Comparison of the determination of the local tumor extent of primary endometrial cancer using clinical examination and 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging compared to histopathology.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to analyze the correct staging of primary endometrial cancer (EC) using clinical examination and 3 Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results compared to histopathology. METHODS: In this prospective, non-randomized, single-center study, 26 women with biopsy-proven EC were evaluated. All women underwent clinical examination including transvaginal ultrasound (CE/US) and 3T MRI (T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced sequences) prior to surgery. Spearman's correlation coefficient was employed to analyze the correlation between both staging methods and histopathology and generalized estimation equation analysis to compare their staging results. Main outcome measures are determinations of local tumor extent for EC on CE/US and 3T MRI compared to histopathology (gold standard). RESULTS: Sixteen women had an early-stage pT1a tumor, 10 a locally advanced ≥ pT1b tumor. The early stage was correctly diagnosed at CE/US in 100%, by MRI in 81%. Spearman's correlation coefficient was r = 1.0 (p < 0.001) for correlation of CE/US and histopathology, r = 0.93 (p < 0.001) for correlation of MRI and pathology. A locally advanced tumor stage was exactly diagnosed by MRI in 70% and at CE/US in 50%. CONCLUSIONS: CE/US is sufficient for staging T1a endometrial cancer, while MRI provides higher sensitivity in detecting locally advanced tumors. Based on our results, combining CE/US and 3T MRI in patients with at least suspected deep myometrial invasion offers a more reliable workflow for individual treatment planning.

3D reconstruction of MR-visible Fe3 O4 -mesh implants: Pelvic mesh measurement techniques and preliminary findings.

AIMS: To develop MR-based measurement technique to evaluate the postoperative dimension and location of implanted magnetic resonance (MR)-visible meshes. METHODS: This technique development study reports findings of six patients (A-F) with cystoceles treated with anterior vaginal MR-visible Fe3 O4 -polypropylene implants. Implanted meshes were reconstructed from 3 months and/or 1 year postsurgical MR-images using 3D Slicer®. Measurements including mesh length, distance to the ischial spines, pudendal, and obturator neurovascular bundles and urethra were obtained using software Rhino® and a custom Matlab® program. The range of implanted mesh length and their placements were reported and compared with mesh design and implantation recommendations. With the anterior/posterior-mesh-segment-ratio mesh shrinkage localization was evaluated. RESULTS: Examinations were possible for patients A-D 3 months and for A, C, E, and F 1 year postsurgical. The mesh was at least 40% shorter in all patients 3 months and/or 1 year postoperatively. A, B showed shrinkage in the anterior segment, D, E in the posterior segment (Patients C, F not applicable due to intraoperative mesh trimming). Patient E presented pain in the area of mesh shrinkage. In Patient C posterior mesh fixations were placed in the iliococcygeal muscle rather than sacrospinous ligaments. Arm placement less than 20 mm from the pudendal neurovascular bundles was seen in all cases. The portion of the urethra having mesh underneath it ranged from 19% to 55%. CONCLUSIONS: MRI-based measurement techniques have been developed to quantify implanted mesh location and dimension. Mesh placement variations possibly correlating with postoperative complications can be illustrated.

Pelvimetry in nulliparous and primiparous women using 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging.

AIMS: To perform pelvimetry in nulliparous and primiparous women using 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (3T MRI). METHODS: Twenty-five nulliparous volunteers and 25 primiparous women underwent pelvic 3T MRI within one week after vaginal childbirth in a prospective clinical single-center trial. The pelvimetric parameters interspinous distance (ISD), intertuberous distance (ITD), sagittal outlet (SO), obstetric conjugate (OC), and coccygeal curved length (CCL) were adapted from anthropometric measurements as well as from sonographic and computed tomography-based pelvimetry performed on high-resolution T2-weighted images. We compared the results of the two study groups to one another, recent literature and postpartum-diagnosed levator ani muscle (LAM) injuries. RESULTS: The mean values for primipara/nullipara were ISD 107 ± 8.3/105 ± 8.4 mm, ITD 119.8 ± 10.2/118.4 ± 13.1 mm, OC 129.4 ± 10/130.8 ± 6.9 mm, SO 114.3 ± 7.8/112.5 ± 8.9 mm, and CCL 37.3 ± 7.4/39 ± 8 mm. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between the results for OC, SO, and CCL (primipara) and ISD, ITD and OC (nullipara) and the values in the literature. No significant difference in pelvimetric values was found between the groups. A significant correlation was found between the pelvimetric parameters and five types of LAM injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Two-dimensional 3T MRI combines high-resolution images with objective pelvimetric measurements applicable in a postpartum setting. Our results provide a good foundation for further MRI-based studies evaluating the bony pelvis and its relation to LAM injuries during vaginal childbirth.

Five-year outcome after pelvic floor reconstructive surgery: evaluation using dynamic magnetic resonance imaging compared to clinical examination and quality-of-life questionnaire.

Background Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) captures the entire pelvis during Valsalva maneuver and helps diagnosing pelvic floor changes after reconstructive surgery. Purpose To evaluate therapeutic outcome five years after reconstructive surgery using clinical examination, dMRI, and quality-of-life (QOL) questionnaire. Material and Methods Clinical examination, dMRI, and QOL questionnaire were conducted before surgery and in the follow-ups at 12 weeks, one year, and five years in women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) stage ≥2. dMRI was performed at 1.5-T using a predefined protocol including sagittal T2-weighted (T2W) sequence at rest and sagittal T2W true-FISP sequence at maximum strain for metric POP measurements (reference points = bladder, cervix, pouch, rectum). Pelvic organ mobility (POM) was defined as the difference of the metric measurement at maximum strain and at rest. Results Twenty-six women with 104 MRI examinations were available for analysis. dMRI results mostly differ to clinical examination regarding the overall five-year outcome and the posterior compartment in particular. dMRI diagnosed substantially more patients with recurrent or de novo POP in the posterior compartment (n = 17) compared to clinical examination (n = 4). POM after five years aligns to preoperative status except for the bladder. POM reflects best the QOL results regarding defecation disorders. Conclusion A tendency for recurrent and de novo POP was seen in all diagnostic modalities applied. dMRI objectively visualizes the interaction of the pelvic organs and the pelvic floor after reconstructive surgery and POM correlated best with the women's personal impression on pelvic floor complaints.

In obesity even young women suffer from urogynecological symptoms.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the occurrence of urogynecological symptoms in obese women treated in a university outpatient clinic for obesity, setting a focus on younger women. METHODS: In this explorative, prospective, cross-sectional, single-center, multidisciplinary clinical trial, all consecutively recruited women received the Prolapse Quality of Life questionnaire (P-QOL) for data acquisition. The total study population (TSP) and a subgroup (SG) aged 18-49 years were evaluated descriptively regarding symptom demonstration. RESULTS: Of the TSP (n = 166, mean age 40.2, standard deviation (SD) 12.98, mean body mass index (BMI) 45 kg/m2, SD 8.44) 105 (63%) and of the SG (n = 125, mean age 34.6, SD 9.29, mean BMI 44.9 kg/m2, SD 8.26) 72 (58%) women suffered from urinary incontinence (UI) being most impaired by stress urinary incontinence (SUI; TSP: 25%; SG: 27%) and least by urge urinary incontinence (UUI; TSP: 15%; SG: 11%). A significant correlation in the TSP between UI and age was detectable (p < 0.001, r φ = 0.37), but not between UI and BMI (p = 0.296, r φ = 0.08). The highest QOL impairment is detected for the domain general health perceptions [GHP; TSP & SG score >50 (score scale 0-100)]. Women with UI are significantly more affected than women with pelvic organ prolapse (GHP UI: TSP p = 0.04, SG p = 0.037; GHP POP: TSP p = 0.081, SG p = 0.659). CONCLUSIONS: A remarkable number of young obese women mentioned urogynecological symptoms and quality-of-life impairment. The P-QOL questionnaire proved to be an easily applicable tool to scan for concerned obese women. Its use in non-urogynecological departments, as performed, enables an early introduction of symptomatic women to urogynecologists, possibly preventing future growing urogynecological health issues.

MRI visible Fe3O4 polypropylene mesh: 3D reconstruction of spatial relation to bony pelvis and neurovascular structures.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: To demonstrate mesh magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visibility in living women, the feasibility of reconstructing the full mesh course in 3D, and to document its spatial relationship to pelvic anatomical structures. METHODS: This is a proof of concept study of three patients from a prospective multi-center trial evaluating women with anterior vaginal mesh repair using a MRI-visible Fe3O4 polypropylene implant for pelvic floor reconstruction. High-resolution sagittal T2-weighted (T2w) sequences, transverse T1-weighted (T1w) FLASH 2D, and transverse T1w FLASH 3D sequences were performed to evaluate Fe3O4 polypropylene mesh MRI visibility and overall post-surgical pelvic anatomy 3 months after reconstructive surgery. Full mesh course in addition to important pelvic structures were reconstructed using the 3D Slicer® software program based on T1w and T2w MRI. RESULTS: Three women with POP-Q grade III cystoceles were successfully treated with a partially absorbable MRI-visible anterior vaginal mesh with six fixation arms and showed no recurrent cystocele at the 3-month follow-up examination. The course of mesh in the pelvis was visible on MRI in all three women. The mesh body and arms could be reconstructed allowing visualization of the full course of the mesh in relationship to important pelvic structures such as the obturator or pudendal vessel nerve bundles in 3D. CONCLUSIONS: The use of MRI-visible Fe3O4 polypropylene meshes in combination with post-surgical 3D reconstruction of the mesh and adjacent structures is feasible suggesting that it might be a useful tool for evaluating mesh complications more precisely and a valuable interactive feedback tool for surgeons and mesh design engineers.

Single-Incision Mini-Slings: Obturator Complex Pull-Out-Force Measurements.

AIM: To evaluate the different pull-out-force out of the obturator membrane and the obturator internus muscle of 2 mini-sling systems for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospective study, the pull-out-force measurements were performed on 8 female cadaver pelvises, both on the obturator membrane and internal muscle, using the force measurement device PCE-FM50 (PCE Instruments). Tested were the hooks of 2 on the market available mini-sling kits (MiniArc by American Medical System; Ajust by BARD Inc.). Connected to the force measurement device, the hooks were placed into the obturator membrane and the obturator internus muscle. Mean value and SD were documented. RESULTS: On the complete obturator complex, Ajust showed a significantly higher pull-out-force (2,561.75 ± 638.8 g) than did the MiniArc (1,780.69 ± 442.3 g), p = 0.025. No significant differences were performed on the obturator membrane. CONCLUSIONS: The Ajust mini-sling hook is, given the objective results, more stably attached to the obturator complex than the MiniArc. Yet, both systems are sufficiently attachable to the evaluated anatomic structures, fulfilling the needed requirements for their use in the treatment of SUI.

3 T MRI-based measurements for the integrity of the female pelvic floor in 25 healthy nulliparous women.

AIMS: Measurements indicating a loss of integrity of the levator ani muscle, which is an integral part of the pelvic floor, have been subject of recent studies using translabial ultrasound and 3D-MRI-models. We transferred these measurements into 2D-3 T-MR-images for clinical routine, as it is objective and does not need exhaustive post-processing. METHODS: The trial was accepted by the local ethics committee. 25 healthy volunteers fulfilled the inclusion criteria and gave written informed consent. Using high-resolution T2-weighted images (TE 5030-7810 ms, TR 88-112 ms, matrix 512, FOV 280-300 mm, ST 2-3 mm), measurements of anteroposterior hiatus (APH), laterolateral hiatus (LLH), hiatal area (HA), hiatal circumference (HC), levator area (LA), maximum muscle thickness (MMT) and levator urethra gap (LUG) were transferred from ultrasound, iliococcygeus width (IW), puborectalis attachment width (PAW), and levator symphysis gap (LSG) were transferred from 3D-MRI-models. We compared our results to previous studies in the literature. RESULTS: Mean value was 52.22 ± 6.97 mm for APH, 33.15 ± 4 mm for LLH, 13.22 ± 3.05 cm(2) for HA, 14.19 ± 1.61 cm for HC, 7.14 ± 1.85 cm(2) for LA, 6.45 ± 2.07 mm for MMT, 19.47 ± 2.38 mm for LUG, 45 ± 3.97 mm for IW, 33.94 ± 3.34 mm for PAW, 20.54 ± 5.29 mm for LSG. Our results for APH, HA, LUG, and with limitations LA, were comparable to the literature, while HC, LLH, and MMT showed anatomical variances. Results for IW and LSG were comparable, but challenging to measure. We newly proposed a cutoff value for PAW. CONCLUSIONS: 2D-3 T-MRI combines high-resolution images with objective measurements of parameters regarding pelvic floor integrity, without resorting to exhaustive post-processing methods. Our results may provide a good foundation for further 2D-MR-studies.

One-year dynamic MRI follow-up after vaginal mesh repair: evaluation of clinical, radiological, and quality-of-life results.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common disorder in elderly women often surgically repaired with alloplastic meshes; yet knowledge of the pelvic floor behavior and multi-compartment defects postoperatively is scarce. PURPOSE: To evaluate the 1-year outcome after mesh repair in patients with POP using clinical examination (CE), dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI), and the prolapse quality-of-life (P-QOL) questionnaire. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted of 69 women undergoing pelvic mesh surgery. Clinical examination, dMRI, and the P-QOL questionnaire were applied before and after surgery to evaluate POP. Mean outcome measures were POP outcome as determined on clinical and dMRI examinations and its impact on quality of life. Statistical results were obtained with SPSS version 15.0. ANOVA was used to compare pre-/postsurgical quality of life data. RESULTS: Sixty-nine women (mean age, 64.75 years; BMI, 26.75 kg/m(2); postmenopausal, 89.2%) were recruited and treated with Seratom® or Perigee™ mesh implants. A significant improvement in the position of bladder neck, vaginal vault/uterus, pouch of Douglas, and rectum was found 12 weeks and 1 year after surgery using POP-Q scale and dMRI. Advanced cystoceles and enteroceles seem underestimated by CE using the POP-Q system compared to dMRI results (P = 0.003 and P < 0.001), vice versa dMRI overestimated POP compared to CE. Sixty-four women completed the P-QOL questionnaire, presenting reduced quality of life before surgery which improves postsurgically. Prolapse impact and physical, social, and role limitations correlated strongest with a low quality of life (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The 1-year follow-up after mesh repair showed statistical and clinical improvement for all tools employed. dMRI seems a reliable tool for simultaneous assessment of defects in all three compartments, but tends to overestimate POP compared to clinical examination.

Magnetic resonance-visible polypropylene mesh for pelvic organ prolapse repair.

AIM: To develop a magnetic resonance (MR)-visible mesh using iron oxides and prove visibility. METHODS: In a phantom study, a suitable iron oxide, Fe3O4 [iron(II,III) oxide] and FeOOH [iron(III) oxide-hydroxide], concentration was determined using relaxometric MR measurements of the transverse relaxation rates R2 and R2*. Next, a nonabsorbable mesh was designed from the MR-visible threads woven into a polypropylene mesh. The mesh was implanted into a fresh female cadaver via the transobturator route, and MR visibility was assessed with various MR pulse sequences in a clinical 3-tesla system. RESULTS: Optimal contrast was achieved with Fe3O4 at 0.2 weight-% in all imaging sequences, and the optimal contrast was achieved in a 3D spoiled gradient-echo (fast low-angle shot) acquisition. In this concentration range the apparent transverse relaxation rate R2* is below 10 ms. The mesh was visible in the cadaver on T1-weighted 3D spoiled gradient-echo images and T1-weighted fast spin-echo images. CONCLUSION: Mesh materials can be manufactured to be visible on MR with a negative contrast. Fe3O4 meshes could simplify follow-up examinations and help diagnose origins of postsurgical lesions after urogynecological procedures with mesh material.

Magnetic resonance imaging of cervical carcinoma using an endorectal surface coil.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this trial is to investigate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with an endorectal surface coil for precise local staging of patients with histologically proven cervical cancer by comparing the radiological, clinical, and histological results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women with cervical cancer were recruited for this trial between February 2007, and September 2010. All the patients were clinically staged according to the FIGO classification and underwent radiological staging by MRI that employed an endorectal surface coil. The staging results after surgery were compared to histopathology in all the operable patients. RESULTS: A total of 74 consecutive patients were included in the trial. Forty-four (59.5%) patients underwent primary surgery, whereas 30 (40.5%) patients were inoperable according to FIGO and underwent primary radiochemotherapy. The mean age of the patients was 50.6 years. In 11 out of the 44 patients concordant staging results were obtained by all three staging modalities. Thirty-two of the 44 patients were concordantly staged by FIGO and histopathological examination, while only 16 were concordantly staged by eMRI and histopathological examination. eMRI overstaged tumors in 14 cases and understaged them in 7 cases. CONCLUSIONS: eMRI is applicable in patients with cervical cancer, yet of no benefit than staging with FIGO or standard pelvic MRI. The most precise preoperative staging procedure still appears to be the clinical examination.

Is a wider angle of the membranous urethra associated with incontinence after radical prostatectomy?

PURPOSE: To investigate whether differences in the anatomy and dynamics of the pelvic floor (PF) in patients after radical prostatectomy (RP) depicted on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are associated with continence status. METHODS: In the prospective designed study, 24 patients with post-prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence were enrolled. Additionally, 10 continent patients after RP were matched for age, body mass index and perioperative parameters. All patients underwent continence assessment and MRI (TrueFISP sequence; TR 4.57 ms; TE 2.29 ms; slice thickness 7 mm; FOV 270 mm) 12 months after RP. Images were analyzed for membranous urethra length (MUL), angle of the membranous urethra (AMU), severity of periurethral/urethral fibrosis, lifting of the levator ani muscle, lowering of the posterior bladder wall (BPW), bladder neck (BN) and external urinary sphincter (EUS), and symphyseal rotation of these structures during the Valsalva maneuver and voiding. RESULTS: Compared to continent controls, incontinent patients showed a significant wider AMU during voiding (p = 0.002) and more pronounced lowering of the BN and EUS (p < 0.001). No differences between the groups were found in symphyseal rotation of the analyzed structures, MUL and severity of periurethral/urethral fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: The angle of the membranous urethra as a result of anchoring of the BN and EUS in the PF appears to be an important functional factor with an essential impact on continence after RP. Functional MRI seems to be a helpful imaging tool for morphologic and dynamic evaluation of the PF.

Endometrial cancer: results of clinical and histopathological staging compared to magnetic resonance imaging using an endorectal surface coil.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the staging accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with an endorectal surface coil on patients with endometrial cancer compared to results obtained using the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification and histopathology. METHODS: In this prospective study, patients with biopsy-proven endometrial cancer were staged clinically using the FIGO classification before undergoing 1.5 T MRI with an endorectal surface coil (eMRI). The staging results from the FIGO classification and from eMRI were compared with the histopathological results after surgery. Furthermore, each patient was given a questionnaire designed by the authors to evaluate the patients' opinions on eMRI. The responses were examined using the methods of descriptive analysis. RESULTS: A total of 33 consecutive patients were recruited and clinically staged before undergoing eMRI. Subsequently, 21 patients underwent primary surgery and 12 patients primary radiochemotherapy. The FIGO stages were identical to the histopathological results in 17 (81 %) cases, and those of eMRI were identical in 15 (71 %). In 13 (62 %) cases, FIGO and eMRI staged identically. In 12 (57 %) of the 21 cases, all three staging modalities diagnosed the same tumor stage. eMRI overstaged the tumor in four patients and understaged it in two. All T1a tumors were staged correctly by eMRI. Eighteen patients answered the questionnaire, of whom 11 (61 %) patients stated that their experience with eMRI was overall positive. CONCLUSIONS: It seems feasible in principle to employ eMRI for diagnosing patients with endometrial cancer stage T1a. Yet, the results of eMRI for our study population were not better than the results obtained using the FIGO classification or than those from using MRI without an endorectal surface coil. eMRI thus does not meet the expectations based on its use in other pelvic tumor entities.

MRI findings before and after prolapse surgery.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutical outcome after prolapse surgery is evaluated using a standardized grading system based on maximum prolapse extent, which might not provide the full picture of the patient's subjective outcome. We therefore applied an evaluation method, which is detached from a grading system. PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of pelvic organ mobility in dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after mesh-repair surgery in patients with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To obtain measurements, we performed parasagittal T2-weighted turbo spin echo sequence at rest (TR, 3460 ms; TE, 85 ms; matrix, 512; slice thickness [ST], 5 mm), parasagittal T2-weighted true fast imaging with steady-state precession (TrueFISP) single-shot sequence during straining (TR, 397.4 ms; TE, 1.5 ms; matrix, 256; ST, 8 mm), and parasagittal T2-weighted TrueFISP sequence at maximum strain (TR, 4.3 ms; TE, 2.15 ms; matrix, 256; ST, 5 mm) at 1.5 T MRI. Pelvic organ prolapse (anatomical landmarks: bladder, cervix, pouch, rectum) was measured perpendicularly with reference to the pubococcygeal and the midpubic line. Pelvic organ mobility was defined as the difference between the measured distance at rest and at maximum strain for each anatomical landmark. All patients underwent mesh-repair procedure. Eighty patients could be included in this short-term follow-up study. Due to the physical diagnosis of pelvic organ prolapse, 51 underwent anterior mesh repair, 16 underwent posterior mesh repair, and 13 underwent total mesh repair. Surgery was performed by one surgeon, using mesh implants from several manufacturers. RESULTS: Median values of maximum organ prolapse for bladder, cervix, pouch, and rectum preoperatively were 2.54 cm, 0.33 cm, 2.47 cm, and 0.32 cm, respectively, and 12 weeks postoperatively 0.87 cm, -1.79 cm, 1.49 cm, and 0.49 cm, respectively. Highly significant improvement (P < 0.001) of pelvic organ mobility was observed in the treated compartment at 4- and 12-week follow-up. Physical evaluation 12 weeks after mesh-repair showed an asymptomatic POP-Q stage I, if any. CONCLUSION: Dynamic MRI is useful in visualizing the maximum extent of pelvic organ prolapse, as the evaluation of pelvic organ mobility documents the intraindividual therapeutic outcome detached from a grading system based on maximal prolapse values.

Successful therapy of vulvodynia with local anesthetics: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Vulvodynia often occurs with unexplained vulvar pain and hyperesthesia, sexual dysfunction, and psychological disability, lacking an organic or microbiological substrate. CASE REPORT: A 25-year-old woman with generalized, unprovoked vulvodynia for 12 years was treated repeatedly with procaine 1% for 14 sessions after she had previously had numerous unsatisfying multidisciplinary treatments. We observed a decrease in pain scores on the visual analogue scale (VAS) from initially 8-9 to presently 0-2. Injection sites were: Head's zones and trigger points of the lower abdomen, regional hypogastric ganglia, bilateral maxillary sinus, and scars of the lower jaw. No major adverse events were observed. Injections to remote sites improved symptoms more strongly than local or regional therapy. After a 3-year follow-up the patient is free of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Therapy with local anesthetics (TLA, neural therapy) can be a useful additional therapy in complicated cases of vulvodynia. Further studies on the underlying mechanism of injections into remote foci (interference field, stoerfeld) and the effectiveness of TLA in chronic pain syndromes should be performed.

Accuracy of MRI with an endorectal coil for staging endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND: The very good results of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using an endorectal coil in staging prostate cancer at 1.5T suggested that this imaging technique might be able to be used to stage endometrial cancer, the most common tumor in postmenopausal women. PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of MRI with an endorectal surface coil for staging primary endometrial carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 33 consecutive patients with biopsy-proven endometrial cancer underwent 1.5T MRI with an endorectal surface coil (eMRI) using sagittal and axial T2-weighted (T2w) turbo spin echo (TSE), axial T1 gradient echo 2D fat-saturated (fs), sagittal T1 gradient echo 3D with and without contrast enhancement (CE), and axial T1 TSE fs CE sequence. Evaluation of local tumor extension was based on the revised standard TNM classification for endometrial cancer. eMRI staging was compared with the histopathological results after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 33 consecutive patients underwent eMRI for staging endometrial cancer, and 21 of these underwent primary surgery. The histological stages were as follows: T1a (n = 8), T1b (n = 10), T2b (n = 2), and T3a (n = 1). Overall staging accuracy by eMRI was 71% (15 of 21). With regard to depth of myometrial invasion, eMRI correctly diagnosed stage T1a in 75% (6/8) and stage T1b in 80% (8/10). eMRI overstaged the tumor in four patients and understaged it in two. CONCLUSION: eMRI is highly accurate in staging myometrial invasion. However, eMRI at 1.5T does not seem to be significantly more accurate than pelvic MRI without an endorectal coil at 1.5T for staging primary endometrial cancer. eMRI for endometrial carcinoma therefore might not meet expectations compared with the results obtained using eMRI for staging prostate cancer at 1.5T.

Imaging of female pelvic malignancies regarding MRI, CT, and PET/CT: Part 2.

PURPOSE: To compose diagnostic standard operating procedures for both clinical and imaging assessment for vulvar and vaginal cancer, for vaginal sarcoma, and for ovarian cancer. METHODS: The literature was reviewed for diagnosing the above mentioned malignancies in the female pelvis. Special focus herein lies in tumor representation in MRI, followed by the evaluation of CT and PET/CT for this topic. CONCLUSION: MRI is a useful additional diagnostic complement but by no means replaces established methods of gynecologic diagnostics and ultrasound. In fact, MRI is only implemented in the guidelines for vulvar cancer. According to the current literature, CT is still the cross-sectional imaging modality of choice for evaluating ovarian cancer. PET/CT appears to have advantages for staging and follow-up in sarcomas and cancers of the ovaries.

Imaging of female pelvic malignancies regarding MRI, CT, and PET/CT : part 1.

AIM: The goal of this article is to provide an overview of diagnostic standard operating procedures for both clinical and imaging assessment of cervical and endometrial carcinoma, sarcoma of the uterus, and primary pelvic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. METHODS: The literature was reviewed for methods used to diagnose malignancies in the female pelvis with a special focus on the role of MRI as the imaging method of choice. Furthermore, CT findings and staging criteria for the mentioned malignancies are also provided. CONCLUSION: Whereas ultrasound still remains the imaging modality of choice in clinical practice for the early diagnosis of female pelvic malignancies, MRI is more frequently recognized as a diagnostic tool for its accuracy in tumor identification. MRI also plays a crucial role in the 3D pretreatment planning for brachytherapy especially in cervical cancer. In the future, PET/CT might achieve an important role for staging lymph nodes or distant metastases as well as tumor recurrence.

Short-range clinical, dynamic magnetic resonance imaging and P-QOL questionnaire results after mesh repair in female pelvic organ prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical, quality-of-life (QoL) and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) results in patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) preoperatively, and 4 and 12 weeks after anterior and/or posterior mesh repair. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-six patients (mean age 65 years) with symptomatic pelvic floor descent underwent mesh repair. The prolapse was quantified using the POP-Q system. Before surgery as well as 4 and 12 weeks after surgery, the pelvic organ positions were measured on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging during Valsalva manoeuvre in relation to the pubococcygeal and mid-pubic lines to assess surgery outcome. Patients also completed the P-QOL questionnaire to evaluate subjective changes at each visit. RESULTS: Four and 12 weeks after surgery patients showed improvement of the POP on clinical examination and on dynamic MRI. The latter demonstrated high significance (p<0.001) especially in bladder and vaginal cuff/cervix positions during maximal straining. All quality-of-life domains and some symptom questions of the P-QOL questionnaire significantly improved (p<0.05) 12 weeks after surgery. CONCLUSION: Significant anatomical and quality-of-life improvement was demonstrated after anterior and/or posterior mesh repair for POP using dynamic MRI and the P-QOL questionnaire.

HER2 status of circulating tumor cells in patients with metastatic breast cancer: a prospective, multicenter trial.

There is a growing body of evidence that HER2 status can change during disease recurrence or progression in breast cancer patients. In this context, re-evaluation of HER2 status by assessment of HER2 expression on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is a strategy with potential clinical application. The aim of this trial was to determine the HER2 status of CTCs in metastatic breast cancer patients comparing two CTC assays. A total of 254 patients with metastatic breast cancer from nine German university breast cancer centers were enrolled in this prospective study. HER2 status of CTCs was assessed using both the FDA-approved CellSearch® assay and AdnaTest BreastCancer™. Using the CellSearch assay, 122 of 245 (50%) patients had ≥5 CTCs, and HER2-positive CTCs were observed in 50 (41%) of these patients. Ninety of 229 (39%) patients were CTC positive using AdnaTest BreastCancer, and HER2 positivity rate was 47% (42 of 90). The rate of breast cancer patients with HER2-negative primary tumors but HER2-positive CTCs was 32% (25 of 78) and 49% (28 of 57) using the CellSearch assay and AdnaTest BreastCancer, respectively. Considering only those patients who had CTCs on both tests (n = 62), concordant results regarding HER2 positivity were obtained in 50% of the patients (31/62) (P = 0.96, κ = -0.006). HER2-positive CTCs can be detected in a relevant number of patients with HER2 negative primary tumors. Therefore, it will be mandatory to correlate the assay-dependent HER2 status of CTCs to the clinical response on HER2-targeted therapies.