Radiologic Anatomy of Arteriogenic Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematized Approach

Introduction: Erectile Dysfunction is a highly prevalent disease and there is growing interest in its endovascular treatment. Due to the complexity of the male pelvic arterial system, thorough anatomical knowledge is paramount. We evaluated the applicability of the Yamaki classification with Computerized Tomography Angiography and Digital Subtraction Angiography in the evaluation of patients with arteriogenic Erectile Dysfunction, illustrating the arterial lesions that can cause Erectile Dysfunction. Methods: Single-center retrospective analysis of the Computerized Tomography Angiography and Digital Subtraction Angiography imaging findings in 21 male patients with suspected arteriogenic Erectile Dysfunction that underwent selective pelvic arterial embolization. Assessment of erectile function was achieved using the IIEF-5. The branching patterns of the Internal Iliac Artery were classified according to the Yamaki classification. The diagnosis of arteriogenic Erectile Dysfunction was based on the presence of atherosclerotic lesions (stenoses and/or occlusions) of the Internal Iliac Artery or the Internal Pudendal Arteries. Results: The mean patient age was 67.2 years; with a mean IIEF of 10.6 points. Computerized Tomography Angiography and Digital Subtraction Angiography findings allowed classification of all the 42 pelvic sides according to the Yamaki classification. Twenty-four pelvic sides were classified as Group A (57\%), 9 as Group B (21.5\%) and 9 as Group C (21.5\%). The Digital Subtraction Angiography detected 19 abnormal Internal Pudendal Arteries (with atherosclerotic lesions) (45\%). The Computerized Tomography Angiography detected 24 abnormal Internal Pudendal Arteries (57\%). Conclusion: Computerized Tomography Angiography and Digital Subtraction Angiography findings of arteriogenic Erectile Dysfunction include stenotic and occlusive lesions of the Internal Iliac Artery and Internal Pudendal Artery. The Yamaki classification is radiologically reproducible and allows easy recognition of the Internal Pudendal Artery in patients with arteriogenic Erectile Dysfunction.publishersversionpublishe

Ultrasonographic criteria of cesarean scar defect evaluation

Cesarean sections account for approximately 20% of all deliveries worldwide. In Poland, the percentage of women delivering by cesarean section amounts to over 43%. According to studies, the prevalence of cesarean scar defects ranges from 24–70%. Due to the overall cesarean section rate, this is a medical problem affecting a large population of women. In such cases, ultrasonographic evaluation of a cesarean scar reveals a hypoechoic space filled with postmenstrual blood, representing a myometrial tear at the wound site. Such an ultrasound appearance is referred to as a niche, and it forms after a cesarean section at the site of the hysterotomy of the anterior uterine wall, most commonly within the uterine isthmus. Currently, the exact cause of niche formation remains unexplained, yet the risk factors for its development are universally acknowledged. They include the site of hysterotomy, multiple previous cesarean section deliveries, suturing technique and maternal diabetes or smoking. Ultrasound evaluation of the cesarean section scar is an important element of obstetric and gynecologic practice, especially in the case of further pregnancies. It facilitates an early diagnosis of a cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy, and the prediction of the risk for perinatal dehiscence in the case of a vaginal birth after a cesarean section

Ultrasonograficzne kryteria oceny blizny po cięciu cesarskim

Cesarean sections account for approximately 20% of all deliveries worldwide. In Poland, the percentage of women delivering by cesarean section amounts to over 43%. According to studies, the prevalence of cesarean scar defects ranges from 24–70%. Due to the overall cesarean section rate, this is a medical problem affecting a large population of women. In such cases, ultrasonographic evaluation of a cesarean scar reveals a hypoechoic space filled with postmenstrual blood, representing a myometrial tear at the wound site. Such an ultrasound appearance is referred to as a niche, and it forms after a cesarean section at the site of the hysterotomy of the anterior uterine wall, most commonly within the uterine isthmus. Currently, the exact cause of niche formation remains unexplained, yet the risk factors for its development are universally acknowledged. They include the site of hysterotomy, multiple previous cesarean section deliveries, suturing technique and maternal diabetes or smoking. Ultrasound evaluation of the cesarean section scar is an important element of obstetric and gynecologic practice, especially in the case of further pregnancies. It facilitates an early diagnosis of a cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy, and the prediction of the risk for perinatal dehiscence in the case of a vaginal birth after a cesarean section.Około 20% porodów na świecie odbywa się przez cesarskie cięcie. W Polsce odsetek kobiet rodzących tą metodą sięga ponad 43%. Badania dowodzą, że nieprawidłowości w obrębie blizny po cięciu cesarskim występują z częstością 24–70%. Z uwagi na całkowitą liczbę cięć cesarskich problem nieprawidłowego tworzenia się blizny po tym zabiegu przybiera ogromną skalę. Podczas badania ultrasonograficznego widoczna jest hipoechogeniczna przestrzeń wypełniona krwią pomenstruacyjną, odzwierciedlająca przerwanie myometrium w miejscu uprzedniego cięcia cesarskiego. Obraz ten nazywany jest niszą. Formuje się ona po cięciu cesarskim w miejscu histerotomii przedniej ściany macicy, najczęściej w obrębie cieśni macicy. Nie jest obecnie znana dokładna przyczyna występowania niszy, wiadomo jednak, jakie czynniki mają wpływ na jej powstawanie. Najważniejsze z nich to: miejsce wykonania histerotomii, liczba cięć cesarskich, technika szycia oraz czynniki zależne od samej pacjentki, takie jak cukrzyca czy palenie tytoniu. Ultrasonograficzna ocena blizny po cięciu cesarskim jest istotna w praktyce ginekologiczno-położniczej, szczególnie w przypadku ciąży. Daje możliwość wczesnej diagnostyki ciąży w bliźnie po cięciu cesarskim, a w przypadku planowanego porodu siłami natury umożliwia predykcję ryzyka okołoporodowego rozejścia się blizny po cięciu cesarskim

Ascites Index – próba obiektywizacji oceny nasilenia wodobrzusza

Introduction: Ascites is observed in cancer patients as well as in other non-neoplastic processes. In some patients, it may cause severe symptoms that can become directly life-threatening. The assessment of the degree of ascites seems useful in the determination of treatment effects as well as in the monitoring of fluid accumulation and early planning of decompression procedures. Aim: Determination of the clinical usefulness of a quantitative method of determining the degree of ascites, so-called Ascites Index. Material and methods: The Ascites Index is an ultrasonographic way of assessing the grade of ascites. The examination result is an index which is analogous to the amniotic fluid index determined in pregnant patients. The Ascites Index was determined in patients with ascites in the course of stage III–IV ovarian carcinoma (7 patients) and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (12 patients). Results: The patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome required decompressive paracentesis at the median Ascites Index above 290 mm (range: 216–386 mm). In the patients with ovarian carcinoma, the median value of the Ascites Index at which paracentesis was required was 310 mm (range: 273–389 mm). To avoid complications associated with excessive protein loss, 2000 mL of fluid was evacuated at a single occasion. Following the procedure, the median value of the Ascites Index was 129 mm (range: 121–145 mm) in the patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and 146 cm (119–220 mm) in cancer patients. Conclusions: The proposed index is simple and rapid to determine. It makes evaluation of the degree of ascites considerably easier. Moreover, it only minimally burdens patients and enables assessment of the effect of decompression or treatment. It seems that this method might be useful also in the assessment of ascites caused by other factors, but this requires further clinical studies.Wstęp: Wodobrzusze jest objawem występującym u chorych z chorobą nowotworową, obserwowanym także w procesach nienowotworowych. W nielicznej grupie pacjentów wywołuje silne dolegliwości, które mogą bezpośrednio zagrażać życiu. Przydatność oceny wielkości wodobrzusza wydaje się uzasadniona w określaniu efektów leczenia, a także w monitorowaniu narastania płynu i wcześniejszym planowaniu procedur odbarczających. Cel: Wykazanie klinicznej przydatności metody ilościowego oznaczania wielkości wodobrzusza – indeksu wodobrzusza (ascites index). Materiał i metody: Indeks wodobrzuszajest ultrasonograficznym sposobem oceny wielkości wodobrzusza. Badanie wykonuje się, tworząc indeks analogiczny do indeksu płynu owodniowego u ciężarnej. Ascites index oznaczano u pacjentek z wodobrzuszem w przebiegu raka jajnika w stopniu III–IV (7 pacjentek) oraz zespołu hiperstymulacji jajników (12 pacjentek). Wyniki: Przy wartości mediany indeksu wodobrzuszapowyżej 290 mm (zakres: 216–386 mm) pacjentki z zespołem hiperstymulacji jajników wymagały wykonania odbarczającej punkcji jamy otrzewnej. U pacjentek z rakiem jajnika wartość mediany indeksu wodobrzuszawymagająca paracentezy wyniosła 310 mm (zakres: 273–389 mm). Aby uniknąć komplikacji związanych z nadmierną utratą białka, jednorazowo upuszczono 2000 ml płynu. Po paracentezie u pacjentek leczonych z powodu zespołu hiperstymulacji jajników wartość mediany ascites indexwyniosła 129 mm (zakres: 121–145 mm), natomiast u kobiet z rakiem jajnika wartość tę oszacowano na 146 cm (119–220 mm). Wnioski: Zaproponowany indeks jest prosty i szybki do wykonania, znacznie ułatwia oszacowanie wielkości wodobrzusza, minimalnie obciąża osoby badane, a także umożliwia ocenę efektu odbarczenia lub leczenia. Wydaje się, że metoda ta będzie przydatna również w ocenie wielkości wodobrzusza spowodowanego innymi czynnikami niż analizowane, wymaga to jednak dalszych badań klinicznych

Ascites Index – an attempt to objectify the assessment of ascites

Introduction: Ascites is observed in cancer patients as well as in other non-neoplastic processes. In some patients, it may cause severe symptoms that can become directly life-threatening. The assessment of the degree of ascites seems useful in the determination of treatment effects as well as in the monitoring of fluid accumulation and early planning of decompression procedures. Aim: Determination of the clinical usefulness of a quantitative method of determining the degree of ascites, so-called Ascites Index. Material and methods: The Ascites Index is an ultrasonographic way of assessing the grade of ascites. The examination result is an index which is analogous to the amniotic fluid index determined in pregnant patients. The Ascites Index was determined in patients with ascites in the course of stage III–IV ovarian carcinoma (7 patients) and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (12 patients). Results: The patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome required decompressive paracentesis at the median Ascites Index above 290 mm (range: 216–386 mm). In the patients with ovarian carcinoma, the median value of the Ascites Index at which paracentesis was required was 310 mm (range: 273–389 mm). To avoid complications associated with excessive protein loss, 2000 mL of fluid was evacuated at a single occasion. Following the procedure, the median value of the Ascites Index was 129 mm (range: 121–145 mm) in the patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and 146 cm (119–220 mm) in cancer patients. Conclusions: The proposed index is simple and rapid to determine. It makes evaluation of the degree of ascites considerably easier. Moreover, it only minimally burdens patients and enables assessment of the effect of decompression or treatment. It seems that this method might be useful also in the assessment of ascites caused by other factors, but this requires further clinical studies