Ultrasonography compared with magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of adenomyosis: correlation with histopathology

[Classification of Uterine Adenomyosis: A Pictorial Essay]

MRI is a crucial tool for diagnosing adenomyosis and identifying its related pathologies. To accurately diagnose adenomyosis, it is necessary to recognize both the typical MRI findings and atypical features of the condition. Recently, a standardized classification system has been developed to facilitate precise presurgical diagnosis of adenomyosis and to determine the appropriate treatment method. Differentiating between various subtypes based on MRI-based classification and identifying different MRI phenotypes can aid in categorizing patients with adenomyosis into specific treatment groups and monitoring their response to therapy.

Sonographic Features of Uterine Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case Series

Uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is very rare but potentially life-threatening. Early and accurate diagnosis is the cornerstone of its management. The objective of this study is to encourage sonographers to become familiar with a variety of grayscale sonographic features, facilitating rapid recognition of the patterns and prompting them to apply color flow Doppler for a diagnosis of uterine AVM and possible further investigations or interventions. We present six cases of uterine AVM presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding at varying degrees of severity, from abnormal menstruation to life-threatening bleeding following curettage. All initially provided some clues of uterine AVM upon grayscale ultrasound, leading to the application of color Doppler flow to support a diagnosis, with confirmation using abdominal computer tomography angiography (CTA) in most cases, resulting in definitive treatment using uterine artery embolization or other interventions. Most importantly, this study provides various sonographic features of uterine AVM, such as appearances of small tubular structures, spongy patterns, a conceptive-product-like appearance, and spaghetti-like patterns. Hopefully, familiarity with these sonographic features can facilitate practitioners to make an early diagnosis, leading to proper further investigation and intervention, and to prevent serious complications from potentially being caused by this subtle but very serious disorder.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: A Pictorial Review on Differential Diagnosis and Not-So-Common Cases of Interventional Radiology Management

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) poses a multifaceted challenge in women's health, necessitating an integrated approach that addresses its diverse etiologies and clinical presentations. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics PALM-COEIN classification system provides a systematic approach to the diagnosis of AUB in non-pregnant women, based on clinical and imaging-based categorization of causes into structural (Polyps, Adenomyosis, Leiomyomas and Malignancy; PALM), and non-structural causes (Coagulopathies, Ovulatory disorders, primary Endometrial disorders, Iatrogenic and Not otherwise classified; COEIN). On the other hand, placental disorders, uterine rupture, ectopic pregnancy and retained products of conceptions are the main causes of uterine bleeding during pregnancy and in the peripartum period. Ultrasound is usually the first-line imaging technique for the differential diagnosis of causes of AUB. Computed Tomography may be useful if ultrasound findings are unclear, especially in emergency settings. Magnetic resonance imaging, when indicated, is an excellent second-line diagnostic tool for a better non-invasive characterization of the underlying cause of AUB. This pictorial review aims to illustrate the main causes of AUB from the point of view of diagnostic imaging and to show not-so-common cases that can be treated by means of interventional radiology.

Optimized treatment parameter by computer simulation for high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment of uterine adenomyosis: Short-term and long-term results

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of using optimized parameters obtained by computer simulation for ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of uterine adenomyosis in comparison with conventional parameters. We retrospectively assessed a single-institution, prospective study that was registered at Clinical Research Information Service (CRiS) of Republic of Korea (KCT0003586). Sixty-six female participants (median age: 44 years) with focal uterine adenomyosis were prospectively enrolled. All participants were treated with a HIFU system by using treatment parameters either for treating uterine fibroids (Group A, first 20 participants) or obtained via computer simulation (Group B, later 46 participants). To assess the treatment efficacy of HIFU, qualitative indices, including the clinically effective dysmenorrhea improvement index (DII), were evaluated up to 3 years after treatment, whereas quantitative indices, such as the nonperfused volume ratio and adenomyosis volume shrinkage ratio (AVSR), on MRI were evaluated up to 3 months after treatment. Quantitative/qualitative indices were compared between Groups A and B by using generalized linear mixed effect model. A safety assessment was also performed. Results showed that clinically effective DII was more frequently observed in Group B than in Group A (odds ratio, 3.69; P = 0.025), and AVSR were higher in Group B than in Group A (least-squares means, 21.61; P = 0.001). However, two participants in Group B developed skin burns at the buttock and sciatic nerve pain and required treatment. In conclusion, parameters obtained by computer simulation were more effective than the conventional parameters for treating uterine adenomyosis by using HIFU in terms of clinically effective DII and AVSR. However, care should be taken because of the risk of adverse events.

The "freeze-all" strategy seems to improve the chances of birth in adenomyosis-affected women

OBJECTIVE

To compare assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) outcomes between fresh vs. freeze-all strategies in infertile women affected by adenomyosis.

DESIGN

A single-center observational study.

SETTINGS

University hospital-based research center.

PATIENTS

Adenomyosis-affected women undergoing blastocyst embryo transfer after in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection between January 1, 2018, and November 31, 2021. The diagnosis of adenomyosis was based on imaging criteria (i.e., transvaginal ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging).

INTERVENTION(S)

Women who underwent a freeze-all strategy were compared with those who underwent a fresh embryo transfer (ET) strategy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Cumulative live birth rate (LBR).

RESULTS

A total of 306 women were included in the analysis: 111 in the fresh ET group and 195 in the freeze-all group. The adenomyosis phenotype (internal diffuse adenomyosis, external focal adenomyosis, and adenomyoma) was not significantly different between the two groups. The cumulative LBR (86 [44.1%] vs. 34 [30.6%], respectively), and the cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate (88 [45.1%] vs. 36 [32.4%], respectively) were significantly higher in the freeze-all group compared with the fresh ET group. After multivariate logistic regression analysis, the freeze-all strategy in women with adenomyosis was associated with significantly higher odds of live birth compared with fresh ET (odds ratio = 1.80; 95% confidence interval = 1.02-3.16).

CONCLUSION

The freeze-all strategy in women afflicted with adenomyosis undergoing ART was associated with significantly higher cumulative LBRs. Our preliminary results suggest that the freeze-all strategy is an attractive option that increases ART success rates. Additional studies, with a randomized design, should be conducted to further test whether the freeze-all strategy enhances the pregnancy rate in adenomyosis-affected women.

Comparing magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound in the clinical evaluation of fibroids prior to uterine artery embolization

PURPOSE

Uterine artery embolization has become established as a frontline treatment for uterine leiomyomata. In planning embolization, preprocedural imaging can further characterize pathology and anatomy, but it may also reveal coexisting diagnoses that have the potential to change clinical management. The purpose of this study is to compare the diagnostic outcomes of ultrasound and MRI performed for patients prior to undergoing embolization.

METHODS

The study cohort consisted of 199 patients who underwent uterine artery embolization at a single academic institution between 2013 and 2018. Prior to embolization, all patients had an MRI confirming a leiomyomata diagnosis. Additionally, 118 patients underwent transvaginal ultrasound within five years prior to MRI. MRI findings were analyzed and, when applicable, compared to prior ultrasound impressions to assess for the incidence of new findings. The diagnoses of interest were adenomyosis, hydrosalpinx, predominantly infarcted leiomyomata, and large intracavitary leiomyomata. Data were collected from retrospective chart review and included demographics, symptomology, and imaging reports.

RESULTS

199 patients ultimately underwent embolization for treatment of MRI-confirmed leiomyomata. Of 118 patients who also had an ultrasound within five years prior to their MRI, 26 (22.0%) received a second gynecologic diagnosis based on MRI findings that was not previously seen on ultrasound. Of 81 patients who only had an MRI before embolization, 19 (23.5%) received a second gynecologic diagnosis not previously documented. The most common coexisting pathology was adenomyosis, presenting in 34 (17.1%) patients with leiomyomata, followed by large intracavitary leiomyomata (8, 4.0%), infarcted leiomyomata (7, 3.5%), and hydrosalpinx (6, 3.0%),.

CONCLUSIONS

When considering uterine artery embolization for the treatment of symptomatic leiomyomata, preprocedural MRI is superior to ultrasound in detecting coexisting pathologies, including adenomyosis and hydrosalpinx. It can also better characterize leiomyomata, including identifying lesions as intracavitary or infarcted. These findings have the potential to alter clinical management or contraindicate embolization entirely.

US, MRI, CT Performance and Interpretation of Uterine Masses

Uterine masses are commonly encountered as incidental findings during cross-sectional imaging or when individuals present with symptoms such as pain and bleeding. The World Health Organization categorizes tumors of the uterine corpus into 5 distinct groups: endometrial epithelial tumors and their precursors, tumor-like growths, mesenchymal uterine tumors, tumors with a combination of epithelial and mesenchymal elements, and various other types of tumors. The primary imaging method for assessing uterine abnormalities is transvaginal ultrasound. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be employed to enhance the visualization of soft tissues, enabling a more detailed characterization of uterine masses. This article aims to outline the imaging features of both benign and malignant uterine masses using ultrasound, MRI, and computed tomography.

Post-Menopausal Bleeding: Role of Imaging

Post-menopausal bleeding (PMB) accounts for 5% of gynecologic office visits and is the presenting symptom in 90% of women with endometrial cancer, which requires prompt evaluation. The most common etiology of PMB is vaginal or endometrial atrophy and endometrial polyps, while endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma account for less than 10% of PMB. Transvaginal ultrasonography measurement of an endometrial thickness (EMT) less than or equal to 4 mm has a 99% negative predictive value for endometrial carcinoma. Endometrial sampling is required if EMT >4 mm or persistent bleeding occurs. Further evaluation can be accomplished with saline infusion sonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and hysteroscopy.

Chronic Pelvic Pain: Role of Imaging in the Diagnosis and Management

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in women is not uncommon, and it may be difficult to identify the exact cause difficult to manage. It is major health problem for women that affects the quality of their daily lives. The etiology of chronic pelvic pain may be of gynecological or non-gynecological origin and associated with several predisposing and precipitating factors. Psychological and social factors also contribute to the syndrome of CPP and must be evaluated before managing these patients. Due to multifactorial etiology, CPP needs a multidisciplinary approach for diagnosis and management. A detailed history and physical examination supported by appropriate laboratory tests and imaging are the keys to diagnosis. In this paper, the role of imaging in diagnosis and management of CPP is reviewed. Imaging findings should be correlated with detailed clinical examination findings as there are imaging findings that may be unrelated and not the cause of CPP in a particular patient, imaging findings should be correlated with the clinical circumstances.

Accuracy of ultrasound signs on two-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound in prediction of adenomyosis: prospective multicenter study

OBJECTIVE

Two-dimensional (2D) transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) is an accessible and cost-effective diagnostic tool for the detection of adenomyosis. Different ultrasound features related to adenomyosis have been described, but the predictive value of each ultrasound sign and their combinations requires further investigation. We aimed to analyze the accuracy of 2D-TVS and describe possible combinations of ultrasound signs with a high predictive value in the diagnosis of adenomyosis.

METHODS

This was a prospective multicenter study of patients scheduled for laparoscopic hysterectomy who had been examined using standardized 2D-TVS at nine expert centers specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. 2D-TVS examination included nine typical adenomyosis ultrasound features, comprising heterogeneous myometrium, myometrial linear striations, myometrial cysts, subendometrial microcysts, asymmetrical myometrial thickening, uterine enlargement, the 'question mark sign', thickening of the junctional zone and hyperechoic myometrial spots, in order to predict or exclude the presence of adenomyosis. Ultrasound examination results were compared with histology after hysterectomy. The diagnostic reliability of the nine ultrasound signs and their combinations, and the influence of concurrent fibroids on the accuracy of the results, were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 202 patients were enrolled into the study. Histopathological examination revealed adenomyosis in 130 patients (64.4%). The accuracy of prediction of adenomyosis by 2D-TVS examination using all signs was 63.4% (positive predictive value, 71.5%; negative predictive value, 48.6%; sensitivity, 71.5%; specificity, 48.6%). Heterogeneous myometrium, myometrial cysts, subendometrial microcysts and hyperechoic myometrial spots showed the highest accuracy (55.7-62.1%) as individual ultrasound signs for the prediction of adenomyosis. The combination of the most accurate ultrasound signs (subendometrial microcysts, myometrial cysts and heterogeneous myometrium) improved the specificity of prediction (86.1%) when compared with that of these three single markers (35.2-81.7%). Uterine enlargement and asymmetry showed both low sensitivity (60.8% and 52.3%, respectively) and specificity (41.7% and 49.3%, respectively) as individual sonographic signs.

CONCLUSIONS

Heterogeneous myometrium, myometrial cysts, subendometrial microcysts and hyperechoic myometrial spots showed the highest accuracy for the detection of adenomyosis in this study, while uterine enlargement and asymmetry led to high false-positive and false-negative results. A combination of ultrasound features including the most accurate signs increases specificity. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Pregnancy outcomes of adenomyotic patients with primary infertility after high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for adenomyotic patients with primary infertility and to explore the factors that affect the pregnancy outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-seven adenomyotic patients with primary infertility who underwent HIFU at HUNAN Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, China, between July 2018 and December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated the pregnancy outcomes and analyzed the factors that may affect pregnancy outcomes including time to conception, pregnancy approach, gestational age, delivery mode, neonatal outcomes, and complications during pregnancy and delivery.

RESULTS

Among the 27 adenomyotic patients with primary infertility, 10 patients had a total of 11 pregnancies after HIFU treatment. Of these, eight (72%) cases were natural pregnancies and three (23%) were in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies. The median time to conception was 10 (range 4-25) months. There were eight (72%) successful deliveries. The rate of full-term deliveries was 90%. Of the eight live births, four (50%) were born vaginally and four (50%) by cesarean section. No severe complications occurred. The mean birth weight of newborns was 3.1 (range: 2.3-3.9) kg; all newborns developed well without complications during postpartum and breastfeeding.

CONCLUSIONS

HIFU treatment for adenomyosis could improve fertility of patients with primary infertility. HIFU is a promising therapeutic approach for patients with adenomyosis and infertility who wish to achieve pregnancy and have live birth deliveries.

The role of the junctional zone in the management of adenomyosis with infertility

The junctional zone (JZ) is an important structure in the myometrium that maintains uterine fertility. Changes in the junctional zone are closely related to infertility and adenomyosis (ADS). As an increasing number of young women are affected by ADS, the disease is no longer considered typical of women over 40. With these changes, an increasing number of patients refuse hysterectomy and desire fertility preservation treatment. At the same time, ADS is a crucial factor causing female infertility. Therefore, the treatment of ADS-related infertility and preservation of reproductive function is one of the other major challenges facing clinicians. For these young patients, preserving fertility and even promoting reproduction has become a new challenge. Therefore, we searched and summarized these studies on PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords such as "adenomyosis", "junctional zone", and "infertility" to explore infertility causes, diagnosis, and treatment of ADS patients who wish to preserve their uterus or fertility and become pregnant, focusing on the junctional zone, to obtain a full appreciation of the new perspective on this disease.

The Present and the Future of Medical Therapies for Adenomyosis: A Narrative Review

Uterine Adenomyosis is a benign condition characterized by the presence of endometrium-like epithelial and stromal tissue in the myometrium. Several medical treatments have been proposed, but still, no guidelines directing the management of adenomyosis are available. While a hysterectomy is typically regarded as the definitive treatment for adenomyosis, the scarcity of high-quality data leaves patients desiring fertility with limited conservative options. Based on the available data, the levonorgestrel-IUD appears to offer the most favorable outcomes. Other treatments, including GnRH antagonists, dienogest, prolactin, and oxytocin modulators, show promise; however, further data are required to establish their efficacy definitively. Furthermore, there are many emerging therapies that have been developed that seem worthy of consideration in the near future. The aim of this narrative review was to explore the current medical treatments available for adenomyosis and to provide a glimpse of future therapies under assessment. For this scope, we performed a literature search on PubMed and Medline from incept to September 2022 using the keywords: "medical treatment", "non-steroidal anti-inflammatory", "progesterone intrauterine device", "dienogest", "combined oral contraceptives", "gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist", "gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist", "danazol", "aromatase inhibitors", "ulipristal acetate", "anti-platelet therapy", "dopamine", "oxytocin antagonists", "STAT3", "KRAS", "MAPK", "micro-RNA", "mifepristone", "valproic acid", "levo-tetrahydropalamatine", and "andrographolide". The search was limited to articles in English, with subsequent screening of abstracts. Abstracts were screened to select relevant studies.

Diagnostic accuracy study of sonography in adenomyosis: A study of current practice

OBJECTIVES

To estimate diagnostic accuracy of sonography in the diagnosis of adenomyosis in current practice when compared to pathology as a "gold standard".

METHODS

This diagnosis accuracy study was observational and retrospective, including women managed by hysterectomy for benign pathology from January 2015 to November 2018. Preoperative pelvic sonography reports were collected, including details on diagnosis criteria for adenomyosis. Sonographic findings were compared to pathological results of the hysterectomy specimens.

RESULTS

Our study initially concerned 510 women; 242 of them had adenomyosis confirmed by a pathological examination. The pathological prevalence of adenomyosis was 47.4% in this study. A preoperative sonography was available for 89.4% of the 242 women, with a suspicion of adenomyosis in 32.7% of them. In this study, Sensitivity is 52%, Specificity 85%, Positive Predictive Value (PPV) 77%, Negative Predictive Value (NPV) 86% and Accuracy 38,1%.

CONCLUSIONS

Pelvic sonography is the most common non-invasive examination used in gynecology. It is also the first recommended examination for the diagnosis of adenomyosis because of its acceptability and its cost, even if the diagnosis performances are moderate. However, these performances are comparable to MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) performances. The use of a standardized sonographic classification could improve and harmonize the diagnosis of adenomyosis.

Adenomyosis at a Glance: An Integrated Review of Transvaginal Ultrasound and MR Imaging Findings

Adenomyosis is a benign uterine disorder increasingly recognized in premenopausal women. Given its significant clinical burden, an accurate noninvasive diagnosis is paramount. Both transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and magnetic resonance (MR) provide an adequate assessment of adenomyosis, the former being recommended for first-line imaging evaluation and the latter being mainly used as a problem-solving technique. In this article, the authors review the TVUS and MR imaging findings of adenomyosis while referring to their histopathological background. Whereas direct signs correlate directly to ectopic endometrial tissue and are highly specific to adenomyosis, indirect signs result from myometrial hypertrophy and increase diagnostic sensitivity. Potential pitfalls, differential diagnoses, and frequently associated estrogen-dependent conditions are also discussed.

Correlation between MRI Features of Adenomyosis and Clinical Presentation

This study aimed to explore the correlation between MRI features, clinical risk factors, and symptoms associated with adenomyosis. Overall, 112 patients with pathologically confirmed adenomyosis were included in this retrospective study. MRI findings and clinical presentation, including visual analog scale (VAS) scores, cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) and hemoglobin levels, and parity, were analyzed. Additionally, 131 patients undergoing active surveillance were included to validate the MRI parameters and clinical presentations. Associations between MRI parameters and adenomyosis-related clinical presentations were assessed. Patients with operated adenomyosis were younger and had larger lesions, which were more frequently of the diffuse type and posterior localization, coexisting ovarian endometriosis, deep infiltrating endometriosis, myometrial cysts, and diffusion restriction than the non-operated lesions (p < 0.05). Patients with operated adenomyosis also exhibited higher VAS scores and CA-125 levels, and nulliparity was more common in this group (p < 0.05). In contrast, patients with non-operated adenomyosis showed a higher frequency of entire localization and fibroids (p < 0.05). Among the MRI parameters, size and classification were associated with the VAS and CA-125 levels. Myometrial cysts were associated with CA-125 levels. Classification was also associated with hemoglobin levels, and posterior localization was associated with parity. We identified a significant correlation between MRI features and clinical presentation in patients with adenomyosis.

Magnetic resonance imaging presentation of diffuse and focal adenomyosis before and after pregnancy

RESEARCH QUESTION

Is there a change in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria of diffuse and focal phenotypes of adenomyosis before and after pregnancy?

DESIGN

A retrospective, monocentric, observational study in a single academic tertiary referral centre for endometriosis diagnosis and management. Women were followed for symptomatic adenomyosis, and without a prior history of surgery who give birth after 24+0 weeks. For each patient, pelvic MRI pre- and post-pregnancy was performed by two experienced radiologists with the same image acquisition protocol. Diffuse and focal adenomyosis MRI presentation were analysed before and after pregnancy.

RESULTS

Between January 2010 and September 2020, of the 139 patients analysed, 96 (69.1%) had adenomyosis at MRI distributed as follow: 22 (15.8%) presented diffuse adenomyosis, 55 (39.6%) focal adenomyosis and 19 (13.7%) both phenotypes. The frequency of isolated diffuse adenomyosis on MRI was significantly lower before versus after pregnancy (n = 22 [15.8%] versus n = 41 [29.5%], P = 0.01). The frequency of isolated focal adenomyosis was significantly higher before pregnancy than after pregnancy (n = 55 [39.6%] versus n = 34 [24.5%], P = 0.01). The mean volume of all focal adenomyosis lesions on MRI decreased significantly after pregnancy, from 6.7 ± 2.5 mm3 to 6.4 ± 2.3 mm3, P = 0.01.

CONCLUSION

The current data indicate that, based on MRI, there is an increase in diffuse adenomyosis and a decrease in focal adenomyosis after pregnancy.

Prevalence of adenomyosis in women with subfertility: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of adenomyosis in women with subfertility.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, Google Scholar, PsycINFO and Web of Science Core Collection from database inception to October 2022. The included studies evaluated the prevalence of adenomyosis in women with subfertility, with or without endometriosis and/or uterine fibroids. Secondary analyses were conducted to identify variation in the prevalence of isolated adenomyosis according to geographical location, diagnostic modality, diagnostic criteria, type of ultrasound, ultrasound features of adenomyosis and the use of assisted reproductive technology.

RESULTS

Among 21 longitudinal studies evaluating 25 600 women, the overall pooled prevalence of isolated adenomyosis was 10% (95% CI, 6-15%) (I2  = 99.1%; tau2  = 0.12). The pooled prevalence was 1% (95% CI, 0-4%) for adenomyosis with concurrent fibroids (eight studies; I2  = 95.8%; tau2  = 0.03), 6% (95% CI, 3-11%) for adenomyosis with concurrent endometriosis (18 studies; I2  = 98.6%; tau2  = 0.12) and 7% (95% CI, 2-13%) for adenomyosis with concurrent endometriosis and/or fibroids (nine studies; I2  = 98.3%; tau2  = 0.09). The prevalence of isolated adenomyosis varied substantially according to geographical location, with Australia exhibiting the highest pooled prevalence of adenomyosis (19% (95% CI, 12-27%)), which was significantly higher compared with that in Asia (5% (95% CI, 1-12%)). The pooled prevalence of isolated adenomyosis diagnosed using a combination of direct and indirect ultrasound features was 11% (95% CI, 7-16%), whereas it was 0.45% (95% CI, 0-1%) in the study in which only an indirect feature was used as the diagnostic criterion.

CONCLUSION

One in 10 women with subfertility have a diagnosis of isolated adenomyosis. The prevalence of adenomyosis varies according to the presence of concurrent endometriosis and/or fibroids. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Inter-Rater Agreement for Diagnosing Adenomyosis Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Transvaginal Ultrasonography

Our aim was to compare the inter-rater agreement about transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with regard to diagnosing adenomyosis and for assessing various predefined imaging features of adenomyosis, in the same set of women. The study cohort included 51 women, prospectively, consecutively recruited based on a clinical suspicion of adenomyosis. MRIs and TVS videoclips and 3D volumes were retrospectively assessed by four experienced radiologists and five experienced sonographers, respectively. Each rater subjectively evaluated the presence or absence of adenomyosis, as well as imaging features suggestive of adenomyosis. Fleiss kappa (κ) was used to reflect inter-rater agreement for categorical data, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to reflect the reliability of quantitative data. Agreement between raters for diagnosing adenomyosis was higher for TVS than for MRI (κ = 0.42 vs. 0.28). MRI had a higher inter-rater agreement in assessing wall asymmetry, irregular junctional zone (JZ), and the presence of myometrial cysts, while TVU had a better agreement for assessing globular shape. MRI showed a moderate to good reliability for measuring the JZ (ICC = 0.57-0.82). For TVS, the JZ was unmeasurable in >50% of cases, and the remaining cases had low reliability (ICC = -0.31-0.08). We found that inter-rater agreement for diagnosing adenomyosis was higher for TVS than for MRI, despite the fact that MRI showed a higher inter-rater agreement in most specific features. Measurements of JZ in the coronal plane with 3D TVS were unreliable and thus unlikely to be useful for diagnosing adenomyosis.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Adenomyosis with Office Hysteroscopy-A Narrative Review of Literature

INTRODUCTION

Adenomyosis is a common chronic disease in women of reproductive age, characterised by the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue within myometrium. Even though adenomyosis presents with chronic pelvic pain, menorrhagia or abnormal uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhoea, and dyspareunia and is often recognised after hysterectomies. However, the development of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging has improved the pre-operative diagnosis of the disease. Hysteroscopy provides information in real time from the uterine cavity and the offers the possibility of obtaining direct biopsies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The literature was searched via Pubmed and Embase with the following headings: diagnosis of adenomyosis or adenomyoma and office hysteroscopy, hysteroscopy findings of adenomyosis or adenomyoma, treatment of adenomyosis or adenomyoma with office hysteroscopy.

RESULTS

The literature showed that hysteroscopy can identify superficial adenomyosis. There are a variety of hysteroscopic images that can be connected with the disease. New equipment like the spirotome has been used to access deeper layers of myometrium and obtain biopsies under direct vision from the adenomyotic areas. Different methods of treatment have been also described, like enucleation of focal superficial adenomyoma, coagulation, evacuation of cystic adenomyosis when the lesion is smaller than 1.5 cm, and resection of adenomyotic nodules in case of bigger lesions (>1.5 cm). Diffuse superficial adenomyosis is also managed by resection.

CONCLUSIONS

Hysteroscopy has revolutionised the approach to adenomyosis. It is a useful tool in assessing mainly superficial adenomyosis. The role of hysteroscopy in surgical management of adenomyosis need to be confirmed with further studies.

Impact of adenomyosis and endometriosis on IVF/ICSI pregnancy outcome in patients undergoing gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment and frozen embryo transfer

Although numerous studies have attempted to establish the relationship between adenomyosis and infertility, no consensus has emerged. Our aim was to investigate whether adenomyosis and endometriosis affected IVF outcomes in our patients. This was a retrospective study of 1720 patients from January 2016 to December 2019. In total, 1389 cycles were included: 229 cycles in the endometriosis group (group E), 89 cycles in the adenomyosis group (group A), 69 cycles in the endometriosis and adenomyosis group (group EA), and 1002 cycles in the control group (group C). Most patients in groups A and EA received GnRH agonist treatment before FET. The 1st FET live birth rates (LBR) were 39.3%, 32.1%, 25% and 48.1% in groups E, A, EA, and C. The miscarriage rates were 19.9%, 34.7%, 39%, and 17.6%. The per retrieval cycle cumulative live birth rates (cLBRs) in patients < 38 y/o were 56.4%, 58.1%, 44.8%, and 63%. The per retrieval cycle cLBRs in patients ≥ 38 y/o were 25%, 9.8%, 17.2%, and 29.5%. Among groups A and EA, LBRs were 25.58% and 18.89% in patients with a ≥ sevenfold decrease and a < sevenfold decrease in CA-125 level, respectively, after GnRH agonist treatment. Endometriosis was not associated with a poorer pregnancy outcome. Patients with adenomyosis with/without endometriosis had higher miscarriage rates, lower LBRs, and lower cLBRs, especially in patients aged ≥ 38 years, even after GnRH agonist treatment before FET cycles. Patients who have a greater than sevenfold decrease in CA-125 level after GnRH agonist treatment might have better clinical pregnancy outcomes.

Modern view on the diagnostics and treatment of adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is identified by the enlargement of the uterus secondary to such areas of the endometrium as the endometrial glands and stroma located deep in the myometrium, which causes its hyperplasia and hypertrophy. The most common signs of the development of adenomyosis in a patient are copious menstrual bleeding and dysmenorrhea. However, it should be borne in mind that in some patients, the disease may be asymptomatic. Despite the wide abundance of imaging and other diagnostic methods for diagnosing adenomyosis, there are currently no standard verified diagnostic criteria for pathologists. In addition, women with adenomyosis often have other concomitant gynaecological diseases, such as endometriosis or leiomyomas, which makes it difficult to diagnose and choose the optimal treatment for patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to highlight up-to-date and relevant information for the practitioner about the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostics and treatment options for adenomyosis. Sources from four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier and Google Scholar) were used to search for data. As a result of a literature review, it was established that the "gold" standard for the diagnostics of adenomyosis is histological research methods, in particular, biopsy performed during hysteroscopy or laparoscopy, whereas imaging methods (transvaginal sonography, magnetic resonance imaging) are more often used for differential diagnostics of adenomyosis with other diseases. In addition, magnetic resonance imaging allows for a better differential diagnostics between adenomyosis and myomatosis and helps to recognise the disease at an early stage. Regarding treatment, there is currently no particular therapy and algorithms for the treatment of adenomyosis, which is primarily due to the lack of precise criteria for the diagnostics of the disease. However, the most effective therapeutic methods at the present stage are the use of aromatase inhibitors and gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists, whilst minimally invasive techniques, in particular, endometrial ablation and uterine artery embolisation, are becoming increasingly popular amongst surgical techniques.

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 Asian Society of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis guidelines for managing adenomyosis

This is the first guidelines for adenomyosis from the Asian Society of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis.

First-line surgery vs first-line ART to manage infertility in women with deep endometriosis without bowel involvement: A multi-centric propensity-score matching comparison

OBJECTIVE

To compare first-line surgery with first-line assisted reproductive techniques (ART) in infertile women with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) without colorectal involvement.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective comparative cohort study with a propensity-score matching analysis, in four tertiary-care referral centers. The population was infertile women with DIE without colorectal involvement. The patients were managed either by first-line surgery followed by spontaneous conception attempts and/or ART, or by first-line ART. 284 patients were extracted from the databases. After matching, 92 patients were compared in each group. Clinical pregnancy rates (PR) and live-birth rates (LBR) were the primary outcomes, and cumulative pregnancy rate (CPR) and cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) were the secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

The mean number of IVF-ICSI cycles per patient was 1.4, with a significant difference between the groups: 1.6 in the first-line ART group and 1.2 in the first-line surgery group (p = 0.006). The PR was significantly higher in the first-line surgery group (72 % vs 35 %; p < 0.001). In the first-line surgery group, non-ART pregnancies occurred in 18 % (17/92) while no non-ART pregnancies was noted in the first-line ART group. The LBR was significantly higher in the first-line surgery group (61 % vs 24 %; p < 0.001). After ART, the CPR were 72 % (47/67) in the first-line surgery group, and 35 % (32/92) in the first-line ART group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

After matching, our results support that first-line surgery offer higher pregnancy and live-birth rates than first-line ART in patients with DIE without colorectal involvement.

Diagnostic Role of Transvaginal Sonography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Adenomyosis of the Uterus and its Correlation with Histopathology

Background and Objective

The prevalence of adenomyosis of the uterus varies from 5% to 70%, and there is no clear consensus on its imaging diagnostic criteria. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of transvaginal sonography (TVS), combined TVS and color Doppler (TVS-CD), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of adenomyosis.

Materials and Methods

This was a tertiary care hospital-based prospective study, in which 365 clinically suspected cases of adenomyosis were enrolled. All three types of imaging (TVS, TVS-CD, and MRI) were done in 233/365 patients, followed by hysterectomy in 50. Imaging features were correlated with the histopathological examination (HPE), which was taken as the gold standard for the diagnosis. The diagnostic performance of each imaging modality was assessed.

Results

Among patients who underwent hysterectomy, 36/50 (72%) had adenomyosis on HPE, with or without associated benign gynecological abnormalities. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative PV (NPV), and diagnostic accuracy (DA) of MRI were higher than that of TVS-CD (91.67% vs. 77.78%, 85.71% vs. 78.57%, 94.29% vs. 90.32%, 80% vs. 57.89%, and 90% vs. 78%, respectively). TVS alone had lower diagnostic performance (specificity: 64.29%, PPV 84.85%, NPV 52.94%, and DA74%) than TVS-CD, but equal sensitivity (77.78%). Heterogeneous myometrium was the most sensitive (80.56%), while myometrial cyst was the most specific (92.86%) TVS feature. The maximum junctional zone thickness ≥12 mm was the most sensitive (97.22%), while the hyperintense myometrial focus was the most specific (100%) MRI feature.

Conclusion

TVS-CD should be used as an initial diagnostic imaging modality in clinically suspected cases of adenomyosis; however, MRI due to better diagnostic efficacy should be the imaging modality of choice before subjecting such patients to hysterectomy.

Archimetrosis: the evolution of a disease and its extant presentation : Pathogenesis and pathophysiology of archimetrosis (uterine adenomyosis and endometriosis)

PURPOSE

This article presents a novel concept of the evolution and, thus, the pathogenesis of uterine adenomyosis as well as peritoneal and peripheral endometriosis. Presently, no unifying denomination of this nosological entity exists.

METHODS

An extensive search of the literature on primate evolution was performed. This included comparative functional morphology with special focus on the evolution of the birthing process that fundamentally differs between the haplorrhine primates and most of the other eutherian mammals. The data were correlated with the results of own research on the pathophysiology of human archimetrosis and with the extant presentation of the disease.

RESULTS

The term Archimetrosis is suggested as a denomination of the nosological entity. Archimetrosis occurs in human females and also in subhuman primates. There are common features in the reproductive process of haplorrhine primates such as spontaneous ovulation and corpus luteum formation, spontaneous decidualization and menstruation. These have fused Müllerian ducts resulting in a uterus simplex. Following a usually singleton pregnancy, the fetus is delivered in the skull position. Some of these features are shared by other mammals, but not in that simultaneous fashion. In haplorrhine primates, with the stratum vasculare, a new myometrial layer has evolved during the time of the Cretaceous-Terrestrial Revolution (KTR) that subserves expulsion of the conceptus and externalization of menstrual debris in non-conceptive cycles. Hypercontractility of this layer has evolved as an advantage with respect to the survival of the mother and the birth of a living child during delivery and may be experienced as primary dysmenorrhea during menstruation. It may result in tissue injury by the sheer power of the contractions and possibly by the associated uterine ischemia. Moreover, the lesions at extra-uterine sites appear to be maintained by biomechanical stress.

CONCLUSIONS

Since the pathogenesis of archimetrosis is connected with the evolution of the stratum vasculare, tissue injury and repair (TIAR) turns out to be the most parsimonious explanation for the development of the disease based on clinical, experimental and evolutionary evidence. Furthermore, a careful analysis of the published clinical data suggests that, in the risk population with uterine hypercontractility, the disease develops with a yet to be defined latency phase after the onset of the biomechanical injury. This opens a new avenue of prevention of the disease in potentially affected women that we consider to be primarily highly fertile.

Transvaginal ultrasound versus magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing adenomyosis: A systematic review and head-to-head meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used for the clinical diagnosis of adenomyosis.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the diagnostic accuracy of TVS and MRI for the diagnosis of adenomyosis.

SEARCH STRATEGY

A search of studies was performed in five databases comparing TVS and MRI for the diagnosis of adenomyosis from January 1990 to May 2022.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Studies were eligible if they reported on the use of TVS and MRI in the same set of patients. The reference standard must be pathology (hysterectomy).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The quality of studies was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of both techniques were estimated and compared.

MAIN RESULTS

Six studies comprising 595 women were included. The risk of bias of patient selection was high in three studies. The risk of bias for index tests and reference test was low. Pooled estimated sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio for TVS were 75%, 81%, 3.9, and 0.31, respectively. These figures for MRI were 69%, 80%, 3.5, and 0.39, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found (p = 0.7509). Heterogeneity was high.

CONCLUSIONS

MRI and TVS have similar performances for the diagnosis of adenomyosis.

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.

Impact of Race and Ethnicity on Perioperative Outcomes During Hysterectomy for Endometriosis

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To assess whether complications incurred during hysterectomy for the treatment of endometriosis differ among racial-ethnic groups.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2014 to 2019. This database is a robust, comprehensive, multi-institutional database with nearly 700 participating hospitals.

PATIENTS

Patients with a diagnosis of endometriosis or with an endometriosis-associated symptom as the primary indication for surgery and surgical intraoperative documentation of endometriosis.

INTERVENTIONS

Compare perioperative complications based on patient race and ethnicity.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

A total of 5639 patients underwent hysterectomy for endometriosis; of these, 4368 were White patients (77.5%), 528 Black patients (9.4%), 491 Hispanic patients (8.7%), 252 Asian patients (4.5%). There was no association between location of endometriosis and patient race and ethnicity. However, White patients had highest rate, and Asian patients had the lowest rate of laparoscopic hysterectomy, 85.3% vs 69.8%, respectively (p <.01). In addition, there were differences in concomitant procedures performed at time of hysterectomy based on race and ethnicity, with White patients having the highest rates of adnexal/peritoneal surgery at 12.5% (p <.01) compared with patients of the other racial and ethnic groups. Asian patients had the highest rate of ureteral surgery at 6.8% (p <.01) and highest rate of intestinal surgery at 16.3% (p <.01) compared with patients of other racial and ethnic groups. There was no association of rates of concomitant bladder surgery, appendectomy, or rectal surgery with patient race and ethnicity. Black patients had the highest rate of minor complications at 13.5% (p <.01) and the highest rate of major complications at 6.6% (p <.01) compared with patients of other racial and ethnic groups. After multivariable analysis, Black patients still had increased odds of having a major complication compared with patients of other racial and ethnic groups even after controlling for patient characteristics and perioperative factors such as endometriosis lesion location, surgical approach, and concomitant procedures (odds ratio 1.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-2.45).

CONCLUSION

Endometriosis lesion location did not differ with patient race and ethnicity. However, patient race and ethnicity did have an impact on the surgical approach and the concomitant surgical procedures performed at time of hysterectomy. Black patients had the highest odds of major complications.

Long-term treatment of dienogest with symptomatic adenomyosis: retrospective analysis of efficacy and safety in clinical practice

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dienogest (DNG) in women with symptomatic adenomyosis.Methods: Women with symptomatic adenomyosis were included in this retrospective observation study. Group 1 (maximum uterine dimension ≥ 100.0 mm) began DNG after 4 months of GnRH-a administration, Group 2 (maximum uterine dimension < 100.0 mm) received DNG with no prior GnRH-a treatment. All women were assessed for their pain symptoms, uterine size, adverse effects and laboratory hematology at baseline and every 6 months during the treatment.Results: 123 women were enrolled in this study, in Group 1 (71 women) with severe uterine enlargement, the median VAS score was 80 mm prior to GnRH-a administration and 10, 10, 10, 20, and 20 mm, respectively, after 0, 6,12,18, and 24 months of DNG treatment. The mean uterine volume decreased from 262.9 ml to 104.7 ml after GnRH-a therapy, and slowly increased from 104.7 ml to 139.5 ml after 24 month-treatment of DNG. Another 52 women with mild uterine enlargement received DNG without prior GnRH-a administration, median VAS score was 70 mm at baseline and decreased to 20, 20, 10, and 10 mm at 6,12,18, and 24 months. The mean uterine volume slightly decreased from 157.9 ml to 153.3 ml after 24 months of DNG treatment (p > 0.05). All laboratory parameters were in the normal range.Conclusions: DNG is effective and well tolerated as a long-term treatment for symptomatic adenomyosis, and it can be used as maintenance therapy after discontinuation of GnRH-a administration.

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.

A clinical scoring system for the diagnosis of adenomyosis

Objective

To develop a scoring system using clinical evaluation methods to predict the presence of adenomyosis.

Materials and Methods

A cohort of 232 patients who underwent hysterectomy for benign gynecologic disorders was prospectively enrolled. A detailed anamnesis was obtained and physical/pelvic examinations with trans-vaginal ultrasound imaging were performed one day before the hysterectomy. The diagnosis of adenomyosis was based on histopathologic examination. Findings were compared between patients with (n=55) and without (n=166) adenomyosis. Factors associated with adenomyosis were assessed with regression analysis and odds ratios (OR) were calculated. The variables found to be significant were chosen for the scoring system. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was carried out to find the cut-off values for these variables.

Results

Number of parity, dyspareunia and dysmenorrhea visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, age of menarche, presence of uterine tenderness and detection of heterogeneous myometrium and myometrial cysts during ultrasonography were found to be the significant parameters. OR for the presence of myometrial heterogeneity, myometrial cysts, uterine tenderness were 27.2, 3.6 and 9.3 respectively. Cut-off values were calculated; 3 for parity (OR=2.8), 13-years for menarche (OR=1.6), 2 for dyspareunia VAS scores (OR=1.9) and 4 for dysmenorrhea VAS scores (OR=1.2). The total sum of maximum OR that a patient can obtain was calculated as 47.6 and this value was assumed to predict the presence of adenomyosis 100%. The multiplication of the sum of the OR in a patient by 2.1 (100/47.2) was found to have a predictive ability for the presence of adenomyosis.

Conclusion

A scoring system is developed to predict adenomyosis non-invasively based on clinical evaluation.

Prevalence of adenomyosis in women undergoing hysterectomy for abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain or uterine prolapse – A retrospective cohort study

Background

Adenomyosis can cause symptoms like dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain and bleeding disorders and is related to subfertility and obstetrical complications. The disease is probably underestimated and underdiagnosed because of difficulties in reliable clinical examination and imaging results. The age-related prevalence of adenomyosis still remains unclear. In this retrospective analysis we describe the rate of adenomyosis in two independent cohorts of patients undergoing hysterectomy for benign diseases (2011–2013 and 2015–2018) and its correlation to presurgical symptoms respectively indications for hysterectomy.

Materials and methods

All surgeries have been performed in the same department of minimally invasive gynecological surgery by a total of two experienced surgeons following a surgical internal standard for the indication bleeding disorder, dysmenorrhea. We analyzed the overall rate of patients with adenomyosis in both cohorts and related the histological presence of adenomyosis to presurgical symptoms. We also analyzed a subgroup of postmenopausal patients with uterine prolapse.

Results

In 307 patients we detected 42.0% of cases with histologically proven adenomyosis. In the group of patients with bleeding disorders and dysmenorrhea as indication for surgery we found the highest rate of adenomyosis (59.3%, cohort 1). 81,1% patients with adenomyosis (cohort 1) reported symptoms. In the subgroup of 42 postmenopausal patients, we found 23.8% of cases with adenomyosis.

Conclusion

Our data shows that a positive anamnesis regarding the symptoms bleeding disorders and dysmenorrhea is suspicious for adenomyosis. In hysterectomy specimen adenomyosis can be found in more than 40%. The role of adenomyosis-related symptoms requires further investigation, especially in adolescent and postmenopausal patients.

•

In 307 patients undergoing hysterectomy we detected 42.0% of cases with adenomyosis.

•

In patients with bleeding disorders and dysmenorrhea we found the highest rate of adenomyosis (59.3%).

•

81,1% of patients with adenomyosis reported symptoms.

•

In 58.9% of patients with adenomyosis we found additional fibroids.

•

In 42 postmenopausal patients we found adenomyosis in 23.8% of cases.

MRI and Adenomyosis: What Can Radiologists Evaluate?

Uterine adenomyosis is a common benign condition defined by the presence of heterotopic endometrial glands and stroma within the myometrium. Adenomyosis is often related to infertility and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Modern imaging techniques allow the non-invasive diagnosis of adenomyosis and, in this framework, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has assumed a central role due to its high diagnostic accuracy in the detection of adenomyosis. Currently, there is still a lack of international consensus on adenomyosis diagnostic criteria and classification, despite the fact that an agreed reporting system would promote treatment outcomes and research. This review aims to emphasize the important contribution of MRI to the diagnosis of adenomyosis and to highlight how, thanks to the great tissue differentiation provided by MRI, it is possible to identify the main direct (cystic component) and indirect (junctional zone features) signs of adenomyosis and to distinguish its various subtypes according to different MRI-based classifications. We also explored the main MRI criteria to identify the most common pitfalls and differential diagnoses of adenomyosis, whose features should be considered to avoid misdiagnosis.

Adenomyosis decreases the live birth rate but may not affect perinatal outcomes in assisted reproductive cycles

OBJECTIVE

To determine if uterine adenomyosis is associated with worse perinatal outcomes in ovum donation assisted reproductive treatment cycles.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A multicenter and retrospective cohort study in which a total of 3307 patients undergoing an ovum donation cycle in 2018-2019 were included and divided into two groups: adenomyosis (n = 179) and controls (n = 3128). Clinical, obstetrical, and perinatal outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

A lower live birth rate per embryo transfer was observed in women diagnosed with adenomyosis versus control women: 67/179 (37%) versus 1560/3128 (49.9%), respectively (odds ratio 0.6, 95% confidence interval 0.43-0.83, P = 0.002). There was no statistically significant difference in childbirth delivery method (vaginal versus cesarean section) between the adenomyosis and control groups. Mean gestational age at the time of delivery, newborn length and weight, and incidences of low birth weight, preterm birth, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit did not differ between the two groups. In addition, in vitro fertilization and perinatal outcomes were similar in patients with diffuse compared with focal adenomyosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Adenomyosis affects clinical but may not affect perinatal outcomes in ovum donation cycles.

Uterine Artery Embolization for Symptomatic Adenomyosis: Proceedings from a Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation Research Consensus Panel

Adenomyosis poses an important diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in women's health because of a variety of clinical/imaging presentations and frequent coexistence with other benign gynecologic conditions. In recent years, uterine artery embolization (UAE) for the treatment of adenomyosis has shown encouraging and favorable outcomes and long-term symptom improvement. To expand the current understanding of adenomyosis pathophysiology, imaging diagnostic criteria, and treatment outcomes, the Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation gathered a multidisciplinary Research Consensus Panel with experts from diverse backgrounds. The topics addressed were centered around the following: (i) the clinical presentation and imaging findings to diagnose adenomyosis; (ii) the currently available medical, interventional, and surgical treatment options; and (iii) existing literature for and experiences with UAE in symptomatic disease. The panel acknowledged that before the pursuit of a clinical trial, it would be necessary to first evaluate the imaging criteria for adenomyosis and correlate them with pathology and symptoms to establish a noninvasive imaging classification system. Second priority was given to the development of a quality of life questionnaire to assess patient outcomes following treatment. The third priority was the performance of a prospective clinical trial comparing UAE with medical therapy, which would help establish UAE in the treatment algorithm and societal guidelines for symptomatic adenomyosis.

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.

Preoperative MRI Classification May Not Predict Symptom Relief after Uterine Artery Embolization in Patients with Adenomyosis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) classification and symptom relief after uterine artery embolization (UAE) in patients with adenomyosis.

METHODS

Totally, 73 patients with symptomatic adenomyosis who underwent UAE were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative MRI classification was defined as: type I, high signal on both T2-weighted images (T2WI) and T1-weighted images (T1WI); type III, high signal only on T2WI, and type II, high signal on neither T1WI nor T2WI. Dysmenorrhea was measured with the visual-analog scales and the degree of menorrhagia was measured according to the number of sanitary pads used in one menstrual cycle. Dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia were measured before UAE and 12 months after UAE.

RESULTS

The number of the type I, II, III cases was 23, 37, and 13, respectively. The baseline characteristics of the three groups exhibited no significant difference. The alleviation rates of dysmenorrhea among type I, II, III cases were 73.9%, 89.2%, and 84.6%, respectively (P=0.455). The alleviation rates of menorrhagia for type I, II, III were 69.6%, 78.4%, and 92.3%, respectively (P=0.714).

CONCLUSION

Pre-procedure MRI classification and symptom relief after UAE exhibited no significant association. UAE has a favorable mid-term control on dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia among patients with adenomyosis. Preoperative MRI classification might not indicate symptom relief. More research is needed before changing clinical practice.

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.

Diagnostic accuracy of clinically reported adenomyosis on pelvic ultrasound and MRI compared to surgical pathology

BACKGROUND

Adenomyosis is a common gynecologic pathology that relies on diagnostic imaging to guide treatment. Accuracy of both pelvic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when specifically evaluating for the presence of adenomyosis is high. However, the accuracy of reported rates in clinical practice is less well understood.

PURPOSE

To demonstrate the accuracy in reporting of adenomyosis on pelvic ultrasound and MRI compared to histopathology in common clinical practice.

BASIC PROCEDURES

An institutional database was searched for women with a pelvic ultrasound and a pelvic MRI with a subsequent hysterectomy. Findings were extracted from radiology and pathology reports, and the documented presence or absence of adenomyosis was recorded for each modality. Blinded radiologists viewed each imaging pair to directly evaluate for adenomyosis.

MAIN FINDINGS

Compared to prior published data, imaging had lower accuracy in clinical practice when adenomyosis was not specifically evaluated for. For the finding of adenomyosis, pelvic ultrasound had a sensitivity of 10.9%, a specificity of 98.3%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 77.8%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 66.7%, an accuracy of 67.2%, and a diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 7. Pelvic MRI had a sensitivity of 29.7%, specificity of 85.3%, PPV of 52.8%, NPV of 68.8%, an accuracy of 65.6%, and DOR of 2.5. Overall accuracy of MRI improved when adenomyosis was directly evaluated for (82.4% vs 65.6%).

PRINCIPLE CONCLUSIONS

Without direct communication to evaluate for adenomyosis, pelvic ultrasound and MRI may underestimate or misreport adenomyosis. Providers should be aware of these discrepancies when relying on radiology reports to guide treatment and potential interventions when diagnosing and managing adenomyosis.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Transvaginal Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Adenomyosis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis and Review of Sonographic Diagnostic Criteria

We aim to first systematically review and perform a meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and, second, to evaluate the accuracy of various sonographic diagnostic criteria for adenomyosis. A search of PubMed and Embase yielded 32 eligible studies. In diagnosing adenomyosis, the diagnostic performance of TVUS was found to be high and comparable to the performance of MRI. Of the eight sonographic criteria, only five were assessable. The best individual criterion was echogenic subendometrial lines and buds. Limited data exist for the various sonographic criteria, and further studies are required to compare their performance.

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.

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.

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.

Ultrasound Findings of Adenomyosis in Adolescents: Type and Grade of the Disease

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the ultrasound features, types, and degrees of adenomyosis among adolescents and to correlate these findings with clinical symptoms DESIGN: A retrospective observational study.

SETTING

Gynecological ultrasound units from January 2014 to June 2020.

PATIENTS

A total of 43 adolescents (aged 12-20 years) who were diagnosed as having adenomyosis at a pelvic ultrasound examination.

INTERVENTIONS

Ultrasound features and location and type of adenomyosis within the uterus were evaluated on stored 2-dimensional images and videos and 3-dimensional volumes. Adenomyosis was classified as mild, moderate, and severe according to the extension of the disease in the uterus as described in our previous published classification.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Adenomyotic features recorded among our population were myometrial hyperechoic areas, uterine wall asymmetry, intramyometrial cystic areas, and some types of junctional zone alterations. The posterior uterine wall (58%) and the outer myometrial layer (93%) were mostly affected. In 44% of adolescents (19/43) with adenomyosis, at least 1 location of pelvic endometriosis was documented. Dysmenorrhea was the most commonly reported symptoms (88%), and it was associated with adenomyosis of the outer myometrium, myometrial hyperechoic areas, uterine wall asymmetry, and intramyometrial cystic areas. Adolescents with dyspareunia showed diffuse adenomyosis (9/9 patients) including both the inner and outer myometrium (7/9 patients) and in the posterior wall (7/9 patients). Heavy menstrual bleeding was associated with diffuse adenomyosis (18/23 patients) mostly of the outer myometrium (22/23 patients). Scoring system showed predominantly mild disease and no severe adenomyosis was found. Adolescents with diffuse adenomyosis were significantly older and showed a high percentage of heavy menstrual bleeding compared with those with the focal disease of the inner myometrium.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that adenomyosis is not only a pathology of adult life, but it involves young patients mostly in a mild-to-moderate form and is associated with typical painful symptoms. In adolescents, the diagnosis of adenomyosis is feasible through a noninvasive way with ultrasound and a proper management can be set.

Adenomyosis and infertility: the role of the junctional zone

OBJECTIVE

Adenomyosis is a benign uterine disorder characterized by the invasion of the endometrium within the myometrium, starting from the junctional zone (JZ), the inner hormone dependent layer of the myometrium that plays an important role in sperm transport, implantation and placentation. The resulting histological abnormalities and functional defects may represent the pathogenic substrate for infertility and pregnancy complications. The objective of this paper is to review the literature to evaluate the correlation between inner myometrium alterations and infertility and to assess the role of JZ in the origin of adverse obstetric outcomes of both spontaneous and in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies.

METHODS

we searched Pubmed for all original and review articles in the English language from January1962 until December 2019, using the MeSH terms of 'adenomyosis', 'junctional zone', combined with 'infertility', 'obstetrical outcomes', 'spontaneous conception', 'in vitro fertilization' and 'classification'. The review was divided into three sections to assess this pathogenic correlation, evaluating also the importance of classification of the disease.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Absent or incomplete remodeling of the JZ can affect uterine peristalsis, alter vascular plasticity of the spiral arteries and activate inflammatory pathways, all related to adverse obstetric outcomes. Despite these observations, there is still limited evidence whether adenomyosis is a cause of infertility. However, it is reasonable to screen patients for adenomyosis, to consider pregnant women with diffuse adenomyosis at high risk of adverse obstetric outcomes, and to evaluate the importance of a noninvasive validated classification in the management of women with adenomyosis.