Three-Dimensional Hysterosalpingo-Contrast-Sonography for the Assessment of Tubal Patency in Women with Infertility: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed at performing a systematic review to determine the diagnostic accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography (HyCoSy) for detecting tubal occlusion. METHODS: A systematic review in Medline database search from January 1989 to October 2015 to identify relevant studies evaluating 3D-HyCoSy. Eligibility criteria were studies assessing the role of 3D-HyCoSy for diagnosing tubal occlusion in infertile women. Index test was 3D-HyCoSy. Reference standard was laparoscopy with dye test or X-ray hysterosalpingography. Quality was assessed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Pooled sensitivity and specificity for the method were estimated. RESULTS: A total number of 88 papers were identified. After exclusions, nine studies were ultimately included. Pooled estimated sensitivity was 98% (95% CI 91-100) with a moderate heterogeneity (I2: 64.8%, 95% CI 39.6-89.9; and Cochran Q 22.7, p < 0.001). Pooled estimated specificity was 90% (95% CI 83-95) with significant heterogeneity (I2: 80.3%, 95% CI 68.1-92.5; and Cochran Q 40.6, p < 0.001). Positive likelihood ratio was 10.3 (95% CI 5.6-18.7) and negative likelihood ratio was 0.02 (95% CI 0.00-0.21). CONCLUSION: 3D-HyCoSy is an accurate test for diagnosing tubal occlusion in women with infertility.

Transvaginal/transrectal ultrasound for assessing myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer: a comparison of six different approaches.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic performance of six different approaches for assessing myometrial infiltration using ultrasound in women with carcinoma of the corpus uteri. METHODS: Myometrial infiltration was assessed by two-dimensional (2D) transvaginal or transrectal ultrasound in 169 consecutive women with well (G1) or moderately (G2) differentiated endometrioid type endometrial carcinoma. In 74 of these women three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound was also performed. Six different techniques for myometrial infiltration assessment were evaluated. The impression of examiner and Karlsson's criteria were assessed prospectively. Endometrial thickness, tumor/uterine 3D volume ratio, tumor distance to myometrial serosa (TDS), and van Holsbeke's subjective model were assessed retrospectively. All subjects underwent surgical staging within 1 week after ultrasound evaluation. Definitive histopathological data regarding myometrial infiltration was used as gold standard. Sensitivity and specificity for all approaches were calculated and compared using McNemar test. RESULTS: The impression of examiner and subjective model performed similarly (sensitivity 79.5% and 80.5%, respectively; specificity 89.6% and 90.3%, respectively). Both methods had significantly better sensitivity than Karlsson's criteria (sensitivity 31.8%, p<0.05) and endometrial thickness (sensitivity 47.7%, p<0.05), and better specificity than tumor/uterine volume ratio (specificity 28.3%, p<0.05) and TDS (specificity 41.5%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Subjective impression seems to be the best approach for assessing myometrial infiltration in G1 or G2 endometrioid type endometrial cancer by transvaginal or transrectal ultrasound. The use of mathematical models and other objective 2D and 3D measurement techniques do not improve diagnostic performance.

Evaluation of factors associated with noncompliance in users of combined hormonal contraceptive methods: a cross-sectional study: results from the MIA study.

BACKGROUND: Understanding contraception from the perspective of the user may help to improve compliance. The aim of this project was to determine the factors that influence the noncompliance in young women that use combined hormonal contraceptives (pill, patch or vaginal ring). METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional multicenter epidemiology study. Physicians [obstetricians/gynecologists]) recorded socio-demographic, clinical and current contraception data of 8,762 women. Women completed a self-administered questionnaire on compliance. After the assessment of self-administrated questionnaire, the physicians reported on their recommendations on the possibility of changing the contraceptive. RESULTS: Fifty-two percent of women were noncompliant, mainly because of simple forgetfulness (pill, 74.9%; patch, 47.8%; vaginal ring, 69.1%). The percentage of noncompliant women was lower in vaginal ring users (26.6%) than in patch users (42.4%) or pill users (65.1%) (p < 0.0001). The most common course of action after noncompliance was to take/use the contraceptive as soon as possible. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, the use of the pill increased the probability of noncompliance compared with the patch and the vaginal ring (odds ratio [IC95%]: 2.53 (2.13-3.02) and 4.17 (3.68-4.73, respectively), and using the patch compared with the vaginal ring (1.65 (1.36-1.99)). Others factors associated with noncompliance were: high treatment duration, low degree of information on the contraceptive method, understanding of instructions on the contraceptive method, indifference to becoming pregnant, lack of partner support, not participation in selecting the method, not having a routine for taking treatment and difficulties remembering use the contraceptive method. Switching contraceptive method was proposed by the physicians to 43.2% of women (51.8% of pill users, 58.2% of patch users and 19.4% of vaginal ring users). CONCLUSIONS: More than 50% of combined hormonal contraceptive users did not comply with the treatment regimen. The percentage of noncompliant women was lower between vaginal ring users. Understanding user's reasons for noncompliance by the clinician and encouraging a collaborative approach can go a long way to improving compliance.