Maria Grazia Piccioni

Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of placental adhesive disorders: correlation with color Doppler ultrasound

The purpose of this study was to compare the value of pelvic ultrasound with color Doppler and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in: (1) the diagnosis of placental adhesive disorders (PADs), (2) the definition of the degree of placenta invasiveness, (3) determining the topographic correlation between the diagnostic images and the surgical results. Fifty patients in the third trimester of pregnancy with a diagnosis of placenta previa and at least one previous caesarean section underwent color Doppler ultrasound (US) and MRI. The sonographic and MRI diagnoses were compared with the final pathologic or operative findings. Outcomes at delivery were as follows: normal placenta (n = 38) and PAD (n = 12). MR and US Doppler showed no statistically difference in identiyfing patients with PAD (P = 0.74), while MRI was statistically better than US Doppler in evaluating the depth of placenta infiltration (P < 0.001). MRI accurately characterized the topography of invasion in 12/12 (100%) of the cases, while US accurately characterized the topography of invasion in 9/12 (75%) of the cases. In conclusion, we confirmed that pelvic US is highly reliable to diagnose or exclude the presence of PAD and found MRI to be an excellent tool for the staging and topographic evaluation of PAD.

Ovarian function during hormonal contraception assessed by endocrine and sonographic markers: a systematic review

This systematic review focuses on the literature evidence for residual ovarian function during treatment with hormonal contraceptives. We reviewed all papers which assessed residual ovarian activity during hormonal contraceptive use, using endocrine markers such as serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations, FSH, LH, oestradiol, progesterone and sonographic markers such as antral follicle count (AFC), ovarian volume and vascular indices. We considered every type (oestroprogestin or only progestin) and dosage of hormonal contraceptive and every mode of administration (oral, vaginal ring, implant, transdermal patch). We performed an electronic database search for papers published from 1 January 1990 until 30 November 2015 using PubMed and MEDLINE. We pre-selected 113 studies and judged 48 studies suitable for the review. Most studies showed that follicular development continues during treatment with hormonal contraceptives, and that during treatment there is a reduction in serum concentrations of FSH, LH and oestradiol, and also a reduction in endometrial thickness, ovarian volume and the number and size of antral follicles. The ovarian reserve parameters, namely AFC and ovarian volume, are lower among users than among non-users of hormonal contraception; regarding the effect of hormonal contraception on AMH, there are still controversies in the literature.

A Promise in the Treatment of Endometriosis: An Observational Cohort Study on Ovarian Endometrioma Reduction by N-Acetylcysteine

Urged by the unmet medical needs in endometriosis treatment, often with undesirable side effects, and encouraged by N-acetylcysteine (NAC) efficacy in an animal model of endometriosis and by the virtual absence of toxicity of this natural compound, we performed an observational cohort study on ovarian endometriosis. NAC treatment or no treatment was offered to 92 consecutive Italian women referred to our university hospital with ultrasound confirmed diagnosis of ovarian endometriosis and scheduled to undergo laparoscopy 3 months later. According to patients acceptance or refusal, NAC-treated and untreated groups finally comprised 73 and 72 endometriomas, respectively. After 3 months, within NAC-treated patients cyst mean diameter was slightly reduced (−1.5 mm) versus a significant increase (+6.6 mm) in untreated patients (P = 0.001). Particularly, during NAC treatment, more cysts reduced and fewer cysts increased their size. Our results are better than those reported after hormonal treatments. Twenty-four NAC-treated patients—versus 1 within controls—cancelled scheduled laparoscopy due to cysts decrease/disappearance and/or relevant pain reduction (21 cases) or pregnancy (1 case). Eight pregnancies occurred in NAC-treated patients and 6 in untreated patients. We can conclude that NAC actually represents a simple effective treatment for endometriosis, without side effects, and a suitable approach for women desiring a pregnancy.

Breast cancer during pregnancy: a retrospective study on obstetrical problems and survival.

OBJECTIVES Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers occurring in pregnancy. Data on survival of these patients and their obstetrical complications are still limited. STUDY DESIGN We conducted a case-control, retrospective study to evaluate the overall survival (OS) of 22 patients with breast cancer in pregnancy (BCP) and 45 non-pregnant women with breast cancer (BC) matched for age, stage and hormonal status. RESULTS Survival of BCP and BC patients using Kaplan-Meier analysis was similar (86.4% in cases and 80% in controls p=0.392) and BCP patients had survival consistent with the stage of the disease, providing that the treatment had been in agreement with the recommended protocols. The overall incidence of premature delivery was 54.6% and complications were observed in three newborns out of 23 (13%). CONCLUSIONS Preterm labor induction without any obstetrical indication following womans request to continue chemotherapy outside pregnancy can be reduced by explaining the risks of early delivery and the lack of effects of many chemotherapeutic regimens on the fetus.

Transabdominal ultrasound‐guided injection of methotrexate in the treatment of ectopic interstitial pregnancies

In a retrospective observational study, we evaluated the feasibility and safety of medical therapy with transabdominal ultrasound‐guided injection of methotrexate (MTX) into the gestational sac (GS) in patients with interstitial ectopic pregnancies.

Errors in Imaging of Emergencies in Pregnancy

There is evidence that emergencies in pregnancy are subject to mismanagement; however, the percentage of error in the diagnosis of emergencies in pregnancies has not been studied in-depth. The purpose of this article is to review the most common emergencies in pregnancies, focusing the attention on errors in images. The topics covered are divided into gynecological and nongynecological, and for each pathology, the possible errors in the diagnostic pathway, the possible technical errors in the execution of the examination, and in the end, the possible errors in interpretation of the images have been dealt with. These last two entities are often connected, in the fact that a substandard examination can stem interpretation errors, but the systemization of the error is a valid approach in helping to learn from these errors, reducing the possibility that the same error can represent itself.

To evaluate the feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging in predicting unusual site ectopic pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the accuracy of pelvic MRI in the diagnosis of unusual ectopic pregnancy (EP), when ultrasound (US) examination is inconclusive.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 150 patients with suspected EP. Clinical, US and MRI features of 15 unusual EPs were analysed. Two radiologists independently reviewed each case resolving by consensus any diagnostic discrepancy. Interobserver agreement was assessed using the Cohen κ test.ResultsMRI displayed a gestational sac-like structure surrounded by a thick wall in all cases. The thick wall displayed hyperintensity in 41 %, isointensity in 35 % and hypointensity in 24 % of cases on T1-weighted images. Diffusion- and fat saturation T1-weighted images were the most accurate sequences, as they enabled identification of 15/15 and 14/15 patients, respectively. Although US was false negative in detecting cervical and uterine infiltration underlying the caesarean scar, MRI was able to identify the invasion. Interobserver agreement was very good for all sequences (κ=0.892–1.0).ConclusionsMRI plays an important role in the early diagnosis of unusual EP. It should be considered after negative US findings, providing accurate evaluation of the site and the possible infiltration of these lesions, which help in the management of these patients.Key Points• MRI is being increasingly used as a problem-solving modality in ectopic pregnancy.• MRI plays an important role in early diagnosis of unusual ectopic pregnancy.• Knowledge of MRI features in EP is essential to determinate appropriate management.

Sonohysterosalpingography: Comparison of foam and saline solution

To compare sonohysterosalpingography (sono‐HSG) with foam instillation (HyFoSy) versus saline solution (HyCoSy) in the evaluation of tubal patency.

HPV-related Vulvar Diseases and Perspectives of p16INK4a Immunochemistry: A Review of the Literature

Introduction Two different types of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), HPV-related and HPV-unrelated, should be considered as two separate entities with different management options. The incidence of HPV-related VIN is increasing worldwide and is implicated in carcinogenesis. Our objective is to investigate the use of p16INK4a immunostaining or p16INK4a/p53 double staining for the detection of HPV-related disease to overcome the problem that histological criteria often have significant overlap. Methods A systematic literature search was carried out in the online databases PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Clincaltrials.gov and Scopus. The key search terms were HPV, VIN, p16INK4a immunochemistry and p53. Results We found that nuclear and cytoplasmic immunostaining for p16INK4a was intense and diffuse in HPV-associated lesions and weak and focal in normal vulvar epithelium, nondysplastic lesions, lichen sclerosus and keratinizing vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. p53 nuclear immunostaining was always negative in HPV-related disease. Conclusions Our findings indicated that p16INK4a or p16INK4a/p53 immunoreactivity, along with histological diagnosis, could be a convenient means to adequately classify VIN and its connection to HPV infection. Therefore, the clear recognition of HPV-associated VIN would lead to an appropriate strategy of treatment and follow-up.

Conservative Management of Placenta Accreta by Systemic Metho-trexate:Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature

Objective: Owing to the growing number of cesarean deliveries, the abnormally invasive placenta-tion so called placenta accreta rate is increasing. Placenta accreta is difficult to manage and traditionally resolved by cesarean hysterectomy after the birth due to the following massive hemorrhage. In recent years different conservative treatments leaving partially or totally the placenta in the uterine cavity have been reported in patients willing to preserve their fertility. Methods: We reviewed literature data about conservative management of placenta accreta in the PubMed, Researchgate and Medline from 2007 to date. We included in the review the studies about the use of methotrexate (MTX) for conservative treatment of placenta accreta. Results: We reported 2 literature reviews and 4 studies about the use of MTX in the management of placenta accreta and 2 unpublished cases treated in our Department. MTX is administered when it is not possible to remove totally or partly the placenta accreta in order to promote the cytolysis of the residual trophoblast. The schedule and outcome of the methotrexate use have not been established yet due to the paucity of literature data. Conclusions: The role of MTX to improve both, the feasibility and success rate of conservative management and placental resorption needs further studies. Hemodynamic stability of patients and informed consent are prerequisites before starting MTX treatment. Vaginal bleeding and infections may complicate the conservative treatment and close surveillance is recommended by imaging techniques and laboratory parameters.