Diagnostic pitfalls in ovarian androgen-secreting (Leydig cell) tumours: case series.

Leydig cell tumours of the ovary are rare and represent a diagnostic challenge not only due to their sporadic incidence but also due to the seemingly normal imaging. We present three cases of pre- and postmenopausal women who were presented with severe clinical signs of hyperandogenism where modern imaging modalities (including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron-emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET-CT)) failed to identify the tumour. Two patients underwent non-expert ultrasound, CT and MRI examination with uniform conclusion that ovaries are of normal appearance. One of the two patients even had a PET-CT performed, which was inconclusive. Our case reports show the importance of examination by specialists with established skills in gynaecologic ultrasonography in the diagnosis of the Leydig cell tumours. The most useful diagnostic tool seems to be the combination of age (postmenopause), symptoms (onset of hirsutism and virilisation), high total testosterone plasma values and expert sonography. On ultrasound, these tumours are unilateral, usually small, solid intraovarian nodules of a slightly increased echogenicity in contrast to the surrounding ovarian tissue, delineated by abundant perfusion with an enhanced vascularity. The appropriate setting of the sensitive colour Doppler is crucial for the detection of intraovarian Leydig cell tumour. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? A diagnosis of Leydig cell tumours is based on ultrasound performed by a trained examiner or by MRI. CT or PET/CT are not among the primary methods of choice. According to the results of imaging investigations surgical treatment is planned. Because these tumours are usually benign and have a good prognosis the unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is a standard procedure. What do the results of this study add? Our case series show how difficult it can be to establish the diagnosis of Leydig cell tumours by imaging, including transvaginal ultrasound, the most frequently recommended diagnostic tool. We demonstrate in three cases how easily a small hyperechogenic tumour can be overseen or interchanged for a different gynaecological pathology if transvaginal scan is not performed by an experienced examiner trained in sonographic features of gynaecologic neoplasms. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This case series demonstrate how important it is to see the patient in the whole complexity with their medical history, proper clinical symptoms evaluation, laboratory test and not to rely solely just on sophisticated high-end investigations, such as the PET-CT, a CT and an MRI. It also emphasises the importance of specialists with established skills in gynaecologic ultrasonography. Further effort should be made to define the resources for the appropriate training of such sonographers.

Management of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MToP) up until the 7th week of gestation in the Czech Republic.

OBJECTIVE: In the Czech Republic (CR), it is possible, to carry out Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MToP) in the 1st trimester since June 2014, in case a woman submits a written request for it and in case the ultrasound examination confirms an intrauterine singleton prosperous pregnancy, between day 42 and 49 of gestation, crown-rump length (CRL) of the embryo 2-9 mm. The aim of the study is to analyze the management of MToP up until the 7th week of gestation in five centres in the CR. DESIGN: Multicenter cohort (prospective) study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Palacky University Olomouc, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University Hospital Olomouc; The Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Charles University in Prague, Third faculty of Medicine; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Charles University in Prague, First faculty of Medicine, General University Hospital in Prague; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Charles University in Prague, First faculty of Medicine, Hospital Na Bulovce, Prague; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Masaryk University, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Brno. METHODS: In 2014-2016, a total of 1820 pregnant women requested MToP. The diagnosis of an intrauterine singleton prosperous pregnancy was set by transvaginal ultrasound, CRL 2-9 mm. MToP was carried out by combination of mifepristone (600 mg orally) and misoprostol (400 mcg orally) within 48 hours. MToP follow up (exclusion of ongoing pregnancy) after 2-3 weeks was carried out by transvaginal ultrasound as well. RESULTS: In 11.0% of women (201/1820) who requested MToP, CRL > 9 mm, unprosperous, multiple or ectopic pregnancy was diagnosed. In the remaining 1619 women MToP was carried out, but in 221 cases (13.7%) at least one additional pre-first visit was needed before the diagnosis of intrauterine singleton prosperous pregnancy CRL 2-9 mm could be established, in 19 cases (1.2%) two pre-first visits and in 5 cases (0.3%) even three. Gestational age was 42-49 days (average 47.1, median 47), the women were 14-47 years of age (average 30.7, median 30). In 20.8% of women (336/1619) MToP follow up was missed and of the remaining 1283 women, ongoing pregnancy (MToP failure) was diagnosed in 1.6% (24/1283), incomplete abortion in 6.5% (83/1283) and complete abortion in 91.9% (1179/1283). A subsequent surgical intervention was carried out in 7.1 % of women (91/1283). CONCLUSION: A medical facility performing MToP in the 1st trimester should develop its own methodology in accordance with the legislation in force, Summaries of Product Characteristics, and recommendations of professional associations. The methodology should also include a method of evaluation of the result and management. The subsequent surgical intervention should only be performed in indicated cases. The main goal of MToP follow up is to exclude ongoing pregnancy (MToP failure), and the patient should be informed in detail about the risks involved and possibilities of their solution, it is necessary to obtain an informed consent.

[Management of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MToP) up until the 7th week of gestation in the Czech Republic]. / Management umelého ukoncení tehotenství Farmakologickou metodou, nepresahuje-li tehotenství 7 týdnu, v Ceské republice.

OBJECTIVE: In the Czech Republic (CR), it is possible, to carry out Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MToP) in the 1st trimester since June 2014, in case a woman submits a written request for it and in case the ultrasound examination confirms an intrauterine singleton prosperous pregnancy, between day 42 and 49 of gestation, crown-rump length (CRL) of the embryo 2-9 mm. The aim of the study is to analyze the management of MToP up until the 7th week of gestation in five centres in the CR. DESIGN: Multicenter cohort (prospective) study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Palacky University Olomouc, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University Hospital Olomouc; The Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Charles University in Prague, Third faculty of Medicine; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Charles University in Prague, First faculty of Medicine, General University Hospital in Prague; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Charles University in Prague, First faculty of Medicine, Hospital Na Bulovce, Prague; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Masaryk University, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Brno. METHODS: In 2014-2016, a total of 1820 pregnant women requested MToP. The diagnosis of an intrauterine singleton prosperous pregnancy was set by transvaginal ultrasound, CRL 2-9 mm. MToP was carried out by combination of mifepristone (600 mg orally) and misoprostol (400 mcg orally) within 48 hours. MToP follow up (exclusion of ongoing pregnancy) after 2-3 weeks was carried out by transvaginal ultrasound as well. RESULTS: In 11.0% of women (201/1820) who requested MToP, CRL > 9 mm, unprosperous, multiple or ectopic pregnancy was diagnosed. In the remaining 1619 women MToP was carried out, but in 221 cases (13.7%) at least one additional pre-first visit was needed before the diagnosis of intrauterine singleton prosperous pregnancy CRL 2-9 mm could be established, in 19 cases (1.2%) two pre-first visits and in 5 cases (0.3%) even three. Gestational age was 42-49 days (average 47.1, median 47), the women were 14-47 years of age (average 30.7, median 30). In 20.8% of women (336/1619) MToP follow up was missed and of the remaining 1283 women, ongoing pregnancy (MToP failure) was diagnosed in 1.6% (24/1283), incomplete abortion in 6.5% (83/1283) and complete abortion in 91.9% (1179/1283). A subsequent surgical intervention was carried out in 7.1 % of women (91/1283). CONCLUSION: A medical facility performing MToP in the 1st trimester should develop its own methodology in accordance with the legislation in force, Summaries of Product Characteristics, and recommendations of professional associations. The methodology should also include a method of evaluation of the result and management. The subsequent surgical intervention should only be performed in indicated cases. The main goal of MToP follow up is to exclude ongoing pregnancy (MToP failure), and the patient should be informed in detail about the risks involved and possibilities of their solution, it is necessary to obtain an informed consent.