Role of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole in the management of uterine leiomyomas in premenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Uterine myomas are benign tumours affecting 20-40% women. Various medical and surgical therapeutic options are available but the search for an ideal medical option continues. Aromatase inhibitors have recently been reported to have a potential role in the management of oestrogen-dependent conditions like endometriosis and leiomyoma. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of letrozole on uterine myoma size and symptomatology in perimenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective interventional study conducted on 30 premenopausal women aged between 30 and 55 years with menstrual or pressure symptoms and having a single intrauterine myoma of size 4 cm or more with or without one or more additional myomata each of size 2 cm or less. They received tablet letrozole 2.5 mg a day for 12 weeks, and the effect of the drug on myoma size and volume and symptomatology was studied along with the adverse effect profile and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: The mean myoma size reduced from 5.4±1.3 cm to 4.3±0.9 cm (p<0.05) and the myoma volume exhibited a reduction of 52.45% (p=0.00) at the end of 3 months. The symptomatology score showed a significant improvement that persisted up to 3 months after cessation of therapy. No significant effect was observed on lipid profile, serum estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and FSH and LH levels during the therapy. Nausea and hot flushes were the main adverse effects observed and were self-limiting. CONCLUSION: Letrozole significantly reduces myoma size and volume and also improves the associated symptoms. It has a good adverse effect profile and appears to be a promising medical option for management of uterine myomas.

Advances in management of uterine myomas.

Uterine myomas, the most common benign solid pelvic tumors in women, occur in twenty percent of them in reproductive years and form the most common indication for hysterectomy. Various factors affect the choice of the best treatment modality for a given patient. Asymptomatic myomas may be managed by careful follow up. Medical therapy should be tried as a first line of treatment for symptomatic myomas while surgical treatment should be reserved only for appropriate indications. Myomectomy would be preferred over hysterectomy in those wishing subsequent childbearing. Preoperative GnRH-analogue treatment reduces the myoma size and vascularity but may render the capsule more difficult to resect. Poor surgical risk women with large symptomatic myomas or those wishing to avoid major surgical procedures may be offered uterine artery embolization. Serial follow-up for growth and symptoms may be appropriate for asymptomatic perimenopausal women. The present article reviews the available therapeutic modalities for uterine myomas.

Comparative evaluation of isosorbide mononitrate and alendronate in management of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis, a skeletal disorder that adversely affects bone strength , is common among postmenopausal women primarily due to reduced ovarian estrogens. PURPOSE: The present study was taken up to evaluate the role of isosorbide mononitrate (IMN) in the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis and to compare its efficacy with that of alendronate. METHODS: This prospective systematic randomized study was conducted on 90 postmenopausal women with lumbar spine BMD >2.5 SD below the young adult reference range. The participants received either Tab Alendronate 70 mg orally, once weekly (Group I) or Tab IMN 40 mg orally once daily (Group II) for 9 months, in addition to 500 mg of oral calcium daily. The BMD of the lumbar spine was measured using DEXA scan at enrolment and after 9 months. The data was analyzed by Student's t test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: The mean baseline BMD was 0.67 + 0.097 and 0.68 + 0.067 g/cm(2) in Group I and II, respectively. An increase of 11.94% in the mean BMD was noted after 9 months of treatment with alendronate as against 8.82% with IMN. Headache, flushing and palpitations in Group II and nausea, epigastric pain and heart burn in Group I were the most common adverse effects. CONCLUSION: IMN has a beneficial effect on bone turnover in cases of postmenopausal osteoporosis and that the effect is comparable to that of alendronate. IMN is a promising and safe alternative to alendronate for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Efficacy and safety of mifepristone and buccal misoprostol versus buccal misoprostol alone for medical abortion.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mifepristone and buccal misoprostol versus buccal misoprostol alone in medical abortion of ≤56 days. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred pregnant women having gestational age ≤56 days were randomized to group A and group B. In group A, patients received 200 mg mifepristone on day 1, followed by buccal misoprostol 800 µg on day 2, and in group B patients received 800 µg buccal misoprostol only on day 1. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Complete abortion was the principal outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures were side-effects and acceptability. RESULTS: Forty-six (92%) patients in group A and 37 (74%) patients in group B aborted successfully (p value 0.017). Four (8%) patients in group A and eight (16%) patients in group B had incomplete abortion with retained products of conception. In group B, three (6%) patients had missed abortion and two (4%) patients had continued pregnancy whereas none of the patients in group A had missed abortion or continued pregnancy. The overall method acceptance was 100% whereas the overall route acceptance was 83%. CONCLUSION: Misoprostol-alone regimen is a low-cost regimen as compared to mifepristone/misoprostol regimen. Though the efficacy of mifepristone followed by buccal misoprostol is better, buccal misoprostol alone can be used for termination of pregnancy in patients where mifepristone is either unavailable or contraindicated.

Current and emerging treatments for uterine myoma - an update.

Uterine myomas, the most common benign, solid, pelvic tumors in women, occur in 20%-40% of women in their reproductive years and form the most common indication for hysterectomy. Various factors affect the choice of the best treatment modality for a given patient. Asymptomatic myomas may be managed by reassurance and careful follow up. Medical therapy should be tried as a first line of treatment for symptomatic myomas, while surgical treatment should be reserved only for appropriate indications. Hysterectomy has its place in myoma management in its definitiveness. However, myomectomy, rather than hysterectomy, should be performed when subsequent childbearing is a consideration. Preoperative gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog treatment before myomectomy decreases the size and vascularity of the myoma but may render the capsule more fibrous and difficult to resect. Uterine artery embolization is an effective standard alternative for women with large symptomatic myomas who are poor surgical risks or wish to avoid major surgery. Its effects on future fertility need further evaluation in larger studies. Serial follow-up without surgery for growth and/or development of symptoms is advisable for asymptomatic women, particularly those approaching menopause. The present article is incorporated with multiple clear clinical photographs and simplified elaboration of the available management options for these tumors of uterine smooth muscle to facilitate clear understanding.

Diagnostic laparoscopy in chronic pelvic pain.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopy, because of its availability and safety, provides a valuable tool in the evaluation of undiagnosed chronic pelvic pain. It is a simple and definitive means of establishing the presence or absence of pelvic pathology without resorting to major abdominal surgery. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the causes of chronic pelvic pain using laparoscopy and to correlate between clinical examination, ultrasonography, and laparoscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present prospective study was done in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Pt. BD Sharma, PGIMS Rohtak. Fifty cases of chronic pelvic pain attending gynae OPD were included in the study. After detailed history, examination, investigations, and ultrasonography, the patients were subjected to laparoscopy. RESULTS: The mean age and parity of the patients with CPP was 30.88 ± 7.71 years and 1.74 ± 1.38, respectively. The mean duration of pain was 2.8 years (6 months-8 years). The commonest finding on laparoscopy was adhesions in 40%, endometriosis in 18%, and pelvic congestion syndrome in 20%, while 10% of the patients had normal pelvis. Laparoscopic findings were taken as gold standard and pelvic examination and ultrasonographic findings were compared with it. CONCLUSION: Clinical examination and ultrasonography has a sensitivity of 8.1 and 2%, respectively. Laparoscopy helps in detecting many causes of CPP which clinical methods and ultrasonography fail to identify. This enforces the position of laparoscopy as a gold standard in evaluation of this condition.

Comparison of isosorbide mononitrate and misoprostol for cervical ripening in termination of pregnancy between 8 and 12 weeks: a randomized controlled trial.

AIM: The present study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of isosorbide mononitrate (IMN) and misoprostol for cervical ripening in termination of pregnancy between 8 and 12 weeks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective randomized single blind study enrolled 40 women with singleton pregnancy seeking surgical termination of pregnancy between 8 and 12 weeks of gestation. They were divided into two groups--group I received IMN 40 mg while group II received misoprostol 40 mg vaginally, 3 h prior to suction and evacuation. All women were monitored for effects of cervical ripening and adverse effects. RESULTS: The mean sizes of dilators that could be negotiated without any resistance was 5.9 ± 1.33 in group I and 8.6 ± 0.94 in group II (p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.58, 0.41). The mean dilator sizes at which resistance was first encountered was 6.9 ± 1.37 in group I and 9.9 ± 1.23 in group II (p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.60, 0.54). The mean blood loss was 61.5 ± 13.86 ml in group I and 36.25 ± 12.80 ml in group II (p < 0.001, 95% CI 6.07, 5.63). Headache was the most common adverse effect seen with IMN use. CONCLUSION: The results show that IMN has a definite role and better safety profile than misoprostol in first trimester cervical ripening, although misoprostol is more effective and causes less blood loss.

Aggressive angiomyxoma of vulva and vagina: a series of three cases and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare locally aggressive mesenchymal tumor of unknown etiology usually affecting the vulva, perianal region, buttocks or pelvis of reproductive age women. MATERIAL: A series of three cases, one each of vaginal, vulval and labial angiomyxoma is being presented. The etiology, presentation, diagnosis and management of this rare genital tumor are outlined. CONCLUSION: Angiomyxoma of vulva and vagina refers to a rare disease; diagnosis is not at all clinical, thus, cases presenting as bartholin cyst, benign vulval lesions and vaginal wall cysts should have complete radiological work up before excision, as pre-diagnosis can change the treatment modality and prognosis of patient.

Hidradenoma papilliferum of the vulva: case report and review of literature.

Hidradenoma papilliferum (HP) is a rare, small, benign, cystic, papillary, slow growing tumor occurring in anogenital region of adult women. The authors describe a case of large, rapidly enlarging HP of vulva in a 25-year-old woman and review the literature available on this rare condition.

Uterine myomas revisited.

The present study was planned to review the pathophysiology of uterine myomas and emphasize the principles of logical management on the basis of literature review and synthesis of the author's experience. The growth of uterine myomas, the most common solid pelvic tumors in women, is related to genetic predisposition, hormonal influences and growth factors. The treatment options include pharmacologic, surgical and radiographic interventions. Most asymptomatic myomas can be followed serially for progressive growth or development of symptoms. The various diagnostic and therapeutic advancements available today permit higher management flexibility with safe options, which must be tailored to the individual patients requirement.

Puerperal uterine inversion associated with unicornuate uterus.

Twenty-year-old para 1 presented with acute puerperal uterine inversion. Manual reposition and O'sullivan methods were tried but failed. She refused for any other corrective procedure. She again presented after 10 months with chronic puerperal inversion. Haultain operation was done. At laparotomy, inverted uterus was unicornuate, right kidney and ureter were absent.

Isthmic uterine fibroids: the dynamics of growth.

The isthmus of uterus is different from the rest of uterus and cervix in anatomic as well as functional aspects. The tumors arising from it may be subjected to a different set of forces which may predispose to growth in a tangential or horizontal direction. A young woman who underwent myomectomy for a large isthmic myoma is presented and the growth dynamics are discussed.

Primary leiomyosarcoma of broad ligament: case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Primary leiomyosarcoma of the broad ligament (LBL) is a very rare and highly malignant gynecological tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 45 year old hysterectomized woman with this rare tumor is presented. Treatment consisted of resection of the tumor along with omental and peritoneal sampling and adjuvant chemotherapy. No evidence of metastasis was present after 15 months of follow up. CONCLUSION: Complete surgery along with adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation and a close follow up for recurrence are advocated to optimize disease free survival.