A morphological study of symptomatic uterine niche using three-dimensional models from thin-slice magnetic resonance imaging

RESEARCH QUESTION

Is there a correlation between various morphological parameters of the uterine niche and post-menstrual spotting using three-dimensional models from thin-slice (1 mm) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)?

DESIGN

This study retrospectively identified women diagnosed with a symptomatic niche by thin-slice MRI between December 2019 and December 2021. Univariable and multivariable linear regression models assessed the correlations between morphological parameters and the duration post-menstrual spotting. Morphological differences of the niche formed by one versus two Caesarean sections were analysed by univariable and multivariable logistic analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 205 women diagnosed with symptomatic niche were included in the study. The niche among most women with post-menstrual spotting was ellipsoidal, with width greater than length greater than depth, from which niche volume was estimated based on manual measurements (volume = 0.520 × length × width × depth). Manually calculated niche length (β = 0.257, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.040-0.473, P = 0.020) and radiomically assessed minor axis length (β = 0.329, 95% CI 0.009-0.795, P = 0.045) both positively correlated with the duration of post-menstrual spotting, whereas the distance between the niche and external os (β = -0.120, 95% CI -0.202 to -0.038, P = 0.004) was inversely correlated. Women with two Cesarean sections reported more days of post-menstrual spotting (8.76 ± 3.54 versus 6.68 ± 3.90 days, P < 0.001) and had increased niche length diameter (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.304, 95% CI 1.190-1.429) and a smaller surface-area-to-volume ratio (aOR 0.296, 95% CI 0.129-0.680).

CONCLUSIONS

Niche-associated post-menstrual spotting correlates with the length diameter of the niche and the distance between the niche and external os. Niches in women after two Caesarean sections tend to be longer in length diameter and more spherical.

Assessment of the clinical outcomes and complications of hysteroscopic and laparoscopic approaches in the treatment of symptomatic isthmocele: An observational study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the outcomes of patients undergoing laparoscopic or hysteroscopic approaches for isthmoplasty.

METHODS

A total of 99 isthmocele patients with an average age of 38.45 ± 4.72 years were included in the 2 years of this retrospective cohort study. Forty-five underwent laparoscopic and 54 underwent hysteroscopic isthmocele excision and myometrial repair.

RESULTS

Pain scores were significantly higher in the hysteroscopy group before the procedure, but there were no significant pain score differences after the surgery. In 1 year of follow up, dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia were higher among hysteroscopy patients. Furthermore, hysteroscopy significantly improved postmenstrual spotting after surgery better than laparoscopy, but in the follow up, there was no significant difference between the two groups in this regard (mean rank for hysteroscopy vs. laparoscopy: 32.30 vs. 37.48, U = 418, P = 0.29).

CONCLUSION

In patients with a history of infertility, ectopic pregnancy, lower gravidity, lower parity, and a lower number of cesarean sections, laparoscopic isthmoplasty is preferred over the hysteroscopic approach. Both methods have similar effects on midcycle vaginal bleeding, duration of postmenstrual spotting, and pain. However, a higher rate of dyspareunia and dysmenorrhea could be associated with hysteroscopy.

Definition of large niche after Cesarean section based on prediction of postmenstrual spotting: Chinese cohort study in non-pregnant women

OBJECTIVE

A large niche after Cesarean section (CS) is associated with long-term complications, of which postmenstrual spotting is associated positively with the size of the niche. However, the diagnosis of a large niche in the literature is inconsistent and the definition is largely subjective. The aim of this study was to generate a definition for a large niche in non-pregnant women based on the presence of postmenstrual spotting.

METHODS

Women who had undergone CS in our hospital between January 2012 and June 2017 were selected randomly from our database, contacted by telephone and subsequently examined between January 2016 and June 2020. Eligible for inclusion were non-pregnant women who had their last CS more than 1 year earlier and agreed to undergo transvaginal sonography (TVS). All participants underwent examination of their CS scar by TVS (two-dimensional color Doppler) during the midfollicular phase. Niche depth, length, width, residual myometrial thickness (RMT), adjacent myometrial thickness (AMT) and ratio of niche depth/AMT were recorded. Women diagnosed with a niche, defined as an indentation at the site of the CS with a depth of at least 2 mm, were classified into two groups (symptomatic or asymptomatic) according to whether they experienced postmenstrual spotting. Logistic regression analysis was used to establish the best cut-off values for the niche parameters to predict postmenstrual spotting. A new definition was generated based on the niche parameters with the highest area under the receiver-operating-characteristics (ROC) curve (AUC) for the prediction of postmenstrual spotting.

RESULTS

A total of 727 women who had a CS > 1 year earlier underwent TVS examination, of whom 263 were diagnosed with a niche (prevalence of 36.2%). Of these, 160 women experienced postmenstrual spotting and 103 were asymptomatic. The three variables with the highest AUC for prediction of postmenstrual spotting were niche depth/AMT ratio (AUC, 0.798; 95% CI, 0.745-0.852), niche depth (AUC, 0.731; 95% CI, 0.668-0.795) and RMT (AUC, 0.683; 95% CI, 0.618-0.748). Based on the best cut-offs according to ROC-curve analysis, a large niche was defined as: niche depth ≥ 0.50 cm, RMT ≤ 0.21 cm or niche depth/AMT ratio ≥ 0.56. The prevalence of a large niche according to this definition was 22.4% (163/727). The new definition had a specificity of 61.17% (95% CI, 52.34-70.41%) and sensitivity of 76.87% (95% CI, 70.28-84.16%) for a large niche.

CONCLUSION

This study has provided a new definition for a large niche after CS. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Sex matters: Practice 5P's when treating young women with venous thromboembolism

Sex matters when it comes to venous thromboembolism (VTE). We defined 5P's - period, pill, prognosis, pregnancy, and postthrombotic syndrome - that should be discussed with young women with VTE. Menstrual blood loss (Period) can be aggravated by anticoagulant therapy. This seems particularly true for direct oral anticoagulants. Abnormal uterine bleeding can be managed by hormonal therapy, tranexamic acid, or modification of treatment. The use of combined oral contraceptives (Pill) is a risk factor for VTE. The magnitude of the risk depends on progestagen types and estrogen doses used. In women using therapeutic anticoagulation, concomitant hormonal therapy does not increase the risk of recurrent VTE. Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine devices and low-dose progestin-only pills do not increase the risk of VTE. In young women VTE is often provoked by transient hormonal risk factors that affects prognosis. Sex is incorporated as predictor in recurrent VTE risk assessment models. However, current guidelines do not propose using these to guide treatment duration. Pregnancy increases the risk of VTE by 4-fold to 5-fold. Thrombophilia and obstetric risk factors further increase the risk of pregnancy-related VTE. In women with a history of VTE, the risk of recurrence during pregnancy or post partum appears to be influenced by risk factors present during the first VTE. In most women with a history of VTE, antepartum and postpartum thromboprophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin is indicated. Women generally are affected by VTE at a younger age then men, and they have to deal with long-term complications (Post-thrombotic syndrome) of deep vein thrombosis early in life.

Iron deficiency in childhood and adolescence: Retrospective review

Two hundred and thirty-eight subjects of both sexes, age range 7.5 months-16 years, with iron deficiency (ID), were included in a retrospective review of ID causes, to determine the best treatment. Inadequate iron intake was the cause of ID or iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in 59 subjects from the first months of life to adolescence. Blood loss linked to cow's milk intolerance was the cause of ID or IDA in 37 younger children. Meckel's diverticulum (MD) (6 cases), reflux esophagitis (RE) (10 cases), some drugs such as acetyl salicylic acid (11 cases) induced bleeding with ID or IDA in children and adolescents. In pubertal females with ID or IDA, polymenorrhea was observed in 16 cases. Coelic disease (CD) (37 cases), Helicobacter pylori infection (HPI) (39 cases), association of HPI and CD (8 cases), enteromonas infection (15 cases), determining particularly malabsorption, were causes of ID or IDA in patients of a wide age range, unresponsive to iron therapy. Our findings show that iron replacement therapy was not always required and should not be prescribed until the diagnosis is certain.

A comparison of the effect of levonorgestrel IUD with oral medroxyprogesterone acetate on abnormal uterine bleeding with simple endometrial hyperplasia and fertility preservation

OBJECTIVE

Endometrial hyperplasia is clinically important, because it can lead to abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) which itself can precede endometrial cancer. Endometrial carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the female genital tract, occurring in about 75%-85% younger, perimenopausal women as endometrial hyperplasia. The treatment is hysterectomy or hormone therapy with progesterone. The aim of this study was, therefore, to compare the effect of levonorgestrel intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) on simple endometrial hyperplasia for fertility preservation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty women in reproductive age (22-47 years) with AUB with endometrial biopsies confirming simple hyperplasia, were enrolled in this study and then randomly divided into two groups. All patients presented with designed special checklist which was filled with satisfaction. Complete history and physical examination especially blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), breast examination, bimanual vaginal examination, and transvaginal sonography (to measure the thickness of endometrial and exclude the other pathologic lesions) were performed. In the first group, treatment was performed with MPA (20 mg/daily) for ten days and in other group with LNG-IUD was prescribed. After three months, transvaginal sonography and biopsy of endometrium were done. The status of AUB and side-effects of two methods,along with the rate of satisfactory were evaluated.

RESULT

The findings showed the significant differences in the treatment of simple hyperplasia between two groups (LNG-IUD group vs. MPA group) (p < 0.047). Recovery of AUB in the group LNG was enhanced (p < 0.047). Endometrial thickness was reduced in both groups (p < 0.001), but further reduction in LNG group was seen. Also, LNG was tolerated more than MPA. Side-effects of MPA were more and reached significance (p < 0.003). The rate of satisfaction with LNG was higher than MPA and reached significance (p < 0.048).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study show that LNG-IUD is more effective than MPA in treatment of simple endometrial hyperplasia and can be helpful in young women who want to preserve their fertilities.

The management of iron deficiency in menometrorrhagia

Iron-deficiency anaemia, the condition in which anaemia occurs due to a lack of iron, develops when the amount of available iron is insufficient to support normal red blood cell production. Iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anaemia, very prevalent conditions in premenopausal women, are often associated with menometrorrhagia (present in more than two-thirds of cases of iron-deficiency anaemia in premenopausal women). Appropriate identification and treatment of iron deficiency is imperative as iron deficiency can induce important specific clinical manifestations (including fatigue, atrophic changes in the epithelium, oral lesions, dysphagia, nail lesions, reduced immune response). Iron supplementation is the most common strategy used to control iron deficiency. Based on World Health Organisation recommendations, the most appropriate treatment is with an oral ferrous salt in a prolonged-release tablet form, to provide a dose of elemental iron equivalent to 60 mg per intake, in the range of 60 and 120 mg/day according to the severity of iron-deficiency anaemia. When haemoglobin levels have returned to normal, treatment should continue for about 3 months to fill iron stores. An extended-release formulation of ferrous sulphate with mucoproteose has been shown to be associated with a lower incidence of gastrointestinal adverse effects compared with other ferrous and ferric salts.

[Long-term effect on radiofrequency heat-coagulation endometrial ablation in the treatment of anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate long-term effect on radiofrequency heat-coagulation (RF) endometrial ablation in treatment of anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB).

METHODS

From Jul. 2001 to Nov. 2009, 1196 patients with DUB who were failed by medical treatment (including 127 patients with dysmenorrheal) were enrolled into this study in Jinan Millitary General Hospital. Those patients were divided into two groups according to age: 427 patients at age of or more than 45 years (average age 48 years) in Group A who were treated by RF procedure for amenorrhea;769 patients at age of less than 45 years old (average 37 years) in group B were treated by RF for controlling excessive menstrual bleeding. All the patients had the results of menstrual score (pictorial blood loss assessment chart, PBAC), hemoglobin (Hb), endometrial curettage pathology and hysteroscopy examination immediately after RF procedure; Some patients still had another endometrial curettage pathology and clinical results in 6 months after RF. The mean follow-up time was 72 months (range: 6 to 100 months). The evaluation criterion for RF treatment was to use optimal and significant effect measurements. For group A, the optimal treatment effect (cure) was defined as bleeding cessation and achieving amenorrhea that continued for more than 12 months after treatment. For group B, the optimal treatment effect(cure) was also defined as bleeding cessation and resuming normal menstruation which continued for more than 12 months after treatment. Significant treatment effect was defined as irregular, minor bleeding, but PBAC score less than 100 within 12 months. If patient symptoms and PBAC scores did not change compared with those before treatment, the treatment was defined as failure. For dysmenorrhea, the optimal treatment effect was disappearance for more than 12 months, the significant treatment effect was remission, and treatment failure was not changed from the pre-treatment baseline. The effective rate was the sum of that of the optimal and significant effect. One hundred and twenty-five patients with DUB treated by agents at the same time were chosen as control group.

RESULTS

(1) The recent and long-term effective rates for bleeding cessation by RF:the total recent effective rates within 1 months were 94.82% (1134/1196), including 96.5% (412/427) in group A and 93.9% (722/769) in group B. The total curative rates for dysmenorrheal were 82.7% (105/127), including 86.4% (38/44) in group A and 80.7% (67/83) in group B. Pathology examination after hysteroscopy immediately after RF showed a completely and whole destroyed endometrium in group A, and a little rested endometrium in group B. The long-term effect rates for bleeding cessation by RF after 12, 24 and 36 months were 92.55% (969/1047), 93.9% (866/922) and 93.7% (609/650), respectively. PBAC and Hb in group A and group B within 12, 24, 36 and more than 36 months were improved significantly (P < 0.05). (2) COMPLICATIONS: the major complication was irregular minor bleeding in 1 to 2 months after treatment, the rate was 8.03% (96/1196). The second one was menorrhea in 3 months after RF, the rate was 5.18% (62/1196). This condition was corrected by the second RF. No hysterectomy was performed on those patients.

CONCLUSION

RF is the safe, efficient and minimal invasive procedure in treatment for DUB. The mechanism of keeping long-term curative effect and preventing recurrence is due to endometrium inactivation and fibrosis by thermocoagulation.

[Screening and identification of serum biomarker of anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding and its expression in the menses]

OBJECTIVE

To screen and identify the serum biomarker of anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding (ADUB), to determine the expression of biomarker protein in menses of ADUB patients, and to investigate the relation between ADUB and the biomarker proteins.

METHODS

Subjects included 128 ADUB patients and 93 age-matched controls(normal women). Their serum and supernatant of mense were collected and stored for use at -80 degree. The differential proteins in the serum of the 2 groups were detected by CM10 and analyzed by Biomarker Wizard 3.2 software. Then, the differential proteins were identified by Tricine-SDS-PAGE gel separation, spectrometry identification, and immunoprecipitation. The expression of the protein identified above in the menses was tested by ELISA, RT-PCR, and Western blotting. SPSS 14.1 was applied for statistical analysis and chart drawing.

RESULTS

Five differential protein peaks were screened and their peak values were 11.80, 13.59, 13.79, 13.85, and 14.20 km/z, respectively. The intensity of protein peak (11.80 km/z) which was identified as serum amyploid protein A (SAA) of ADUB was significantly higher than that of the controls (P<0.05). While the intensity of protein peak (13.59 km/z ) which was identified as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of ADUB was obviously lower than that of the controls (P<0.05). The intensity of protein peak 13.08, 13.85, and 14.20 was not different between the cases and controls. SAA expressed highly in the menses of ADUB but low in that of the controls. Conversely, VEGF expressed highly in the menses of the control but low in that of the ADUB.

CONCLUSION

Two biomarkers which might be related with ADUB have been correctly screened and identified as SAA and VEGF. It needs further study whether the increased expression of SAA and reduced expression of VEGF are the cause or result of ADUB.

Enhanced expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) and increased microvascular density in the endometrial hyperplasia of women with anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the roles of endometrial matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9, vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), and microvascular density (MVD) in the occurrence of anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB).

DESIGN

A prospective analytical design.

SETTING

The obstetrics and gynecology department of an academic training hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Sixty women with anovulatory DUB and 20 control women.

INTERVENTION(S)

Endometrial biopsies were obtained for the assessment of immunohistochemical staining of MMP-2 and -9, VEGF, and endometrial MVD using an antibody to CD34.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

The results were determined through the expressions of MMP-2 and -9, VEGF, and CD34.

RESULT(S)

The frequencies of MMP-2 and -9 expression in endometrial stroma and of VEGF expression in endometrial glands were all significantly higher in the endometrial hyperplasia of women with anovulatory DUB than they were in the control group. Additionally, the mean score of endometrial MVD was significantly higher in the endometrial hyperplasia of women with anovulatory DUB than it was in the control group. In women with anovulatory DUB, VEGF expression in endometrial glands was statistically correlated with MMP-2 and -9 expressions in endometrial stroma and endometrial MVD.

CONCLUSION(S)

These results suggest that enhanced expressions of MMP-2 and -9, VEGF, and increased MVD in endometrial hyperplasia may play important roles in the pathogenesis of women with anovulatory DUB.

Assessment of the prevalence and impact of anemia on women hospitalized for gynecologic conditions associated with heavy uterine bleeding

OBJECTIVE

Women with heavy uterine bleeding often are untreated or inadequately treated for anemia. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and impact of anemia in women hospitalized for gynecologic conditions associated with heavy uterine bleeding.

STUDY DESIGN

The largest all-payer inpatient care database, the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's 2003 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, was queried using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes to identify and group women with gynecologic diagnoses associated with heavy uterine bleeding into 2 categories: those with or without anemia. Groups were evaluated for demographic characteristics, medical resource utilization and hospitalization costs using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

More than 25% of the estimated 300,589 women in the study had a diagnosis of anemia. Compared to patients without a diagnosis of anemia, those with an anemia diagnosis were more likely to have a blood transfusion (24% vs. 0.7%, p<0.0001), an emergency department admission (26.8% vs. 3.2%, p<0.0001) and higher hospitalization costs ($5,631 vs. $5,101, p <0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Anemia and blood transfusions are common in women hospitalized for gynecologic conditions associated with heavy uterine bleeding. Greater patient and provider awareness of the prevalence and burden associated with anemia may increase opportunities to reduce blood transfusions and improve general health status and quality of life in this patient population.

An impedance-controlled system for endometrial ablation: five-year follow-up of 107 patients

OBJECTIVE

To assess the safety, efficacy and data durability of the NovaSure endometrial ablation system 5 years after the procedure in women with severe menorrhagia secondary to dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB).

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective, single-arm, pilot study of 107 women undergoing endometrial ablation using the NovaSure system (Canadian Task Force classification II-1) at a specialized center for gynecologic endoscopy. The premenopausal women, with menorrhagia secondary to DUB unresponsive to medical therapy, had completed childbearing. A Pictorial Blood-Loss Assessment Chart was used to conduct a posttreatment evaluation of menstrual blood loss and bleeding pattern. Ablation was performed without any type of endometrial pretreatment.

RESULTS

No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. Treatment time averaged 94 seconds. At the 5-year follow-up, amenorrhea was reported by 75% of patients and successful reduction of bleeding was achieved in 98%, with hysterectomy and retreatment rates of 2.9% and 3.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Long-term clinical results indicate that the NovaSure system is a safe and effective method for treatment of women with menorrhagia secondary to DUB. NovaSure yields high amenorrhea and success rates and low surgical reintervention rates 5 years after treatment.

A systematic review evaluating health-related quality of life, work impairment, and health-care costs and utilization in abnormal uterine bleeding

OBJECTIVES

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) impacts women's health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and puts a heavy economic burden on society. To date, this burden has not been systematically studied. We conducted a systematic review of the medical literature to evaluate the impact of AUB on HRQoL and to quantify the economic burden of AUB from a societal perspective.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed and Cochrane databases, and article bibliographies for the period up to July 2005. Teams of two reviewers independently abstracted data from studies that reported outcomes of interest: prevalence, HRQoL, work impairment, and health-care utilization and costs associated with AUB.

RESULTS

The search yielded 1009 English-language articles. Ninety-eight studies (including randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and reviews) that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria underwent a full-text review. The prevalence of AUB among women of reproductive age ranged from 10% to 30%. The HRQoL scores from the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) suggested that women with AUB have HRQoL below the 25th percentile of that for the general female population within a similar age range. The conservatively estimated annual direct and indirect economic costs of AUB were approximately $1 billion and $12 billion, respectively. These figures do not account for intangible costs and productivity loss due to presenteeism.

CONCLUSIONS

The burden of AUB needs further and more thorough investigation. Additional research should prospectively evaluate the impact of AUB and the value of treatment provided to help guide future health resource allocation and clinical decision-making.

The relation between age, time since menopause, and endometrial cancer in women with postmenopausal bleeding

The objective is to assess among women with postmenopausal bleeding the relationship of age and time since menopause on one hand and the presence of endometrial cancer and atypical hyperplasia on the other hand. In a multicenter prospective cohort study, 614 women presenting with postmenopausal bleeding were included. Women underwent transvaginal sonography and, in cases where the endometrial thickness was >4 mm, endometrial sampling. Splines were used to assess the association between each of the continuous variables and (pre)malignancy of the endometrium. Subsequently, univariate and multivariate analysis were performed. The average age for women without (pre)malignancy was 61.7 years (SD 9.8). As malignant and premalignant cases were found to have similar age, these subgroups were merged in the analyses. Age was an independent predictor of (pre)malignancy. In women younger than 55 years, the odds ratio was 1.9 (95% CI: 1.1-3.3) for each year under 55 years of age and 1.03 (95% CI: 1.00-1.06) for each year over 55 years of age. The risk of (pre)malignancy of the endometrium was 4.9% in women less than 3 years postmenopausal versus 19.7% in women more than 20 years postmenopausal. However, in a multivariate analysis only age contributed to the prediction of risk. This study demonstrates that, in postmenopausal women with vaginal bleeding, the risk of (pre)malignancy of the endometrium is low in women under 50 years of age, increases considerably until 55 years of age, and rises only modestly with further advancing age. Future studies should explore whether these findings can be incorporated in the diagnostic work-up of women with postmenopausal bleeding.

[Clinical study of guchong zhixue decoction in treating dysfunctional uterine bleeding of anovulatory type]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the efficacy of Guchong Zhixue Decoction (GCZXD) in treating dysfunctional uterine bleeding of anovulatory type with Qi-deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, and to systematically explore its hemostasis mechanism.

METHODS

Sixty patients were randomly divided into the treated group (n = 30, treated by GCZXD taken orally) and the control group (n=30, treated by Yigong Zhixue Oral Liquid, taken orally). Hemostatic effect of treatment, improvements of clinical symptoms, thickness of endometrium, prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial prothrombin time (APTT), serum level of Ca2+, endocrine hormone, levels of PGE2 and PGF2alpha in menstrual blood serum, and contents of endometrial estrogen receptor (ER) and progestin receptor (PR) before and after treatment were observed. Results The total effective rate of GCZXD in hemostasis was 93.3% in the treated group, which was significantly better than that in the control group (70.0%, P < 0.05). Significant difference was shown in improving clinical symptoms, thickness of endometrium, PT and APTT, serum level of Ca2+, endocrine hormone, levels of PGE2 and PGF2alpha in menstrual blood serum, and contents of endometrial ER and PR in the treated group when compared with before treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) also when compared with the control group after treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

GCZXD has favorable hemostatic effect in treating dysfunctional uterine bleeding of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, and it also con improve the accompanied symptoms significantly.

[Thrombasthenia of Glanzmann. Vaginal hysterectomy treated with recombinant factor VIIa]

In the present article, regarding a clinical case of Thrombasthenia of Glanzmann with severe anaemia by menometrorrhagia, the authors propose the vaginal hysterectomy and the administration of the recombinant factor VIIa on the immediate pre and postoperative as effective therapeutical alternatives.

[Results of histopathologic findings of endometrial changes in metrorrhagia]

Endometrium is a tissue which is in permanent changes in the active gynaecological period of a female. This can be followed-up through histological, custological and histochemical changes. In determining the morphologic changes and disturbances in endometrium, pathohistological examinations were and still are necessary and irreplaceable in defining the real causes of this phenomenon. The aim of our work is to show the pathohistological results of the material obtained by explorative curettage in metrorrhagia, to determine the aetiology of the pathological process in endometrium, which provokes irregular bleeding, and to check the possible increase in precancerogenic and malignant endometrial conditions over a period of three years. The examinations covered 786 patients who asserted that bleeding was the main symptom of their illness. In all of them explorative curettage was performed mainly in diagnostic and often in therapeutic purposes. The number of examinations are in constant increase. The age of the largest number of patients was from 41 to 50 years, a period when the anovulary cycle is most frequent which, in turn, causes changes in endometrium which results in irregular bleeding i.e. in metrorrhagia (Tables 1, 2 and 3). The most frequent histopathological changes were manifested by adenomatic hyperplasia (160), then glandular (136) and cystic hyperplasia (92). Eleven cases of endometrial carcinoma were detected. In two of these patients the finding was not confirmed by pathohistological result after the operation or repeated explorative currettage. In 64 patients atypical hyperplasia i.e. Ca in situ was found. Acute endometritis followed by irregular bleeding was observed during inflammatory process of the internal genital organs. In 35 patients chronic endometritis was found after curettage following the extraction of the intrauterine device (in one case after 40 years of carrying). In 103 patients with hyperplasia myomatous changes were noted; this finding correlated with hyperoestrogenism, which is usually present in both disorders. All authors agree that pathohistological examination of endometrium is the most reliable in the search for a correct diagnosis. Despite of all modern diagnostic and technical means, difficulties always arise in the assessment of malignant potential of endometrial hyperplasia. Therefore, the patients with recurrent bleeding caused by hyperplasia should be under intensive gynaecological control.

Changes in the rate of tubal ligation done after cesarean section

OBJECTIVE

We studied tubal ligations done after cesarean section in a Spanish hospital during a 20-year period, in order to analyze changes in patient characteristics and indications for cesarean delivery.

STUDY DESIGN

We reviewed the clinical records, for the period from 1978 to 1997, of 1996 cases of cesarean section followed by tubal ligation in 108776 births in which the fetus weighed 1000 g or more.

RESULTS

During the 20-year period of study, the proportion of cesarean sections relative to vaginal deliveries increased, as did the frequency of cesarean section followed by tubal ligation relative to cesarean and vaginal deliveries. The proportion of women who underwent tubal ligation after a second cesarean section decreased from 60% during 1978-1982 to 5.6% during 1993-1997. The most frequent maternal pathology associated with gestation was previous cesarean section (60.5%), although 50% of the women had no underlying pathology.

CONCLUSIONS

In our setting, the rate of cesarean section followed by tubal ligation has been increasing steadily since the early 1980s. The proportion of women who requested tubal sterilization and who had only one living child, or who had had a previous cesarean birth, also increased.

[Recurrent bleeding of thalamic cavernous angioma under hormonal treatment. A case report]

A case of recurrent bleeding from a probable left thalamic cavernoma in a 26 year old woman taking hormonal treatment is reported. Four episodes of bleeding were clinically and radiologically documented, prior to her referral to our institution. Interestingly, each episode occurred three weeks after starting hormonal treatment, dydrogesterone, desogestrel ethinylestradiol, chlormadin, nomegestrel acetate). The patient was not operated because of the deep situation of the cavernoma which was remote from the thalamic surface within the third ventricle. There was no recurrent bleeding after the onset hormonal treatment was discontinued. Although no similar case has been found in the literature, we believe that this case gives further argumentation in favor of a role of hormonal factors influencing the biological behavior of cavernous angiomas which has been previously suggested in pregnant females with bleeding cavernous angiomas.

Bleeding symptoms and subsequent risk of gynecological and other cancers

BACKGROUND

The purpose of our study was to find out whether bleeding symptoms are predictive factors of subsequent gynecological or urinary cancers among women screened negative.

METHODS

The data stemmed from the Finnish Mass Screening Registry, and were linked to the National Cancer Registry: 37,596 screening negative women in the nationwide population-based mass screening program for cervical cancer were classified by their bleeding symptom (bloody discharge, coital bleeding, irregular bleeding, postmenopausal bleeding) at the time of screening (1985-1990) and followed up (1985-1994) in order to assess the subsequent risk of cancer.

RESULTS

Bleeding symptoms with prevalence of 5.9% were more likely to be signs of preinvasive than invasive cervical cancer with the exception of coital bleeding, nevertheless relative risk of cervical cancer (SIR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8-1.4) was not significantly increased during the total follow-up of maximum 10 years. Women with any bleeding symptom had increased risk of cancer of the corpus uteri (SIR 2.1, 95% CI 1.6-2.6), postmenopausal bleeding was the strongest symptom (RR 3.6, 95% CI 2.0-6.0). None of the bleeding symptoms increased subsequent risk of ovarian, vaginal or vulvar carcinoma. The risk of kidney cancer was increased (SIR 1.7, 95% CI 1.0-2.6).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of bleeding symptoms was small and relative risks for cancers were low for them to be suitable as predictive factors of cancer neither in clinical practice nor for public health purposes, e.g. in developing selective screening based on this high risk group. Only 34 gynecological cancers during 220,000 person-years in women with bleeding symptoms were attributable to bleeding. Relative risks remained increased only for a short time after screening. Therefore, short term surveillance is important, but due to the fact that relative risks approached unity during the follow-up, reassurance of a woman that she is cancer-free should be emphasized more in the long term after the bleeding symptoms.

[Treatment of dysfunctional metrorrhagia with GnRH analogs]

Thirty patients diagnosed as affected by dysfunctional metrorrhagia were treated with goserelin in a registered formulation of 3.6 mg injected subcutaneously into the anterior abdominal wall. These patients suffered from hypochromic anemia secondary to metrorrhagia with asthenic symptoms. After six months' treatment there was a significant improvement in hemocrasia and symptoms resolved without collateral effects requiring the suspension of treatment. The 10 patients who subsequently underwent surgery were in excellent condition and did not require blood transfusions.

[Iron deficiency dyserythropoiesis in patients with chronic gastrointestinal and gynecologic hemorrhages. Study of 39 cases]

A defect of haemoglobin synthesis is the classically recognized mechanism affecting the erythron functionalism in chronic iron deficiency. The poor erythroblastic bone-marrow response, plus a number of dyserythropoietic nuclear features, have led to think of an impairment of the cell cycle of erythroblasts in iron-lack anaemia. The aim of the present work was to study such hypothesis, not proven so far. Ten subjects with normal haemopoiesis and 39 patients with iron-lack anaemia of different aetiologies (namely, 19 with digestive tract bleeding, 16 with gynaecological bleeding, and 4 with haemorrhages on other locations) were included in a previously reported protocol. The scheme of such protocol consisted of: 1) bone-marrow erythroblast quantification; 2) analysis of their maturation gradient; 3) erythroblast mitotic index; 4) measure of the mitotic time in bone-marrow culture; 5) tritiated-thymidine incorporation to short-term bone-marrow culture and quantification of the erythroblastic labelling index. To these were added the degree of nuclear dyserythropoiesis according to Hill and Lewis, and the reticulocyte production index. The following mean values were found in the control group: erythroblasts, 25.5 (+/- 3.63) %; E1-E4, 47.66 (+/- 3.09) %; IDN, 0.67 (+/- 0.27); MI, 2.82 (+/- 0.66) %; MT, 1.05 (+/- 0.15 hr); LI, 34.88 (+/- 5.82) %. The mean values found in iron-lack anaemias were as follows: erythroblasts 39.42 (+/- 9.1) %; E1-E4, 42.25 (+/- 4.11) %; IDN, 7.77 (+/- 4.69); MT, 1.81 (+/- 0.95) hr; LI, 13.08 (+/- 6.51) %. The statistical analysis (Student's t) showed highly significant differences (p less than 0.001) in the increased IDN and decreased MI and LI in iron deficiency patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the uterine cervix. Sarcoma botryoides

Twenty-one cases of sarcoma botryoides of the uterine cervix, including four previously unreported cases, are reviewed. The age of the patients ranged from 5 months to 48 years, with a peak incidence in the group aged 14 to 18 years. Eighty percent of the patients are alive, with a mean follow-up period of 68 months. Seventy-five percent of the patients had Group I disease, of whom 88% are alive. Eleven of 14 patients (79%) receiving vincristine and dactinomycin based chemotherapy are alive. There were five patients with recurrent disease (24%) of whom two (40%) are alive. The prognosis for cervical sarcoma botryoides is similar to that of other female genital tract embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas. Primary therapy should consist of vincristine and dactinomycin based chemotherapy. Surgery should be guided by the response to initial chemotherapy and should attempt to conserve the function of the bladder, rectum, vagina, and ovaries.

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the uterine cervix. Sarcoma botryoides

Twenty-one cases of sarcoma botryoides of the uterine cervix, including four previously unreported cases, are reviewed. The age of the patients ranged from 5 months to 48 years, with a peak incidence in the group aged 14 to 18 years. Eighty percent of the patients are alive, with a mean follow-up period of 68 months. Seventy-five percent of the patients had Group I disease, of whom 88% are alive. Eleven of 14 patients (79%) receiving vincristine and dactinomycin based chemotherapy are alive. There were five patients with recurrent disease (24%) of whom two (40%) are alive. The prognosis for cervical sarcoma botryoides is similar to that of other female genital tract embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas. Primary therapy should consist of vincristine and dactinomycin based chemotherapy. Surgery should be guided by the response to initial chemotherapy and should attempt to conserve the function of the bladder, rectum, vagina, and ovaries.

Prothrombin Gainesville. A dysprothrombinemia in a pair of identical twins

A pair of identical twins was evaluated for menometrorrhagia and mild post-operative bleeding. Each had a slightly prolonged partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time. Full hemostatic evaluation was normal, except that plasma prothrombin activity was 23% and 25% of normal with a Russell's viper venom assay. Each twin had 70% of normal plasma prothrombin antigen. Prothrombin kinetic data were obtained before and during hysterectomy. In these twins, infused prothrombin (Konyne) was found to have a volume of distribution of approximately one and one-half times the plasma volume and a half-life of 34 hours. The previously reported dysprothrombins are briefly reviewed. Prothrombin Gainesville is the twelfth such disorder reported.

[Statistical study of the relationships between the etiology and clinical picture of cerebral palsy]

846 children with cerebral palsy were examined and 642 were selected for a statistical study by correspondence analysis. The aim was to identify without any prior assumptions, the relationships between the aetiological factors and the clinical findings. The study was completed by conventional statistical analysis of 584 of the cases. Small birth weight and a history of abnormal pregnancies was associated with a cerebral palsy affecting both legs, and often with a squint. Resuscitation was associated with athetosis and abnormalities of posture and behaviour. If the resuscitation lasted for more than 15 minutes or there were certain problems during delivery, severe abnormalities of both arms and major speech difficulties were observed. Resuscitation for less than 15 minutes or for an unknown time or intractable vomiting during pregnancy was associated with quadraplegia. Hemiplegia was related to post natal events but the aetiology was not always known. Foeto-maternal incompatibility was associated with athetosis, deafness, severe speech problems and ophthalmoplegias.

Impaired estrogen-induced luteinizing hormone release in young women with anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding

Spontaneous ovarian activity, as reflected by the urinary excretion of total estrogen and pregnanediol measured serially (thrice weekly) over a period of 3-4 months, was studied in nine young women (15-27 yr old) with a history of dysfunctional uterine bleeding of at least 2-yr duration. Results were compared to those obtained in sex regularly menstruating women, aged 23-45 yr. All control women had ovulatory cycles, but seven of the nine patients with DUB failed to ovulate during at least three consecutive cycles. The profiles of urinary total estrogen excretion in these seven subjects were consistent with regular follicular development, but the follicular phase was prolonged and the amount of estrogen excretion increased, as compared to controls. In four of these seven patients, the endometrium had previously shown cystic glandular hyperplasia. Although the release of LH and FSH after injection of 50 micrograms synthetic LRH was normal, the surge of LH induced in response to exogenous estrogen (200 micrograms ethinylestradiol/day for 3 days) was significantly (P less than 0.005) lower in the patients (16.2 +/- 3.7 mU/ml) than that of control women )35.0 +/- 5.5 mU/ml). It is concluded that the failure to ovulate in young women with anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding is due to inadequate release of LH in response to estrogen. The results support the hypothesis that the basic defect in these women may be a decrease of hypothalamic sensitivity to positive feedback.

[The obstetrical and fetal prognosis after metrorrhagia in the first trimester of pregnancy: with reference to 187 cases]

The authors followed 187 pregnancies in which metrorrhagia had occurred in the first trimester, but which had not resulted in abortion. In these patients, the authors studied particularly changes in hormone levels in the urine and the relation between these levels and fetal prognosis. If hormonal deficit is related to fetal prognosis, the relationship does not appear to be a direct one: estrogen deficiency is discovered more often than luteal deficiency; the more serious the estrogen deficiency the more often is it associated with severe progesterone deficiency; The number of fetal malformations did not seem to be any higher in patients who had presented metrorrhagia in first trimester than in patients whose pregnancy was normal. Any higher in patients who had presented metrorrhagia in the pregnancy on one hormone analysis, whether or not it is abnormal. The examinations should be repeated so that the evolution may be followed carefully.