Ross Pagano

Adenocarcinoma in situ of the cervix

SummaryAdenocarcinoma in situ (ACIS) of the cervix is rare and is frequently overlooked. To characterize this disease more fully, 21 cases were studied. All except two patients presented with abnormal smears. The distribution of ACIS was focal in two cases, multicentric in three, and diffuse and continuous in 15 (in one case it was unknown). The depth of crypt involvement varied from 0.5 to 4 mm and the volume was estimated to range from 0.25 to 1,500 mm3. ACIS should and can be distinguished from early (“microinvasive”) adencarcinoma in most cases by its limitation to the glandular field, by the constant admixture of neoplastic and normal glands, and by the lack of stromal response. Invasive adenocarcinoma cannot be excluded by target biopsy, the diagnosis of ACIS requiring conization. If the surgical margins are disease free, conization alone may be adequate therapy.

Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome: An Often Unrecognized Cause of Dyspareunia

Summary: Vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (VVS) is an easily identifiable cause of entry dyspareunia. The aetiology is unknown although there is a strong association with Candida infection. The condition represents a focal area of hyperaesthesia within the vulvar vestibule. A management protocol for patients with this condition is presented; 230 patients with VVS were managed and followed‐up over a 5‐year period. Spontaneous resolution or improvement occurred in 21% of patients following initial explanation and use of simple local measures. In 21%, there were positive Candida cultures and long‐term antifungal therapy resulted in a 71% cure. In Candida‐negative patients, low‐dose amitriptyline was used (up to 75 mg daily) with a 60% positive response rate. Carbamazepine was of little benefit (13% response). Surgical vestibulectomy was offered when conservative measures failed and this was performed in 22 patients (10%) with a beneficial result in 20 patients (91%).

Use of amitriptyline cream in the management of entry dyspareunia due to provoked vestibulodynia.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of topical amitriptyline 2% in sorbolene (cetomacrogol aqueous) cream in the management of patients with entry dyspareunia caused by provoked vestibulodynia. Materials and Methods A prospective study of 150 patients presenting with entry dyspareunia to a private gynecologist (R.P.) was undertaken during a 12-month period. Provoked vestibulodynia was diagnosed by the presence of pinpoint tenderness confined to the vulvar vestibule. Most patients (102) had purely provoked vestibulodynia, whereas 48 had both provoked and unprovoked pain. There were 7 patients with grade 1 dyspareunia (intercourse always painful but only occasionally preventing penetration), 83 patients with grade 2 (intercourse always painful preventing penetration on most occasions), and 60 patients with grade 3 (apareunic). Questionnaires were evaluated before and 3 months after commencement of treatment. No control group using placebo was studied because of the private-practice setting. Results Duration of symptoms varied from 1 to 30 years, the mean being 4.7 years. There was no response in 66 patients (44%). Of these, 16 patients ceased treatment early because of local skin irritation and hence were regarded as treatment failures. The 84 patients (56%) that responded were divided into 3 groups as follows: (i) 25 with a slight but noticeable improvement; (ii) 44 with a moderate degree of improvement; and (iii) 15 with an excellent response, describing intercourse as comfortable and pain free (10% of the total study group). Most patients in all 3 groups elected to continue application of the cream after completion of the study. The response rate was similar (48%) in the subgroup that also had unprovoked vestibulodynia. There was no difference in the response rate according to parity. The response rate was also similar in patients who had previously taken oral amitriptyline unsuccessfully. In these 44 patients, the overall response rate was 59%. Conclusions Topical amitriptyline cream should be considered for first-line treatment in the management of patients with provoked vestibulodynia causing entry dyspareunia. The response rate is reasonable (56%), and it eliminates the problems with systemic administration, namely, drowsiness and the difficulty patients have in accepting antidepressant medication for their condition.

Understanding pre- and post-hysterectomy levels of negative affect: a stress moderation model approach.

Before and after hysterectomy, 60 women completed self-report questionnaires. Measures of personality (NEO-Five Factor Inventory, NEO-FFI), coping (Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, OSS), and procedure appraisal were completed pre-operatively. Measures of depression and anxiety were completed pre- and post-operatively. Pre-op, 34% of women reported depression at clinical levels, and 29% reported clinical anxiety. The prevalence of depression fell to 8% 3-months post-op although clinical levels of anxiety persisted post-op in 22% of women. Regression analyses revealed that the principal risk factors for post-op negative affect were pre-op levels of depression and concerns about hysterectomy outcome. In assessing proposed models of post-hysterectomy outcome, structural equational modelling revealed the key position of neuroticism and extraversion, which were both directly and indirectly related to pre- and post-operative depression and anxiety. The mediating variables in this model included coping dispositions and procedure appraisal. It is concluded that the variables contained within stress moderation models provide a useful framework for understanding the processes that may lead to elevated levels of negative affect both before and after hysterectomy. Such an approach may prove beneficial for other surgical-outcome studies.

The Natural History of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Atypia of the Cervix

Summary: This study examines the natural history of human papillomavirus (HPV) atypia of the cervix in 259 untreated patients who were followed for 3 to 74 months (median 18 months). Progression to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) occurred in 41 patients (15.8%) — all but 3 progressions occurred within the first 24 months of follow‐up. In no patient did invasive cancer develop during this study. Persistence occurred in 39.4% and regression in 44.8% patients. An increasing number of regressions were noted with the passage of time. Progression to histologically confirmed CIN which occurred in 23 of 46 (50%) patients in whom both the cytological and colposcopic assessment at the first visit suggested CIN did so significantly more frequently than when either the cytology or colposcopy alone suggested CIN (11 progressions in 83 patients‐13.3%, p < .00001) or when neither cytology nor colposcopy suggested CIN (7 progressions in 119 patients‐5.9%, p < .000001). We recommend that patients with both cytological and colposcopic features suggestive of CIN should be treated even though HPV atypia only is reported on biopsy. Those who are not treated should be followed closely until regression occurs and consideration should be given to treating those patients in whom the abnormality persists longer than 2 years.

The Significance of Human Papilloma Virus Atypia (‘Wart Virus Infection’) Found Alone on Cervical Cytology Screening

Summary: A series of 429 patients has been analysed in which the cytology smear report suggested human papillomavirus (HPV) infection alone. All patients were examined colposcopically and in 58 (13.6%) associated histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was demonstrated. CIN subsequently developed in an additional 10% of those patients who returned for follow‐up over an ensuing 3‐year period. Follow‐up with repeat cervical cytology smears alone was unreliable as 4% of patients even with normal repeat smears had histologically proven CIN and a further 4% of these patients subsequently developed CIN. Colposcopy is recommended in all patients whose cytology smear shows HPV infection.

The value of histology in predicting the effectiveness of vulvar vestibulectomy in provoked vestibulodynia.

Objective This study aimed to determine whether histology can predict response to vestibulectomy in the management of provoked vestibulodynia. Materials and Methods Inflammatory cell, mast cell, and nerve fiber counts were determined in prospectively collected vulvar vestibulectomy specimens from 30 women treated surgically for provoked vestibulodynia. Results Twenty-three subjects (77%) had a complete early response to surgery. At 3 years of follow-up, this had increased to 28 (93%), with a 29th showing some improvement. No subject had gotten worse after surgery or in the 3 years of follow-up. When comparing patients with an early complete response with those patients who still had symptoms, no difference in lymphocyte counts (27.6 vs. 37.8 per mm2), mast cell counts (110.4 vs. 97.8 per mm2), or stromal nerve fiber counts (16.4 vs. 16.4 per mm2) was found. Conclusions Vestibulectomy is a very effective treatment option in women with provoked vestibulodynia who have had failed conservative treatment. Histology is unable to predict which patients will respond to surgery.

Can Routine Histopathology Distinguish Between Vulvar Cutaneous Candidosis and Dermatophytosis

Objectives This study aimed to determine if vulvar cutaneous candidosis and dermatophytosis can be distinguished by routine histopathology. Materials and Methods Twenty-four cases of periodic acid-Schiff–stained vulvar biopsies with a diagnosis of cutaneous mycosis were reviewed and histopathological characteristics on both periodic acid-Schiff and hematoxylin and eosin were recorded. Data were collected on age, clinical impression, microbiological results, and treatment, and all specimens underwent multiplex polymerase chain reaction analysis. Results The mean age was 60 years, and all but 3 women had at least 1 risk factor for mycosis including 15 (62.5%) with lichen sclerosus and/or planus managed with topical corticosteroids. A clinical suspicion of tinea or candidosis was documented in 12 (50%) of the cases. Vulvovaginal swabs showed Candida species in 9 women; one skin scraping was positive for Trichophyton rubrum. Microbiology was not obtained in 8 patients, 5 had a negative swab, and 1 had negative skin scrapings. No histopathological or morphological features distinguished Candida species from dermatophytes. Organisms appeared as basophilic structures in the stratum corneum in 15 (62.5%) hematoxylin and eosin–stained slides. Polymerase chain reaction results were positive for Candida species in 5 (21%) and for dermatophytes in 3 (13%), negative in 13, and unassessable in 3 cases. Conclusions Vulvar cutaneous candidosis and dermatophytosis cannot be reliably distinguished by routine histopathology or specific polymerase chain reaction. A high index of suspicion combined with adequate microbiological testing remains the best approach to differentiating between the 2, which impacts on counseling, treatment, and prognosis.

The Management of Antepartum Haemorrhage (Excluding Placenta Praevia)

A 3‐year retrospective survey of patients presenting with an antepartum haemorrhage (APH) to The Royal Womens Hospital, Melbourne, was undertaken. Cases of placenta praevia were excluded from the series. The overall perinatal mortality (PNM) was 14.5%. There were 98 patients with accidental haemorrhage (PNM 23.4%) and 101 patients with an APH of unknown aetiology (PNM 6%). Generalized uterine tenderness and tenseness were the most consistent features associated with imminent fetal compromise and it is in this group that an early resort to Caesarean section may be beneficial. The routine use of a clotting profile was found to be of little value, especially in patients with a mild haemorrhage.