Power Doppler properties of endometrial polyps and submucosal fibroids: a preliminary observational study in women with known intracavitary lesions.

OBJECTIVES: To compare power Doppler flow mapping characteristics of endometrial polyps and submucosal fibroids and analyze whether two different power Doppler characteristics, single-vessel pattern and rim-like vessel pattern, can help to differentiate these focal endometrial lesions. METHODS: Patients suspected of having endometrial polyps or submucosal fibroids on sonohysterography were examined prospectively by transvaginal B-mode and power Doppler sonography. Single-vessel pattern and rim-like vessel pattern were considered to be characteristic of endometrial polyps and submucosal fibroids, respectively. Suspected diagnoses of the lesions according to vascular Doppler characteristics were compared with the final diagnosis following histopathological examination. RESULTS: Included in the final analysis were 49 patients with histological confirmation of the type of endometrial lesion: 32 with endometrial polyps and 17 with submucosal fibroids. Power Doppler signals were observed in 47 of these; they were not observed in two patients with endometrial polyps. Of the 32 with endometrial polyps, 26 (81.3%) endometrial polyps showed a single-vessel pattern, three (9.4%) showed a multiple-vessel pattern and one (3.1%) showed a scattered-vessel pattern. Of the 17 with submucosal fibroids, 12 (70.6%) showed a rim-like vessel pattern, three (17.6%) showed a multiple-vessel pattern and two (11.8%) showed a single-vessel pattern. Single-vessel pattern was associated with two false-positive cases, but there were no false-positive cases for rim-like vessel pattern. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values for single-vessel pattern in diagnosing endometrial polyps were 81.2%, 88.2%, 92.9% and 71.4% and for rim-like pattern in diagnosing submucosal fibroids they were 70.6%, 100%, 100% and 86.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Power Doppler blood flow mapping is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of focal endometrial pathology and is useful in distinguishing submucosal fibroids and endometrial polyps.

Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation improves ovarian response and cycle outcome in poor responders.

The effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on cycle outcome was assessed in patients with poor ovarian response. In total, 19 poor responder patients who were scheduled to undergo a second intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)/embryo transfer cycle were enrolled and first ICSI/embryo transfer cycles were taken as the control group. All subjects were given DHEA supplementation (25 mg t.i.d.) for at least 3 months prior to their second ICSI/embryo transfer cycle. In both cycles a fixed dose of rFSH (300 IU/day) and human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) (75 or 150 IU/day) along with a flexible gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol were administered. A favourable decrease was noted in mean day 3 serum oestradiol concentrations after DHEA supplementation (75.14 +/- 28.93 versus 43.07 +/- 11.77; P < 0.01). Increased number of >17 mm follicles (3 +/- 0.7 versus 1.9 +/- 1.3; P < 0.05), MII oocytes (4 +/- 1.8 versus 2.1 +/- 1.8; P < 0.05), top quality day 2 (2.2 +/- 0.8 versus 1.3 +/- 1.1; P < 0.05) and day 3 embryos (1.9 +/- 0.8 versus 0.7 +/- 0.6; P < 0.05) were achieved in DHEA-supplemented cycles. Cycle cancellation rates were reduced (5.3% versus 42.1%; P < 0.01), and the pregnancy rate per patient and clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer (47.4% versus 10.5%; P < 0.01 and 44.4% versus 0%; P < 0.01) were improved after DHEA supplementation. DHEA supplementation might enhance ovarian response, reduce cycle cancellation rates and increase embryo quality in poor responders.

Myometrial involvement of tumor-like cystic endosalpingiosis: a rare entity.

Endosalpingiosis is characterized by the presence of benign glands lined by tubal-type epithelium involving the pelvic and lower abdominal peritoneum and pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes in women. Rarely, cystification can occur, resulting in a neoplasm-like mass associated with clinical manifestations, an intraoperative abnormality, or a striking finding on gross examination. Here we report the transvaginal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and histopathological appearance of an unusual case of cystic endosalpingiosis involving the right ovary and full thickness of the wall of the uterine fundus in a patient who presented with a 6-month history of menorrhagia and pelvic pain. Clinicians should be aware of this type of uterine benign manifestation so as to refrain from overtreatment.

Recovery of ovarian function after detorsion: Doppler findings.

Adnexal torsion is one of the most common surgical gynecologic emergencies and needs prompt diagnosis. It usually occurs during reproductive age, which makes the early diagnosis all the more important in attempting to preserve ovarian function. If adnexal torsion is suspected from the clinical findings, Doppler ultrasound can be the best tool in diagnosis. It can also be helpful in assessing recovery of the ovary after surgical treatment. We present a case of adnexal torsion successfully diagnosed with power Doppler ultrasound and managed by detorsion. The postoperative gray-scale and power Doppler examination confirmed the recovery of ovarian follicles and stoma.

Papillary adenofibroma of the cervix: a case report.

Adenofibroma is an extremely rare benign biphasic neoplasm that is classified into the mixed epithelial and mesenchymal tumor group. It typically affects the endometrium, but may occur in the cervix or in an extrauterine location. Preoperative diagnosis of this tumor is usually difficult. We describe the case of a 55-year-old woman with papillary cervical adenofibroma, which appeared as a cervical mass containing multiple cystic components on transvaginal ultrasound. This lesion appears to be clinically and histologically benign but must be differentiated from malignant lesions of the uterus, particularly from adenosarcoma, which can be suggestive of adenofibroma. Accurate diagnosis of these benign tumors permits appropriate counseling of patients.