Suitability of metric structural criteria in vaginal ultrasound assessment of the postmenopausal endometrium]

In 135 postmenopausal women ultrasonic findings of the endometrium were compared with the final histopathology. Object of this study was to evaluate the ability of metric structural criterions for a vaginosonographic screening of benign and malignant endometrial neoplasms. A sonographic assessment of the endometrium was possible in 97.8% of the patients; anatomic peculiarities such as calcified fibromyomata proved to be the main-impediments. By means of the criterions examined the sensitivity for the differentiation of inconspicuous and pathological findings was 100% with a 98.2% specificity; the rate of wrong-positive results was 1.6%. In 9.2% ultrasound was classified as conspicuous requiring further controls. According to these results the vaginosonographic assessment of the endometrium regarding its thickness and structure (homogeneity, echogeneity, median echo) can be recommended for a non-invasive screening for endometrial neoplasms.     

Transvaginal sonography of the endometrium in postmenopausal women

The purposes of this study were to compare transvaginal sonographic scanning of the uterus and endometrium with histology obtained by endometrial biopsy or curettage and to determine whether the sonographic technique might be useful in the evaluation of postmenopausal women. Eighty postmenopausal women were studied. Of these, 65 were asymptomatic (38 on no hormone therapy and 27 on hormone replacement). Fifteen women underwent evaluation because of postmenopausal bleeding. In both groups, endometrial thickness of 4 mm or less as depicted by sonography correlated well with endometrial characteristics of decreased estrogen stimulation. However, in women with measured endometrial thickness between 5-8 mm, proliferative endometrium could not be distinguished from hyperplastic endometrium or, in one case, low-grade carcinoma. Large polyps and invasive carcinoma with myometrial extension were easily recognized.     

Apoptosis in the endometrium of postmenopausal women receiving tibolone

BACKGROUND/AIM: Tibolone, a synthetic derivative of the 19-nortestosterone family, induces atrophy of the endometrium, especially via its progestogenic Delta(4) isomer. The aim of the study was to determine whether tibolone induces apoptosis in the endometrium of postmenopausal women. METHODS: Twenty healthy postmenopausal women (mean age +/- SD 52.4 +/- 4.21 years) who had amenorrhea for at least 1 year and who had no history of any systemic illness and estrogen replacement therapy were enrolled in the study. All patients were offered office endometrial samplings, and then tibolone was prescribed (2.5 mg/day p.o., once daily) to all patients. Repeat endometrial samples were obtained after completion of the 6-month course of tibolone therapy. All samples were immunohistochemically analyzed for the presence of apoptotic cells. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the median proportion of apoptotic nuclei between the pre- and posttreatment samples (2 vs. 3%; p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that tibolone did not affect the rate of apoptosis in the postmenopausal endometrium. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of apoptosis in overall effects of hormonal compounds on the postmenopausal endometrium.     

Transvaginal ultrasonography of the endometrium in postmenopausal Japanese women

AIMS: To determine the cut-off level of endometrial thickness for detecting endometrial disease on a large scale of screening and to examine the usefulness of transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) for endometrial disease screening in asymptomatic postmenopausal Japanese women. METHODS: The study involved 1,400 postmenopausal women in whom endometrial thickness was measured with TVS, and then compared with the histopathological diagnosis of endometrial specimens. RESULTS: The prevalence of endometrial disease in asymptomatic and symptomatic cases was 2.3 and 21%. In symptomatic cases, at a cut-off limit of 3 mm for endometrial thickness, the sensitivity for detecting endometrial disease was 94%, specificity 70% and positive predictive value 46%. With an endometrial thickness < or = 3 mm, the probability that endometrial disease would be overlooked was 0.025. In asymptomatic cases, the corresponding figures at a cut-off limit of 3 mm were 90, 84, 12% and 0.003. CONCLUSIONS: TVS does not appear to be an effective screening method in asymptomatic postmenopausal Japanese women because of the low prevalence of endometrial disease in this population. We recommend a normal cut-off level for endometrial thickness of 4 mm in symptomatic postmenopausal Japanese women.     

The role of ultrasound imaging in detecting endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women with vaginal bleeding

Approximately 10% of women with postmenopausal bleeding have endometrial cancer, the most common reproductive organ malignancy among women in the United States. The use of transvaginal ultrasonography allows the clinician to identify women at risk for endometrial cancer and triage them to an appropriate procedure for a histologically confirmed diagnosis.     

Complete vaginal occlusion in postmenopausal women.

The spontaneous development of total vaginal occlusion as the result of postmenopausal atrophy is unusual. This poorly described entity may give rise to diagnostic confusion, as the site of vaginal occlusion resembles an atrophic cervix flush with the top of a stenotic vaginal vault. Fluid collections above this site of occlusion may produce pelvic masses with a characteristic physical sign. The absence of any history of vaginal injury or disease distinguishes these cases from other types of acquired vaginal occlusion.     

Hysteroscopic evaluation of the endometrium in postmenopausal women taking tamoxifen

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hysteroscopic endometrial changes due to tamoxifen therapy in postmenopausal women with breast cancer. DESIGN: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University-affiliated hospital. Patients. Eighty-eight postmenopausal women (or with iatrogenic amenorrhea) receiving tamoxifen 20 mg/day for at least 1 year for breast cancer. INTERVENTION: Record review of patients undergoing transvaginal sonography (TVS) and office hysteroscopy with eye-directed biopsy specimens obtained with a 5-mm, continuous-flow, operative hysteroscope. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients with thickened endometrium and pathologic findings at hysteroscopy had taken tamoxifen for significantly longer times than those without such findings (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm the estrogenic effect of tamoxifen on endometrium. Endometrial evaluation by TVS suggests further diagnostic procedures, but only hysteroscopy allows the surgeon to visualize endometrial lesions and obtain eye-directed biopsy tissue.     

Cytologic evaluation of the endometrium in women with postmenopausal bleeding

The records of 143 patients who had postmenopausal bleeding and underwent diagnostic curettage were reviewed. Of these patients 69% had benign endometrial tissue and in 8% there was insufficient tissue for histologic interpretation; 23% of the patients had endometrial carcinoma. In order to ascertain if endometrial cytology could predict which patients which patients may be harboring endometrial carcinoma, a prospective study was carried out on 69 patients complaining of postmenopausal bleeding. Prior to curettage, an endometrial cell sample was obtained with a disposable endometrial cell sampler. The preliminary data indicate good correlation between endometrial cytology and histology. There was one false-negative cytology report and one false positive report. Such a technique could eliminate an endometrial curettage in those patients in whom there is no clinical suspicion of endometrial carcinoma and the cytology is negative.     

Effectiveness of estriol depot vaginal suppositories in postmenopausal women with urogenital climacteric manifestations]

In this study, 43 postmenopausal patients with urogenital complaints such as vaginal dryness, incontinence, or bleeding with intercourse were treated with weekly applications of Orthogynest vaginal estriol suppositories in a new depot form. A marked increase in the vaginal epithelium (A. Schmitt score) and a significant decrease in symptoms due to vaginal atrophy were noted. The depot form allows for decreased dosing frequency, leading to improved compliance. Systemic symptoms, such as hot flashes and emotional lability, were also noted to respond to the Orthogynest suppositories.     

The effects of phytoestrogen therapy on the endometrium in postmenopausal women

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to carry out a comparative histological analysis of the endometrium in postmenopausal women who made use of phytoestrogens in order to assess the efficacy and possible side effects of this therapy. METHODS: This study was carried out by forming 2 groups in order to compare the results. One group was given a dietary supplement of phytoestrogens for 24 months, whereas the other was given a placebo for the same period of time. At the beginning of this study endometrial bioptical samples were taken from those patients who had been previously selected at our University Centre. This study was started only with those postmenopausal patients whose bioptical sample was histologically suitable, and it was neither hyperplastic, nor cancerous and nor secretive. During these 24 months there have been frequent contacts aimed at verifying the standard therapeutic behaviour, symptoms and appearance of side effects. At the end of the study new and final bioptical samples of endometrium were taken from both groups. RESULTS: One-hundred and forty-one patients completed the study. Five patients (3.4%) who were submitted to phytoestrogens therapy showed a weak proliferative endometrium bioptical sample. All the other biopsies at the beginning and at the end of the study showed an atrophic and inactive sample. Hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and dyspareunia improved at the end of the study for the group treated with phytoestrogens as compared to the one treated with a placebo. Although there have not been very significant differences ias to symptoms and side effects, it was noted that insomnia was the most common symptom in the group treated with non-hormonal therapy based on phytoestrogens. CONCLUSIONS: Phytoestrogens did not cause any sensitive and worrisome stimulation of the endometrial mucosa. Insomnia was more frequent in the group treated pharmacologically in the 24 months of the study, whereas hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and dyspareunia persisted or increased as compared to the beginning of the study in the group treated with a placebo, but this did not occur for the group treated with phytoestrogens.     

Effects of raloxifene hydrochloride on the endometrium of postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated subtle endometrial morphologic changes in postmenopausal women assigned to placebo, raloxifene hydrochloride 200 or 600 mg/day, or conjugated estrogens (Premarin 0.625 mg/day) according to a new estrogenicity scoring system. Raloxifene, a new selective estrogen receptor modulator, was not expected to stimulate the endometrium. STUDY DESIGN: Baseline and end point endometrial biopsies were performed during this double-blind, placebo-controlled 8-week study. A scoring system that was based on standard glandular and stromal morphologic criteria was used to quantitate estrogen-induced effects. Baseline, end point, and baseline–to–end point changes were analyzed for treatment differences. RESULTS: Treatment groups were similar at baseline with most women showing no estrogenic effects. At end point, statistically significant moderate and marked estrogenic effects were noted in 77% of estrogen-treated women versus 15% of placebo-treated women versus 0% of raloxifene-treated women. CONCLUSIONS: As expected, estrogen treatment stimulated postmenopausal endometrium. In contrast, raloxifene did not induce histopathologic evidence of endometrial stimulation in healthy postmenopausal women.(Am J Obstet Gynecol 1997;177:64)     

Estradiol absorption from vaginal tablets in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate absorption of estradiol (E2) and compare two low doses of 17 beta-E2 (25 microgram and 10 microgram) in postmenopausal women with atrophic vaginitis. METHODS: In a double-masked, randomized, parallel-group study, 58 postmenopausal women were treated with 25 microgram or 10 microgram of 17 beta-E2 for 12 weeks. We report data for 42 eligible subjects who had serum E2 concentrations below 20 pg/mL at baseline and complete data available at the baseline visit (30 minutes before tablet insertion) and weeks 2 and 12. Serum E2 and FSH concentrations were measured at specified intervals. The area under the curve, maximal concentration, and time to maximal concentration were measured for serum E2 concentrations. Maturation values of vaginal epithelial cells were assessed as indicators of change in vaginal epithelium condition in response to treatment. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of treatment, the area under the curve, maximal and average over 24-hour E2 concentration were higher in the 25-microgram (563 pg. hour/mL, 49 and 23 pg/mL) than in the 10-microgram (264 pg. hour/mL, 22 and 11 pg/mL) group. Seventy-four percent in the 25-microgram and 96% in the 10-microgram groups had low systemic absorption of E2, that is, area under the curve (0-24 hour) less than 500 pg/mL. All but three women who received 25 microgram had mean FSH levels below 35 mIU/mL. CONCLUSION: Treatment with 25 or 10 microgram of 17 beta-E2 vaginal tablets resulted in low absorption of estrogen without systemic effects often associated with hormone replacement therapy. After 12 weeks of therapy for atrophic vaginitis, absorption patterns remained consistent, and women did not have accumulations of circulating E2.     

Adipose tissue distribution in postmenopausal women with adenomatous hyperplasia of the endometrium

OBJECTIVE: To investigate body fat distribution in postmenopausal women with adenomatous and atypical hyperplasia of the endometrium. METHODS: A prospective population-based case control study was performed in a health care county in Sweden. General obesity, as reflected by body mass index (BMI), and adipose tissue distribution, expressed as waist to hip circumference ratio (WHR), were evaluated in a cohort of 367 postmenopausal women who underwent dilatation and curettage because of uterine bleeding. The study group consisted of 29 women with adenomatous or atypical hyperplasia of the endometrium. The controls consisted of 49 age-matched postmenopausal women randomly selected from the computerized population register of the same region. RESULTS: The frequency of endometrial adenomatous and atypical hyperplasia in postmenopausal women with bleeding was 7.2%. In the total population of postmenopausal women the incidence of these endometrial lesions was 44 per 100,000 per year. Body weight (P = 0.039), BMI (P = 0.007), and WHR (P = 0.022) were higher in postmenopausal women with endometrial adenomatous and atypical hyperplasia than in controls. In multivariate analysis only BMI remained statistically associated with adenomatous hyperplasia (P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: General obesity, but neither upper nor lower body fat distribution, was characteristic of postmenopausal women with adenomatous and atypical hyperplasia of the endometrium. Overall obesity is a risk factor for these endometrial precancerous lesions, as it is also claimed to be for endometrial cancer.     

Effect of raloxifene on the vaginal epithelium of postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to analyze the effect of raloxifene on the vaginal epithelium of postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: In this non-randomized clinical trial, 80 women (mean age = 60.6 years) were prospectively studied. Forty patients received 60 mg/day of raloxifene (RG), and 40 women constituted a non-treated control group (CG), paired by age and time since menopause. The treated group consisted of patients with osteoporosis of the lumbar spine. Those with a diagnosis of infection in the lower genital tract and using hormone therapy (HT) up to 6 months prior to the study were excluded. Vaginal smears were collected at baseline and after 6 months of intervention. The vaginal maturation value (VMV) was determined, and counts of superficial, intermediate and parabasal cells were performed. Smears were analyzed by only one cytopathologist who was blinded to patient data. The t-test, Wilcoxon test, and Chi-Squared test were used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The study groups were homogeneous regarding age, time since menopause, parity, HT use, smoking, and body mass index. No statistically significant differences were observed in VMV median values (RG, 39.7 and 35.7; CG, 50.0 and 50.0, respectively) or in the percentage of superficial, intermediate and parabasal cells between the groups at baseline and after 6 months (p>0.05). There was no significant correlation between VMV and age, time since menopause, previous HT use, or body mass index, in either of the groups. CONCLUSION: Treatment with raloxifene for 6 months has no effect on the maturation of the vaginal epithelium in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.     

Computer analysis of ultrasound scans of the endometrium in menopausal women

Ultrasound evaluation of the endometrium in menopausal women undergoing hormone replacement therapy is a classic diagnostic procedure. Subjective evaluation of ultrasound texture and echogenicity of the endometrium is a deceptive method, moreover the repetition of the procedure does not necessarily yield identical results. Due to computer analysis of an ultrasound scan, the investigator's subjective sensation, which might lead to the suspicion of pathology, was replaced with objective computer analysis, which is a comparable method, producing repeatable results. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the analysis was to ascertain whether endometrial diseases are coded in the texture parameters of an ultrasound scan. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Endometrial ultrasound scans of three groups of patients were analyzed. First group included scans of patients suffering from endometrial cancer, second group scans of patients with abnormal uterine bleeding or abnormal endometrium (thickness > 5 mm during continous hormone replacement therapy (hrt), or > 8 mm during sequentional hrt, or abnormal echostructure) and benign endometrial diseases diagnosed by histopatology, third control-group scans of patients during hrt, without any abnormality in ultrasound examinations and bleeding profile. RESULTS: Endometrial diseases are coded in the texture parameters of an ultrasound scan. In particular, on the grounds of these features it is possible to distinguish a scan of carcinoma from benign endometrial diseases and from the scans obtained in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Computer analysis of ultrasound scans of the endometrium in menopausal women shows that the texture parameters code endometrial diseases. The results are promising, albeit provisional and it is required to verify them on the basis of a bigger number of cases with particular attention devoted to the issue repeatability of the results of an ultrasound examination.     

绝经后无症状子宫内膜增厚妇女的子宫内膜癌发生风险

目的:评估绝经后无症状子宫内膜增厚患者发生子宫内膜癌的风险及相关危险因素。方法:回顾分析2013年1月1日至2016年12月31日在北京协和医院因绝经后无症状子宫内膜增厚而行宫腔镜检查的206例患者的临床资料。结果:患者的平均年龄(62.2±7.5)岁,平均绝经时间(11.5±7.4)年,平均子宫内膜厚度(9.5±3.6) mm。术后病理提示:2例(1%)子宫内膜癌、1例(0.5%)子宫内膜不典型增生,203例(98.5%)子宫内膜良性病变,包括子宫内膜息肉187例(90.8%)、萎缩性子宫内膜13例(6.3%)、增殖期子宫内膜1例(0.5%)、子宫肌瘤2例(1%)。单因素及多因素分析结果显示,年龄、孕次、产次、绝经时间、体质指数(BMI)、糖尿病、高血压、应用他莫昔芬、子宫内膜厚度均对子宫内膜癌发生风险无影响(P0.05)。结论:绝经后无症状子宫内膜增厚患者的子宫内膜癌发生风险低,严密随诊观察是可行的。如患者出现阴道出血或内膜厚度明显增加,需行组织学诊断。