Clinical approach for the classification of congenital uterine malformations

A more objective, accurate and non-invasive estimation of uterine morphology is nowadays feasible based on the use of modern imaging techniques. The validity of the current classification systems in effective categorization of the female genital malformations has been already challenged. A new clinical approach for the classification of uterine anomalies is proposed. Deviation from normal uterine anatomy is the basic characteristic used in analogy to the American Fertility Society classification. The embryological origin of the anomalies is used as a secondary parameter. Uterine anomalies are classified into the following classes: 0, normal uterus; I, dysmorphic uterus; II, septate uterus (absorption defect); III, dysfused uterus (fusion defect); IV, unilateral formed uterus (formation defect); V, aplastic or dysplastic uterus (formation defect); VI, for still unclassified cases. A subdivision of these main classes to further anatomical varieties with clinical significance is also presented. The new proposal has been designed taking into account the experience gained from the use of the currently available classification systems and intending to be as simple as possible, clear enough and accurate as well as open for further development. This proposal could be used as a starting point for a working group of experts in the field

Quantitative Serial MRI of the Treated Fibroid Uterus

There are no long-term medical treatments for uterine fibroids, and non-invasive biomarkers are needed to evaluate novel therapeutic interventions. The aim of this study was to determine whether serial dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) and magnetization transfer MRI (MT-MRI) are able to detect changes that accompany volume reduction in patients administered GnRH analogue drugs, a treatment which is known to reduce fibroid volume and perfusion. Our secondary aim was to determine whether rapid suppression of ovarian activity by combining GnRH agonist and antagonist therapies results in faster volume reduction.Forty women were assessed for eligibility at gynaecology clinics in the region, of whom thirty premenopausal women scheduled for hysterectomy due to symptomatic fibroids were randomized to three groups, receiving (1) GnRH agonist (Goserelin), (2) GnRH agonist+GnRH antagonist (Goserelin and Cetrorelix) or (3) no treatment. Patients were monitored by serial structural, DCE-MRI and MT-MRI, as well as by ultrasound and serum oestradiol concentration measurements from enrolment to hysterectomy (approximately 3 months).A volumetric treatment effect assessed by structural MRI occurred by day 14 of treatment (9% median reduction versus 9% increase in untreated women; P = 0.022) and persisted throughout. Reduced fibroid perfusion and permeability assessed by DCE-MRI occurred later and was demonstrable by 2-3 months (43% median reduction versus 20% increase respectively; P = 0.0093). There was no apparent treatment effect by MT-MRI. Effective suppression of oestradiol was associated with early volume reduction at days 14 (P = 0.041) and 28 (P = 0.0061).DCE-MRI is sensitive to the vascular changes thought to accompany successful GnRH analogue treatment of uterine fibroids and should be considered for use in future mechanism/efficacy studies of proposed fibroid drug therapies. GnRH antagonist administration does not appear to accelerate volume reduction, though our data do support the role of oestradiol suppression in GnRH analogue treatment of fibroids.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00746031

The effect of uterine blood supply cutoff during myomectomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Myomectomy is considered a highly morbid procedure due to the risk of high intraoperative blood loss. Meticulous surgical techniques can reduce operative morbidity. Our aim was to evaluate and compare the intraoperative blood loss between two surgical techniques: 1) the uterine vascular cutoff technique and 2) the classical technique. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective chart review conducted between 1 July 2008 until 30 June 2010 in a tertiary care referral center to compare surgical outcomes of two groups. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The sample included 136 patients: 30 patients had their surgeries performed with the uterine vascular cutoff technique, and the remainder (106 patients) had myomectomies performed with the classical technique. The uterine vascular cutoff technique was performed by the same surgeon for all 30 patients, whereas myomectomy with the classical technique was performed by several gynecologists. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in parity and operation time; however, patients in the first group had a statistically significant higher mean age (39.1 [7.6] vs 35.8 [6.9] years; P=.025) and, on average, bigger fibroid size by gestational week (20.1 [7.3] vs 17 [5.2] weeks; P=.0094), with standard deviation shown in parentheses. There was a statistically significant lesser drop in hemoglobin concentration among patients in the first group (1.23 [1.2] vs 2.25 [1.4] g/dL; P=.0003), and the postoperative hemoglobin was significantly higher in the first group (10.5 [1.6] vs 9.7 [1.7] g/dL; P=.036). The hospital stay was shorter for patients in the first group (5.8 [1.7] vs 7.1 [2.9] days; P=.031). CONCLUSION: The vascular cutoff technique leads to less intraoperative blood loss without increasing the operative time, patients tolerate this technique very well, and the technique is associated with shorter hospital stay, all of which could contribute to less postoperative morbidity

“Outness” as a Moderator of the Association Between Syndemic Conditions and HIV Risk-Taking Behavior Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Tijuana, Mexico

BACKGROUND: Multiple psychosocial conditions tend to co-occur and contribute to higher risk for HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM), a phenomenon known as syndemics. Less is known about moderating factors that may attenuate the relation between syndemic conditions and sexual risk-taking. PURPOSE: We examined disclosure of same-sex sexual behavior or “outness” as a moderating factor of the syndemic effect. METHOD: We recruited a sample of MSM (n=191) using respondent-driven sampling in Tijuana, Mexico. Participants completed a survey of syndemic conditions (i.e., substance use, depression, violence, internalized homophobia, and sexual compulsivity), sexual risk-taking (i.e., condom unprotected anal sex with a stranger in the past two months), and the degree to which they are “out” about sex with men. RESULTS: Consistent with previous research, we found that men who report more syndemic conditions show a greater prevalence of sexual risk-taking. As predicted, men who were out to more people showed a weaker association between syndemic conditions and sexual risk-taking, whereas men who were out to fewer people showed the strongest association. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to provide evidence of “outness” as a moderating factor that attenuates syndemic effects on sexual risk-taking. Building upon previous research, the data suggest that “outness” may be a resilience factor for MSM in Tijuana. HIV prevention intervention implications are discussed