Sonohysterography for the diagnosis of residual trophoblastic tissue.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy, safety, and associated complications of sonohysterography for the diagnosis of residual trophoblastic tissue. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 23 consecutive patients admitted to our ultrasonography unit with clinical and ultrasonographic signs of retained intrauterine tissue. RESULTS: Twelve patients had hydrosonographic features suggestive of residual trophoblastic tissue (i.e., an intrauterine lesion not detachable from the uterine wall after instillation of saline), whereas in 11 cases the hydrosonographic findings were negative for retained tissue. Blood flow was detected within abnormal intrauterine masses in 4 of 12 patients with trophoblastic tissue, whereas it was not detected in any patient without retained tissue (P = .093). No complications were encountered during the procedure or the postprocedure period. None of the patients had anesthetic complications, perforation of the uterus, fluid overload, or any other surgical complication. All 12 patients underwent hysteroscopic removal of the suspected residual trophoblastic tissue, and histologic confirmation of residual trophoblastic tissue was obtained in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Sonohysterography for detection and diagnosis of residual trophoblastic tissue is an accurate and safe procedure. Further studies comparing the efficacy of sonohysterography with that of diagnostic hysteroscopy are warranted.     

Sonohysterography for ultrasonographic evaluation of tamoxifen-associated cystic thickened endometrium.

Most menopausal patients with breast cancer receive tamoxifen therapy. In these patients, TVS may show thickened, irregular cystic endometria. For better visualization of these patients' uterine cavities, we performed transvaginal sonohysterography. During vaginal ultrasonography, sterile saline was introduced by transcervical 8 French Foley catheter into the uterine cavity of 20 women who were referred with tamoxifen-associated cystic thickened endometria. In eight women, transvaginal sonohysterography provided the means to diagnose occult, free-floating endometrial polyps, whereas in 12 women, the fluid contrast augmented the diagnosis of an irregular cystic endometrial-myometrial junction. All 20 patients underwent diagnostic hysteroscopy: eight polyps, none of which were malignant, were confirmed and removed by hysteroscopic resection. Of the remaining 12 patients with an irregular endometrial-myometrial junction, endometrial curettage showed no significant pathologic findings. Transvaginal sonohysterography seems to enhance the differentiation between endometrial polyps that should be resected by operative hysteroscopy and an abnormal endometrial-myometrial junction that may benefit from biopsy sampling only.     

Anticandida activity is retained in P-113, a 12-amino-acid fragment of histatin 5

Through the analysis of a series of 25 peptides composed of various portions of the histatin 5 sequence, we have identified P-113, a 12-amino-acid fragment of histatin 5, as the smallest fragment that retains anticandidal activity comparable to that of the parent compound. Amidation of the P-113 C terminus increased the anticandidal activity of P-113 approximately twofold. The three histidine residues could be exchanged for three hydrophobic residues, with the fragment retaining anticandidal activity. However, the change of two or more of the five basic (lysine and arginine) residues to uncharged residues resulted in a substantial loss of anticandidal activity. A synthetic D-amino-acid analogue, P-113D, was as active against Candida albicans as the L-amino-acid form. In vitro MIC tests in low-ionic-strength medium showed that P-113 has potent activity against Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida tropicalis. These results identify P-113 as a potential antimicrobial agent in the treatment of oral candidiasis.     

Sonohysterography for endometrial abnormalities: Preliminary results

In examinations where the etiology of an abnormal endometrial sonographic image is not clear, saline infusion through a fine flexible catheter during transvaginal sonography provides visual contrast and uterine expansion. In 39 women, polyps, myomata, synechiae, endometrial hyperplasia, and cancer were correctly described as verified at surgery. Hyperplasia and neoplasia are not distinguishable, but the approach for biopsy and therapy is established by this simple and welltolerated technique, which is here called sonohysterography. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Sonohysterography for distinguishing endometrial thickening from endometrial polyps in postmenopausal bleeding.

Sonohysterography, or sonographic uterine cavity visualization by uterine cavity distension, may help to distinguish true endometrial thickening from other intracavitary pathological conditions, assuming the same sonographic appearance. We examined 1.5 women with a thickened endometrium (range 10-25 mm) in sonography performed for postmenopausal bleeding. Sonohysterography revealed a polypoid structure in seven women, a normal uterine cavity in four women, and a thickened endometrium in four women. All the women underwent hysteroscopic evaluation of the uterine cavity. Hysteroscopy confirmed the sonohysterographic findings in 14 women (93.3%). Hysteroscopic resection of the polypoid structure was performed while the other patients underwent diagnostic curettage. Histological examination of the seven polypoid structures revealed benign endometrial polyps in six patients, and one pedunculated submucous fibroid. In the patients undergoing diagnostic curettage, histological examination revealed three cases of glandular hyperplasia, one of cystic (atrophic) hyperplasia, and one of papillary endometrial adenocarcinoma. Two cases were inadequate for diagnosis. The advantage of sonohysterography in distinguishing endometrial thickening from intracavitary polyps or fibroids was clearly demonstrated. This technique can help in tailoring the correct treatment in various conditions presenting as postmenopausal bleeding.     

Sonohysterography compared with endometrial biopsy for evaluation of the endometrium in tamoxifen-treated women.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to compare endometrial biopsy and sonohysterography for evaluation of the endometrium in tamoxifen-treated women. METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify 51 consecutive tamoxifen-treated women who had sonohysterography and correlative endometrial biopsy for evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding or thickened endometrium of greater than 8 mm. Endometrial biopsy and sonohysterographic results were compared in all women, and for 27 (53%) women who had hysteroscopy with dilation and curettage, endometrial biopsy and sonohysterographic findings also were compared with surgical pathologic findings. RESULTS: Thirty-two (63%) of 51 sonohysterograms revealed endometrial polyps; 4 (8%) showed endometrium of greater than 5 mm; 14 (27%) showed endometrium of less than 5 mm; and 1 (2%) was inadequate. Endometrial biopsy findings were benign endometrium in 42 (82%), polyps in 4 (8%), and insufficient samples in 5 (10%). Among the adequate sonohysterograms, 64% (32 of 50) resulted in a diagnosis of polyps (95% confidence interval, 49%-77%) whereas the corresponding proportion for endometrial biopsy was 9% (4 of 46; 95% confidence interval, 2%-21%). For the group with hysteroscopy, 24 (92%) of 26 polyps were confirmed histopathologically; 1 polyp had complex hyperplasia. Polyps were present in 23 (89%) of 26 women with benign endometrium or insufficient samples by endometrial biopsy, and only 1 confirmed polyp was identified by endometrial biopsy. The sensitivity of sonohysterography for diagnosis of endometrial polyps (100%) was significantly higher than for endometrial biopsy (4%; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: In tamoxifen-treated women, sonohysterography provides a significant improvement in sensitivity for diagnosis of endometrial polyps compared with endometrial biopsy.     

Ultrasonography in the detection of intra-abdominal retained surgical sponges

Six cases of confirmed retained surgical sponges are reviewed. In five patients a clean, clear-cut acoustic shadow could be identified in relation to a palpable mass. In four of these patients the sponges were identified preoperatively by their ultrasonographic appearance. Abdominal radiographs were usually obtained afterwards, to confirm the diagnostic impression or to rule out bowel gas or calcifications. Since this ultrasonographic finding has not been described previously, the authors call attention to it in order to prevent misdiagnosis.     

Sonohysterography: technique, endometrial findings, and clinical applications.

Transvaginal ultrasound-guided saline infusion sonohysterography (SHG) is a relatively new technique for evaluation of the uterine cavity. As new studies declare the clinical usefulness of this technique, SHG may quickly become part of the routine ultrasound evaluation of the female pelvis. In this article, the SHG procedure is described and normal findings are discussed. Common endometrial pathological findings such as atrophy, polyps, fibroids, hyperplasia, and carcinoma are reviewed. The newly touted roles of SHG for screening patients on long-term tamoxifen therapy and for evaluating patients with infertility are introduced. Finally, we present a practical ultrasound-based flow chart for the workup of menopausal and perimenopausal patients with abnormal uterine bleeding.     

经阴道三维超声宫腔造影对纵隔子宫的临床评价

目的 探讨经阴道三维超声宫腔造影（3D-SHG）对纵隔子宫的临床应用价值。 方法 对临床怀疑有子宫畸形的66例患者（有症状组36例，无症状组30例）进行3D-SHG检查，与宫腔镜检查或手术结果对照，并在冠状切面对两组中不全纵隔子宫进行宫腔测量，计算宫腔变形率，进行组间比较。应用ROC曲线分析得出不全纵隔子宫的宫腔变形率对判定有无流产症状的最佳临界值。 结果 3D-SHG诊断结果与内镜检查结果完全相符。反复流产组中不全纵隔子宫剩余宫腔长度明显短于对照组（P〈0．001），宫腔变形率明显高于对照组（P〈0．001）。ROC曲线分析得出不全纵隔子宫患者宫腔变形率对判定有无流产症状的最佳阈值为51％。 结论 3D-SHG对纵隔子宫具有很高的诊断价值，并可对其进行量化分析。     

Sonohysterography of the uterine cavity: Preliminary investigations

Objective: To compare sonohysterography (SH), in the exploration of the uterine cavity, with classical transvaginal sonography (TVS), hysterography (HSG), and hysteroscopy. Study design: 104 consecutive patients evaluated for uterine disorders underwent both TVS and SH. SH was obtained by distension of the uterine cavity with the instillation of an isotonic saline solution; 36 patients also underwent HSG; 82 women underwent surgery. Histologic findings were considered as gold standard. The criteria used to compare these methods were sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values (NPV, PPV) for identifying pathology. Results: 3 instillation failures occurred. SH was found to be more effective (sensitivity 94%, specificity 98%) than HSG (sensitivity 67%, specificity 94%). The difference between TVS and SH was less marked, SH showing some superiority (sensitivity 88%, specificity 98%) to TVS (sensitivity 77%, specificity 93%). Conclusion: SH represents an improvement over conventional TVS and is fully capable of replacing HSG for the study of the uterine cavity. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy for retained bile duct stones.

Extracorporeal piezoelectric shock wave lithotripsy (EPL) was performed in 35 patients with endoscopically non-extractable stones. With this lithotripter, stones are visualized by ultrasound and shock waves are produced by a piezoelectric acoustic generator. The stones could be localized in 32 out of 35 patients. Fragmentation was achieved in 91.4% and complete stone removal in 77.1%. These results show that piezoelectric lithotripsy is also a useful method for the treatment of complicated bile duct stones, as already demonstrated for the electrohydraulically and electromagnetically generated shock waves systems. The piezoelectric system is especially useful in elderly and frail patients because no general anesthesia is needed and only 14% of cases require analgesia or sedation.     

宫腔声学造影诊断子宫内膜息肉的价值

目的：评价宫腔声学造影（SHG）对子宫内膜息肉的诊断价值。方法：对临床拟诊宫内膜息肉的76例患者进行TVS、SHG及官腔镜手术-病理检查,并对结果进行分析。结果：以手术病理结果作为诊断金标准,内膜息肉48例,黏膜下肌瘤9例,内膜增生10例,官腔内机化血凝块3例,正常内膜6例。SHG对子宫内膜息肉诊断的准确性为93．4％,敏感性为93．7％,特异性为92．8％。TVS对子宫内膜息肉诊断的准确性为59．2％,敏感性为81．2％,特异性为21．4％。两种方法对内膜息肉的诊断准确率比较有显著差异（χ^2=5．45,P=0．019）。结论：官腔声学造影准确率高,是诊断子宫内膜息肉的可靠方法。     

经阴道超声和超声子宫造影对子宫腔内病变诊断的比较

目的：评价经阴道超声和超声子宫造影对子宫腔内病变的诊断作用。方法：经阴道超声诊断官腔内异常的44例患者，行超声子宫造影检查，以宫腔镜和病理结果为标准，计算两种方法诊断子宫内膜息肉、黏膜下肌瘤、内膜病变的敏感性、特异性、准确性、阳性预测值和阴性预测值。结果：44例患者，经阴道超声诊断内膜息肉、黏膜下肌瘤、内膜病变的敏感性、特异性、准确性分别为65％、96％、82％；94％、96％、95％；100％、67％、77％；超声子宫造影诊断内膜息肉、黏膜下肌瘤、内膜病变的敏感性、特异性、准确性分别为85％、100％、93％；100％、85％、91％；100％、98％、98％。结论：与传统的经阴道超声相比，超声子宫造影对子宫腔内病变的诊断有很高的敏感性和特异性，是一种简便易行、疼痛少，无合并症的诊断方法。     

Sonohysterography combined with sonosalpingography: correlation with endoscopic findings in infertility patients.

The diagnostic accuracy of sonohysterography combined with sonosalpingography or sonohysterosalpingography was evaluated in 100 infertility patients who also underwent endoscopic (hysteroscopy with or without laparoscopy) procedures. In patients with normal endometrial biopsy results, single endometrial layer thickness ranged from 3 to 5 mm and varied up to 2 mm in some areas. Diagnostic accuracy was 98% for submucosal fibroids, 96% for polyps, and 81% for synechiae. Missed lesions, were less than 2 mm in diameter. Tubal patency was successfully assessed in 79% of women with saline solution and in 92% of those who received contrast agent. This study demonstrates the efficacy of the combined use of SHG and SSG in infertility patients with uterine or tubal factor disorders.     

Value of Sonohysterography in Preoperative Assessment of Myometrial Invasion for Patients With Endometrial Cancer

Objective. The aims of this study were to compare the diagnostic performance of sonohysterography (SH) with that of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in estimation of myometrial invasion and to evaluate the influence of SH on peritoneal cytologic results for patients with endometrial cancer. Methods. Seventy‐four patients with endometrial cancer were included. Sonohysterography and MRI were performed before surgery. All patients had complete staging procedures, including peritoneal cytologic analyses. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were determined for SH and MRI. Results. The concordance rates of myometrial invasion for SH and MRI were 82.4% and 81.1%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for identification of deep myometrial invasion were 64.7%, 87.7%, 61.1%, and 89.3% on SH and 70.6%, 84.2%, 57.1%, and 90.6% on MRI. Two patients (2.7%) were found to have positive results for malignant cells on peritoneal cytologic analyses. Conclusions. Sonohysterography appears to be a useful preoperative method for predicting myometrial invasion, comparable to MRI.