and surgical method are still controversial. We improved this method on the basis of the “double-flap method” and combined it with the levonorgestrel intrauterine delivery system (LNG-IUS) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) sequential treatment to determine the clinical effect and feasibility of this scheme in the treatment of severe adenomyosis.

Methods

This is a retrospective review. A total of 64 patients with severe adenomyosis were treated in the Department of Gynecology of Changzhou Second People's Hospital, which is affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, from December 2017 to September 2021. The transabdominal approach and laparoscopic approach were adopted for the purposes of treatment in this study. Hence, the patients were subdivided into the transabdominal approach subgroup and the laparoscopic approach subgroup. The hemoglobin, visual analog score (VAS) score, menstruation score, and other indices of each patient before and after treatment were observed, recorded, and analyzed.

Results

All 64 patients underwent the operation successfully. After the completion of sequential treatment, the CA125 decreased significantly 1 month after the operation, the average uterine volume significantly reduced, the hemoglobin value increased to a certain extent 3 months after the operation, and the menstrual score and dysmenorrhea during the first menstruation were significantly lower than they were before the operation. After the treatment, the therapeutic results of the transabdominal approach subgroup and endoscopic approach subgroup were compared on the basis of the observed indices, and no significant difference was observed (P > 0.05). Only one patient had a downward movement of the LNG-IUS, and the vaginal ultrasound showed that the upper end of the LNG-IUS was approximately 1.5 cm from the bottom of the uterine cavity. The average follow-up period was 24.02 ± 11.77 months, and no lesion progression was found in any patients.

Conclusion

For patients suffering from severe adenomyosis who have no pregnancy plans and require uterine preservation, transabdominal or laparoscopic subtotal resection of the focus of adenomyosis, combined with the LNG-IUS + GnRH-a sequential treatment, may be a safe and effective alternative when conservative treatments such as drugs fail.

Pathogenesis of Human Adenomyosis: Current Understanding and Its Association with Infertility

The aim of this review article was to summarize our current understanding on the etiologies and pathogenesis of human adenomyosis and to clarify the relative association between adenomyosis and infertility. The exact pathogenesis of adenomyosis is still elusive. Among different reported concepts, direction invagination of gland cells from the basalis endometrium deep into myometrium is the most widely accepted opinion on the development of adenomyosis. According to this concept, endometrial epithelial cells and changed fibroblasts, abnormally found in the myometrium in response to repeated tissue injury and/or disruption at the endometrium-myometrium interface (EMI), elicit hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the surrounding smooth muscle cells. In this review, a comprehensive review was performed with a literature search using PubMed for all publications in English and Japanese (abstract in English), related to adenomyosis and infertility, from inception to April 2021. As an estrogen-regulated factor, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) exhibits multiple functions in endometriosis, a disease commonly believed to arise from the functionalis endometrium. As a mechanistic basis of gland invagination, we investigated the role of HGF, either alone or in combination with estrogen, in the occurrence of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in adenomyosis. Aside from microtrauma at the EMI, metaplasia of displaced Müllerian remnants, differentiation of endometrial stem/progenitor cells within the myometrium and somatic mutation of some target genes have been put forward to explain how adenomyosis develops. In addition, the possible role of microRNAs in adenomyosis is also discussed. Besides our knowledge on the conventional classification (focal and diffuse), two recently proposed classifications (intrinsic and extrinsic) of adenomyosis and the biological differences between them have been described. Although the mechanistic basis is unclear, the influence of adenomyosis on fertility outcome is important, especially considering the recent tendency to delay pregnancy among women. Besides other proposed mechanisms, a recent transmission election microscopic (TEM) study indicated that microvilli damage and an axonemal alteration in the apical endometria of human adenomyosis, in response to endometrial inflammation, may be involved in negative fertility outcomes. We present a critical analysis of the literature data concerning the mechanistic basis of infertility in women with adenomyosis and its impact on fertility outcome.

Uterine bleeding: how understanding endometrial physiology underpins menstrual health

Menstruation is a physiological process that is typically uncomplicated. However, up to one third of women globally will be affected by abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) at some point in their reproductive years. Menstruation (that is, endometrial shedding) is a fine balance between proliferation, decidualization, inflammation, hypoxia, apoptosis, haemostasis, vasoconstriction and, finally, repair and regeneration. An imbalance in any one of these processes can lead to the abnormal endometrial phenotype of AUB. Poor menstrual health has a negative impact on a person's physical, mental, social, emotional and financial well-being. On a global scale, iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia are closely linked with AUB, and are often under-reported and under-recognized. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics have produced standardized terminology and a classification system for the causes of AUB. This standardization will facilitate future research endeavours, diagnosis and clinical management. In a field where no new medications have been developed for over 20 years, emerging technologies are paving the way for a deeper understanding of the biology of the endometrium in health and disease, as well as opening up novel diagnostic and management avenues.

Adenomyosis is an independent risk factor for complications in deep endometriosis laparoscopic surgery

Deep endometriosis (DE) occurs in 15-30% of patients with endometriosis and is associated with concomitant adenomyosis in around 25-49% of cases. There are no data about the effect of the presence of adenomyosis in terms of surgical outcomes and complications. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of adenomyosis on surgical complications in women with deep endometriosis undergoing laparoscopic surgery. A retrospective cohort study including women referred to the endometriosis unit of a referral teaching hospital. Two expert sonographers preoperatively diagnosed DE and adenomyosis. DE was defined according to the criteria of the International Deep Endometriosis Analysis group. Adenomyosis was considered when 3 or more ultrasound criteria of the Morphological Uterus Sonographic Assessment group were present. Demographical variables, current medical treatment, symptoms, DE location, surgical time, hospital stay and difference in pre and post hemoglobin levels were collected. The Clavien-Dindo classification was used to assess surgical complications, and multivariate analysis was performed to compare patients with and without adenomyosis. 157 DE patients were included into the study; 77 (49.05%) had adenomyosis according to transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) and were classified in the A group, and 80 (50.95%) had no adenomyosis and were classified in the noA group. Adenomyosis was associated with a higher rate of surgical complications: 33.76% (A group) vs. 12.50% (noA group) (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed a 4.56-fold increased risk of presenting complications in women with adenomyosis (CI 1.90-11.30; p = 0.001) independently of undergoing hysterectomy. There was a statistically significant association between the number of criteria of adenomyosis present in each patient and the proportion of patients presenting surgical complications (p < 0.001). Adenomyosis is an independent preoperative risk factor for surgical complications in DE surgery after adjustment for known demographic, clinical and surgical risk factors.

Sanders A, Sobel M. Current diagnosis and management of adenomyosis in Canada: A survey of Canadian gynaecologists

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to understand how Canadian Obstetricians/Gynaecologists (OBGYNs) diagnose and manage adenomyosis.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was performed via an online survey distributed to 262 OBGYNs at three Canadian universities (University of Toronto, University of Calgary, and McMaster University).

Results:

A total of 137 responses were obtained out of 262 OBGYNs (52.3%) with a completion rate of 98%. Adenomyosis was a diagnosis in 6%–10% of patients seen by OBGYNs. The most common clinical symptoms included heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) (82.8%) and dysmenorrhea (91.0%). Most participants (83%) used transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) as first-line imaging for diagnosis of adenomyosis. Many respondents (35.8%) indicated that adenomyosis was not associated with infertility or recurrent miscarriage. Treatment considerations for all patients with adenomyosis included levonorgestrel intra-uterine system (LNG-IUS) (91.8%), hysterectomy (88.8%), expectant management (85.1%), combined hormonal contraceptives (CHC) (83.6%), tranexamic acid (81.3%), gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists (64.2%), depo-provera (64.2%), dienogest (57.5%), and norethisterone acetate (NETA) (40.3%). Treatments for adenomyosis in patients wishing to conceive included expectant management (85.1%), tranexamic acid (79.1%), CHC (44.8%), LNG-IUS (32.8%), and GnRH agonists (35.8%). Excision of adenomyosis would only be offered by 24% of respondents. Uterine artery embolization (UAE) would not be used in the treatment of adenomyosis by 44% of respondents. Finally, 82.8% of respondents would use improvement of clinical symptoms to follow treatment success.

Conclusion:

Practice varies across Canada despite recent emerging evidence in the diagnosis and management of adenomyosis, highlighting the need for a clinical practice guideline on adenomyosis.

Unveiling the Pathogenesis of Adenomyosis through Animal Models

Background: Adenomyosis is a common gynecological disorder traditionally viewed as “elusive”. Several excellent review papers have been published fairly recently on its pathogenesis, and several theories have been proposed. However, the falsifiability, explanatory power, and predictivity of these theories are often overlooked. Since adenomyosis can occur spontaneously in rodents and many other species, the animal models may help us unveil the pathogenesis of adenomyosis. This review critically tallies experimentally induced models published so far, with a particular focus on their relevance to epidemiological findings, their possible mechanisms of action, and their explanatory and predictive power. Methods: PubMed was exhaustively searched using the phrase “adenomyosis and animal model”, “adenomyosis and experimental model”, “adenomyosis and mouse”, and “adenomyosis and rat”, and the resultant papers were retrieved, carefully read, and the resultant information distilled. All the retrieved papers were then reviewed in a narrative manner. Results: Among all published animal models of adenomyosis, the mouse model of adenomyosis induced by endometrial–myometrial interface disruption (EMID) seems to satisfy the requirements of falsifiability and has the predictive capability and also Hill’s causality criteria. Other theories only partially satisfy Hill’s criteria of causality. In particular, animal models of adenomyosis induced by hyperestrogenism, hyperprolactinemia, or long-term exposure to progestogens without much epidemiological documentation and adenomyosis is usually not the exclusive uterine pathology consequent to those induction procedures. Regardless, uterine disruption appears to be a necessary but not sufficient condition for causing adenomyosis. Conclusions: EMID is, however, unlikely the sole cause for adenomyosis. Future studies, including animal studies, are warranted to understand how and why in utero and/or prenatal exposure to elevated levels of estrogen or estrogenic compounds increases the risk of developing adenomyosis in adulthood, to elucidate whether prolactin plays any role in its pathogenesis, and to identify sufficient condition(s) that cause adenomyosis.

Evaluation of high intensity focused ultrasound treatment for different types of adenomyosis based on magnetic resonance imaging classification

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the mid-term symptom improvement of patients with different types of adenomyosis based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) classification after ultrasound-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 321 patients with adenomyosis who underwent HIFU and completed 18-month follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. Based on the relationship between the adenomyotic lesion and the uterine structural components on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), adenomyotic lesions were classified as internal, external, full thickness and intramural adenomyosis. Based on the extent of the myometrial involvement, these lesions were further subclassified as asymmetric and symmetric adenomyosis.

RESULTS

All patients completed HIFU ablation in one session. The range of median menstrual pain score in patients with asymmetric internal, symmetric internal, asymmetric external, asymmetric full thickness, symmetric full thickness, and intramural adenomyosis was between 6 and 8 points before HIFU, the median menstrual pain score decreased to 2-4 points 18-month post-HIFU (p < .005). The menstrual pain relief rate was 68.3%, 62.1%, 54.7%, 64.1%, 60%, and 100%, respectively. The median menstrual blood volume score range was between 2 and 4 points in the different groups of patients before HIFU, it decreased to 1-3 points 18-month after HIFU with a relief rate of 68.3%, 51.6%, 51.0%, 55.5%, 57.2%, and 100%, respectively. No serious complication occurred in any of these patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our results, USgHIFU is safe and effective in the treatment of patients with different subtypes of adenomyosis with mid-term sustained improvement in symptoms of menstrual pain and menstrual blood volume.

Mechanisms and Pathogenesis of Adenomyosis

Purpose of the Review

The purpose of this review is to provide a synopsis of all the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of adenomyosis. It will summarize recent advances in the field, discussing current controversies, and considering potential future directions.

Recent Findings

Adenomyosis pathogenesis is still a topic under investigation, however advancements in the understanding of disease development and mechanisms have been made. New data coming from new next generation sequencing-based studies and more-in-depth acquisitions on sex hormones imbalance, neuroangiogenesis, inflammation, fibrosis and cell proliferation have been obtained.

Summary

Adenomyosis is a uterine disorder that affects women of reproductive age, characterized by a benign invasion of the endometrium basalis (glands and stroma) within the myometrium.

So far, three theories for the pathophysiology of adenomyosis have been proposed:

In order to invade and develop, endometrial cells require a series of pathogenetic mechanisms which drive to adenomyosis. Altered sex steroids hormones receptors may be the primary event which causes increased endometrial cell proliferations and differentiation from epithelial to mesenchymal cells. Once invaded the myometrium, an inflammatory reaction is displayed, probably driven by local immune changes. The processes of neuroangiogenesis and fibrosis are also involved in the adenomyosis development and may explain some of the associated clinical symptoms (dysmenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding, and infertility).

Integrative metabolomic profiling reveals aberrations in myometrium associated with adenomyosis: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Uterine adenomyosis is a common gynecologic disease in premenopausal women, the pathological mechanism of which remains largely unknown. The aim of this study was to identify metabolic biomarkers significantly altered in the myometrium of adenomyosis patients.

METHODS

The comprehensive metabolomic profiles of 17 myometrium specimens from adenomyosis patients and 25 control specimens were analyzed using untargeted approach by combination of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Metabolic data were filtered using orthogonal partial least square-discriminant analysis and univariate statistics.

RESULTS

We firstly demonstrated that the myometrial metabolome of women with adenomyosis is distinct from that of women without adenomyosis. A total of 106 metabolites, mainly including nucleosides, lipids (including acylcarnitines), amino acids, organic acids and carbohydrates, were found to be differentially expressed in myometrium of uteri with adenomyosis compared to the control subjects. Functional inferences of these perturbed metabolites indicated that inflammation, oxidative stress, cell proliferation and apoptosis, and energy metabolism appeared to be involved in the progress of adenomyosis.

CONCLUSION

This study firstly described the integrated metabolic signatures of the adenomyosis uterus, which provided novel insights for the pathogenesis study of this disease.

Historical Perspectives and Evolution of Menstrual Terminology

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in the reproductive years in non-pregnant women comprises a group of symptoms that include abnormal frequency and the irregular onset of flow as well as prolonged and heavy menstrual bleeding. It is a common, chronic, and debilitating condition affecting women worldwide with an adverse impact on their quality of life. Until the last decade, the "menstrual" terminology used to describe both normal and abnormal uterine bleeding and its underlying causes was inconsistent, creating considerable confusion. Using standardized terminology may potentially improve clinical management as well as help designing and interpreting basic, translational, epidemiological, and clinical research in women with menstrual problems. In this article, we explore the history and evolution of menstrual terminology and discuss the two International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) systems on i.e., (A) menstrual terminology and definitions (B) and the causes of AUB, achieved through international consensus of relevant stakeholders through a long multistage journey.

Progesterone Actions and Resistance in Gynecological Disorders

Estrogen and progesterone and their signaling mechanisms are tightly regulated to maintain a normal menstrual cycle and to support a successful pregnancy. The imbalance of estrogen and progesterone disrupts their complex regulatory mechanisms, leading to estrogen dominance and progesterone resistance. Gynecological diseases are heavily associated with dysregulated steroid hormones and can induce chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, heavy bleeding, and infertility, which substantially impact the quality of women's lives. Because the menstrual cycle repeatably occurs during reproductive ages with dynamic changes and remodeling of reproductive-related tissues, these alterations can accumulate and induce chronic and recurrent conditions. This review focuses on faulty progesterone signaling mechanisms and cellular responses to progesterone in endometriosis, adenomyosis, leiomyoma (uterine fibroids), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and endometrial hyperplasia. We also summarize the association with gene mutations and steroid hormone regulation in disease progression as well as current hormonal therapies and the clinical consequences of progesterone resistance.

Classifications of Adenomyosis and Correlation of Phenotypes in Imaging and Histopathology to Clinical Outcomes: a Review

Purpose of Review

To provide an update on published classification and reporting systems for adenomyosis. There is an urgent need to standardize reporting of various phenotypes of adenomyosis into a validated and globally recognized system. This can be used to examine the nature and severity of adenomyosis symptoms and inform the design, evaluation, and implementation of appropriate treatment options.

Recent Findings

In recent years, several new proposals for adenomyosis classification have emerged. Most are MRI-based and include features such as uterine size, junctional zone thickness, size and location of the lesions, and distribution patterns. To date, none of those proposals has been validated. Only one recent classification based on transvaginal ultrasound was validated for interobserver congruence and correlated to clinical findings. However, the differentiation of diffuse and focal adenomyosis still lacks consensus. In addition, only a few authors advocated imaging-based definitions.

Summary

There is a need for one or a combination of a classification and reporting system for adenomyosis. To date, there is no widely accepted and validated system.

Establishment of Adenomyosis Organoids as a Preclinical Model to Study Infertility

Adenomyosis is related to infertility and miscarriages, but so far there are no robust in vitro models that reproduce its pathological features to study the molecular mechanisms involved in this disease. Endometrial organoids are in vitro 3D models that recapitulate the native microenvironment and reproduce tissue characteristics that would allow the study of adenomyosis pathogenesis and related infertility disorders. In our study, human endometrial biopsies from adenomyosis (n = 6) and healthy women (n = 6) were recruited. Organoids were established and hormonally differentiated to recapitulate midsecretory and gestational endometrial phases. Physiological and pathological characteristics were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and ELISA. Secretory and gestational organoids recapitulated in vivo glandular epithelial phenotype (pan-cytokeratin, Muc-1, PAS, Laminin, and Ki67) and secretory and gestational features (α-tubulin, SOX9, SPP1, PAEP, LIF, and 17βHSD2 expression and SPP1 secretion). Adenomyosis organoids showed higher expression of TGF-β2 and SMAD3 and increased gene expression of SPP1, PAEP, LIF, and 17βHSD2 compared with control organoids. Our results demonstrate that organoids derived from endometria of adenomyosis patients and differentiated to secretory and gestational phases recapitulate native endometrial-tissue-specific features and disease-specific traits. Adenomyosis-derived organoids are a promising in vitro preclinical model to study impaired implantation and pregnancy disorders in adenomyosis and enable personalized drug screening.

Extrinsic Adenomyosis Is Associated With Postoperative Recurrence of Ovarian Endometrioma

Objective: To determine whether endometrioma recurrence is closely related to the presence of extrinsic adenomyosis, which was demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Design: Observational crosssectional study involving patients with the recurrence of ovarian endometrioma (OMA). Correlations of endometrioma recurrence and adenomyosis subtypes shown by MRI were analyzed. Method: Between January 2018 and December 2020, a total of 233 patients with recurrence of OMA after ovarian cystectomy were administered for surgery at our institution. All patients were divided into subtype II (Group A), subtype I+IV (Group B), and nonadenomyosis (Group C) groups at preoperative MRI imaging. The correlations of endometrioma recurrence with clinical features, imaging appearance, and surgical findings were retrospectively analyzed. Results: We found 112 (48.07%) patients of endometrioma recurrence combined with subtype II adenomyosis, 8 (3.43%) subtype I adenomyosis, 47 (20.17%) subtype IV adenomyosis, 66 (28.32%) nonadenomyosis. The mean time of OMA recurrence (44.28 ± 8.37, vs. 63.96 ± 10.28, vs. 69.36 ± 9.34 mon), rate of pain symptoms (85.71, vs. 69.10, vs. 18.18%), and primary infertility (31.25, vs. 14.55, vs. 10.77%) were higher in Group A. Uterine volume (257.37± 42.61, vs. 203.14 ± 33.52, vs. 100.85 ± 26.67 cm³), and mean OMA size (4.97 ± 2.25, vs. 4.36 ± 2.38, vs. 4.46 ± 2.70 cm) were significantly larger in Group A. The rate of DIE (83.93, vs. 45.45, vs. 40.91%), the number of DIE (3.6 ± 1.8 vs. 2.3 ± 1.5 vs. 2.2 ± 1.3), the mean total revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine score (rASRM, 103.14 ± 23.89 vs. 74.23 ± 16.72 vs. 36.51 ± 14.23) were significantly higher in Group A. After a multiple logistic regression analysis, extrinsic adenomyosis (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2-3.4), DIE lesions (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.4-2.8), and primary infertility (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3-4.3) were significantly associated with early recurrence (in 3-year) of OMA. Conclusions: Extrinsic adenomyosis was associated with postoperative recurrence of OMA. In addition, a pathogenic link between extrinsic adenomyosis and pelvic endometriosis needs to be clarified.

Association Between Endometriosis Phenotype and Preterm Birth in France

IMPORTANCE

Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease with a heterogeneous presentation that affects women of childbearing age. Given the limitations of previous retrospective studies, it is still unclear whether endometriosis has adverse implications for pregnancy outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between the presence of endometriosis and preterm birth and whether the risk varied according to the disease phenotype.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cohort study with exposed and unexposed groups was conducted in 7 maternity units in France from February 4, 2016, to June 28, 2018. Participants included women with singleton pregnancies who were followed up before 22 weeks' gestation along with their newborns delivered at or after 22 weeks' gestation. The final follow-up occurred in July 2019. Data were analyzed from October 7, 2020, to February 7, 2021.

EXPOSURES

Women in the endometriosis group had a documented history of endometriosis and were classified according to 3 endometriosis phenotypes: isolated superficial peritoneal endometriosis (SUP), ovarian endometrioma (OMA; potentially associated with SUP), and deep endometriosis (DE; potentially associated with SUP and OMA). Women in the control group did not have a history of clinical symptoms of endometriosis before their current pregnancy.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was preterm birth between 22 weeks and 36 weeks 6 days of gestation. Association between endometriosis and the primary outcome was assessed through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses and was adjusted for the following risk factors associated with preterm birth: maternal age, body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) before pregnancy, country of birth, parity, previous cesarean delivery, history of myomectomy and hysteroscopy, and preterm birth. The same analysis was performed according to the 3 endometriosis phenotypes (SUP, OMA, and DE).

RESULTS

Of the 1351 study participants (mean [SD] age, 32.9 [5.0] years) who had a singleton delivery after 22 weeks of gestation, 470 were assigned to the endometriosis group (48 had SUP [10.2%], 83 had OMA [17.7%], and 339 had DE [72.1%]) and 881 were assigned to the control group. No difference was observed in the rate of preterm deliveries before 37 weeks 0 days of gestation between the endometriosis and control groups (34 of 470 [7.2%] vs 53 of 881 [6.0%]; P = .38). After adjusting for confounding factors, endometriosis was not associated with preterm birth before 37 weeks' gestation (adjusted odds ratio, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.64-1.77). The results were comparable for the different disease phenotypes (SUP: 6.2% [3 of 48]; OMA: 7.2% [6 of 83]; and DE: 7.4% [25 of 339]; P = .84).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This cohort study found no association between endometriosis and preterm birth, and the disease phenotype did not appear to alter the result. Monitoring the pregnancy beyond the normal protocols or changing management strategies for women with endometriosis may not be warranted to prevent preterm birth.

The Potential Relationship Between Environmental Endocrine Disruptor Exposure and the Development of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis

Women with endometriosis, the growth of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterus, commonly also exhibit adenomyosis, the growth of endometrial tissues within the uterine muscle. Each disease is associated with functional alterations in the eutopic endometrium frequently leading to pain, reduced fertility, and an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Although the precise etiology of either disease is poorly understood, evidence suggests that the presence of endometriosis may be a contributing factor to the subsequent development of adenomyosis as a consequence of an altered, systemic inflammatory response. Herein, we will discuss the potential role of exposure to environmental toxicants with endocrine disrupting capabilities in the pathogenesis of both endometriosis and adenomyosis. Numerous epidemiology and experimental studies support a role for environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the development of endometriosis; however, only a few studies have examined the potential relationship between toxicant exposures and the risk of adenomyosis. Nevertheless, since women with endometriosis are also frequently found to have adenomyosis, discussion of EDC exposure and development of each of these diseases is relevant. We will discuss the potential mechanisms by which EDCs may act to promote the co-development of endometriosis and adenomyosis. Understanding the disease-promoting mechanisms of environmental toxicants related to endometriosis and adenomyosis is paramount to designing more effective treatment(s) and preventative strategies.

Diagnosis of infertility from adenomyosis and endometriosis through entroxon based intelligent water drop back propagation neural networks

Adenomyosis is an abnormality in the uterine wall of women that adversely affects their normal life style. If not treated properly, it may lead to severe health issues. The symptoms of adenomyosis are identified from MRI images. It is a gynaecological disease that may lead to infertility. The presence of red dots in the uterus is the major symptom of adenomyosis. The difference in the extent of these red dots extracted from MRI images shows how significant the deviation from normality is. Thus, we proposed an entroxon-based bio-inspired intelligent water drop back-propagation neural network (BIWDNN) model to discover the probability of infertility being caused by adenomyosis and endometriosis. First, vital features from the images are extracted and segmented, and then they are classified using the fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm. The extracted features are then attributed and compared with a normal person’s extracted attributes. The proposed BIWDNN model is evaluated using training and testing datasets and the predictions are estimated using the testing dataset. The proposed model produces an improved diagnostic precision rate on infertility.

Decreased intracellular IL-33 impairs endometrial receptivity in women with adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a common benign uterine lesion that is associated with female infertility, reduced clinical pregnancy rate and high miscarriage risk. While it has been known that the impaired endometrial receptivity is implicated in infertility in patients with adenomyosis, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we showed that intracellular protein level of IL-33 was downregulated in the endometrium of patients with adenomyosis, and IL-33 expression status was shown to be positively correlated with that of HOXA10, an endometrial receptivity marker. The subsequent analysis indicated IL-33 overexpression led to the increase of HOXA10 expression and enhancement of embryo implantation in vitro, which was accompanied with induction of STAT3 phosphorylation. Meanwhile, cryptotanshinone, a potent STAT3 inhibitor, was found to significantly suppress the increase of HOXA10 expression and embryo implantation caused by IL-33 overexpression in vitro, revealing the critical role of STAT3 activity. Consistently, the positive relationship between IL33 and HOXA10 expression in the endometrium was verified in the analysis of adenomyosis mouse model.

Endometriosis increases the rate of spontaneous early miscarriage in women who have adenomyosis lesions

RESEARCH QUESTION

In women with radiologically diagnosed adenomyosis, is the presence of endometriosis associated with a higher rate of miscarriage?

DESIGN

An observational cohort study of women who received medical care for benign gynaecological conditions between May 2005 and May 2018. Women who had adenomyosis lesions visualized by uterine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were included. Women who had never been pregnant were excluded. Women with adenomyosis identified by MRI but who did not have endometriosis lesions (control group) were compared with women with adenomyosis and endometriosis lesions (study group). Primary outcome was rate of a previous history of early miscarriage.

RESULTS

A total of 214 pregnancies in the study group and 53 pregnancies in the control group were analysed. The rate of a previous miscarriage was significantly higher among women with adenomyosis and endometriosis lesions compared with women in the control group (61/214 [28.5%] versus 6/53 [11.3%], respectively, P = 0.009). A multivariable generalized estimating equation logistic regression model, adjusted for adenomyosis and endometriosis phenotypes, found that the association between endometriosis and adenomyosis significantly increased the risk of miscarriage (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 9.65). The risk was significantly higher with deep infiltrating endometriosis (OR 4.37, 95% CI 1.32 to 14.53).

CONCLUSIONS

Women affected by endometriosis had a significantly higher rate of previous spontaneous miscarriage than women without endometriosis with adenomyosis lesions identified by MRI. Mechanistic studies are needed to establish the complex link between the presence of endometriosis and adenomyosis and the rate of spontaneous miscarriage.

Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis and Adenomyosis: Implications on Pregnancy and Outcome

Endometriosis (EM), especially deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) and adenomyosis (AM), are known to cause pain and sterility in young women. More recently, they have also been described as risk factors for obstetric complications. While the pathophysiology is not yet completely understood, they seem to share a common origin: archimetrosis. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted to summarize the existing evidence on DIE and AM as risk factors for obstetric complications. Results: Preterm birth, caesarean section delivery (CS) and placental abnormalities are associated with the diagnosis of DIE and AM. Women with AM seem to experience more often hypertensive pregnancy disorders, premature rupture of membranes and their children are born with lower birth weights than in the control groups. However, many of the studies tried to evaluate AM, EM and DIE as separate risk factors. Moreover, often they did not adjust for important confounders such as multiple pregnancies, parity, mode of conception and maternal age. Therefore, prospective studies with larger numbers of cases and appropriate adjustment for confounders are needed to explore the pathophysiology and to prove causality.

Classifying Adenomyosis: Progress and Challenges

Classically, the diagnosis of adenomyosis relied on histological examination of uteri following hysterectomy and classifications focused on the depth of endometrial invasion within the myometrium. There remain uncertainties around the cut-off point for the histological diagnosis. Imaging-based diagnosis enables recognition of the condition in women not undergoing surgery and facilitates the assessment of the extent of adenomyosis within the whole uterus, as well as of affections of the uterovesical pouch and of the pouch of Douglas. In this article, we explore the diagnostic uncertainties, the need to produce a classification of the condition and the challenges towards that goal. A distinction should be drawn between disease mapping and a classification that may link histological or image-based features with clinical characteristics, or with pathophysiology. An agreed system for reporting adenomyotic lesions may enable comparisons of research studies and thus contribute towards an informed classification. To this aim, we outline the features of the condition and explore the characteristics that are considered when producing a taxonomy. These include the latest proposal for subdivision of adenomyosis into an internal and an external variant. We also explore the uncertainties linked to classifying involvement of the uterovesical pouch, the pouch of Douglas and lesions in the outer myometrium. The limitations of currently available evidence suggest that agreement on a hypothesis to underpin a classification is unlikely at present. Therefore, current efforts will probably remain focused on disease mapping.

Maternal-Fetal Outcomes in Women with Endometriosis and Shared Pathogenic Mechanisms

The connection between endometriosis and pregnancy outcomes is trending among the research topics. Until recently, endometriosis and its painful symptomatology were considered to be alleviated by pregnancy. However, these beliefs have shifted, as emerging literature has demonstrated the role of this condition in affecting pregnancy evolution. The underlying pathogenesis of endometriosis is still poorly understood, all the more when pregnancy complications are involved. Debatable opinions on endometriosis associated with obstetric complications exist because of the potential bias resulting from the heterogeneity of preceding evidence. This review aims to evaluate the connection between endometriosis and adverse pregnancy outcomes and their shared pathogenic mechanisms. We searched PubMed and EMBASE and focused on the studies that include placenta praevia, premature rupture of membranes, spontaneous preterm birth, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, obstetric hemorrhages (ante- and postpartum bleeding, abruptio placentae), miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational cholestasis, small for gestational age, and their association with endometriosis. Not only the risks of emergence were highlighted, but also the pathogenic connections. Epigenetic alterations of some genes were found to be mirrored both in endometriosis and obstetric complications. This review issues a warning for providing increased attention to pregnant women with endometriosis and newborns as higher risks of preeclampsia, placental issues, and preterm deliveries are associated.

Conservative Management of Rectovaginal Deep Endometriosis: Shaving Should Be Considered as the Primary Surgical Approach in a High Majority of Cases

Deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum remains a challenging situation to manage, and it is even more important when ureters and pelvic nerves are also infiltrated. Removal of deep rectovaginal endometriosis is mandatory in case of symptoms strongly impairing quality of life, alteration of digestive, urinary, sexual and reproductive functions, or in case of growing. Extensive preoperative imaging is required to choose the right technique between laparoscopic shaving, disc excision, or rectal resection. When performed by skilled surgeons and well-trained teams, a very high majority of cases of deep endometriosis nodule (>95%) is feasible by the shaving technique, and this is associated with lower complication rates regarding rectal resection. In most cases, removing a part of the rectum is questionable according to the risk of complications, and the rectum should be preserved as far as possible. Shaving and rectal resection are comparable in terms of recurrence rates. As shaving is manageable whatever the size of the lesions, surgeons should consider rectal shaving as first-line surgery to remove rectal deep endometriosis. Rectal stenosis of more than 80% of the lumen, multiple bowel deep endometriosis nodules, and stenotic sigmoid colon lesions should be considered as indication for rectal resection, but this represents a minority of cases.

Assessment of Sexual Quality of Life and Satisfaction in Couple Relationships Among Women With Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis and Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis and endometriosis are similar gynecological diseases that decrease sexual quality of life and, in the case of endometriosis, satisfaction in couple relationships. This study aimed to assess sexual quality of life and couple satisfaction in women diagnosed with adenomyosis (AD) or deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). The study population included three groups of couples: one composed of 58 couples in which the woman was diagnosed with AD by transvaginal ultrasound (AD group), a second group comprising 55 couples in which the woman was diagnosed with isolated DIE by transvaginal ultrasound (DIE group), and a third group composed of 60 couples in which the women did not have AD or endometriosis (non-AD/DIE group). All women completed the Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire, and all the couples completed the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS). Sexual quality of life was significantly worse in women with AD or DIE compared with non-AD/DIE controls. Dyadic adjustment was significantly worse in the AD and DIE groups compared with the non-AD/DIE group. AD and DIE may impair quality of sexual life and couple relationships. Clinicians should be aware of this issue when treating women with AD or DIE.

Long-term GnRH agonist pretreatment before frozen embryo transfer improves pregnancy outcomes in women with adenomyosis

RESEARCH QUESTION

Do frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles following long-term gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) pretreatment have better pregnancy outcomes than fresh embryo transfer cycles with long or ultra-long GnRHa protocol in these patients?

DESIGN

This study included 537 women with adenomyosis divided into three groups: (Group A) FET cycles following long-term GnRHa pretreatment (192 patients); (Group B) fresh embryo transfer cycles with the ultra-long GnRHa protocol (241 patients); (Group C) fresh embryo transfer cycles with the long GnRHa protocol (104 patients).

RESULTS

The total gonadotrophin dose and stimulation duration were significantly lower in Group A than in Groups B and C. The implantation and live birth rates were significantly higher in Group A than in Groups B and C. In the long-term GnRHa pretreatment and FET treatment of Group A, implantation (odds ratio [OR] 1.729, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.073-2.788, P = 0.025), clinical pregnancy (OR 1.665, 95% CI 1.032-2.686, P = 0.037) and live birth rates (OR 1.694, 95% CI 1.045-2.746, P = 0.033) increased and miscarriage rate (OR 0.203, 95% CI 0.078-0.530, P = 0.001) decreased when compared with Group C. Comparison of Groups A and B showed that with the long-term GnRHa pretreatment, FET was a protective factor for live birth rate (OR 1.350, 95% CI 1.017-1.792, P = 0.038).

CONCLUSION

FET following long-term GnRHa pretreatment has a better IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome, and a potential benefit in terms of a lower gonadotrophin dose, and a shorter stimulation duration than fresh embryo transfer combined with a long or ultra-long GnRHa protocol.

[Adenomyosis pathophysiology: An unresolved enigma]

Adenomyosis is a chronic benign uterine disease characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma within the myometrium. It is a heterogeneous disease, presenting various clinical forms, depending on the location of the ectopic lesions within the myometrium. Adenomyosis can be responsible for several symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding and/or infertility. Its pathophysiology is a real conundrum and several theories have been proposed: development of adenomyosis lesion could initiate de novo from Mullerian rests or from stem cells. Moreover, multiple factors could be involved in initiating lesions, including specific hormonal, immune and/or genetic changes. The objective of this review is to provide an update on adenomyosis pathophysiology, in particular on the various theories proposed concerning the invasion of the myometrium by endometrial cells and the inducing mechanisms, and to study the link between the physiopathology, the symptoms and the medical treatments.

Ectopic Endometrium: The Pathologist's Perspective

Endometriosis and adenomyosis are two frequent diseases closely linked, characterized by ectopic endometrium. Despite their benign nature, endometriosis and adenomyosis impair women's quality of life by causing pain and infertility and an increase in the incidence of gynecological malignancies has been reported. Since the first description of ectopic endometrium in 1860, different attempts have been made to describe, classify and understand the origin of these diseases. Several theories have been proposed to describe the pathogenic mechanism leading to the development of adenomyosis or endometriosis. However, all the hypotheses show some limitations in explaining all the different aspects and manifestations of these diseases. Despite the remarkable progress made over recent years, the pathogeneses of endometriosis and adenomyosis remain unclear. Moreover, because of the lack of standardized protocols and diagnostic criteria in pathology practice it is difficult to study and to classify these disorders. The goal of this review is to summarize the pathological aspects of adenomyosis and endometriosis, spanning a historical perspective to newly reported data.

Impact of endometriosis on female fertility and the management options for endometriosis-related infertility in reproductive age women: a scoping review with recent evidences

Background

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition with varied presentation, which ultimately leads to chronic pelvic pain and infertility. It is a psychological and economic burden to the women and their families.

Main body of abstract

The literature search was performed on the following databases: MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus, EMBASE, Global health, the COCHRANE library, and Web of Science. We searched the entirety of those databases for studies published until July 2020 and in English language. The literature search was conducted using the combination of the Medical Subject heading (MeSH) and any relevant keywords for “endometriosis related infertility and management” in different orders. The modalities of treatment of infertility in these patients are heterogeneous and inconclusive among the infertility experts. In this article, we tried to review the literature and look for the evidences for management of infertility caused by endometriosis. In stage I/II endometriosis, laparoscopic ablation leads to improvement in LBR. In stage III/IV, operative laparoscopy better than expectant management, to increase spontaneous pregnancy rates. Repeat surgery in stage III/IV rarely increases fecundability as it will decrease the ovarian reserve, and IVF will be better in these patients. The beneficial impact of GnRH agonist down-regulation in ART is undisputed. Dienogest is an upcoming and new alternative to GnRH agonist, with a better side effect profile. IVF + ICSI may be beneficial as compared to IVF alone. Younger patients planned for surgery due to pain or any other reason should be given the option of fertility preservation.

Short conclusion

In women with endometriosis-related infertility, clinician should individualize management, with patient-centred, multi-modal, and interdisciplinary integrated approach.

Identifying Common Pathogenic Features in Deep Endometriotic Nodules and Uterine Adenomyosis

Increasing imaging data point to a link between deep endometriotic nodules (DENs) and uterine adenomyosis (AD). The study aimed to investigate this link at the histological level and detect potential features shared by the two diseases. We collected formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (endometrium and lesions) from women with DENs of the rectovaginal septum (n = 13), AD (n = 14), and control subjects (n = 14). Immunohistochemical analyses of CD41 and CD68 were conducted to explore the roles of platelets and macrophages, respectively. Picrosirius red staining was carried out to gather evidence of fibrosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was assessed, and total numbers of CD31-positive vessels were calculated to investigate the mechanism governing angiogenesis. Double immunohistochemistry for CD31 and alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) was performed to discern stable vessels. Platelet aggregation was significantly decreased in both types of lesions compared to their corresponding eutopic endometrium and healthy controls. Macrophage numbers were higher in both lesions than in their corresponding endometrium and healthy subjects. Significantly higher rates of collagen accumulation were detected in DENs and AD lesions compared to their corresponding eutopic and healthy endometrium. VEGF expression was downregulated in the stromal compartment of AD lesions compared to the healthy endometrium. The total number of vessels per area was significantly higher in DENs and AD lesions than in the healthy endometrium. Rates of αSMA-surrounded vessels were decreased in DENs and AD lesions compared to their corresponding eutopic and healthy endometrium. We report common pathogenic mechanisms between DENs and AD, namely excessive macrophage accumulation, fibrosis, and irregular angiogenesis. Our results further support the notion of DENs and AD being linked at the histological level.

Immune cells and Notch1 signaling appear to drive the epithelial to mesenchymal transition in the development of adenomyosis in mice

The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been implicated in the development of adenomyosis, along with dysregulated immune responses. Inflammation potentially induces Notch signaling, which could promote this EMT. The objective of this study was to investigate the involvement of immune cells and Notch1-mediated EMT in the development of adenomyosis. Adenomyosis was induced in 18 CD-1 mice by neonatal oral administration of tamoxifen (TAM group), while 18 neonates received vehicle only (Control group). Their uteri were sampled at 30, 60 or 90 days of age. Immune cell markers (Cd45, Ly6c1, Cd86, Arginine1, Cd19, Cd4, Cd8), Notch1 and its target genes (Hey1, Hey2, Hes1, Hes5) and biomarkers of EMT (E-Cadherin, Vimentin, Tgfb, Snail1, Slug, Snail3) were analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Activated-Notch1 protein was measured by western blot. Aberrant expression of immune cell markers was observed in the uteri of mice as they developed adenomyosis. The expression of inflammatory cell markers, notably M1 macrophages and natural killer cells, was increased from Day 30 in the TAM group compared to controls, followed by an increase in the Cd4 marker (T cells) at Day 60. Conversely, expression of the Cd19 marker (B cells) was significantly reduced at all of the stages studied. Notch1 signaling was also highly activated compared to controls at Day 30 and Day 60. Concomitantly, the levels of several markers for EMT were also higher. Therefore, the activation of Notch1 coincides with aberrant expression of immune and EMT markers in the early development of adenomyosis.

Uterine Adenomyosis: From Disease Pathogenesis to a New Medical Approach Using GnRH Antagonists

Uterine adenomyosis is a common chronic disorder frequently encountered in reproductive-age women, causing heavy menstrual bleeding, intense pelvic pain, and infertility. Despite its high prevalence, its etiopathogenesis is not yet fully understood, so there are currently no specific drugs to treat the disease. A number of dysregulated mechanisms are believed to contribute to adenomyosis development and symptoms, including sex steroid signaling, endometrial proliferation and invasiveness, and aberrant immune response. Abnormal sex steroid signaling, particularly hyperestrogenism and subsequent progesterone resistance, are known to play a pivotal role in its pathogenesis, which is why various antiestrogenic agents have been used to manage adenomyosis-related symptoms. Among them, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists are swiftly gaining ground, with recent studies reporting efficient lesion regression and symptom alleviation. The aim of the present review is to compile available information on the pathogenesis of adenomyosis, explore the etiology and mechanisms of hyperestrogenism, and discuss the potential of antiestrogenic therapies for treating the disease and improving patient quality of life.

Adenomyosis: An update regarding its diagnosis and clinical features

Adenomyosis is a common gynecologic disease characterized by invasion of endometrial glands and stroma within the myometrium. Clinically, it can result in abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, and infertility. Adenomyosis has historically been diagnosed by histology of hysterectomy specimens. As a result of the development of imaging techniques, the diagnosis is nowadays possible by means of transvaginal pelvic ultrasound or pelvic magnetic resonance imaging. The use of pelvic imaging has demonstrated the existence of different forms of adenomyosis, notably allowing distinction between lesions of the external myometrium and those of the internal myometrium. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics may depend on the anatomical location of the adenomyosis lesions. In order to provide the best management for women with adenomyosis, the objective of this review is to provide an update regarding the diagnosis of adenomyosis and its clinical features according to the different adenomyosis phenotypes.

Molecular Basis of Endometriosis and Endometrial Cancer: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

The human endometrium is a unique tissue undergoing important changes through the menstrual cycle. Under the exposure of different risk factors in a woman's lifetime, normal endometrial tissue can give rise to multiple pathologic conditions, including endometriosis and endometrial cancer. Etiology and pathophysiologic changes behind such conditions remain largely unclear. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the pathophysiology of endometriosis and its potential role in the development of endometrial cancer from a molecular perspective. A better understanding of the molecular basis of endometriosis and its role in the development of endometrial pathology will improve the approach to clinical management.

Clinical Features and Long-Term Outcomes After Laparoscopic Surgery in Patients Co-existing With Endometriosis and Adenomyosis

Objective: To investigate the difference of clinical features and outcomes between EM patients with and without AM after following up for at least 6 years after surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 358 EM patients who had a minimum of 6 years follow-up after laparoscopic cystectomy, which was performed by one single doctor at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2009 to April 2013. All women were divided into AM group and non-AM group and analysis was performed in preoperative characteristics, surgical findings and postoperative outcomes during follow-up.

Results: A total of 358 EM patients were recruited, of which 142 (39.7%) were in the AM group and the rest 216 (60.3%) in the non-AM group. Between the two group, the mean age was 34.6 vs. 32.2 years (P < 0.001). The mean operating time in the AM and non-AM group was 73.2 vs. 61.9 min (P < 0.001). According to the revised AFS classification, the mean score of the two group were 60.3 vs. 45.5 (P < 0.001). At the end of the follow-up, though the AM group was with higher rate of disease relapse, yet no significant difference was found between the two groups in statistical comparison (34/142 [23.9%] vs. 34/216 [15.7%], P = 0.053). With a minimum follow-up of 6 years after laparoscopic cystectomy, failed and successful pregnancy were seen in 107/142(75.4%) and 35/142 (24.6%) patients in the AM group vs. 114/216(52.8%) and 102/216 (47.2%) patients in the non-AM group (P < 0.05). As for the successfully pregnant patients, live births, including spontaneous pregnancy and IVF-ET, were seen in 34/35 (97.1) vs. 99/102 (97.1) patients between AM and non-AM groups, while others ended in spontaneous abortion. No significant associations were found between the two groups in infertility, leiomyoma presence, the size of ovarian endometrioma, type of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) or type of recurrence (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Compared with non-AM group, EM patients with concurrent AM may have higher age, longer mean operating time and higher mean AFS score. In terms of fertility outcomes, patients in the AM group were with lower likelihood of pregnancy after surgery during the long-time follow-up.