Accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound for diagnosis of deep endometriosis in the rectosigmoid: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To review the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) in the preoperative detection of rectosigmoid endometriosis in patients with clinical suspicion of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), comparing enhanced (E-TVS) and non-enhanced approaches. METHODS: An extensive search was performed in MEDLINE (PubMed) and EMBASE for studies published between January 1989 and December 2014. The eligibility criterion was use of TVS for preoperative detection of rectosigmoid endometriosis in women with clinical suspicion of DIE, using surgical data as the reference standard. Study quality was assessed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool. RESULTS: Our extended search identified a total of 801 citations, among which 19 studies (n = 2639) were considered eligible and included in the meta-analysis. Overall pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR+) and negative likelihood ratio (LR-) of TVS for detecting DIE in the rectosigmoid were 91% (95%CI, 85-94%), 97% (95%CI, 95-98%), 33.0 (95%CI, 18.6-58.6) and 0.10 (95%CI, 0.06-0.16), respectively. Significant heterogeneity was found for sensitivity (I(2) , 90.8%; Cochran Q, 195.2; P < 0.001) and specificity (I(2) , 76.8%; Cochran Q, 77.7; P < 0.001). We did not find statistical differences between non-enhanced TVS and E-TVS (P = 0.304). CONCLUSION: Overall diagnostic performance of TVS for DIE of the rectosigmoid is good. However, further studies with improved quality in design are needed. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound for diagnosis of deep endometriosis in uterosacral ligaments, rectovaginal septum, vagina and bladder: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To review the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) in the preoperative detection of endometriosis in the uterosacral ligaments (USL), rectovaginal septum (RVS), vagina and bladder in patients with clinical suspicion of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). METHODS: An extensive search was performed in MEDLINE (PubMed) and EMBASE for studies published between January 1989 and December 2014. Studies were considered eligible if they reported on the use of TVS for the preoperative detection of endometriosis in the USL, RVS, vagina and bladder in women with clinical suspicion of DIE using the surgical data as a reference standard. Study quality was assessed using the PRISMA guidelines and QUADAS-2 tool. RESULTS: Of the 801 citations identified, 11 studies (n = 1583) were considered eligible and were included in the meta-analysis. For detection of endometriosis in the USL, the overall pooled sensitivity and specificity of TVS were 53% (95%CI, 35-70%) and 93% (95%CI, 83-97%), respectively. The pretest probability of USL endometriosis was 54%, which increased to 90% when suspicion of endometriosis was present after TVS examination. For detection of endometriosis in the RVS, the overall pooled sensitivity and specificity were 49% (95%CI, 36-62%) and 98% (95%CI, 95-99%), respectively. The pretest probability of RVS endometriosis was 24%, which increased to 89% when suspicion of endometriosis was present after TVS examination. For detection of vaginal endometriosis, the overall pooled sensitivity and specificity were 58% (95%CI, 40-74%) and 96% (95%CI, 87-99%), respectively. The pretest probability of vaginal endometriosis was 17%, which increased to 76% when suspicion of endometriosis was present after TVS assessment. Substantial heterogeneity was found for sensitivity and specificity for all these locations. For detection of bladder endometriosis, the overall pooled sensitivity and specificity were 62% (95%CI, 40-80%) and 100% (95%CI, 97-100%), respectively. Moderate heterogeneity was found for sensitivity and specificity for bladder endometriosis. The pretest probability of bladder endometriosis was 5%, which increased to 92% when suspicion of endometriosis was present after TVS assessment. CONCLUSION: Overall diagnostic performance of TVS for detecting DIE in uterosacral ligaments, rectovaginal septum, vagina and bladder is fair with high specificity.

Role of imaging in the management of endometriosis.

The imaging techniques have a fundamental role in the diagnosis of endometriosis. Ovarian endometriosis (endometrioma) and deep endometriosis can be recognized using transvaginal ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Although transvaginal ultrasound is the first choice of imaging modality when investigating women with pelvic pain, MRI have a role for the wider field of visions. The reproducibility of both techniques has been investigated. The three-dimensional ultrasonography has been proposed. Also studies regarding unusual localizations are reported in the literature. New insights are present about the role of imaging in the detection of the malignant transformations. This review summarizes the current evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of these two techniques in the pre-surgical assessment of endometriosis.

Tissue characterization using mean gray value analysis in deep infiltrating endometriosis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate differences in tissue characterization using three-dimensional sonographic mean gray value (MGV) between retrocervical and rectosigmoid deeply infiltrating endometriosis, and to assess intra- and interobserver concordance in MGV quantification. METHODS: In this retrospective study, stored ultrasound volumes from 50 premenopausal women (mean age, 32 years) with 57 histologically confirmed nodules of deep endometriosis were retrieved from our database for analysis. A single experienced operator had acquired all volumes. For each nodule, the MGV was evaluated using virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) software with semiautomated sphere-sampling (1 cm3) from the central part of the nodule. In these patients the MGV was also quantified from the myometrium of the fundal part of the uterus. In addition, two observers calculated the MGV in a subset of 24 volumes in order to quantify inter- and intraobserver agreement using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). RESULTS: Mean MGV was significantly higher in rectosigmoid nodules (n = 34) than in nodules with a retrocervical location (n = 23) (23.863 vs. 17.705; P < 0.001). MGV of the myometrium was significantly higher in comparison with that of nodules in both locations (P < 0.001 for both). Intra- and interobserver measurement reproducibility was excellent (ICC > 0.95). CONCLUSIONS: Retrocervical and rectosigmoid endometriotic nodules display significantly different MGVs. Measurement of MGV is highly reproducible and its clinical value in the diagnosis and assessment of distribution of deep endometriosis should be assessed in future studies.

[Prevention of postoperative abdominal adhesions in gynecological surgery. Consensus paper of an Italian gynecologists' task force on adhesions]. / Aderenze addominali postoperatorie e loro prevenzione in chirurgia ginecologica. Documento di consenso si una "task force" di ginecologi italiani sulle aderenze.

Adhesions are the most frequent complication of abdominopelvic surgery, causing important short- and long-term problems, including infertility, chronic pelvic pain and a lifetime risk of small bowel obstruction. They also complicate future surgery with considerable morbidity and expense, and an important mortality risk. They pose serious quality of life issues for many patients with associated social and healthcare costs. Despite advances in surgical techniques, the healthcare burden of adhesion-related complications has not changed in recent years. Adhesiolysis remains the main treatment although adhesions reform in most patients. There is rising evidence, however, that surgeons can take important steps to reduce the impact of adhesions. A task force of Italian gynecologists with a specialist interest in adhesions having reviewed the current evidence on adhesions and considered the opportunities to reduce adhesions in Italy, have approved a collective consensus position. This consensus paper provides a comprehensive overview of adhesions and their consequences and practical proposals for actions that gynecological surgeons in Italy should take. As well as improvements in surgical technique, developments in adhesion-reduction strategies and new agents offer a realistic possibility of reducing adhesion formation and improving outcomes for patients. They should be adopted particularly in high risk surgery and in patients with adhesiogenic conditions. Patients also need to be better informed of the risks of adhesions.

Improving the preoperative classification of adnexal masses as benign or malignant by second-stage tests.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish when a second-stage diagnostic test may be of value in cases where a primary diagnostic test has given an uncertain diagnosis of the benign or malignant nature of an adnexal mass. METHODS: The diagnostic performance with regard to discrimination between benign and malignant adnexal masses for mathematical models including ultrasound variables and for subjective evaluation of ultrasound findings by an experienced ultrasound examiner was expressed as area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity. These were calculated for the total study population of 1938 patients with an adnexal mass as well as for subpopulations defined by the certainty with which the diagnosis of benignity or malignancy was made. The effect of applying a second-stage test to the tumors where risk estimation was uncertain was determined. RESULTS: The best mathematical model (LR1) had an AUC of 0.95, sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 84% when applied to all tumors. When model LR1 was applied to the 10% of tumors in which the calculated risk fell closest to the risk cut-off of the model, the AUC was 0.59, sensitivity 90% and specificity 21%. A strategy where subjective evaluation was used to classify these 10% of tumors for which LR1 performed poorly and where LR1 was used in the other 90% of tumors resulted in a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 90%. Applying subjective evaluation to all tumors yielded an AUC of 0.95, sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 93%. Sensitivity was 81% and specificity 47% for those patients where the ultrasound examiner was uncertain about the diagnosis (n = 115; 5.9%). No mathematical model performed better than did subjective evaluation among the 115 tumors where the ultrasound examiner was uncertain. CONCLUSION: When model LR1 is used as a primary test for discriminating between benign and malignant adnexal masses, the use of subjective evaluation of ultrasound findings by an experienced examiner as a second-stage test in the 10% of cases for which the model yields a risk of malignancy closest to its risk cut-off will improve specificity without substantially decreasing sensitivity. However, none of the models tested proved suitable as a second-stage test in tumors where subjective evaluation yielded an uncertain result.

[Short-term effect of an estroprogestin containing ethinylestradiol 20 mcg + drospirenone 3 mg in 24+4 regimen at hormonal and cutaneous level in ovarian hyperandrogenism]. / Effecto a breve termine di un estroprogestinico contenente etinilestradiolo 20 mcg+drospirenone 3mg in schema 24 + 4 a livello ormonale e cutaneo nell'iperandrogenismo ovarico.

AIM: evaluate the efficacy of an estroprogestin EP containing 20 mcg ethinilestradiol (EE) and 3 mg drospirenone (DRSP) in the treatment of hyperandrogenism. METHODS: In this study, twenty hyperandrogenic patients were treated with an EP containing EE 20 mcg and DRSP 3 mg in 24+4 regimen for three months. Skin evaluation was performed both quantitatively and qualitatively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: This EP combination showed, after a short-term treatment (three months) to decrease significantly seborrhea, acne, and circulating androgens (testosterone, deidroepiandrosterone sulphate, and androstenedione), while increased sex hormone binding globulin levels. Moreover, this EE 20 mcg/DRSP 3mg EP combination changed some parameters of skin quality, increasing corneometry (a parameter related to skin hydration), and reduced trans epidermal water loss (TEWL, a parameter related to skin evaporation), and erythema (a parameter related to skin inflammation). These results could be taken into account in individualizing the treatment of hyperandrogenic patients.

Prospective external validation of the 'ovarian crescent sign' as a single ultrasound parameter to distinguish between benign and malignant adnexal pathology.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of the 'ovarian crescent sign' (OCS)-a rim of normal ovarian tissue seen adjacent to an ipsilateral adnexal mass-as a sonographic feature to discriminate between benign and malignant adnexal masses. METHODS: The patients included were a subgroup of patients participating in the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) Phase 2 study, which is an international multicenter study. The subgroup comprised 1938 patients, with an adnexal mass, recruited from 19 ultrasound centers in different countries. All patients were scanned using the same standardized ultrasound protocol. Information on more than 40 demographic and ultrasound variables were collected, but the evaluation of the OCS was optional. Only patients from centers that had evaluated the OCS in > or = 90% of their cases were included. The gold standard was the histological diagnosis of the adnexal mass. The ability of the OCS to discriminate between borderline or invasively malignant vs. benign adnexal masses, as well as between invasively malignant vs. other (benign and borderline) tumors, was determined and compared with the performance of subjective evaluation of ultrasound findings by the ultrasound examiner. RESULTS: The OCS was evaluated in 1377 adnexal masses from 12 centers, 938 (68%) masses being benign, 86 (6%) borderline, 305 (22%) primary invasive and 48 (3%) metastases. The OCS was present in 398 (42%) of 938 benign masses, in 14 (16%) of 86 borderline tumors, in 18 (6%) of 305 primary invasive tumors (one malignant struma ovarii, one uterine clear cell adenocarcinoma and 16 epithelial carcinomas, i.e. four Stage I and 12 Stage II-IV) and in two (4%) of 48 ovarian metastases. Hence, the sensitivity and specificity for absent OCS to identify a malignancy was 92% and 42%, respectively, and the positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR-, respectively) were 1.60 and 0.18. Subjective impression performed significantly better than the OCS. Sensitivity and specificity were 90% and 92%, respectively, LR+ was 11.0 and LR- was 0.10. For discrimination between invasive vs. benign or borderline tumors, the sensitivity for absent OCS was 94%, the specificity was 40%, the LR+ was 1.58 and the LR- was 0.14. CONCLUSION: This study confirms previous reports that the presence of the OCS decreases the likelihood of invasive malignancy in adnexal masses. However it is a poor discriminator between benign and malignant adnexal masses.

Ultrasound in polycystic ovary syndrome--the measuring of ovarian stroma and relationship with circulating androgens: results of a multicentric study.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of transvaginal approach in ultrasound (US) has enabled the accurate evaluation of the structure of the ovary and stroma. Stroma represents an acknowledged US marker for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The proportion revealed between the stroma and the ovary surface in the median section (S/A ratio) had been indicated as a reliable marker for hyperandrogenism. In order to verify the feasibility of this determination in routine use and to confirm the efficacy of S/A ratio in predicting hyperandrogenism in PCOS, a multicentric study was performed in association with five Italian research groups. METHODS: A total of 418 subjects of fertile age presenting oligomenorrhoea or secondary amenorrhoea, enlarged ovaries measuring >10 cm(3) and/or >12 follicles measuring 2-9 mm in diameter took part in the study. Clinical, US and hormonal evaluations were performed in the early follicular phase or on random days in amenorrhoeic subjects. US assessment included ovarian volume, follicle number, ovarian and stroma area in median section. The hormonal study included a baseline plasma determination of LH, FSH, estradiol (E(2)), androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosteronesulphate, 17-hydroxy-progesterone, sex hormone-binding globulin and prolactin. Correlations and receiver operator curves were used in statistical analysis of data. RESULTS: S/A was found to be the best significant predictor of elevated A and T levels. In order to ascertain significant cut-off values in relation to A and T levels Youden indexes were calculated and indicated 0.32 as the best cut-off for the S/A ratio. CONCLUSIONS: This work underlines the importance of stroma measure in improving US diagnosis of PCOS and suggest that this parameter may be used in routine clinical practice. In fact, multicentre study demonstrated the easy feasibility of such procedure without need of sophisticated machines or intensive training for operators.

Chorioamnionitis.

Chorioamnionitis is an inflammation of the placental membranes induced by microorganisms which reach the endometrial cavity from the vagina and uterine cervix. Premature labor frequently depends on infections. In patients with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) antibiotic treatment can prevent intra-amniotic inflammation if it is absent at admission. In spite of antibiotic treatment started immediately after the PROM in 218 patients, the chorioamnionitis did not prevent delivery in 41 patients within 48 hours of PROM. In the presence of a previous chorioamnionitis, antibiotic treatment cannot prevent premature labor, whereas it can prevent infection and lead to a longer duration of pregnancy if PROM does not depend on previous infection.

Pituitary-ovarian response to the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-agonist test in anovulatory patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: predictive role of ovarian stroma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of ovarian stroma on basal and poststimulus androgen secretion in patients affected by secondary amenorrhoea and polycystic ovaries (PCO) at ultrasound (US). DESIGN: Prospective study. PATIENTS: Fifty-one patients with PCO selected from a group of 72 normal weight women aged 20-25 years affected by secondary amenorrhoea and 10 normal ovulatory controls. METHODS: All subjects underwent US to evaluate volume, area, stromal area and stromal/total area ratio of both ovaries. Plasma levels of gonadotrophins, oestradiol (E2) and androgens were measured before and 24 h after GnRH-a injection. 60 min after stimulus LH and FSH were also assayed. RESULTS: Thirty patients had increased ovarian stroma (IS) and 21 patients normal ovarian stroma (NS). Significantly higher LH levels characterized the IS group, both basally and after GnRH-a stimulation compared with NS and controls (P < 0.01). Baseline levels of androstenedione, testosterone and 17-OHprogesterone (17-OHP) were significantly higher in IS group. Moreover, 17-OHP hyper-response to GnRH-a was demonstrated in IS group in comparison to NS and control groups (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Stroma evaluation may be of use in discriminating between different pathogenic factors in secondary amenorrhoea. This criterion may be applied to support the correct diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Indeed, in line with the most recently proposed guidelines, patients affected by multifollicular ovaries could be classified as PCOS. The possibility of taking into account more than one US criterion or of carefully reanalysing the significance of increased stroma volume should be considered.

Comparison between color Doppler cineloop- and conventional spectral Doppler-derived maximum velocity and flow in the umbilical vein.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the umbilical venous flow velocity derived from color Doppler cineloop recordings with that derived from conventional spectral Doppler in normal pregnancies. METHOD: In 18 uncomplicated pregnancies between 19 and 39 weeks' gestation, color Doppler was used to find the maximum velocity in the cross-sectional vessel area of a free-floating loop of the umbilical vein. The maximum velocity was determined using the software tool HDI_Lab (Philips Medical Systems) after tracing the vessel area of interest. Conventional spectral Doppler was then used to determine the maximum velocity with the High-Q machine option. The cross-sectional area of the umbilical vein was determined using B-mode imaging and was subsequently used to determine the umbilical volume flow from both Doppler methods. Assuming a parabolic flow profile in the umbilical vein, the mean velocity is equal to half the maximum velocity. The fetal weight was estimated from fetal biometry using the four-parameter Hadlock formula. RESULTS: Maximum velocity was significantly (P = 0.003) higher with color Doppler cineloop (14.3 +/- 2.5 cm/s) compared with spectral Doppler (12.7 +/- 3.2 cm/s). Therefore, using the same cross-sectional area for both methods, the umbilical blood flow was significantly higher (P = 0.001) with color Doppler cineloop (127.9 +/- 59.0 mL/min) than it was with spectral Doppler (112.8 +/- 54.1 mL/min). The umbilical blood flow expressed as volume flow per kg fetal weight was significantly (P = 0.01) higher with color Doppler cineloop (126.0 +/- 57.0 mL/min/kg) than it was with spectral Doppler (115.0 +/- 53.0 mL/min/kg). CONCLUSIONS: Umbilical venous flow velocity derived from color Doppler cineloops is approximately 10% higher than that derived from spectral Doppler-derived velocity. The reduced angle dependence of the color Doppler cineloop technique and the large sampling area of the cross-sectional vessel should allow better determination of the correct maximum velocity in the umbilical vein.

Laparoscopic excision of posterior vaginal fornix in the treatment of patients with deep endometriosis without rectum involvement: surgical treatment and long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study is to evaluate the short- and long-term efficacy of complete laparoscopic excision of deep endometriosis, without rectum involvement, with the opening and partial excision of the posterior vaginal fornix. METHODS: Thirty-one patients were included in the study with symptomatic extensive disease including involvement of the cul-de-sac, rectovaginal space and posterior vaginal fornix without rectum involvement. Endoscopic surgery was performed with complete separation of rectovaginal space and in-block resection of the diseased tissue, opening and partial excision of the posterior vaginal fornix and vaginal closure either by laparoscopic or by vaginal route. Patients filled in questionnaires on pain before and 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months after surgical treatment. RESULTS: No intraoperative complications were observed; 65% were free of analgesic on post-operative day 2, 38% had total remission of chronic pain and 22% were improved; 38% had total remission of dysmenorrhoea and 22% were improved; 45% had total remission of dyspareunia and 25% were improved. Follow-up improvement of symptoms was statistically significant and was maintained for 5 years without recurrence of the disease or repeated surgery (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Complete surgical resection of deep infiltrative endometriosis with excision of the adjacent tissue of the posterior vaginal fornix improves quality of life with persistence of results for long time in patients not responsive to medical treatment.

Reduction of postoperative adhesions with an auto-crosslinked hyaluronan gel in gynaecological laparoscopic surgery: a blinded, controlled, randomized, multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Following myomectomy, postoperative adhesions occur in many patients with adverse effects on fertility. This study investigated the applicability, safety and efficacy of an auto-crosslinked hyaluronan gel in preventing adhesion formation after laparoscopic myomectomy. METHODS: Fifty-two patients aged 22-42 years, undergoing surgery at four centres, were randomly allocated to receive either the gel or no adhesion prevention. The incidence and severity of postoperative adhesions were assessed laparoscopically after 12-14 weeks in a blinded, scored fashion. The primary efficacy variable was the presence/absence of postoperative adhesions at second-look. RESULTS: A nonsignificantly higher proportion of patients receiving the gel were free from adhesions (13 of 21; 62%) compared with control patients (9 of 22; 41%), with a statistically significant difference between the severity of uterine adhesions at baseline and at second-look (0.3 +/- 0.9 versus 0.8 +/- 1.0, P < 0.05). In subjects undergoing myomectomy without concomitant surgery, the proportion of adhesion-free patients was 8 of 12 (67%) and 4 of 11 (36%) (not significant) in the gel and control groups, respectively, with a significant difference in the mean severity scores (P < 0.05). In subjects without uterine adhesions before myomectomy, 12 of 18 (67%) and 8 of 20 (40%) patients in the gel and control groups, respectively were adhesion-free (not significant), with a significant difference in the severity of uterine adhesions (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the auto-crosslinked hyaluronan gel may have a favourable safety profile and efficacious antiadhesive action following laparoscopic myomectomy.

Does quantitative analysis of three-dimensional power Doppler angiography have a role in the diagnosis of malignant pelvic solid tumors? A preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of a simplified method for the three-dimensional (3D) quantification of tumor vascularity in the differential diagnosis of solid pelvic masses. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with a solid pelvic mass on B-mode ultrasound evaluation underwent 3D power Doppler evaluation before surgery. The volume of interest was obtained by drawing the largest section of the mass in three orthogonal planes. The following 3D vascular parameters were calculated for all patients: relative color, average color and flow measure. Receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis was used to choose the best cut-off value. The overall agreement between the test result and the actual outcome was calculated using kappa statistics. RESULTS: Fifteen of 24 subjects were found to have pelvic malignancy. The relative color and the flow measure were significantly higher in malignant (9.7 (8.98) and 8.95 (8.78) (median (interquartile range (IQR)), respectively) than in benign masses (2 (4.42) and 1.79 (4.71), respectively; P < 0.05) but there was no difference in the average color. The best cut-off values of relative color and flow measure were 3.2 and 2.8, respectively. The use of relative color showed a sensitivity of 80% with a specificity of 67% with an overall agreement that was higher, though only marginally so, than that of qualitative 3D power Doppler (kappa = 0.47 and 0.44, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In a small group of pelvic masses that appear malignant on B-mode ultrasonography, the use of 3D quantification of tumor vascularity yields a diagnostic accuracy that is similar to that of subjective evaluation of vascularity. We suspect, however, that the quantitative method will produce more consistent results between operators.