Female pelvic floor. Descriptive anatomy and clinical exploration by transvaginal ultrasound

In order to assess the state and pathology of the woman's pelvis minor, a number of methods are commonly used among practitioners, encompassing clinical exploration, radiology, MRN, urodynamics, endoscopy and echography.

Echography has been poorly used in clinical pelvic exploration and its reliability is actually a matter of controversy 1. However, echographic surveys can provide us with valuable gynecological data on the state and pathologies of the soft pelvis, within the genital regions or even going beyond them, i.e. the rectal channel, bladder, urethra, anus, vascular plexuses, and all of their supporting tissues.

At our research unit, we have been employing Transvaginal Ultrasound echography (TVU) for a long time in conjunction with other pelvis-focused methods in order to study different kinds of pelvic alterations. TVU has proven to be friendly to use, fast, harmless and inexpensive, allowing serial explorations and producing high-quality dynamic images (loop-cinema, video-tape). Furthermore, this method is fairly aseptic in that the occurrence of faeces in the rectal ampolla is not a nuisance but a bonus in tracking the contours of the rectum walls and other topographical features which would be otherwise difficult to survey.

A complete pelvic floor TVU may add no longer than 5-8 minutes to a routine gynecological examination, can be implemented by the general gynecologist and generates data that can be further studied by the appropriate specialist for a more insightful evaluation 2.     

Vaginal stenosis in patients treated with radiotherapy for carcinoma of the cervix

The aim of our study was to determine the incidence, timing, and severity of vaginal stenosis in patients with carcinoma of the cervix who had received pelvic and/or vaginal radiotherapy as part of their treatment. We also sought to determine if there were any predisposing factors for the development of stenosis. A retrospective chart review was undertaken for all the patients diagnosed with carcinoma of the cervix between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2000 and treated with pelvic and/or vaginal radiation at Westmead Hospital. Since January 1, 1990, data regarding vaginal stenosis has been prospectively recorded on all the patients. Data collected included patient demographics, stage of disease, treatments administered, and incidence, timing, and severity of vaginal stenosis. One hundred and eighty-eight patients were treated. Mean age was 58.6 years. Thirteen percent of patients had stage IB disease, 45% had stage II disease, 39.5% had stage III disease, and 1.5% had stage IV disease. One hundred and seventy-nine patients returned for follow-up, and data regarding vaginal toxicity were available in 98%. Twenty-seven percent had grade 1 toxicity (partial stenosis or shortening but not complete occlusion), and 11% had grade 2 (complete occlusion). Stenosis of any grade was noted at a mean of 9.6 months and median of 7.5 months (range, 26 days-5.6 years) from completion of treatment. The only prognostic factor associated with increased risk of stenosis was age greater than 50 years (odds ratio 2.26). Vaginal stenosis is a common complication of pelvic and vaginal radiotherapy, occurring in 38% of patients. Stenosis occurs most often in the first year after treatment. Patients over the age of 50 are most at risk.     

腰椎峡部裂型滑脱症矢状位参数分析

[目的]探讨L5峡部裂型滑脱症病人腰骶部的矢状位参数的相关性及其临床意义。[方法]回顾2000年1月~2005年12月资料完整的L5峡部裂型滑脱症76例,男32例,女44例;年龄12~68岁,排除其他腰椎节段病变及下肢畸形,在包含双侧股骨头的腰椎站立位侧位片上测量腰椎前凸角(LL)、骨盆入射角(PI)、骶骨水平角(SS)、腰骶角(LSA)及滑移度等参数,并与30例健康成人比较,用t检验比较滑脱病人与健康成人、轻度滑脱和重度滑脱病人各参数之间的差异,Pearson相关系数分析各参数间的相关性(P<0.05)。[结果]根据M eyerd ing分类,轻度滑脱53例(Ⅰ、Ⅱ度),重度滑脱23例(Ⅲ、Ⅳ度)。腰椎滑脱患者的PI、LL、SS、LSA均较健康成人高,差别有统计学意义(P<0.001)。重度滑脱病人的PI、LL、LSA均较轻度滑脱的病人高,差别有统计学意义(P<0.001)。PI与滑移度、SS、LL及LSA有显著相关性,LSA与滑移度、SS与LL有显著相关性,但SS与滑移度无显著相关。[结论]骨盆的矢状位形态对滑脱的发展有直接影响,PI越大,发生滑脱的风险越大,PI、LSA越大,滑脱进展的可能性越大。     

The relationship between interstitial cystitis and endometriosis in patients with chronic pelvic pain.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine the relationship between interstitial cystitis (IC), endometriosis (endo), and chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in individuals in whom nongynecological and nonurological problems had been previously ruled out. METHODS: A prospective study of 162 consecutive women with a complaint of chronic pelvic pain seen in the clinic was performed between August 2002 and December 2005. These patients underwent a workup to exclude other causes of pelvic pain, had PUF (Pain Urgency and Frequency) questionnaires filled out, and underwent a laparoscopy and a cystoscopy with hydrodistention. Pain levels were determined, and treatment was reviewed and enumerated. Results were obtained and quantified. RESULTS: In this study, 123 (76%) patients were diagnosed with active endometriosis, 133 (82%) were diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, and 107 (66%) had both disease entities simultaneously. Thirteen (8%) patients were diagnosed with pathologies unrelated to endometriosis and interstitial cystitis. Pain levels were seen to decrease at 6 months in all groups of patients with the exception of those patients with endometriosis only. CONCLUSION: CPP is a difficult, taxing, and frustrating concern for many women in the United States. These individuals have traditionally been difficult to treat. A large number of women with CPP in our patient population have been shown to have endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, or both. Therefore, a workup for premenopausal individuals with CPP involves obtaining a history that keys into possible nongynecologic causes of pain, a complete accounting of urinary problems, and a thorough history of gynecological problems. A physical examination with a comprehensive history should be performed, and the investigation may include the possibility of a simultaneous laparoscopy and cystoscopy if warranted. These procedures can serve as both a means for diagnosis and treatment of these problems when encountered.     

Cardiac metastasis of renal pelvic cancer

Abstract:   A 66-year-old man was referred to our hospital with chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Seven months previously he had undergone a laparoscopic left nephroureterectomy for a left renal pelvic tumor and was given two cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy (methotrexate, epirubicin and cisplatin). Echocardiogram showed an 8-mm sized mass extending from the right atrium into the right ventricle. On computed tomography, multiple lung tumors, as well as the right atrial and ventricular mass, were seen. The patient died of acute heart failure caused by right ventricular outflow obstruction. On autopsy, a right atrial and ventricular metastasis of the initial transitional cell carcinoma was found. The patient's cause of death was acute heart failure as a result of cardiac metastasis of his initial renal pelvic carcinoma.     

Contraception and sexually transmitted diseases: Interactions and opportunities

Today "safe sex" means protection from both unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease and human immunodeficiency virus. These parallel complications of sexual activity have serious biologic and clinical sequelae that should be considered at the time of contraceptive selection. In addition, there is ongoing debate regarding potential interactions between antibiotic intervention and contraceptive steroids. This article assesses the impact of hormonal contraception, spermicides, barrier methods, intrauterine devices, and douching on the pathogenesis of sexually transmitted disease and the human immunodeficiency virus infection. It discusses the direct and indirect effects of contraception methods on clinical physiology and host immune responses while also considering the possible consequences on maternal and infant health if pregnancy results from the use of ineffective contraception. Counseling and care for both family planning and infectious disease protection must be provided to all sexually active individuals. (Ann J OBSTET GVNECOL 1993;168:2033-41.)     

妇科盆腔肿块超声误诊漏诊原因分析

本文报道经手术病理证实的１６７例妇科盆腔肿块超声检查结果，超声诊断总的符合率为９０．４２％（１５１／１６７）。其中子宫肌瘤、畸胎瘤、卵巢囊肿、卵巢囊腺瘤以及卵巢交响癌符合率较高，对于其它疾病引起的盆腔肿块也有参考价值，本文着重分析误诊漏诊原因，以吸取教训，供超声诊断借鉴。     

生物反馈技术治疗慢性盆底疼痛综合征及慢性前列腺炎

目的：评估生物反馈刺激治疗对慢性盆底疼痛综合征(CPPS)及慢性前列腺炎(CP)的效果。方法：评估30例患者治疗前后，前列腺液(EPS)及精液(SF)和临床症状的变化，包括每日排尿次数、尿急、疼痛和生活质量。使用侵入型的生物反馈刺激治疗仪，治疗周期5～15d，每次20min。结果：30例患者中的14例进行了5次生物反馈治疗，10例进行了10次，6例进行了15次治疗(平均每位患者治疗8．6次)，追踪生物反馈治疗后0～2个月，并比较治疗前和治疗后的结果，显示病情有明显好转。结论：生物反馈刺激治疗对CP或CPPS患者能明显改善疼痛、尿频、尿急和生活质量，对CP患者能减少EPS或SF中的WBC。     

Fallopian tube carcinoma presenting as tubo-ovarian abscess: a report of two cases with literature review

Preoperative diagnosis of fallopian tube carcinoma is difficult, with fewer than 5% being diagnosed preoperatively. We describe tubal carcinoma, presenting as a tubo-ovarian abscess in two 47-year-old women. Both patients presented with abdominal pain, pelvic mass, and fever. Both patients were treated as having a tubo-ovarian abscess but failed to respond to therapy. During surgery a metastatic right tubal carcinoma was found. A definite operation was performed in both patients. Three additional cases of fallopian tube carcinoma, presenting as acute pelvic inflammatory disease, were found while reviewing the English literature. Actually all these three cases presented as tubo-ovarian abscess because of the existence of tender pelvic mass. Carcinoma of the fallopian tube should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tubo-ovarian abscess in those who failed to respond to a previously unreported clinical presentation.     

Emergency Treatment of Multiply Injured Patients with Unstable Disruption of the Posterior Pelvic Ring by Using the “C–Clamp”

Abstract Purpose: Evaluation of the therapeutic usefulness of the “pelvic C–clamp” (PCC) during emergency treatment of multiply injured patients with unstable disruption of the posterior pelvic ring. Patients and Methods: The data of 28 patients with polytrauma in combination with an unstable fracture of the posterior pelvic ring (average Injury Severity Score [ISS]: 49 points; average Polytrauma Score [PTS]: 41 points) were retrospectively analyzed from the moment they were admitted to the emergency room until 48 h after admittance. The PCC was used immediately for primary stabilization of the pelvis after clinical diagnosis of the unstable pelvic fracture. Main outcome measurements: development of mean blood pressure, development of oxygenation level, period of time until the PCC was placed, number of blood units needed, period of time until circulatory stabilization occurred. Results: The PCC was applied in all cases within an average of 64.7 min after trauma. Seven patients (25%) died within the first 45 min after admission. The surviving patients showed:• an increase in mean blood pressure of 25% 20 min after application of the PCC,• a hemodynamic stabilization 6 h after application of the PCC,• a stabilization of the oxygenation level 6 h after application of the PCC,• a decrease in the number of required blood units 6 h after application of the PCC. Conclusion: The present study shows, that the application of the PCC to critically injured patients with unstable pelvic fractures leads to stabilization of the vital parameters within a short period of time.