Predictive factors for pelvic magnetic resonance in response to arterial embolization of a uterine leiomyoma

OBJECTIVE:

Minimally invasive methods are used as alternatives to treat leiomyomas and include uterine artery embolization, which has emerged as a safe, effective method. This study aims to evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging predictors for a reduction in leiomyoma volume in patients undergoing uterine artery embolization.

METHODS:

This prospective longitudinal study was performed at a university hospital. We followed 50 symptomatic premenopausal women with uterine leiomyomas who underwent uterine artery embolization. We examined 179 leiomyomas among these patients. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed one month before and six months after uterine artery embolization. Two radiologists who specialized in abdominal imaging independently interpreted the images. Main Outcome Measures: The magnetic resonance imaging parameters were the uterus and leiomyomas volumes, their localizations, contrast perfusion pattern and node-to-muscle ratio.

RESULTS:

Six months after treatment, the average uterine volume reduction was 38.91%, and the leiomyomas were reduced by 55.23%. When the leiomyomas were submucosal and/or had a higher node-to-muscle ratio in the T2 images, the volume reduction was even greater (greater than 50%). Other parameters showed no association.

CONCLUSIONS:

We conclude that symptomatic uterine leiomyomas in patients undergoing uterine artery embolization exhibit volume reductions greater than 50% by magnetic resonance imaging when the leiomyomas are submucosal and/or had a high node-to-muscle ratio in the T2 images.     

Treatment outcomes of uterine artery embolization and laparoscopic uterine artery ligation for uterine myoma

In treating women with leiomyoma and who wish to preserve their uterus, laparoscopic uterine artery ligation or uterine artery embolization should be considered as possible options. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic uterine artery ligation and uterine artery embolization in treating uterine myoma. The treatment outcomes of 23 patients who underwent uterine artery embolization and 17 laparoscopic uterine artery ligation were evaluated. The uterine volume reduced 3 months after uterine artery embolization, but thereafter no significant changes were observed. On the other hand, the uterine volumes were only slightly reduced 3 months after laparoscopic uterine artery ligation, and slightly more reduced 6 months later. The average reduction in the case of laparoscopic uterine artery ligation was about 58.5%. After laparoscopic uterine artery ligation, 20% of the patients complained of vaginal spotting. Furthermore, the mechanism of volume reduction was evaluated using specimens obtained from a biopsy taken after each procedure. The results suggested that laparoscopic uterine artery ligation results mainly in physiologic cell death, that is apoptosis, whereas, the corresponding result is cell necrosis for uterine artery embolization. Uterine artery embolization and laparoscopic uterine artery ligation are both effective in relieving the symptoms caused by uterine myoma, and therefore both procedures can be used in place of hysterectomy or myomectomy.     

Pathological findings of uterine leiomyomas and adenomyosis following uterine artery embolization

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is an effective and accepted treatment option for symptomatic uterine leiomyoma. Between 2000 and 2005, 91 women were treated using this method, and were prospectively followed at our institution. Twenty of them subsequently underwent surgery. One of these patients was subjected to four surgical procedures. We describe the pathological findings of 23 surgical specimens obtained from these 20 patients. The embolic material used consisted of tris-acryl gelatin microspheres (TGMS) in 15 patients (18 surgical specimens), polyvinyl alcohol particles (PVA) in three patients, and a combination of PVA and TGMS in two patients. Histologically, of the 23 specimens examined, 20 were diagnosed as leiomyomas, and three as adenomyosis. Particles used for embolization were found in all but three specimens. Necrosis was present in 15 of 20 leiomyoma specimens. Hyaline necrosis was found in 12 specimens, coagulative necrosis in one case, and a combination of hyaline and coagulative or suppurative necrosis in two cases. The foci of adenomyosis remained unaltered.     

子宫动脉栓塞术联合宫腔镜治疗 子宫黏膜下大肌瘤的效果

目的 探讨子宫黏膜下大肌瘤实施子宫动脉栓塞联合宫腔镜治疗的临床效果。方法 选择我院2017年1月~2018年7月收治的60例子宫黏膜下大肌瘤患者,随机分为宫腔镜组和联合组,各30例。宫腔镜组患者运用宫腔镜电切治疗,联合组在此基础上联合子宫动脉栓塞治疗,比较两组宫腔镜手术时间、术中出血量、术后排气时间、治疗总有效率、术后并发症情况及术后3个月血红蛋白、月经量、月经时间变化情况。结果 联合组宫腔镜手术时间、术中出血量、术后排气时间及术后并发症发生率分别为（52.23±5.67）min、（32.29±5.38）ml、（12.83±2.18）h、6.67%,均低于宫腔镜组的（72.44±6.54）min、（75.46±4.53）ml、（22.15±4.23）h、26.67%,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;联合组治疗总有效率为96.67%,高于宫腔镜组的80.00%,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;联合组术后3个月血红蛋白水平高于宫腔镜组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;联合组月经量、月经时间低于宫腔镜组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 子宫黏膜下大肌瘤实施子宫动脉栓塞联合宫腔镜治疗效果好,且可有效减轻手术创伤,降低术后并发症风险,促进患者术后恢复。     

Incomplete vaginal expulsion of pyoadenomyoma with sepsis and focal bladder necrosis after uterine artery embolization for symptomatic adenomyosis: case report

The major complications secondary to uterine artery embolization (UAE) are rare. We report a case involving a patient who underwent UAE for symptomatic adenomyosis, and experienced complications including incomplete vaginal expulsion of a large focal pyoadenomyosis, sepsis and focal bladder necrosis. The serial changes of uterine echogenicity reflected the intracavity sloughing tissue, and cystourethroscopy revealed a focal bladder necrosis. Administration of appropriate antibiotics and timely expulsion of the focal pyoadenomyosis vaginally resulted in successful preservation of the uterus and spontaneous recovery of focal bladder necrosis without surgical intervention. A review of the relevant literature was conducted to explore the mechanisms of bladder necrosis after UAE, summarize post-embolization intervention and the outcome of vaginally expelled myoma, and to discuss the value of UAE for adenomyosis.     

Alternatives to hysterectomy: focus on global endometrial ablation, uterine fibroid embolization, and magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound

The aim of this study was to inform the clinician of alternatives to hysterectomy through a critical evaluation of three treatment options: global endometrial ablation, uterine fibroid embolization, and magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound. Studies published in English-language, peer-reviewed journals were systematically searched using Cochrane and Medline. Keywords used included "alternatives to hysterectomy," "endometrial ablation," "uterine fibroid embolization," "uterine artery embolization," and "focused ultrasound." Articles meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed and analyzed for themes and similarities. All three alternative methods of treatment reviewed are currently approved for use in the United States and abroad. In fact, five different global endometrial ablation devices are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of menorrhagia. Patient satisfaction scores after endometrial ablation are high (90%-95%), but amenorrhea rates are much lower (15%-60%). Data from randomized trials demonstrate that uterine fibroid embolization results in a shorter hospital stay and quicker return to work as compared with abdominal hysterectomy for leiomyomas, but after embolization, up to 20% of women need a second procedure. Ex-ablative therapy of leiomyomas with focused ultrasound is the newest of the three methods. It has a special set of patient selection criteria and is only available at less than 20 medical centers in the United States. Leiomyoma symptom relief after focused ultrasound therapy at 1 year post-procedure is high (85%-95%). There are many effective alternatives to hysterectomy in women with menorrhagia and/or symptomatic leiomyomas. However, because these procedures are performed by individuals from different subspecialists, primarily gynecologists and interventional radiologists, clinicians must consider using a multidisciplinary approach to find the best procedure for a given patient. There are no randomized trials comparing uterine fibroid embolization to vaginal hysterectomy, laparoscopic hysterectomy, or laparoscopic myomectomy.     

基于超声图像特征区分子宫肌瘤和腺肌病

超声图像子宫肌瘤和腺肌病的区分目前主要依赖于医生的经验,缺乏客观的指标.为提高区分的性能,提出一种新的对子宫肌瘤和腺肌病的超声图像进行多分辨率分析的自动分类方法.提取图像在多分辨率下的纹理参数,同时结合计算出的带方向分形维数,建立支撑矢量机进行子宫肌瘤和腺肌病的分类判决.通过对27例正常、45例腺肌病和74例肌瘤离体样本超声图像进行分析,结果表明：提取的多分辨率纹理参数和带方向的分形维数对区分子宫肌瘤和腺肌病是敏感的,结合这两类参数建立的支撑矢量机区分子宫肌瘤和腺肌病的正确率近100%.     

探讨子宫肌瘤行子宫动脉栓塞介入治疗临床疗效

目的研究栓塞术治疗子宫肌瘤的临床应用疗效。方法 38例症状性子宫肌瘤患者,年龄29～58岁,平均年龄39岁。选择性双侧子宫动脉插管造影明确子宫肌瘤血液供应后,分别行栓塞术。结果栓塞技术成功率100%,子宫动脉栓塞术后12个月,总有效率为89.5%。术后38例患者月经量较术前均有不同程度减少,贫血及压迫症状均得到改善。副反应有盆腔疼痛、发热、阴道排液,余无其他严重并发症。结论子宫动脉栓塞术治疗子宫肌瘤安全、有效。     

明胶海绵在肺结核咯血动脉栓塞中的应用

背景：目前国内用于支气管动脉栓塞的栓塞剂材料主要有明胶海绵、PVA颗粒、藻酸钠微球、弹簧圈等。 目的：分析总结明胶海绵应用于动脉栓塞治疗肺咯血治疗效果。 方法：以“肺咯血、栓塞、肺结核、明胶海绵”为中文关键词,以：“Hemoptysis 、Embolization 、Tuberculosis、 Gelfoam” 为英文关键词,采用计算机检索中国期刊全文数据库、维普数据库(1995-01/2011-05)相关文章。纳入明胶海绵栓塞法治疗肺结核咯血等相关的文章,排除重复研究或Meta分析类文章。 结果与结论：共入选17篇文章进入结果分析。综述了明胶海绵在肺结核咯血动脉栓塞中的应用。包括明胶海绵栓塞剂的介绍,动脉栓塞术止血技术以及用明胶海绵动脉栓塞治疗肺咯血治疗效果及不足等方面的研究内容。高压高温处理后的明胶海绵作为栓塞剂治疗肺咯血,不仅临床疗效满意而且非常经济,适合目前中国的国情。     

Can pre-procedural MRI signal intensity ratio predict the success of uterine artery embolization in treatment of myomas?

Background/aim Magnetic resonance (MR) images, signal intensity ratios calculated using region of interests (ROI) in T2W images by proportioning the dominant myoma to iliac muscle can aid patient selection and, thus, in achieving better outcomes with the uterine artery embolization (UAE) procedure. The present study investigates the association between the success of UAE treatment with signal intensity (SI) ratio of the dominant myoma to the iliac muscle in MR imaging performed prior to the procedure.Materials and methods This is a retrospective study and included 30 patients who admitted to our clinic between February 2017 and July 2019 due to symptoms associated with myoma and who underwent MR imaging before and after UAE treatment. All patients, MR images obtained before UAE treatment and at the 12th month after the procedure were evaluated. In MRI, SI values were calculated by proportioning the dominant myoma to the iliac muscle using circular ROI in T1 weighted (W), T2W, and post-contrast T1W images. In the present study, 50% or more volumetric regression of the myoma with infarction of fibroids (loss of enhancement) at the 12-month follow-up MRI after the procedure was considered a successful procedure. Results Myoma volumes calculated in MR images showed significant differences between the MRI performed before UAE procedure and the MRI performed at the 12th month after the procedure (p < 0.0001). SI ratio calculated from pre-procedure T2W MR images was found to be a significant determinant of 50% or more volumetric regression in the myoma after UAE procedure (p = 0.017), T1W, post-contrast T1W images were not statistically significant (p = 0.211).Conclusion Our results indicate that SI ratio of the dominant myoma to the iliac muscle calculated using ROI in T2W images of MR studies performed before UAE procedure can predict the success of the procedure.     

Effects of hormone replacement therapy on postmenopausal uterine myoma

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of sequential continuous hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on myoma size and on pulsatility index (PI) of uterine arteries and to verify the correlation between uterine artery flow impedance and the growth rate of myoma in women receiving HRT. METHODS: In a prospective 1-year study 60 postmenopausal women were enrolled into three study-groups to receive continuous transdermal 17beta-oestradiol 0.05 mg/day plus nomegestrolo acetate 5 mg/day sequentially added: 20 patients (group A) unaffected by uterine myomas, 20 patients (group B) with single asymptomatic myoma <3 cm/14 cm3, 20 patients (group C) with single asymptomatic myoma >3 cm/14 cm3. The changes in myoma volume and in PI were assessed by means of transvaginal ultrasonographic scan every 3 months. The patients with myoma were divided into two subgroups: quiescent myoma (B1, C1) and growing myoma (B2, C2). RESULTS: No significant increase of uterine fibroids volume was found after 1-year HRT (24.14+/-20.02-->28.81+/-30.02 cm3). Six out of eight myomas growing during HRT belonged to group C. The uterine artery basal PI value of group A was significantly higher (P<0.01) than the corresponding PI in group B and C. At 3 months follow-up, uterine artery PI was significantly higher (P<0.01) than the basal value in both group B (1.70+/-0.22-->1.88+/-0.16) and C (1.59+/-0.28-->1.92+/-0.21). The baseline PI values in group B1 and C1 were significantly higher than the baseline values observed in group B2 and C2 (1.76+/-0.17 vs. 1.32+/-0.02, 1.76+/-0.16 vs. 1.24+/-0.08) and significantly lower than those observed in group A (2.39+/-0.47). After 3 months of HRT, the PI values were not significantly higher than the baseline values in groups B1 and C2 (1.76+/-0.17-->1.90+/-0.17; 1.24+/-0.08-->1.74+/-0.16), while they were significantly higher in group C1 (1.76+/-0.16-->2.01+/-0.17). CONCLUSIONS: Sequential continuous HRT does not increase the volume of the uterine myoma. The findings of very low resistance index in the uterine arteries of women with growing myoma may indicate the risk of growth of the neoplasia during HRT. The assessment of PI in the uterine arteries could be helpful in predicting the growth rate of the myomas before starting HRT.     

Uterine artery embolisation for symptomatic fibroids: the University of Malaya Medical Centre experience

Background:

Transcatheter uterine artery embolisation (UAE) for the treatment of symptomatic fibroids has been performed in several centres in the United States, Western Europe and Asia with promising results. This study reports the authors'' experience with UAE at the University Malaya Medical Centre.

Method:

Fifty women with symptomatic uterine fibroids who declined surgery were treated by transcatheter UAE. The uterine arteries were selectively catheterised and embolised with polyvinyl alcohol particles. Post-procedure analgesia was administered via patient-controlled analgesic pump. The patients were followed up at an interval of 6/12 clinically and with MRI.

Results:

Transcatheter UAE was performed on all 50 patients with no major complications. 49 patients had both uterine arteries embolised while 1 patient had only the right uterine artery embolised on account of hypoplasia of the left uterine artery due to previous myomectomy. The mean hospital stay was 3.5 days (range, 2 to 7). At a mean follow-up of 24/52, all patients reported improvements in their presenting symptoms. Objective improvement in terms of reduction of uterine and fibroid sizes was determined on MRI. One patient, who initially responded with a decrease in uterine and dominant fibroid size, became symptomatic (menorrhagia) after 6 months and subsequent endometrial sampling revealed cystic glandular hyperplasia for which total abdominal hysterectomy was performed. Two other patients had no change in symptoms and after hysterectomy, the pathology revealed concurrent adenomyosis. Another 2 patients with cervical fibroids were treated with hysterectomy as there was no gross reduction in the size of fibroid following UAE. Overall, 90% of the patients had dramatic improvement of anaemia and symptoms at 1 year follow-up.

Conclusion:

Out of the 50 patients, 17 patients had total disappearance of their fibroids and 28 patients had more than 50% reduction in the size of fibroids after 1 year. 5 patients ended up with total abdominal hysterectomy. These results suggest that UAE is an appealing alternative to hysterectomy or myomectomy for many women with symptomatic fibroids.     

Gynecologic malignancies accompanied by benign hormone-dependent diseases

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between benign gynecologic diseases and hormone-dependent malignancies such as endometrial carcinoma in postmenopausal women. DESIGN: We retrospectively analyzed the prevalence of myoma uteri and adenomyosis uteri in 136 cases of endometrial carcinomas. We used 222 uterine prolapse cases as controls. RESULTS: The results showed that 21.6% and 9.9% of healthy postmenopausal women (control) had myoma uteri and adenomyosis uteri, respectively, after the cessation of menses. However, postmenopausal women with endometrial carcinomas had a 1.5- to 2-fold higher prevalence, respectively, for myoma uteri and adenomyosis uteri as compared with the postmenopausal control women. CONCLUSION: There was a higher prevalence of myoma uteri and adenomyosis uteri in postmenopausal patients with endometrial carcinomas than in the control population.     

Successful myomectomy during pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Although leiomyomas usually remain asymptomatic during pregnancy, they may complicate its course. In this study, pregnancy outcome observed when myomectomy was performed during pregnancy in carefully selected patients is presented. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 13 women who underwent myomectomy during pregnancy between January 1994 and December 2001. Surgical management of leiomyoma was required on the basis of characteristics of the myoma and symptoms. RESULTS: Among a total of 15,579 women registered at the authors' prenatal clinic, 622 consecutive pregnant women had sonographically identified myoma; hence, the incidence was 3.9% (95% CI 3.6-4.3%). The vast majority of these women was asymptomatic during pregnancy or managed conservatively (97.4%; 95% CI 96-98%). Among 622 pregnant patients with leiomyoma, 13 presented with complications during pregnancy that required surgical intervention (2.1%; 95% CI 0.9-3.2%), due to increase in lesion size causing discomfort and/or severe abdominal pain not responding to conservative management with analgesic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug medication. In 92% of these cases, successful myomectomy was performed and the pregnancy progressed to term without further complications. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide reassurance for pregnant women with uterine myoma. Surgical management of uterine leiomyoma during pregnancy may be successfully performed in carefully selected patients.     

妊娠合并子宫肌瘤患者剖宫产时对肌瘤的合理处理方案研究

目的探讨妊娠合并子宫肌瘤患者进行剖宫产手术中对子宫肌瘤的合理处理方案研究。方法病例选自的妊娠期合并子宫肌瘤患者362例，其中单发子宫肌瘤207例，多发子宫肌瘤155例。孕妇年龄为21～34岁，孕周为31～41w，均为单胎妊娠。根据子宫肌瘤的大小、位置及数目，变性与否，医生提供可行、合理的参考意见，本着患者知情同意临床处理原则，可进行单纯剖宫产术、剖宫产同时子宫肌瘤核除术、剖宫产同时子宫次全切除术、剖宫产同时子宫全切除术。临床观察指标：孕妇年龄、孕周、手术中、术后出血量、术后复发情况及患者的满意度等。结果1．362例患者中，进行单纯剖宫产术患者（CS）39例（单发肌瘤37例、多发肌瘤2例），剖宫产同时子宫肌瘤核除术者256例（CS＋核瘤，单发肌瘤130例、多发肌瘤126例），剖宫产同时子宫次全切除术者62例（CS＋次切，单发肌瘤37例、多发肌瘤25例），剖宫产同时子宫全切除术者5例（CS＋全切，单发肌瘤3例、多发肌瘤2例）。2．不同处理方案的手术中出血总量没有明显差异（P＞0．05）；同时行子宫切除手术组的年龄较其他两组偏大（P＜0．05）；患者满意度以单纯CS组最差（15．4％）；患者因子宫肌瘤的再次开腹率在CS组为92．3％，CS＋核瘤组为1．17％，子宫切除组为0。结论妊娠合并子宫肌瘤患者在进行剖宫产时没有固定模式，需根据肌瘤的大小、位置、病人的年龄以及患者的生育需求等情况综合考虑。但在剖宫产同时行子宫肌瘤核除手术也是一种安全的手术方式。     

腹腔镜下先天性无阴道合并盆腔包块切除腹膜代阴道成型术研究

目的探讨腹腔镜下畸形子宫合并肌瘤、卵巢囊肿切除、腹膜代阴道治疗先天性无阴道的可行性研究。方法先天性无阴道畸形子宫合并子宫肌瘤、子宫腺肌病、宫腔积血2例,卵巢肿瘤3例。在腹腔镜下子宫肌瘤、卵巢囊肿切除术,同时行腹膜代阴道成形术进行分析,观察手术中出血、手术时间、手术并发症及手术后疗效。结果5例患者中,1例腹膜部分撕裂,用前庭粘膜替代,1例直肠前壁损伤,术中修补。5例手术均获成功,术中平均出血量60．15±27ml,手术平均时间101．24min±40．16min,住院平均时间9．2天。术后随访6～24个月,人工阴道壁呈淡粉色,柔软,滑润,弹性好,具有正常阴道外观。结论腹腔镜下切除子宫肌瘤、卵巢囊肿,同时行腹膜代阴道成形术是一种安全、手术效果好并具有康复快的优点,是先天性无阴道畸形子宫合并肌瘤等切除术同时腹膜代阴道成形理想的手术方式。     

Long term effects of Tibolone on postmenopausal women with uterine myomas.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the long term effects of Tibolone (Livial) on uterine myomas volume as well as on uterine arteries pulsatility index (PI) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: This study included 66 naturally menopausal women. Twenty of them (group A) had no uterine myomas; 23 of them (group B) had a single, asymptomatic, intramural or subserous myoma of a maximum diameter less or equal than 2 cm; 23 of them (group C) had a single, asymptomatic, intramural or subserous myoma of a maximum diameter between 2 and 5 cm. The volume of the myomas as well as the pulsatility index of the uterine arteries was assessed by transvaginal ultrasonography every 6 months after administration of Tibolone (2.5 mg daily). RESULTS: No statistically significant difference on myomas volume was found after a 3-year period of Tibolone administration. The uterine artery basal PI was significantly higher in group A compared to that of groups B and C. After 6 months of Tibolone administration the PI in group A was significantly lower compared to the basal one whereas in groups B and C was significantly higher compared to the basal value. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that treating postmenopausal woman with Tibolone on a long-term basis: (a) does not increase the volume of uterine myomas and (b) has an early effect on uterine haemodynamics (decrease of PI in women without myomas and increase of PI in women with myomas).     

Pregnancy after uterine arterial embolization

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate pregnancy outcomes, complications and neonatal outcomes in women who had previously undergone uterine arterial embolization.

METHODS:

A retrospective study of 187 patients treated with uterine arterial embolization for symptomatic uterine fibroids between 2005-2008 was performed. Uterine arterial embolization was performed using polyvinyl alcohol particles (500-900 µm in diameter). Pregnancies were identified using screening questionnaires and the study database.

RESULTS:

There were 15 spontaneous pregnancies. Of these, 12.5% were miscarriages (n = 2), and 87.5% were successful live births (n = 14). The gestation time for the pregnancies with successful live births ranged from 36 to 39.2 weeks. The mean time between embolization and conception was 23.8 months (range, 5–54). One of the pregnancies resulted in twins. The newborn weights (n = 14) ranged from 2.260 to 3.605 kg (mean, 3.072 kg). One (7.1%) was considered to have a low birth weight (2.260 kg). There were two cases of placenta accreta (12.5%, treated with hysterectomy in one case [6.3%]), one case of premature rupture of the membranes (PRM) (6.3%), and one case of preeclampsia (6.3%). All of the patients were delivered via Cesarean section.

CONCLUSION:

In this study, there was an increased risk of Cesarean delivery. There were no other major obstetric risks, suggesting that pregnancy after uterine arterial embolization is possible without significant morbidity or mortality.     

Raloxifene therapy does not affect uterine blood flow in postmenopausal women: a transvaginal Doppler study

OBJECTIVE: To monitor the effects of raloxifene therapy on the uterus of postmenopausal women by transvaginal ultrasonography and color flow Doppler. Methods: Twenty-five healthy postmenopausal women were enrolled in this prospective longitudinal study performed at Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeir?o Preto. The patients were treated with raloxifene hydrochloride (60 mg per day) for 6 months. All were submitted to transvaginal ultrasound examination with color flow Doppler (ATL-HDI 3000 equipment) before the beginning and after 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment. Resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of the uterine arteries were determined by the Doppler method, being considered as indicators of uterine perfusion. The following variables were analyzed: endometrial thickness, uterine volume, RI, and PI. Data were analyzed statistically by repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Before treatment, endometrial thickness was 3.38 +/- 0.73 mm, and similar values were observed after 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment (3.04 +/- 0.82; 3.3 +/- 0.83; and 3.37 +/- 0.79, respectively) (P > 0.05). No significant differences in uterine volume were observed between the pre- and post-treatment periods. Uterine artery perfusion as indicated by RI and PI measured by Doppler also showed no significant variation, with a high impedance flow being maintained throughout treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In the group studied here, raloxifene treatment at the dose of 60 mg per day for 6 months did not induce significant changes in endometrial thickness, uterine volume or uterine artery perfusion, confirming that short-term raloxifene treatment does not affect the uterus of postmenopausal women.     

Comparison of the Inhibitory Effect of Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Agonist,Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM), Antiprogesterone on Myoma Cell Proliferation In Vitro

Uterine myomas are the most common gynecologic tumor in women of reproductive age. Treatment options of uterine myomas consist of surgical, medical and interventional therapy such as uterine artery embolization or myolysis. Given that it is the most common type of tumor in women of reproductive age, the treatment of uterine myomas must prioritize uterine conservation. There are several drugs for medical treatment of uterine myoma such as gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) and antiprogesterone. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of GnRH agonist, SERM, and antiprogesterone in the treatment of uterine myomas in vitro. The effect of drugs was evaluated through the cell viability assay in cultured leiomyoma cells, western blot analysis of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and BCL-2 protein expression. As a result, mifepristone single-treated group represents the most significant reduction in myoma cell viability and proliferation. When pretreated with leuprolide acetate, raloxifene shows more significant reduction in myoma cell viability and proliferation than mifepristone. This study suggests one of the possible mechanisms how medications act on uterine myoma, especially at the molecular level.