Comparison of ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation and surgery for abdominal wall endometriosis

Complications and adverse events of high-intensity focused ultrasound in its application to gynecological field - a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To analyze and summarize the types, incidence rates and relevant influencing factors of adverse events (AEs) after high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation of gynecological diseases and provide reference and basis for handling such events in clinical practice.

METHOD

We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Embase databases to retrieve all literature since its establishment until February 2024. We evaluated the quality of included literature and publication bias and conducted a meta-analysis of single group rates for various AEs using Stata 17.0.

RESULTS

This systematic review finally included 41 articles. We summarized 34 kinds of AEs in 7 aspects and conducted a single group rate meta-analysis and sub-group analysis of 16 kinds of AEs. Among the common AEs of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), the incidence of lower abdominal pain/pelvic pain is 36.1% (95% CI: 24.3%∼48.8%), vaginal bleeding is 20.6% (95% CI: 13.9%∼28.0%), vaginal discharge is 14.0% (95% CI: 9.6%∼19.1%), myoma discharge is 24% (95% CI: 14.6%∼34.8%), buttock pain is 10.8% (95% CI: 6.0%∼16.5%) and sacral pain is 10% (95% CI: 8.8%∼11.2%). Serious complications include uterine rupture, necrotic tissue obstruction requiring surgical intervention, third degree skin burns and persistent lower limb pain or movement disorders.

CONCLUSION

The common AEs after HIFU surgery are mostly mild and controllable, and the incidence of serious complications is extremely low. By reasonable prevention and active intervention, these events can be further reduced, making it a safe and effective treatment method. It is a good choice for patients who crave noninvasive treatment or have other surgical contraindications.

Surgical and Percutaneous Image-guided Therapies of Abdominal Wall Endometriosis: a Systematic Review of Current Evidence

OBJECTIVE

Despite various surgical and non-surgical strategies for abdominal wall endometriosis, the lack of definitive guidance on optimal treatment choice leads to clinical uncertainty. This review scrutinizes the safety and efficacy of abdominal wall endometriosis treatments to aid in decision-making.

DATA SOURCES

We performed a systematic literature review of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases from 1947 until December 2023.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

A comprehensive literature search identified studies that assessed both surgical and nonsurgical interventions, including high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and microwave ablation (MWA). This review is registered in NIHR-PROSPERO (CRD 42023494969). Local tumor control (LTC), local pain relief (LPR) and adverse events (AE) were recorded.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

This review included 51 articles among 831 identified. All study designs were considered eligible for inclusion. A total of 2,674 patients are included: 2,219 patients (83%) undergoing surgery, and 455 (17%) undergoing percutaneous interventions (342 HIFU, 103 cryoablation, 1 RFA, 9 MWA). Follow-up length was 18 months in median, ranging from 1 to 235 months. Overall LTC rates ranged from 86% to 100%. Surgical interventions consistently demonstrated the highest rate of LTC with a median rate of 100%, and LPR with a median rate of 98.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 93.9-97.7). HIFU showed median LTC and LPR rates, respectively of 95.65% (95% CI, 87.7-99.9) and 76.1% (95% CI, 61.8-90.4); and cryoablation of 85.7% (95% CI, 66.0-99.9) and 79.2% (95% CI, 67.4-91.03). Minor AE were reported after surgery in 17.5% of patients (225/1284) including 15.9% (199/1284) of mesh implantation; 76.4% (239/313) after HIFU; and 8.7 % (9/103) after cryoablation. Severe AE were reported in 25 patients in the surgery group and 1 in the percutaneous group.

CONCLUSION

The safety profile and efficacy of nonsurgical interventions support their clinical utility for management of abdominal wall endometriosis.

Is high-intensity focused ultrasound a magical solution to endometriosis? A systematic review

Background

Endometriosis presents a significant challenge in gynecological endocrinology, affecting approximately 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. Abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) and rectosigmoid deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) pose unique clinical complexities. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has emerged as a novel alternative for treating these conditions, offering a noninvasive option with potential therapeutic benefits.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines to investigate the safety and efficacy of HIFU therapy for AWE and rectosigmoid DIE. The literature search encompassed databases from inception to January 20, 2024. Eligible studies included observational studies, case reports, and clinical trials evaluating HIFU treatment for endometriosis. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed following established protocols.

Results

Fourteen studies were included, comprising 330 patients with AWE and 28 patients with rectosigmoid DIE. HIFU treatment demonstrated significant efficacy, with many patients experiencing complete remission, and clinical effectiveness. Reductions in lesion volume posttreatment were consistent across studies. However, safety concerns were noted, including pain at the treatment site, hematuria, and skin burns. Adverse effects underscored the importance of careful patient selection and monitoring during HIFU therapy.

Conclusion

HIFU therapy shows promise as a noninvasive approach for managing AWE and rectosigmoid DIE. While efficacy outcomes are encouraging, safety considerations warrant attention. Further research, particularly randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes, is needed to validate findings and optimize treatment protocols.

Laparoscopic treatment of abdominal wall endometriosis: A case series

Objective

This report summarizes the characteristics of a series of 8 recent (2020-2022) patients with abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) who underwent laparoscopic surgery. The feasibility and advantages of laparoscopy in the treatment of AWE are set out.

Methods

The clinical data of the 8 AWE patients were retrospectively analysed. Basic clinical characteristics, operation details and postoperative details were collected and analysed.

Results

Laparoscopic treatment was successful in all 8 cases. The mean operation time was 212.13 ± 48.16 min, the mean estimated blood loss was 25.00 ± 11.18 ml, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.25 ± 1.39 days. 7 of the patients were found to have concomitant pelvic endometriosis, and 1 patient was found to have concealed inguinal hernias during surgery. Concomitant laparoscopic surgery for pelvic lesions was performed, including electrocautery or lesion resection of the pelvic endometriosis lesions in 7 patients, uterine fibroidectomy in 2 patients, high ligation of the hernia sac in 1 patient and endometrial biopsy under hysteroscopy in 1 patient. Endometrial-like tissue was confirmed by postoperative pathological examination of resected AWE lesions in all patients. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The mean follow-up time was 18.75 ± 3.96 months, and no recurrence of AWE was found.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic surgery is a safe, effective and feasible treatment option for AWE patients and has the advantages of simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of other pelvic lesions.

Effectiveness and complication rates of high intensity focused ultrasound treatment for abdominal wall endometriosis: A systematic review

In this review, a systematic literature search on the effectiveness and complication rates of ultrasound-guided and magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (USg-/MRgHIFU) for abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) was conducted in six databases in May/June 2023. Original articles of (non)randomized trials, cohort studies, case-control studies and case series published in peer-reviewed journals were included. Of the included studies the level of evidence (LoE) and methodological quality using the ROBINS-I and IHE-QAT was assessed. Primary outcomes were non-perfused volume ratio (NPV%), lesion size, pain scores, side effects and complication rates according to Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) guidelines. Secondary outcomes were recurrence and re-intervention rates. Seven cohort studies (one of good methodological quality) (LoE 3) on USgHIFU were included (n = 212, AWE lesions = 240-245). Six months after USgHIFU treatment, pain scores were reduced with 3.3-5.2 points (baseline: 5.1-6.8, n = 135). Self-limiting side effects were pain (85.7 % (114/133)) and swelling (34.6 % (46/133)) in the treatment area. Complications occurred in 17.7 % (32/181), all of which were minor. Recurrence occurred in 12.8 % (11/86). Three of these seven cohort studies compared USgHIFU (n = 61) with surgical excision (n = 74). Pooled results showed no significant differences in pain scores, complications (resp. 26.3 % (10/38) vs. 32.6 % (15/46) (p = 0.53)) and recurrences (resp. 4.9 % (3/61) vs. 5.4 % (4/74) (p = 0.90)). This systematic review suggests that HIFU is an effective and safe treatment option for AWE. USgHIFU treatment led to reduced pain scores and lesion size, was free of major complications and had a pooled recurrence rate of 12.8 %. Compared to surgical excision pooled results showed no significant differences in pain scores, complications and recurrences after USgHIFU. However, many of the included studies had limitations in their methodological quality and therefore the results should be interpreted with caution. Well-structured high-quality randomized controlled trials comparing HIFU to standard care should be conducted to provide more conclusive evidence.

Long-term outcomes after percutaneous cryoablation of abdominal wall endometriosis

OBJECTIVE

To retrospectively evaluate the long-term outcomes after percutaneous cryoablation of abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE).

METHOD

The Institutional Review Board approved this retrospective observational review of 40 consecutive patients, of a median age of 37 years (interquartile range [IQR] 32-40 years), presenting with a total of 52 symptomatic AWE nodules. All patients underwent cryoablation between January 2013 and May 2022 with a minimum follow-up period of 12 months. Outcomes were assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) that measured pain, as well as by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The pain-free survival rates were derived using the Kaplan-Meier estimator. Adverse events were analyzed and graded using the classification system of the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe.

RESULTS

The median follow-up time was 40.5 months (IQR 26.5-47.2 months). The median VAS score before cryoablation was 8 (IQR 7-9). Complete relief of symptoms was documented in 80% (32/40) of patients at 3 months after initial cryoablation and correlated with the absence of residual endometriosis nodules on MRI. The median pain-free survival rates were 89.2% [95% CI, 70.1-96.4%] at 36 months and 76.8% [95% CI, 55.3-83.8%] after 60 months. No patient or lesion characteristics were found to be prognostic of failure. No major adverse events or side effects were reported in long term.

CONCLUSION

Cryoablation safely and effectively afforded long-term pain relief for patients with AWE nodules.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

AWE cryoablation was found to be safe and effective in the long-term.

KEY POINTS

• Cryoablation is highly effective with 80% of patients experiencing complete relief of AWE symptoms after a single procedure. • Cryoablation is safe without long-term adverse events or side effects. • The median pain-free survival rates are 89.2% at 36 months and 76.8% at 60 months.

Treatment of adenomyosis, abdominal wall endometriosis and uterine leiomyoma with interventional radiology: A review of current evidences

Interventional radiology shows promises in the field of women's health, particularly in pelvic interventions. This review article discusses the latest advancements in interventional radiology techniques for pelvic conditions affecting women including adenomyosis, abdominal wall endometriosis and uterine leiomyoma. Extraperitoneal endometriosis involving the abdominal wall may be treated by percutaneous thermal ablation, such as cryoablation, whereas uterine leiomyoma and adenomyosis can be managed either using percutaneous thermal ablation or using uterine artery embolization. Continued research and development in interventional radiology will further enhance the minimally-invasive interventions available for women's health, improving outcomes and quality of life for this large patient population of women.

Efficacy and influencing factor analysis of high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy for abdominal wall endometriosis: a case series

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the short-term and long-term efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy for abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) and explore its potential influencing factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 80 patients with AWE who underwent HIFU therapy were retrospectively analyzed. Follow-ups were also conducted to evaluate the changes in lesion size and pain relief. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to investigate factors influencing HIFU therapy for AWE.

RESULTS

Among the 80 patients with AWE who received HIFU therapy, the effective rates were 76.3%, 80.5%, and 90.5% after 3, 12 and 24 months of follow-up, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the AWE lesion diameter and sonication intensity had statistically significant effects on the 3-month and 12-month efficacy of HIFU therapy for AWE, while age, BMI, disease duration, average sonication power and grey-scale changes did not have statistically significant effects. Four patients with AWE experienced recurrence after HIFU therapy, for a three-year cumulative recurrence rate of 6.3%. Furthermore, ten patients required reintervention after treatment, for a five-year cumulative reintervention rate of 13.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

This study further confirmed the safety and effectiveness of HIFU therapy for AWE. Factors such as AWE lesion diameter and sonication intensity have been identified as key influencers affecting the short-term and long-term efficacy of HIFU therapy for AWE. The first two years following HIFU therapy constitute crucial periods for observation, and judiciously extending follow-up intervals during this timeframe is advised.

Safety and efficacy of microwave ablation for abdominal wall endometriosis: A retrospective study

Objectives

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of ultrasound-guided microwave ablation in the treatment of abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE).

Background

AWE is a rare form of endometriosis that often results in cyclic abdominal pain. The current treatment algorithm for AWE is not well established. Microwave ablation technology is a promising new thermal ablation technique for treating AWE.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of nine women with pathologically proven endometriosis of the abdominal wall. All patients were treated with ultrasound-guided microwave ablation. Grey-scale and color Doppler flow ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, and MRI were used to observe the lesions before and after treatment. The complications, pain relief, AWE lesion volume, and volume reduction rate were recorded 12 months after treatment to evaluate the treatment efficacy. Complications were classified according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events and the Society of Interventional Radiology classification system.

Results

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed that all lesions underwent successful treatment with microwave ablation. The average initial nodule volume was 7.11 ± 5.75 cm³, which decreased significantly to 1.85 ± 1.02 cm³ at the 12-month follow-up with a mean volume reduction rate of 68.77 ± 12.50%. Periodic abdominal incision pain disappeared at 1 month after treatment in all nine patients. The adverse events and complications were Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events grade 1 or Society of Interventional Radiology classification grade A.

Conclusions

Ultrasound-guided microwave ablation is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of AWE, and further study is warranted.

High intensity focused ultrasound for large abdominal wall endometriosis: a case report

BACKGROUND

Abdominal wall endometriosis（AWE）is an unusual extra-pelvic endometriosis. Currently, multiple treatment modalities are available, but no clear guidelines exist for the management of large AWE.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We present a 36-year-old female patient with a large AWE lesion who underwent cesarean section due to abnormal fetal position 8 years ago. The mass lesion of AWE located in rectus muscle fascia and rectus muscle with a size of 61 × 25 × 49mm.

RESULTS

HIFU treatment was completed in one session. One day post-HIFU MRI showed the mass was completely ablated. After HIFU treatment, the cyclical abdominal pain disappeared. The mass lesion shrank during follow-up period and disappeared in 1 year after HIFU. No complication was observed after HIFU.

CONCLUSION

Surgical resection of AWE remains the standard of care. In patients with large AWE lesion located in rectus muscle fascia and rectus muscle where the muscle and fascia must be excised, HIFU treatment should be considered to avoid mesh implantation.

Feasibility and safety of percutaneous image-guided cryoablation of abdominal wall endometriosis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of percutaneous image-guided cryoablation of abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of percutaneous cryoablation (CT or MR) of AWE was performed from January 2018 to December 2020. Eighteen patients were identified from an internal percutaneous ablation database. Technical success, complications, and outcomes were analyzed according to standard nomenclature.

RESULTS

Patients comprised 18 females (mean age 36.9 years) who underwent 18 cryoablation procedures to treat 23 AWE deposits. Three of the 18 cases were performed under MR guidance, while the remaining 15 employed CT guidance. Technical success was achieved in all 18 cases (100%). Fifteen of 18 patients (83%) had biopsy proven AWE deposits prior to treatment. Hydrodisplacement was used to displace adjacent bowel, bladder, or neurovascular structures in 13/18 cases (72%). The mean number of probes used per case was 3. Sixteen of 23 (70%) of AWE deposits had imaging follow-up (median 85 days). Of the 16 lesions with imaging follow-up, 15 (94%) demonstrated no residual enhancement or T1 hyperintensity at the treatment site and 1 lesion (6%) demonstrated residual/progressive disease. At clinical follow-up, 13 of 14 (93%) patients reported improvement in AWE-related symptoms. Eleven patients had clinically documented pain scores before and after ablation and all demonstrated substantial symptomatic improvement. No society of interventional radiology (SIR) major complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous cryoablation of AWE is feasible with a favorable safety profile. Further longitudinal studies are needed to document durable response over time.

Treatment of Placenta Increta With High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation and Leaving the Placenta in situ: A Multicenter Comparative Study

Objective

To explore the feasibility of simple high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation for placenta increta.

Methods

Ninety-five patients after a vaginal delivery were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study, 53 patients were treated with simple HIFU ablation, and 42 patients were treated with HIFU followed by uterine curettage.

Results

All 95 patients were successfully treated with a single-session HIFU procedure, and in the control group, the necrotic placental tissue was removed with curettage. Vaginal hemorrhage did not occur in either group. The duration of bloody lochia was 25.9 ± 8.6 days in the sHIFU group and 24.2 ± 8.8 days in the control group (P > 0.05). The median serum human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) level was 3,222 mIU/mL and 2,838 mIU/mL in the sHIFU and control groups, respectively, which decreased and returned to normal within 30 days, and the differences were not significantly on comparing the blood HCG level in the two groups at 7, 15, and 30 days after HIFU (all P > 0.05). Decreased menstrual volume occurred in 85.71% of patients in the control group, which was higher than that in the sHIFU group (23.08%) (χ² = 6.839, P < 0.001). During 2–8 years of follow-up, six pregnancies occurred in the sHIFU group without any recurrence of placenta increta, three pregnancies occurred in the control group, and one patient developed a repeat placenta increta.

Conclusion

Simple HIFU treatment is safe and effective for postpartum placenta increta and leaving the placenta in situ. It is a promising option for patients who wish to preserve their fertility and conceive.

Exploring the Diagnostic Performance of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Ultrasound-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation for Abdominal Wall Endometriosis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the clinical value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (USg-HIFU) for the diagnosis and treatment of abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE).

METHODS

Magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and after USg-HIFU. Information on clinical characteristics of patients, MRI characteristics of lesions, and treatment outcomes were collected. Thirty AWE lesions in 29 patients were examined before HIFU treatment, while 27 patients were examined after treatment. The results of MRI and color doppler ultrasound before surgery, as well as the volume and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the lesions before and after USg-HIFU treatment were compared. We also observed the clinical symptoms remission, recurrence, and ablation rates of the lesions in follow-up after HIFU treatment.

RESULTS

The locations of the 30 AWE lesions were identified by MRI before USg-HIFU treatment. Their sizes appeared larger on MRI than ultrasound (P < 0.05). A total of 27 lesions were evaluated by MRI after USg-HIFU treatment, of which 92.6% (25/27) lesions were of high or slightly high signal intensity on T1-weighted images, and 77.8% (21/27) lesions were of mixed signal intensity on T2-weighted images. The mean ADC values of AWE lesions were 1.47 (1.20-1.59) × 10-3mm2/s and 1.86 (1.61-2.12) × 10-3mm2/s for pre-and post-HIFU treatment (P < 0.05). Patients with higher ablation rates (>50%) had a higher complete/partial remission rate than those with lower ablation rates (<50%), and had a lower recurrence rate (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

MRI is a useful tool for identifying the location, size, and concurrent changes of AWE before and after USg-HIFU treatment, which is beneficial for follow-up monitoring and defining treatment efficacy.

The safety of echo contrast-enhanced ultrasound in high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation for abdominal wall endometriosis: a retrospective study

Background

We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of echo contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) during high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation therapy for abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE).

Methods

A total of 67 patients with AWE were treated with HIFU ablation, and their demographic characteristics were retrospectively analysed. Blood perfusion of the focal lesion was assessed before the operation, during ablation and after the operation with the use of an ultrasound contrast agent, and the effect of the ultrasound contrast agent on treatment was assessed over a 1-year follow-up period. The degree of symptom relief and adverse effects were evaluated after HIFU ablation.

Results

Eighty-two lesions were ablated in 67 patients. CEUS showed that all lesions were successfully ablated with HIFU. The shrinkage ratio of the lesions significantly increased over the follow-up period. Intermittent pain disappeared at 1 month after the operation, and the patients' pain scores significantly decreased at the 1-year follow-up. The mean [± standard deviation (SD)] lesion volume was 7.64±8.95 cm³ on B-mode ultrasound. The post-HIFU non-perfused volume was 18.34±24.08 cm³, and the rate of massive changes on greyscale imaging was 96.16%±5.44% at 12 months. During the procedure, the main complications were a prickling sensation and tenderness in the treatment area and/or a transient "hot" sensation on the skin. After the procedure, there was no obvious discomfort except for pain. Two patients developed an approximately 1-cm area of skin that exhibited a waxy appearance. Seven patients had haematuria. No severe complications were observed.

Conclusions

Ultrasound contrast agents are effective and safe for evaluating the effect of HIFU ablation on AWE, and this approach provides significant guidance and evaluation benefits for the use of HIFU treatment for AWE without obvious side effects.

Ultrasound Imaging of Abdominal Wall Endometriosis: A Pictorial Review

Endometriosis is a debilitating disease characterized by endometrial glands and stroma outside the endometrial cavity. Abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) indicates the presence of ectopic endometrium between the peritoneum and the skin, including subcutaneous adipose tissue and muscle layers, often following obstetric and gynecological surgical procedures. AWE is a not infrequent gynecological surgical complication, due to the increasing number of cesarean sections worldwide. In this pictorial review, we discuss the importance of medical history and physical examination, including the main ultrasound features in the diagnosis of AWE.

Abdominal wall endometriomas. Should the approach vary based on its relationship to the fascia? A case report and review of the literature

•

Abdominal wall endometriomas are rare but not uncommon.

•

Needle biopsy should be attempted before excision to rule out malignancy.

•

Malignant degeneration should always be considered in abdominal wall endometriomas.

•

Abdominal wall endometriomas involving significant muscle and fascia should be considered for nonsurgical treatment.

Introduction

Abdominal wall endometrioma (AWE) is a rare encountered condition with a prevalence of 1–2%. Multiple diagnostic and treatment modalities are available; however, no clear guidelines exist. On occasions muscle and fascia excision might be necessary to achieve a clear margin. To avoid mesh complications, we believe the treatment should depend on tumor location in relation to the abdominal wall fascia. As far as we know this approach has not been previously discussed.

Presentation

A 29-year old female with a surgical history of 3 C-sections presented to us with 6 months of cyclical abdominal pain in the left lower quadrant. Imaging studies confirmed the presence of a mass overlying the left lower rectus abdominis muscle. After imaging studies, the mass was surgically excised. Pathology confirmed a benign endometrioma.

Discussion

Unfortunately, the surgical literature has not established a consensus on the best approach for diagnosis and management of this condition. The purpose of this report is to not only to present another case of this rare phenomenon, but to address the need for guidelines and review the current diagnostic and treatment available options. We also attempt to increase the awareness of this condition, it’s unlikely malignant degeneration and potential morbidity of surgical excision.

Conclusion

Surgical excision remains the standard of care for AWEs. In those patients where the fascia and muscle must be excised, we recommend less invasive modalities to avoid mesh complications. The need for guidelines remains.

Effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation for endometriosis-related pain: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This study will assess the effectiveness and safety of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for endometriosis-related pain (ERP).

METHODS

Seven electronic databases of Cochrane Library, PUBMED, EMBASE, WANGFANG, VIP, CBM, and CNKI will be searched. We will search all electronic databases related the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness and safety of NMES for ERP up to the March 31, 2020 without restrictions of language. RevMan 5.3 software will be used for risk of bias assessment, related data analysis and meta-analysis.

RESULTS

This systematic review and meta-analysis will summarize current high-quality RCTs on the effectiveness and safety of NMES for ERP. Results of this study will provide the basis for both clinician and further research.

CONCLUSION

This study will investigate whether NMES is effective and safety for the treatment of ERP.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

INPLASY202040191.

High-intensity focused ultrasound versus uterine artery embolization for patients with retained placenta accreta

OBJECTIVE

To compare the safety and clinical effectiveness of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and uterine artery embolization (UAE) for retained placenta accreta.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective analysis was performed on women who underwent HIFU or UAE followed by hysteroscopic resection for retained placenta accreta from January 2015 to December 2019 at the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University.

RESULTS

A total of 63 and 31 patients who underwent HIFU and UAE followed by hysteroscopic resection, respectively, were analyzed. The baseline characteristics, including age, gravidity, parity, previous cesarean section rate, previous curettage rate, previous intrauterine adhesions rate, and delivery mode, were similar between the two groups. Vaginal bleeding was the major complaint in patients with retained placenta accreta. The number of hysteroscopy sessions, amount of intraoperative blood loss, and the length of hospital stays were also similar between the groups. No further hysterectomy was needed in either group.

CONCLUSION

Both HIFU and UAE combined with hysteroscopic resection seem to be safe and effective procedures in cases of retained placenta accreta.

Percutaneous cryoablation of abdominal wall endometriosis: the Mayo Clinic approach

Abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) is a rare form of endometriosis that often results in substantial pain and debility. The current treatment algorithm for AWE is not well established. The purpose of this review is to describe the Mayo Clinic experience with thermal ablation of symptomatic AWE as well as to review current imaging and interventional literature regarding the diagnosis and treatment of AWE.

Nonsurgical radiologic intervention for management of abdominal wall endometriosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:

To describe reported outcomes of nonsurgical radiologic interventions for abdominal wall endometriosis in comparison with surgery where available.

Data sources:

A systematic search of Ovid Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials was performed from inception to January 2019 with no language restrictions.

Study eligibility criteria:

Studies were included if they evaluated a nonsurgical intervention in women with symptomatic abdominal wall endometriosis with both comparative and noncomparative study designs.

Study appraisal and synthesis methods:

Titles and abstracts were reviewed for relevance, and full-text articles were obtained and evaluated for inclusion, all in duplicate. Meta-analysis was performed when possible using a fixed effects model.

Results:

Of the 114 records reviewed, 16 full-text articles were assessed and 7 were included in analysis. The standard mean difference between pre- and post-intervention pain scores was similar between ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) (−3.00; 95% confidence interval −3.34, −2.66) and cryoablation (−3.93; 95% confidence interval −5.73, −2.12). The mean percent decrease in lesion size following intervention was similar between USgHIFU (−61.38%; 95% confidence interval −78.64%, −44.11%), and cryoablation (−88.16%; 95% confidence interval −83.90%, −55.06%). When compared with surgical excision, mean length of stay was 2.78 days less in the nonsurgical intervention group (95% confidence interval −3.78, −1.79).

Conclusions:

Both USgHIFU and cryoablation are effective at reducing pain scores and lesion size in abdominal wall endometriosis. Mean length of stay was significantly less following a nonsurgical radiologic intervention for abdominal wall endometriosis compared with surgery. More studies are needed comparing complication and recurrence rates between nonsurgical radiologic interventions for abdominal wall endometriosis and surgery.

Abdominal wall endometriosis (a narrative review)

One of the rarest forms of endometriosis is abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE), which includes caesarean scar endometriosis. AWE remains a challenging condition because some issues related to this topic are still under debate. The increasing number of caesarean sections and laparotomies will expect to increase the rate of AWE. The current incidence in obstetrical and gynaecological procedures is still unknown. The disease is probably underestimated. The pathogenic mechanism involves local environment at the implant site including local inflammation and metalloproteinases activation due to local growth factors, estrogen stimulation through estrogen receptors and potential epigenetic changes. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully explained, and we need more experimental models to understand them. The clinical presentation is heterogeneous; the patient may be seen by a gynaecologist, an endocrinologist, a general surgeon, an imaging specialist, or even an oncologist. No particular constellation of clinical risk factors has been identified, and the histological report is the major diagnostic tool for confirmation. Surgery is the first line of therapy. Further on we need protocols for multidisciplinary investigations and approaches.

Endometriosis de la pared abdominal: estudio descriptivo de una serie de 21 casos

Introducción. La endometriosis de la pared abdominal se define como la presencia de tejido endometrial en cualquiera de las capas que componen la pared abdominal. Su incidencia es baja y se caracteriza por un diagnóstico tardío. Materiales y métodos. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo y ambiespectivo entre 2010 y 2014 en pacientes con endometriosis de la pared abdominal, cuyo análisis patológico fue realizado en un centro de ayudas diagnósticas de Medellín. Se identificaron las variables histopatológicas del reporte, y la información clínica mediante una entrevista telefónica suministrada por la paciente. Se analizaron los datos con medidas descriptivas de resumen. Resultados. Participaron 21 de 65 pacientes con diagnóstico de endometriosis de la pared abdominal. La media de edad al momento del diagnóstico fue de 35,3 años (desviación estándar, DE=8), el 71,4 % tenía el antecedente de cesárea y, el 38,1 %, el de endometriosis pélvica. El 95,2 % de las pacientes manifestaron dolor, de las cuales el 50 % lo percibió como constante con agudización cíclica y, el 40 %, como cíclico; además, el 90,5 % manifestó sensación de masa. La mediana del tiempo desde la aparición de la lesión hasta el diagnóstico, fue de 24 meses (RIQ=6-60). Solo en cuatro pacientes se hizo el diagnóstico prequirúrgico. El tratamiento fue quirúrgico en todas las pacientes y ocho (38,1 %) presentaron recidiva. Conclusiones. La endometriosis de la pared abdominal usualmente se manifiesta como masas dolorosas asociadas con cicatrices quirúrgicas previas, generalmente de origen ginecológico y los síntomas empeoran con la menstruación. Es usual que su diagnóstico sea tardío y pocas veces se hace antes del estudio histopatológico. El tratamiento de elección es la resección quirúrgica, aunque no es despreciable el porcentaje de recidivas.