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Study Objective To evaluate the histology of the uterine septum after its complete hysteroscopic excision. Design Case series. Setting II Gynecological and Obstetric Unit of the University of Bari, Italy and Pathological Anatomy Department of the University of Bari, Italy. Patients 35 patients between 25 and 41 years old diagnosed with uterine septum by 3D ultrasound as per ESHRE/ESGE 2013/Salim 2003 criteria. Office hysteroscopy was also performed to define the anatomy of the uterine cavity and to exclude the presence of other endometrial pathology. Interventions Operative hysteroscopic septum resection was performed. The septum was initially incised with a “L shape” bipolar electrode with the 5 mm Bipolar Mini-Resectoscope (Karl Storz, Germany). Then, using the bipolar loop, two triangles of the septum were excised in parallel, obtaining uninterrupted entire septum-long strips, from the fundus to the apex of the septum. The strips were immediately removed from the uterus and reassembled “in vitro” in order to reconstruct the macroscopic 3D structure of the septum for a complete morphological and histological evaluation. Measurements and Main Results Patients presented an average BMI of 24,8 and were all nulliparous. Histologic evaluation of the uterine septa showed a different conformation of the muscle bundles along the septum. In the apex and edges of the septum, the muscle cells were arranged in nodules circumscribed by a thin area of collagen fibers. Medium size vessels were distributed in the collagen fibers around the muscle cells. Only few capillary vessels are present in the muscle nodules. This pattern is very similar to the cell arrangement of leiomyomas. In the core of the septa, near the base, the muscle bundles show a linear course, with concurrent collagen fibers and vessels. All the above-mentioned characteristics were consistently present in every patient. On high-power histological fields (200x), the muscle portion ranged from 48,3 ± 1,8% (mean 6,0) in the apex and borders, to 48,5 ± 1,3% (mean 6,0) in the core. The collagen fibers ranged from 27.1 ± 1.1% (mean 4,0) in the apex and borders, to 26.7 ± 1.3% (mean 5,0) in the core. Conclusion This study allowed us, by removing the entire septum as a whole structure, to redefine the concept of the septum as a complex structure based on islands of muscle fibers irregularly arranged in vertex, in a context of collagen tissue, similar to the structure of myomas. It appears to deeply involve the anterior and posterior uterine wall, resembling a “reverse letter H”.

Aim To compare the recurrence of benign endometrial polyps after office hysteroscopic polypectomy performed with a bipolar electrode (BE) or a small diameter hysteroscopic tissue removal system (HTRs). Methods From July 2018 to December 2019 we evaluated the charts of 114 asymptomatic fertile women who underwent office hysteroscopic polypectomy, 1 year before, for a single large benign endometrial polyp (size between 10 and 20 mm) using a 4 mm continuous flow hysteroscope with a BE or a 5 mm HTRs. Patients, divided into two groups according to surgical procedure, each performed exclusively by one expert gynecologist, were scheduled for a 12-month postoperative transvaginal sonography to evaluate the recurrence of endometrial polyps. Results Forty-eight women of the BE group and 42 of the HTRs group were considered for the 1-year transvaginal sonography follow-up. Five polyps were identified in the BE group and three in the HTRs group (5/48 vs 3/42, P = n.s.). All polyps were removed hysteroscopically (in three out of five and in two out of three cases, respectively, in the same places of the previous polypectomy) and evaluated as 'benign' by the pathologist. Conclusion Office hysteroscopic endometrial polypectomy with small HTRs compared to BE revealed at a 1-year follow-up no difference in terms of complete removal and recurrence of polyps. HTRs polypectomy resulted in less pain and significantly quicker time of procedure compared to BE. This data should be kept in mind for patient comfort any time hysteroscopic polypectomy is planned in an office setting.

In this retrospective case-control study, we analyse data of 48 HIV-positive pregnant patients, versus a control group of 99 HIV-negative pregnant women, followed as outpatients by our department from 2009 to 2014. The aims of the study were to investigate the prevalence, persistence and progression of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) in each group and to correlate colpo-cytological lesions to the socio-demographic and clinical-laboratory findings in the HIV + pregnant women. In our study we observed that immunosuppression, HPV infection and vaginal coinfections were predictive of cervical lesions. Pap smear and colposcopy should be part of routine care for HIV-infected pregnant women because these lesions behave aggressively in these patients. Success of prevention depends on massive access of patients to screening. HAART reduces viral load and maintains CD4 count and can affect progression of SIL. Multidisciplinary services on the same site appear to be one promising strategy to improve compliance in patients. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject: Our study provided novel information on a highly vulnerable population of young HIV + pregnant women. What the results of this study add: We observed that immunosuppression, HPV infection and vaginal coinfections were predictive of cervical lesions remarkable with colposcopy. We could consider these important risk factors to evaluate to establish an appropriate strategy of management for these patients. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research: Association of the risk between SIL presence and HIV and HPV infection also deserves additional investigation. We believe that Pap smears and colposcopies should be part of the routine care for HIV-infected women because these lesions behave particularly aggressively in these patients.

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWWs) is a rare congenital malformation of the female urogenital track characterized by a triad consisting of didelphys uterus, obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis. We report 5 consecutive cases of patients diagnosed with HWWs treated in our center. Imaging studies with 2-dimensional/3-dimensional ultrasound and abdominopelvic magnetic resonance imaging were obtained to confirm the diagnosis. The treatment consisted of a 1-step surgical in-office hysteroscopic incision of the vaginal septum using 5 Fr hysteroscopic bipolar electrodes. At the follow-up visit, between 1 and 2 months after the initial procedure, the patients underwent a diagnostic vaginoscopy with excision of exceeding vaginal tissue if needed, performed with a vaginal hysteroscopic approach. In-office hysteroscopic treatment of patients diagnosed with HWWs is a safe and effective, minimally invasive treatment modality that provides symptomatic relief and preserves fertility, avoiding the cost and risks of the use of general anesthesia in an operating room setting. We recommend shifting the management of this challenging condition to the office setting.

Purpose. To define if MRI findings in patients with deep pelvic endometriosis (DPE) may be predictive for the need of bowel resection. Material and Methods. A retrospective survey of 196 pelvic MRIs of women who received laparoscopic procedures for DPE was carried out. A pelvic MRI was performed in all patients: it consisted in T2w-TSE sequences in axial, sagittal, and coronal planes and T1w and THRIVE sequences in the axial plane; the exam was completed by MR-Colonography. Intestinal lesions were measured in short and long axis and the degree of stenosis was established. A multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of intestinal resection. Results. 57/196 patients received an intestinal resection. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated a predictive value of short axis (Odds-Ratio = 2.29, p=0.011) and stenosis (Odds-Ratio = 1.20, p=0.003). ROC analysis showed that a cut-off value of 11 mm for the short axis and 30% for the stenosis may correctly classify, respectively, 96,94% (sensitivity 92,9% and specificity 98,56%) and 97,96% (sensitivity 94,74% and specificity 99,3%) of the cases. Conclusion. The presence of an endometriotic rectal nodule > 11 mm in short axis causing a stenosis > 30% in pelvic MRI reliably predicts the need of a rectal resection.

Study Objective To describe the hysteroscopic findings in women on treatment with ulipristal acetate (UPA) and to define the most common hysteroscopic patterns related to the treatment and compare them with the histologic findings. Design Preliminary study. Setting OB-GYN and Gynecology Oncology Clinic, Military Medical Institute, Ministry of Defense, Warsaw, Poland, and Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, University of Bari, Italy. Patients Seventy-four premenopausal patients complaining of abnormal uterine bleeding due to uterine myomas and on treatment with UPA 5 mg/day for at least 30 days. Interventions Women received transvaginal sonography (TVS) and then office hysteroscopy and visually guided endometrial biopsies. Video hysteroscopies were recorded in digital format. Pictures were evaluated by 2 authors off-line and compared with histologic results. Measurements and Main Results Hysteroscopic aspects and classification of progesterone receptor modulator–associated endometrial changes were measured. The most common hysteroscopic finding was the combination of a flat subtle epithelium with small glandular openings; large isolated or confluent cysts in the stroma, giving the surface a floating aspect at fluid distention; and well-evident subendometrial vascular network with a “chicken-wire” vascular pattern (44.6%). This finding accounted for 82% of cases with endometrial thickness > 10 mm at TVS. Histology confirmed a combination of epithelial secretory (vacuoles) and hypotrophic effects (small and dilated glands), whereas at stromal level the combination of cysts, dense stroma, and vascular wall thickening was found. At 3 months follow-up echographic, hysteroscopic, and histologic endometrial patterns were normal in all patients. Conclusions In most women on UPA and with thickened endometrium at TVS, the hysteroscopy showed benign and characteristics aspects related to the ambivalent effects of UPA on progesterone receptor. These alterations took place just after 1 month of treatment but disappeared within 3 months of stopping treatment.

Objective: To develop a consensus on the diagnostic criteria for chronic endometritis (CE) at hysteroscopy (HSC), and to evaluate these proposed criteria in a randomized-controlled observer study. Design: Systematic review of studies evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of HSC in CE diagnosis; Delphi consensus on hysteroscopic diagnostic criteria for CE; randomized-controlled observer study to evaluate the reproducibility of the proposed diagnostic criteria. Setting: Not applicable. Participant(s): Experts from different countries were involved in the systematic review and contributed to the Delphi consensus. Physicians from different countries were involved in the observer study. Intervention(s): After reaching consensus on the diagnostic criteria, the Delphi poll created a questionnaire including 100 hysteroscopic pictures (50 from women with CE [domain 1] and 50 from women without CE [domain 2]), with a single question per picture (Answer_A: suggestive of CE; answer B: not suggestive of CE). A total of 200 physicians were invited to take part in the observer study. Before completing the questionnaire, physicians were randomized to receive a description of the diagnostic criteria (group A) or no such information (group B). Main Outcome Measure(s): The primary outcome was to compare the questionnaire scores for the two groups of observers. The secondary outcome was to assess the interobserver agreement in the diagnosis of CE in each group. Result(s): A total of 126 physicians completed the questionnaire (62 in group A and 64 in group B). Observers in group A obtained higher total scores compared with those in group B (P

This retrospective multicenter study was carried out to evaluate feasibility, effectiveness and patient acceptability of a small diameter hysteroscopic tissue removal system in the treatment of large endometrial polyps (≥20 mm), usually not removed in an office setting.Hundred and forty-six women with a single greater than 10-mm diameter polyp considered for polypectomy between April 2016 and August 2017. Sixty-five of these patients had a polyp size greater than 20 mm. All hysteroscopic polypectomy, using Hysteroscopic Tissue Removal system (TruClear 5C System Medtronic), were performed in an office setting with vaginoscopic approach.Procedural success, time to complete the polypectomy and patient pain scores were evaluated. Polyps less than 20 mm were completely removed in 79/81 cases (97.53%). The completeness of greater than or equal to 20-mm polyp removal was achieved in 63/65 cases (96.92%). The median time for polypectomy was 4.19 ± 1.03 min for polyps less than 20 mm and 4.97 ± 1.30 min for polyps greater than or equal to 20 mm, respectively. Pain was minimal and brief, and the mean pain score measured on a 10-point visual analog scale at the end of polypectomy showed no significant difference between the two groups. In 4/79 (5.06%) cases with polyps less than 20 mm and in 4/63 (6.35%) cases with polyps greater than or equal to 20 mm women reported moderate pain. All specimens were adequate for pathologic measurements.Hysteroscopic treatment of polyps greater than or equal to 20 mm in size with TruClear 5C is feasible and well tolerated in an office setting with no significant difference regarding completeness compared to polyps less than 20 mm, but with a minimal increase in procedure times.

Objective To report our experience on 10,156 cases of cervical stenosis (CS) diagnosed at office hysteroscopy. Design Retrospective study. Setting Ambulatory clinics of diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy of two university teaching hospitals (Naples and Bari). Patient(s) A total of 31,052 patients undergoing office hysteroscopy. Intervention(s) All of the paper and electronic reports of the office hysteroscopies performed from January 1996 to September 2014 were reviewed. Hysteroscopies were classified as successful (i.e., when access to and visualization of the entire uterine cavity was possible during the same procedure), incomplete (i.e., when access to uterine cavity was possible, but the entire uterine cavity could not be examined), or failed (i.e., when access to uterine cavity was not possible). CS was classified on the basis of localization: stenosis of external cervical ostium (ECO; type I); stenosis of distal third of cervical channel and the internal cervical ostium (ICO; type II); stenosis of the ICO (type III), and combined stenosis of ECO and ICO (type IV). Main Outcome Measure(s) The success rate at overpassing CS (including both successful and incomplete hysteroscopies) was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures were frequency and localization of CS in fertile and postmenopausal women and the frequency of use of technical maneuvers and/or miniaturized mechanical or bipolar instruments to overcome them. Result(s) All hysteroscopies were performed with the use of a 5- or 4-mm rigid continuous-flow office operative hysteroscope by operators with different levels of expertise. The hysteroscopy technique used was standardized between the two centers and among all of the surgeons throughout the years. An access to the uterine cavity with a complete evaluation of the whole endometrial surface was possible in 93.9% of cases (29,152 patients). The main reasons of the 1,320 (4.3%) incomplete and 580 (1.9%) failed hysteroscopies were pain and CS, respectively. CS was identified in 10,156 women (32.7% of all procedures) and was significantly more frequent in postmenopausal than in fertile women (70.1% vs. 29.9%), except for type I stenosis, which was more frequent in fertile than in postmenopausal women. Type IV CS (44.3%) was the most commonly detected. Overall, CS was managed successfully with minimal discomfort in 98.5% of cases with technical maneuvers and miniaturized mechanical and/or bipolar instruments. Adhesiolysis with the distal tip of the hysteroscope by rotating the scope on the endocamera was the significantly more used strategy to overpass all types of CS (39.8% of cases), generally used in combination with miniaturized operative instruments (79.2%). Bipolar electrodes were more used in cases of type I and type IV stenosis (39.7%) compared with the other types of CS. Conclusion(s) CS and pain represent the main reasons for failed hysteroscopy. Recent technical and technologic innovations, together with increased operator experience and optimal pain management, have made it possible to overcome even severe CS with the use of office hysterosocpy, thus significantly reducing the rate of failed procedures and the need for operating room and general anesthesia.

Myomas represent a large part of benign gynecological pathology, widely spread in fertile female population. First step to diagnose fibroids is ultrasound (US) that can be 2-dimensional (2D), 3-dimensional (3D), Color Doppler (CD) and sonohysterography (SHG). This review develops according to MUSA's sonographic features (Morphological Uterus Sonographic Assessment). One of the main topic of interest for ultrasonographer today is endo/myometrial junctional zone (JZ), because it may be useful to discern a diagnosis of myoma and adenomyosis. Another important aspect of ultrasound is the analysis of vascularization in front of a uterine lesion. Indeed, vascular pattern can be used to make differential diagnosis between myoma-adenomyosis and leiomyosarcomas. Myomas should be described accurately according to sonographic guidelines. Sonographic features correlated with symptoms should guide an appropriate surgical or medical treatment.

Hysteroscopic myomectomy currently is the "gold standard" procedure for treating submucous myoma and represents an effective and safe solution to abnormal uterine bleeding and infertility myoma-related. Several studied have shown that, in the case of submucous myomas, resectoscopic myomectomy has several advantages compared with the traditional surgical treatment of myomectomy by laparotomy, in terms of reduced myometrial trauma, shorter hospitalization times and decreased risk of postoperative adhesion formation. The aim of this paper was to describe the alternative techniques, currently available, of resectoscopic myomectomy. The choice of the procedure mostly depends on the intramural extension of the myoma, as well as on personal experience and available equipment.

Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas, represent the most common benign tumors of the female genital tract. Submucosal leiomyomas are classified into three grades: G0, GI, GII according to the degree of their intramural proportion. A recently developed technique enables the preparation of G1 and G2 leiomyomas for their subsequent successful resection in a second step. The OPPIuM (office preparation of partially intramural leiomyomas) technique aims to downgrade type I and II leiomyomas, in order to facilitate a subsequent easier and safer resectoscopy. Hysteroscopic resection of large GI or GII submucosal fibroids is a complex procedure. OPPIuM technique has been invented and seems to achieve the downgrading of these types of leiomyomas in approximately 93% of cases, without any significant surgical complications or the need of hormonal agents' administration. In this way, the safer and quicker subsequent complete myomectomy is facilitated.

Uterine leiomyomas represent a major health problem for women in reproductive age, as these benign monoclonal tumors introduce a pathological state in the female reproductive system structure and function. Despite their common clinical occurrence, the etiology of their incidence remains unclear. Several theories have been proposed in an attempt to clarify the etiology and route of tumor formation in leiomyomas, with estrogen/progesterone and several growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, genes and microRNAs to have been implied as key regulators in their growth. The structured theories presented so far indicate multiple candidates or an occurring interplay between these factors, with the reported findings to denote a composite molecular and biological involvement to attribute to the nature of their pathogenesis. Undoubtedly the evolving molecular technologies and recent developments allow a faster assembly of a vast array of data that should ultimately contribute in the establishment of the etiology and the related events leading to leiomyoma formation to ensure a more targeted management and treatment of the affected individuals.

0020-7292/© 2015 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. patients experiencing hemorrhage is to be expected owing to the condition itself being defined by elevated blood pressure. In younger healthy individuals, hemorrhage is usually clinically evident before any vital sign abnormalities develop. The finding that the IMEWS did not trigger clinical review for all patients with chorioamnionitis emphasizes the importance of clinical judgement in the assessment of these patients.

Abnormalities in glucose metabolism linked to D-chiro-inostol phosphoglycans (IPGs) have been described in human placentas of preeclamptic women. In this study, a semi-quantitative approach to assess the histological assessment of IPGs revealed no significant differences between early and late onset preeclampsia and gestational age matched controls. However, there was a tendency towards higher values in early onset preeclampsia for villous stroma and placental vessels. Moreover, in control cases staining of plasma in placental vessels was present only in one part of vessels of mature intermediate villi while in preeclamptic specimens all placental vessels showed a similar staining. The tendencies of more staining in villous stroma associated with a differential staining of placental vessels only in preeclamptic specimens support a vectoral movement of D-chiro-inositol phosphoglycans from the fetus to the placenta.