Antonino Perino

Vulvo-vaginal atrophy: A new treatment modality using thermo-ablative fractional CO2 laser

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of thermo-ablative fractional CO2 laser for the treatment of symptoms related to vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA) in post-menopausal women. METHODS From April 2013 to December 2013, post-menopausal patients who complained of one or more VVA-related symptoms and who underwent vaginal treatment with fractional CO2 laser were enrolled in the study. At baseline (T0) and 30 days post-treatment (T1), vaginal status of the women was evaluated using the Vaginal Health Index (VHI), and subjective intensity of VVA symptoms was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS). At T1, treatment satisfaction was evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS During the study period, a total of 48 patients were enrolled. Data indicated a significant improvement in VVA symptoms (vaginal dryness, burning, itching and dyspareunia) (P<0.0001) in patients who had undergone 3 sessions of vaginal fractional CO2 laser treatment. Moreover, VHI scores were significantly higher at T1 (P<0.0001). Overall, 91.7% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the procedure and experienced considerable improvement in quality of life (QoL). No adverse events due to fractional CO2 laser treatment occurred. CONCLUSION Thermo-ablative fractional CO2 laser could be a safe, effective and feasible option for the treatment of VVA symptoms in post-menopausal women.

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue or dienogest plus estradiol valerate to prevent pain recurrence after laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis: a multi-center randomized trial.

To evaluate the efficacy of dienogest + estradiol valerate (E2V) and gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone analogue (GnRH‐a) in reducing recurrence of pain in patients with chronic pelvic pain due to laparoscopically diagnosed and treated endometriosis.

IVIG in APS pregnancy

For more than two decades, the intravenous administration of high doses of IgG pooled from the plasma of healthy donors (immune globulin therapy, also known as ‘IVIG’) has benefited patients with a variety of autoimmune disorders. A potential therapeutic role of IVIG in the prevention of thrombosis and of miscarriages in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) has been postulated. Multicenter randomized controlled trials attempted to define the role of IVIG in preventing pregnancy complications in APS indicate that simple anticoagulation could not be completely satisfactory, and certain patient subgroups might take advantage of IVIG therapy alone or in combination with heparin.

Interstitial Pregnancy: A ‘Road Map' of Surgical Treatment Based on a Systematic Review of the Literature

An electronic search concerning the surgical approach in cases of interstitial pregnancy from January 2000 to May 2013 has been carried out. Fifty three studies have been retrieved and included for statistical analysis. Conservative and radical surgical treatments in 354 cases of interstitial pregnancy are extensively described. Hemostatic techniques have been reported as well as clinical criteria for the medical approach. Surgical outcome in conservative versus radical treatment were similar. When hemostatic techniques were used, lower blood losses and lower operative times were recorded. Conversion to laparotomy involved difficulties in hemostasis and the presence of persistent or multiple adhesions. Laparoscopic injection of vasopressin into the myometrium below the cornual mass was the preferred approach.

Is intravesical instillation of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate useful in preventing recurrent bacterial cystitis? A multicenter case control analysis.

OBJECTIVE Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in the female population and, over a lifetime, about half of women have at least one episode of UTI requiring antibiotic therapy. The aim of the current study was to compare two different strategies for preventing recurrent bacterial cystitis: intravesical instillation of hyaluronic acid (HA) plus chondroitin sulfate (CS), and antibiotic prophylaxis with sulfamethoxazole plus trimethoprim. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a retrospective review of two different cohorts of women affected by recurrent bacterial cystitis. Cases (experimental group) were women who received intravesical instillations of a sterile solution of high concentration of HA + CS in 50 mL water with calcium chloride every week during the 1(st) month and then once monthly for 4 months. The control group included women who received traditional therapy for recurrent cystitis based on daily antibiotic prophylaxis using sulfamethoxazole 200 mg plus trimethoprim 40 mg for 6 weeks. RESULTS Ninety-eight and 76 patients were treated with experimental and control treatments, respectively. At 12 months after treatment, 69 and 109 UTIs were detected in the experimental and control groups, respectively. The proportion of patients free from UTIs was significantly higher in the experimental than in the control group (36.7% vs. 21.0%; p = 0.03). Experimental treatment was well tolerated and none of the patients stopped it. CONCLUSION The intravesical instillation of HA + CS is more effective than long-term antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing recurrent bacterial cystitis.

Adenomyotic cyst in a 25-year-old woman: case report.

Adenomyotic cysts are uncommon findings, usually in the context of diffuse adenomyosis and <5 mm in diameter. Herein we report a 4.5-cm adenomyotic cyst in a 25-year-old nulliparous woman with severe dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain. Transvaginal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-circumscribed hypoechogenic mass in the posterior uterine wall, well separated from the uterine cavity. Pathologic analysis demonstrated that the cyst was lined with endometrial epithelium and stroma and was surrounded by smooth muscle hyperplasia. In the literature, we found 30 reports of cysts with similar characteristics. Because this cyst has not been clearly defined, it has been called by various names including adenomyotic cyst, cystic adenomyosis, and cystic adenomyoma. We believe this lesion should not be called an adenomyoma, but is more correctly called an adenomyotic cyst or, depending on age at onset, a juvenile adenomyotic cyst.

The Role of Hysteroscopy in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Adenomyosis

Uterine adenomyosis is a common gynecologic disorder in women of reproductive age, characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrial glands and stroma within the myometrium. Dysmenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, and deep dyspareunia are common symptoms of this pathological condition. However, adenomyosis is often an incidental finding in specimens obtained from hysterectomy or uterine biopsies. The recent evolution of diagnostic imaging techniques, such as transvaginal sonography, hysterosalpingography, and magnetic resonance imaging, has contributed to improving accuracy in the identification of this pathology. Hysteroscopy offers the advantage of direct visualization of the uterine cavity while giving the option of collecting histological biopsy samples under visual control. Hysteroscopy is not a first-line treatment approach for adenomyosis and it represents a viable option only in selected cases of focal or diffuse “superficial” forms. During office hysteroscopy, it is possible to enucleate superficial focal adenomyomas or to evacuate cystic haemorrhagic lesions of less than 1.5 cm in diameter. Instead, resectoscopic treatment is indicated in cases of superficial adenomyotic nodules > 1.5 cm in size and for diffuse superficial adenomyosis. Finally, endometrial ablation may be performed with the additional removal of the underlying myometrium.

Chronic renal failure and endometrial osseous metaplasia: a hypothetical pathway.

Sir, We would like to bring to general attention the case of a 44year-old woman who came to our clinic because of spotting and occasional periods of amenorrhea. She had had menarche at the age of 14 years, followed by regular menstrual cycles. Her medical history revealed that she had one living child, and had subsequently experienced two miscarriages. The patient was human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus positive. In addition, she was suffering from HIV-related chronic renal failure, HIV-related neuropathy and hepatitis C virus-related chronic hepatopathy. Physical and pelvic examinations were unremarkable. Transvaginal ultrasound examination revealed a hyperechogenic area in the uterine cavity measuring 14 mm 9 6 mm. The patient underwent a diagnostic hysteroscopy, which showed a 20 mm 9 10 mm white meshwork of bony spicules arising from the posterior wall, with a hard tactile consistency (Figure 1). A resectoscopic excision was then performed. The histological examination showed trabeculae of woven bone, and was consistent with osseous metaplasia of the endometrium. Concomitant endometrial histology showed a secretory endometrium. Two weeks after surgery, the patient again underwent a second transvaginal ultrasound examination, which revealed no trace of the original, abnormal ultrasound finding. Osseus metaplasia is rarely encountered, with less than 100 cases reported in the international literature (1). There is controversy regarding the pathogenic mechanisms related to the histogenesis of heterotopic bone in the endometrium. A number of theories have been proposed, as follows: continuous and strong endometrial estrogenic stimulation; osteogenesis in the surrounding endometrium, which is promoted by retained fetal bones; implantation of embryonic parts without pre-existing bone after early-stage abortions; dystrophic calcification of retained and necrotic tissues, usually after an abortion; chronic endometrial inflammation, such as endometritis or pyometra; and metastatic calcification and metabolic disorders, such as hypercalcemia, hypervitaminosis D or hyperphosphatemia (1–3). The most recent and accepted theory is metaplasia of the endometrial stromal cells, usually fibroblasts, which change into osteoblasts and thus produce bone in the endometrium. A previous history of abortion is present in most of the reported cases, with osseous changes in the endometrium. Usually, the reproductive age group (between 20 and 40 years of age) is involved, although it has also been reported in the menopausal years (1). In the few reported cases in the literature, the time between the antecedent abortion and discovery of the endometrial ossification varies from eight weeks to 23 years (4). Chronic renal failure is a known cause of abnormal calcium–phosphorous metabolism with metastatic calcifications; this may be the pathway of osseous metaplasia observed in our patient. Ultrasound examination plays a primary role in the diagnosis of patients with osseous metaplasia. The characteristic hyperechogenic pattern is strongly suggestive of osseous tissue within the uterus and should be confirmed by hysteroscopic examination (2). Today, hysteroscopy is accepted as the gold standard for diagnosis and treatment. Bone formation in the endometrium is rare, but can be seen in malignant mixed M€ ullerian tumors and in teratomas, which should be considered in the differential diagnosis (1). Clinicians and pathologists should bear this chance in mind, particularly in light of the fact that an erroneous diagnosis may well result in unnecessary hysterectomy.

Laparoscopic treatment of diaphragmatic endometriosis causing chronic shoulder and arm pain

1. Yamada T, Iwao N, Kasamatsu H,Mori H. A case of malignant lymphoma of the ovary manifesting like advanced ovarian cancer. Gynaecol Oncol. 2003;90:215–19. 2. Charlton I, Norris HS, King FM. Malignant reticuloendothelial disease involving the ovary as a primary manifestation: a series of 19 lymphomas and 1 granulocytic sarcoma. Cancer. 1974;34:397–407. 3. Manterroso V, Jaffe ES, Merino MJ, Medeiros CJ. Malignant lymphomas involving the ovary: a clinicopathologic analysis of 39 cases. Am J Surg Pathol. 1993;17:154–70. 4. Fox H, Langley FA, Govan ADT, Hill AS, Bennett MH. Malignant lymphoma presenting as an ovarian tumor: a clinicopathologic analysis of 34 cases. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1988;95:386–90. 5. Linden MD, Tubbs RR, Fishleder AJ, Hart WR. Immunotypic and genotypic characterization of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas of the ovary. Am J Clin Pathol. 1988;90:156–62.

Primary umbilical endometrioma: Analyzing the pathogenesis of endometriosis from an unusual localization

OBJECTIVE This report presents a rare case of symptomatic primary umbilical endometriosis and reviews the literature on the topic with the aim to clarify some questions on the origin of endometriosis. CASE REPORT A 33-year-old woman with cyclic umbilical bleeding was found to have umbilical endometriosis. She had no history of pelvic or abdominal surgery. There was no past history of endometriosis or endometriosis-associated symptoms. An omphalectomy was performed after explorative laparoscopy to carefully inspect the abdominopelvic cavity and assess any coexisting pelvic endometriotic lesions. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of umbilical endometriosis. CONCLUSION Umbilical endometriosis is a rare but under-recognized phenomenon. Primary lesions are difficult to recognize, but probably represent an independent nosological entity. The possibility of endometriosis must be considered during the evaluation of an umbilical mass despite the absence of previous surgery. Complete excision and successive histology are highly recommended.