Joan Lenore Veldman

Simple ultrasound rules to distinguish between benign and malignant adnexal masses before surgery: prospective validation by IOTA group

Objectives To prospectively assess the diagnostic performance of simple ultrasound rules to predict benignity/malignancy in an adnexal mass and to test the performance of the risk of malignancy index, two logistic regression models, and subjective assessment of ultrasonic findings by an experienced ultrasound examiner in adnexal masses for which the simple rules yield an inconclusive result. Design Prospective temporal and external validation of simple ultrasound rules to distinguish benign from malignant adnexal masses. The rules comprised five ultrasonic features (including shape, size, solidity, and results of colour Doppler examination) to predict a malignant tumour (M features) and five to predict a benign tumour (B features). If one or more M features were present in the absence of a B feature, the mass was classified as malignant. If one or more B features were present in the absence of an M feature, it was classified as benign. If both M features and B features were present, or if none of the features was present, the simple rules were inconclusive. Setting 19 ultrasound centres in eight countries. Participants 1938 women with an adnexal mass examined with ultrasound by the principal investigator at each centre with a standardised research protocol. Reference standard Histological classification of the excised adnexal mass as benign or malignant. Main outcome measures Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Results Of the 1938 patients with an adnexal mass, 1396 (72%) had benign tumours, 373 (19.2%) had primary invasive tumours, 111 (5.7%) had borderline malignant tumours, and 58 (3%) had metastatic tumours in the ovary. The simple rules yielded a conclusive result in 1501 (77%) masses, for which they resulted in a sensitivity of 92% (95% confidence interval 89% to 94%) and a specificity of 96% (94% to 97%). The corresponding sensitivity and specificity of subjective assessment were 91% (88% to 94%) and 96% (94% to 97%). In the 357 masses for which the simple rules yielded an inconclusive result and with available results of CA-125 measurements, the sensitivities were 89% (83% to 93%) for subjective assessment, 50% (42% to 58%) for the risk of malignancy index, 89% (83% to 93%) for logistic regression model 1, and 82% (75% to 87%) for logistic regression model 2; the corresponding specificities were 78% (72% to 83%), 84% (78% to 88%), 44% (38% to 51%), and 48% (42% to 55%). Use of the simple rules as a triage test and subjective assessment for those masses for which the simple rules yielded an inconclusive result gave a sensitivity of 91% (88% to 93%) and a specificity of 93% (91% to 94%), compared with a sensitivity of 90% (88% to 93%) and a specificity of 93% (91% to 94%) when subjective assessment was used in all masses. Conclusions The use of the simple rules has the potential to improve the management of women with adnexal masses. In adnexal masses for which the rules yielded an inconclusive result, subjective assessment of ultrasonic findings by an experienced ultrasound examiner was the most accurate diagnostic test; the risk of malignancy index and the two regression models were not useful.

Sacrocolpopexy using xenogenic acellular collagen in patients at increased risk for graft‐related complications

We studied the long‐term anatomical and functional outcome following sacrocolpopexy for apical vaginal prolapse using xenogenic grafts in a population at increased risk for graft‐related complications (GRCs).

Pain and bleeding pattern related to levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) insertion

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the pattern or pain or bleeding during levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) insertion and in the first 6 weeks thereafter is altered by LNG-IUS malposition. STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort of 413 women undergoing LNG-IUS insertion or replacement. A first questionnaire on pain perception was completed by the women immediately after insertion. In a second questionnaire the women were asked to record pain in the 3 days following insertion and both pain and bleeding from 4 to 6 weeks after insertion. Six weeks after insertion a 2D- and 3D-ultrasound examination was performed to evaluate the position of the LNG-IUS and of the uterus. RESULTS Parity was inversely related to pain at insertion, in the first 3 days and at 4-6 weeks. LNG-IUS insertion was less painful in the postpartum period. Women who had had a LNG-IUS as prior contraceptive method reported a higher percentage of amenorrhea at 4-6 weeks. The position of the LNG-IUS or of the uterus did not influence the pain scores or the bleeding pattern. The fact that the LNG-IUS arms appeared embedded in the uterine wall on coronal 3D-volume reconstruction did not influence pain or the bleeding pattern. CONCLUSIONS Because neither pain nor bleeding is a reliable predictor of LNG-IUS position, we suggest an ultrasound examination to confirm correct LNG-IUS placement in all patients at about 6 weeks after insertion.

The Laparoscopic Approach to Pelvic Floor Surgery

Laparoscopy offers great exposure and surgical detail, reduces blood loss and the need for excessive abdominal packing and bowel manipulation making it an excellent modality to perform pelvic floor surgery. Laparoscopic repair of level I or apical vaginal prolapse may be challenging, due to the need for extensive dissection and advanced suturing skills. However it offers the efficacy of open abdominal sacrocolpopexy, such as lower recurrence rates and less dyspareunia than sacrospinous fixation, as well as the reduced morbidity of a laparoscopic approach.