A prospective study on risk factors associated with the development of isthmocele after caesarean section.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to detect the number of women developing isthmocele following lower segment caesarean section. The secondary objectives included analysing the risk factors associated with developing isthmocele and measuring the agreement between Transvaginal Ultrasonography (TVS) and Saline infusion Sonohysterography (SIS) in diagnosing Isthmocele. METHODS: This study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and focused on women who had undergone Lower Segment cesarean Section (LSCS). The study aimed to detect any indentation of at least 2 mm in the scar site, known as isthmocele, using Transvaginal Ultrasound (TVS) and Saline Infusion Sonography (SIS) between 6 weeks and 6 months after delivery. Along with the primary objective, the study also evaluated several secondary outcomes such as maternal comorbidities, closure techniques, and labor details. The evaluation of isthmocele followed the 2019 modified Delphi consensus approach. RESULTS: In our study, we found that 30% of our study population had isthmocele. We also observed that the number of previous caesarean deliveries, maternal BMI, duration of surgery, and characteristics of the previous CD scar were significantly associated with the development of isthmocele. When we compared the diagnostic methods, we found that TVS and SIS had similar limits of agreement for clinically important isthmocele parameters. However, we noticed a difference in the length and distance of isthmocele from the internal os, which we observed through Bland Altman plots. CONCLUSION: Our research has shown that women who have undergone multiple caesarean deliveries, have a higher maternal body mass index (BMI), and experienced longer surgery duration are at a significantly higher risk of developing isthmocele. To prevent its development, it is recommended to promote vaginal birth after caesarean delivery whenever feasible, manage maternal obesity early on, and provide adequate surgical training to medical professionals. Additionally, transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) is an effective method for detecting isthmocele and can be used interchangeably with saline-infused sonography (SIS).

Identification of Endometrial Cancer-Specific microRNA Biomarkers in Endometrial Fluid.

Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common benign gynecological complaint and is also the most common symptom of endometrial cancer (EC). Although many microRNAs have been reported in endometrial carcinoma, most of them were identified from tumor tissues obtained at surgery or from cell lines cultured in laboratories. The objective of this study was to develop a method to detect EC-specific microRNA biomarkers from liquid biopsy samples to improve the early diagnosis of EC in women. Endometrial fluid samples were collected during patient-scheduled in-office visits or in the operating room prior to surgery using the same technique performed for saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS). The total RNA was extracted from the endometrial fluid specimens, followed by quantification, reverse transcription, and real-time PCR arrays. The study was conducted in two phases: exploratory phase I and validation phase II. In total, endometrial fluid samples from 82 patients were collected and processed, with 60 matched non-cancer versus endometrial carcinoma patients used in phase I and 22 in phase II. The 14 microRNA biomarkers, out of 84 miRNA candidates, with the greatest variation in expression from phase I, were selected to enter phase II validation and statistical analysis. Among them, three microRNAs had a consistent and substantial fold-change in upregulation (miR-429, miR-183-5p, and miR-146a-5p). Furthermore, four miRNAs (miR-378c, miR-4705, miR-1321, and miR-362-3p) were uniquely detected. This research elucidated the feasibility of the collection, quantification, and detection of miRNA from endometrial fluid with a minimally invasive procedure performed during a patient in-office visit. The screening of a larger set of clinical samples was necessary to validate these early detection biomarkers for endometrial cancer.

Modern assessment of the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes in the era of high-efficacy assisted reproductive technology.

The high efficacy of modern assisted reproductive technology (ART) and increase in the number of noninfertile patients who are using ART for family building in the United States call into question the relevance of the standard, one-size-fits-all infertility evaluation. Here, we explore whether all patients presenting for ART need uterine cavity and tubal assessment and what tests are most appropriate, efficient, and cost-effective in current times.

Diagnostic efficacy of saline infusion sonohysterography and hysteroscopy for intrauterine lesion / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic accuracy and acceptability of saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS), and hysteroscopy for detecting intracavitary abnormalities in women with abnormal uterine bleeding. METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with abnormal uterine bleeding were selected from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Chonnam University Hospital. The findings at SIS were compared with the hysteroscopic and histologic findings. The agreement of diagnosis between SIS and hysteroscopy was calculated. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated. RESULTS: SIS had a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 85% for a diagnosis of endometrial polyp. Hysteroscopy had a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 96% for diagnosis of endometrial polyp. SIS had a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 86% for a diagnosis of submucosal myoma. Hysteroscopy had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity 99% for a diagnosis of submucosal myoma. SIS had a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 96% for a diagnosis of submucosal myoma. Hysteroscopy had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity 91% for a diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic accuracy of SIS was significant to that of hysteroscopy in diagnosing intracavitary abnormalities, Moreover, SIS in a safe, convenient, cost effective, easily accessible and acceptable investigative modality.