Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging and rectal endoscopic sonography for the prediction of location of deep pelvic endometriosis

BACKGROUND: We compared the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and rectal endoscopic sonography (RES) for the diagnosis of deep pelvic endometriosis (DPE), with respect to surgical and histological findings. METHODS: Longitudinal study of 88 consecutive patients referred for surgical management of DPE, who underwent both MRI and RES pre operatively. The diagnostic criteria were identical for MRI and RES and were based on visualization of hypointense/hypoechoic areas in specific locations. DPE was diagnosed when at least one site was involved. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, accuracy and 95% confidence interval of MRI and RES for DPE. RESULTS: DPE and endometriomas were present in 97.7 and 39.7% of women, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of MRI and RES, respectively, were 84.8 and 45.6%, 88.8 and 40%, 98.5 and 87.8% and 40 and 8.5% for uterosacral endometriosis; 77.7 and 7.4%, 70% and 100, 85.3 and 100% and 89.7 and 70.9% for vaginal endometriosis and 88.3 and 90%, 92.8 and 89.3%, 96.4 and 94.7% and 78.8 and 80.6% for colorectal endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS: MRI is more accurate than RES for the diagnosis of uterosacral and vaginal endometriosis, whereas the two methods are similarly accurate for colorectal endometriosis.     

Transvaginal sonography and rectal endoscopic sonography for the assessment of pelvic endometriosis: a preliminary comparison

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis and possible rectal involvement are difficult to assess by physical examination. Previous studies have shown the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging and rectal endoscopic sonography (RES) in this setting, but not that of transvaginal sonography (TVS). The aims of this study were to compare the accuracy of TVS and RES for the diagnosis of pelvic endometriosis, and to compare the results with histological findings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective study, 30 consecutive patients referred with clinical signs of endometriosis underwent TVS and RES; the images were interpreted blindly with regard to physical findings. RESULTS: Endometriosis was confirmed histologically in 28 (93%) of the 30 patients. Endometriomas were also present in 67% of cases. For the diagnosis of uterosacral endometriosis, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of TVS and RES were 75 and 75%, 83 and 67, 95 and 90%, and 45 and 40% respectively. For the diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of TVS and RES were 95 and 82%, 100 and 88%, 100 and 95%, and 89 and 64% respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite the large proportion of our patients who had intestinal endometriosis, representing a possible source of bias, our results suggest that TVS is as efficient as RES for detecting posterior pelvic endometriosis and should therefore be used as the first-line examination.     

Deep dyspareunia and sex life after laparoscopic excision of endometriosis

BACKGROUND: Among subjects with endometriosis and deep dyspareunia (DD), those with endometriosis of the uterosacral ligament (USLE) have the most severe impairment of sexual function. This study examines the effect of laparoscopic excision of endometriosis on DD and quality of sex life. METHODS: This observational cohort prospective study included 68 women with endometriosis suffering DD (intensity of pain >or= 6 on a 10-cm visual analogue scale). Patients underwent laparoscopic full excision of endometriosis. Following surgery, they were asked to use nonhormonal contraception devices. Before surgery, at 6- and at 12-month follow-up, patients answered a self-administered questionnaire based on the Sexual Satisfaction Subscale of the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory. RESULTS: At 6- and 12-month follow-up, women with and without USLE had significant improvement in DD. Subjects with USLE reported increased variety in sex life, increased frequency of intercourse, more satisfying orgasms with sex, relaxing more easily during sex and being more relaxed and fulfilled after sex. Similar improvements were observed among women without USLE; however, for some variables statistical significance was not reached. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical excision of endometriosis improves not only DD but also the quality of sex life.     

Visible and non-visible endometriosis at laparoscopy in fertile and infertile women and in patients with chronic pelvic pain: a prospective study

In 100 consecutive patients who were undergoing laparoscopyfor infertility (group 1, n = 52), chronic pelvic pain (group2, n = 18) or tubal sterilization (group 3, n = 30, asymptomaticfertile women), peritoneal biopsies were taken from areas ofvisually normal peritoneum of uterosacral ligaments. Twenty-sixpatients in group 1 (50%), eight patients in group 2 (44.4%)and 13 patients in group 3 (43.3%), were found to have laparoscopicevidence of endometriosis elsewhere in the pelvis. The majorityof women (80.7% in group 1, 87.5% in group 2, and 100% in group3) had stage I disease. The incidence of the distinctive appearancesof the lesions was similar in the three groups of patients and7% of all women or 15% (7/47) of those patients having endometriosisat laparoscopy had only subtle (non-‘typical’) endometrioticperitoneal lesions. Uterosacral biopsies showed the presenceof endometriotic tissue in three cases (5.7%), two cases (11%)and three cases (10%) in groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Oneof the two patients in group 2 and two of the three patientsin group 3 had no evidence of endometriosis at laparoscopy;thus histological study revealed the presence of endometriosisin normal peritoneum hi 11 % (5/47) of patients having macroscopicendometriosis and hi 6% (3/53) of patients without endometriosisat laparoscopy. Previous oral contraceptive users were significantlyhigher among women having macroscopic and/or microscopic endometriosisthan among women without the condition. In conclusion, our prospectivestudy shows a high prevalence (45–50%) of endometriosis(including microscopic forms) in both patients with chronicpelvic pain and asymptomatic women (fertile and infertile),thus supporting the modern concept that in many women endometriosismay be a paraphysiological condition while probably only hisome patients small amounts of endometriosis are an ‘annoyance’with implications to their reproductive health and may producesymptoms (eg. pelvic pain) and therefore should be defined asa ‘dis-ease’. Previous use of oral contraceptivesmay increase the risk of developing endometriosis.     

Laparoscopic treatment of deep endometriosis located on the uterosacral ligaments

The goal of this study was to assess the efficiency of laparoscopicsurgical treatment of pain for patients presenting deep endometriosislocated on the uterosacral ligaments. To this end we analyseda continuous series of 21 patients treated by laparoscopic surgerybetween January 1993 and June 1994. In all these cases treatmentconsisted of resection of all the uterosacral ligament(s) presentingdeep endometriotic lesions together with exeresis of all otherendometriotic lesions. No complications were observed per- orpost-operatively. The results were assessed for all the patientswith a minimnm follow-up of one year. The efficiency of thetreatment varied according to the symptoms. Patients who presenteddysmenorrhoea (19 cases) improved in 84.2% of cases (16 patients).Out of the 17 patients who presented deep dyspareunia, improvementwas evident for 94.1% of cases (16 patients). The chronic pelvicpain suffered improved in seven out of nine cases (77.7%). Patientswho benefited from an improvement rated it excellent or satisfactoryin over 80% of cases. These results demonstrate that, providedthe surgeon is highly skilled in laparoscopy, laparoscopic surgeryis efficient for the treatment of patients presenting painfulsymptoms related to deep endometriotic implants located on theuterosacral ligaments.     

A systematic arrangement of laparoscopic total abdominal hysterectomy: a new technique

This sequential, prospective, observational clinical trial evaluated a systematic arrangement of laparoscopic total abdominal hysterectomy and prophylactic, retroperitoneal posterior culdoplasty with vaginal vault suspension surgical techniques by suturing method. The uterus was extirpated laparoscopically in 25 consecutive patients using an extra- and intra-corporeal two-turn flat square knot method. Upon completion of uterine excision, a new prophylactic laparoscopic technique of retroperitoneal posterior culdoplasty and vaginal vault suspension were initiated to prevent pelvic relaxation. Retroperitoneal culdoplasty was performed using the anterior rectal fascia, the posterior uterovaginal fascia, and the deep layer retroperitoneal of the uterosacral ligaments. Vaginal vault suspension was performed using posteriorly the deep layer of the uterosacral ligaments; from a lateroposterior aspect, the vaginal vault was suspended to the cardinal ligaments bilaterally, and anteriorly, the vesicouterine fascia provided support for the vaginal apex. A systematic arrangement of surgical steps was evaluated. All predetermined samples of laparoscopic total abdominal hysterectomy with posterior retroperitoneal culdoplasty and vaginal vault suspension were accomplished in a prearranged systematic order. Neither technical failure nor conversion to laparotomy or transvaginal approach was encountered. This technique expedites uterine extirpation and prophylactic pelvic reconstruction with a low complication rate, can be executed with no transvaginal approach, and eliminates the morbidity and mortality associated with laparotomy itself.     

Pre-operative assessment of bladder endometriosis

The aim of our study was to verify the reliability of transvaginal ultrasonography in the pre-operative evaluation of bladder endometriosis. Six patients with suspected bladder endometriosis were studied. At referral to our department all six women underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasonography, cystoscopy and descending urography. Subsequently all the women underwent transperitoneal cystotomy and excision of endometriotic lesion at laparotomy. In three patients the bladder endometriotic lesions were continuous with adenomyosis in the anterior uterine wall. Histological examination confirmed the endometriotic nature of bladder nodule in all cases. Abdominal ultrasonography visualized the detrusor neoformation in all the patients but was less precise than transvaginal ultrasonography and MRI in defining the size of the lesions, infiltration of the detrusor and continuity with extravesical lesions. Transvaginal ultrasonography was more accurate and versatile than abdominal ultrasonography. The better image resolution allowed an accurate structural analysis of the bladder wall lesion. Furthermore, involvement of the uterovesical septum could be evaluated and adjacent myometrial infiltration recognized. MRI, although very precise, was less versatile than transvaginal ultrasonography and less accurate in establishing the margins of the lesions as perilesional fibrosis is visualized less clearly than areas containing haematic material. Urography was aspecific but still useful to evaluate the integrity of the upper urinary tract and ureters. In conclusion, in our patients transvaginal ultrasonography was found to be the most accurate technique in the diagnosis of bladder endometriosis.      

Progesterone receptor polymorphism +331G/A is associated with a decreased risk of deep infiltrating endometriosis

BACKGROUND: Alterations in the progesterone receptor (PR) are considered a risk factor for the development of endometriosis. In this study, the frequencies of the PROGINS and +331G/A polymorphisms of the PR gene were determined in deep infiltrating endometriosis and correlated with the expression of the PR protein. METHODS AND RESULTS: The frequencies of the PR polymorphisms were determined in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis (n = 72), women with adenomyosis in the uterine wall (n = 40), gynaecological patients without symptomatic endometriosis (n = 102) and healthy females (n = 93). Detection of +331G/A and PROGINS polymorphisms was performed using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Expression of PR-A and PR-B protein was assessed with immunohistochemistry. The allelic frequency of the polymorphic allele +331A was lower in women with endometriosis (P < 0.01) and adenomyosis (P < 0.02) compared with healthy females. The frequency of the PROGINS polymorphism did not differ between the groups. The mean staining index (SI) for PR-B in endometriotic epithelium was higher in the presence of the +331A polymorphic allele (n = 2) (P < 0.001) compared with +331G/G individuals (n = 61). The PROGINS polymorphism did not affect the SI for PR-A and PR-B. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of the PR gene polymorphic allele +331A is associated with a reduced risk of deep infiltrating endometriosis and adenomyosis compared with healthy population controls. The PROGINS polymorphism does not seem to modify the risk of deep infiltrating endometriosis.     

Test-bolus injection for optimization of arterial phase imaging during contrast-enhanced hepatic MR imaging

Contrast enhancement during the dynamic MR imaging is important for the detection and characterization of focal liver lesions. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not a timing examination with a injection of a 1.0-mL bolus of gadopentetate dimeglumine into the antecubital vein followed by rapid dynamic scanning and measurement of signal intensity of the aorta could help to obtain proper arterial-dominant phase images for the characterization of focal hepatic lesions during subsequent multiphase dynamic MR imaging. The imaging delay to acquisition of the first gadolinium-enhanced image for multiphase dynamic MR imaging was set to equal the time to peak aortic enhancement during the test examination. The first contrast-enhanced images of 80 patients with 160 focal liver lesions (hepatocellular carcinoma, n = 79; cavernous hemangioma, n = 51; metastatic tumor, n = 30) were then retrospectively reviewed. Peak aortic enhancement occurred between 10 and 28 seconds (mean, 16.5 seconds +/- 3.1) after starting the infusion of contrast material in 80 patients during the test-examination. Depending on the findings of intrahepatic vascular enhancement on the full-scale dynamic images, hepatic arterial phase (n = 11, 14%) or sinusoid phase (n = 65, 81%) imaging was obtained during the first gadolinium-enhanced acquisition in 76 (95%) of 80 patients. Three different lesions were well characterized and easily distinguished from each other (p < .0001) on the first-phase images depending on their enhancement pattern. In the majority of patients, timing examination with test-bolus injection was helpful in obtaining qualified images for the characterization of various focal lesions.     

Anatomical distribution of deeply infiltrating endometriosis: surgical implications and proposition for a classification

BACKGROUND: Deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is recognized as a specific entity responsible for pain. The distribution of locations and their contribution to surgical management has not been previously studied. METHODS: Medical, operative and pathological reports of 241 consecutive patients with histologically proven DIE were analysed. DIE lesions were classified as: (i). bladder, defined as infiltration of the muscularis propria; (ii). uterosacral ligaments (USL), as DIE of the USL alone; (iii). vagina, as DIE of the anterior rectovaginal pouch, the posterior vaginal fornix and the retroperitoneal area in between, and (iv). intestine, as DIE of the muscularis propria. RESULTS: A total of 241 patients presented 344 DIE lesions: USL (69.2%; 238); vaginal (14.5%; 50); bladder (6.4%; 22); intestinal (9.9%; 34). The proportion of isolated lesions differed significantly according to the DIE location: 83.2% (198) for USL DIE; 56.0% (28) for vaginal DIE; 59.0% (13) for bladder DIE; 29.4% (10) for intestinal DIE (P < 0.0001). The total number of DIE lesions varied significantly according to the location (P < 0.0001). In 39.1% of cases (9/23) intestinal lesions were multifocal. Only 20.6% (seven cases) of intestinal DIE were isolated and unifocal. CONCLUSIONS: Multifocality must be considered during the pre-operative work-up and surgical treatment of DIE. We propose a surgical classification based on the locations of DIE. Operative laparoscopy is efficient for bladder, USL and vaginal DIE. However, indications for laparotomy still exist, notably for bowel lesions.     

Fertility after laparoscopic management of deep endometriosis infiltrating the uterosacral ligaments

The aim of this study was to evaluate fertility outcome after laparoscopic management of deep endometriosis infiltrating the uterosacral ligaments (USL). From January 1993 to December 1996, 30 patients who presented with no other infertility factors were treated using laparoscopic surgery. The overall rate of intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) was 50.0% (15 patients). Only one of these 15 pregnancies was obtained using in-vitro fertilization techniques (IVF). The cumulative IUP rate for the 14 pregnancies which occurred spontaneously was 48.5% at 12 months (95% confidence interval 28.3-68.7). The rate of spontaneous pregnancies was not significantly correlated with the revised American Fertility Society (rAFS) classification. The rate of IUP was 47.0% (eight cases) for patients with stage I or II endometriosis and 46.1% (six cases) for the patients presenting stage III or IV endometriosis (not significant). These encouraging preliminary results show that in a context of infertility it is reasonable to associate classic treatment for endometriosis (e.g. lysis, i.p. cystectomy, biopolar coagulation of superficial peritoneal endometriotic lesions) with resection of deep endometriotic lesions infiltrating the USL. Apart from the benefit with respect to the pain symptoms from which these patients suffer, it is possible to use laparoscopic surgery with substantial retroperitoneal dissection and enable half of the patients to become pregnant. These results also raise the question of the influence of deep endometriotic lesions on infertility.     

椎间隙感染的MRI诊断

目的：分析椎间隙感染的MRI影像特征，评价椎间隙感染的MRI诊断价值。方法：对15例经临床或手术病理证实的椎间隙感染患者行脊柱MRI检查，扫描序列为矢状面FrFsE-T1WI、FrFSE-T2WI、脂肪抑制T2WI，横断面FrFSE-T2WI，其中5例行Gd-DTPA增强对比扫描。结果：15例患者共发现17个椎间隙感染，其中15个发生于腰椎间隙。椎间隙狭窄(13个)，病变椎间盘呈不同程度破坏、碎裂，呈长T1(17个)长T2(15个)信号，T2上椎间盘髓核内正常裂隙状低信号消失(13个)，上下相邻椎体受累破坏(15个)，椎旁软组织肿胀(8个)。5例行Gd-DT-PA增强对比扫描可见病变椎间盘、相邻椎体及椎旁软组织异常强化。结论：MRI对诊断椎间隙感染具有很高的敏感性和准确性，应作为首选的影像学检查方法：     

正常直肠系膜横径的MRI解剖学研究

目的　基于核磁共振图像探讨正常成人直肠系膜横径及其影响因素。 方法　收集100例符合纳入标准的行盆腔MRI检查的成人临床资料进行回顾性分析。其中，男性42例，女性58例，年龄27~83岁。在轴位T1W1图像的精囊腺/子宫体层面上，测量直肠系膜最大横径、直肠最大横径、膀胱最大横径、双侧股骨头间距、前腹壁皮下脂肪厚度及女性子宫最大横径；对直肠系膜横径与其他测量指标之间的相关性进行统计学分析。 结果　（1）58例女性中，直肠系膜最大横径为（7.15±0.97）cm，子宫最大横径为（5.86±0.61）cm。直肠系膜横径与子宫横径无统计学相关性（P>0.05）。（2）合并男性、女性数据进行统计学分析。直肠系膜最大横径为（7.15±0.87）cm，直肠最大横径为（2.84±0.74）cm，膀胱最大横径为（8.58±1.66）cm，双侧股骨头间距为（12.79±0.96）cm，前腹壁皮下脂肪厚度为（2.01±0.76）cm。直肠系膜横径与性别、年龄以及膀胱横径无统计学相关性（P>0.05）；直肠系膜横径与前腹壁皮下脂肪厚度、直肠横径、双侧股骨头间距存在线性正相关（t=3.807、2.612、2.002，P<0.05）。以直肠系膜最大横径（Y）为应变量，前腹壁皮下脂肪厚度（X1）、直肠横径（X2）、双侧股骨头间距（X3）为自变量，得回归方程为：Y=3.500+0.389 X1+0.275 X2+0.163 X3，P<0.05，R2=0.522。 结论　直肠系膜横径与双侧股骨头间距、前腹壁皮下脂肪厚度及直肠横径有关。直肠系膜横径的观察和测量，可为直肠病变的诊疗提供影像学依据。     

Intestinal Endometriosis Mimicking Carcinoma of Rectum and Sigmoid Colon: A Report of Five Cases

Among women with intestinal endometriosis, the sigmoid colon and rectum are the most commonly involved areas. Sometimes, the differential diagnosis of colorectal endometriosis from carcinoma of the colon and rectum is difficult due to similar colonoscopic and radiologic findings. From October 2002 to September 2007, we performed five operations with curative intent for rectal and sigmoid colon cancer that revealed intestinal endometriosis. Colonoscopic and radiologic findings were suggestive of carcinoma of rectum and sigmoid colon, such as rectal cancer, sigmoid colon cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Anterior resection was performed in two patients, low anterior resection was performed in one patient and laparoscopic low anterior resection was done in two patients. We suggest to consider also intestinal endometriosis in reproductive women presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms and an intestinal mass of unknown origin.     

Serum interleukin-6 levels are elevated in women with minimal-mild endometriosis

BACKGROUND: There is a need for a reliable marker of endometriosis, especially in early stages of peritoneal disease during which imaging is not effective. The use of serum interleukin (IL)-6 as a marker is controversial. To readdress the matter, patients undergoing laparoscopy were prospectively evaluated for serum IL-6 levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 119 women 31 years old who underwent laparoscopy were divided into groups: control patients (n = 38) with no pathologic findings; endometriosis sufferers (n = 47) with minimal-mild (MM, n = 11) or moderate-severe (MS, n = 36) endometriosis; uterine myomas (n = 13) and benign ovarian pathologies (n = 21). Blood was drawn on cycles days 5-12 and stored for subsequent analysis of IL-6 and carbohydrate antigen (CA)-125 levels. RESULTS: Serum IL-6 levels were significantly (P = 0.002) higher in women with MM endometriosis (29.4 9.0 pg/ml) than in controls (15.7 9.3 pg/ml). When all the non-endometriosis patients were grouped together (n = 72) and serum IL-6 (17.8 12.1 pg/ml) compared with MS (n = 36; 17.6 10.3 pg/ml) and MM (n = 11; 29.4 9.0 pg/ml) endometriosis significantly (P < 0.01) higher levels in MM endometriosis were observed as compared to the other two groups. Serum Ca-125 levels were significantly (P < 0.01) elevated in MS endometriosis. A serum IL-6 threshold of 25.75 pg/ml afforded a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 83% in the diagnosis of MM endometriosis. Sensitivity and specificity for CA-125 in the diagnosis of MS endometriosis, using 35 IU/ml as the cut-off value, were 47% and 97%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: IL-6 is a reliable non-invasive marker of MM endometriosis, whereas Ca-125 is of use as a marker of severe cases.     

Does transvaginal ultrasonography combined with water-contrast in the rectum aid in the diagnosis of rectovaginal endometriosis infiltrating the bowel?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether adding water-contrastin the rectum during transvaginal ultrasonography (RWC-TVS)improves the diagnosis of rectal infiltration in women withrectovaginal endometriosis. METHODS: This prospective study included 90 women, with suspect rectovaginalendometriosis, who underwent operative laparoscopy. TVS andRWC-TVS were independently performed by different investigators.RWC-TVS was performed by injecting saline solution into therectal lumen under ultrasonographic control through a 6-mm catheter.Presence of rectovaginal nodules, presence and degree of rectalinfiltration, and the largest diameter of the bowel noduleswere evaluated. Ultrasonographic results were compared to surgicaland histological findings. RESULTS: Although RWC-TVS had higher accuracy than TVS in diagnosingrectovaginal endometriosis, the difference between the two techniqueswas not statistically significant. RWC-TVS was significantlymore accurate than TVS in determining the presence of endometrioticinfiltration reaching at least the muscular layer of the rectalwall. The sensitivity of RWC-TVS in identifying rectal lesionswas 97%, the specificity 100%, the positive predictive value100% and the negative predictive value 91.3%. RWC-TVS causeda higher intensity of pain than TVS. CONCLUSIONS: RWC-TVS determines the presence of rectovaginal nodules infiltratingthe rectal muscularis propria more accurately than TVS; RWC-TVScould be used when TVS cannot exclude the presence of rectalinfiltration.     

Evaluation of ectopic pregnancy by magnetic resonance imaging.

Patients (n = 37) suspected of ectopic pregnancy were prospectively evaluated with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to assess the capability of MR imaging in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. Five levels of confidence were defined: diagnostic, suspicious, equivocal, questionable, and negative. Tubal wall enhancement and presence of tubal haematoma or gestational sac-like structure were considered diagnostic findings. There were 21 diagnostic, two suspicious, eight equivocal, and six negative findings. MR findings were compared with the surgical findings in 18 patients. Surgical confirmation was obtained in 12 diagnostic, two suspicious, and four equivocal studies. Using the MR diagnostic criteria for tubal pregnancy, MR had 12 true positive, three true negative, three false negative, and no false positive results for the diagnosis of tubal pregnancy. Retrospective analysis of the signal intensity of haematoma and ascites was performed for these 18 surgically confirmed cases. The predominant signal intensity of tubal haematoma was an intermediate signal on T1-weighted image (WI) and a low signal on T2WI. Ascites showed signal intensity higher than that of urine on T1WI in 100% of 13 cases. In conclusion, MR imaging with use of intravenous contrast material allows a specific diagnosis of tubal pregnancy, recognizing tubal wall enhancement and fresh tubal haematoma.     

正常直肠系膜横径的MRI解剖学研究

目的　基于核磁共振图像探讨正常成人直肠系膜横径及其影响因素。 方法　收集100例符合纳入标准的行盆腔MRI检查的成人临床资料进行回顾性分析。其中,男性42例,女性58例,年龄27~83岁。在轴位T1W1图像的精囊腺/子宫体层面上,测量直肠系膜最大横径、直肠最大横径、膀胱最大横径、双侧股骨头间距、前腹壁皮下脂肪厚度及女性子宫最大横径;对直肠系膜横径与其他测量指标之间的相关性进行统计学分析。 结果　（1）58例女性中,直肠系膜最大横径为（7.15±0.97）cm,子宫最大横径为（5.86±0.61）cm。直肠系膜横径与子宫横径无统计学相关性（P>0.05）。（2）合并男性、女性数据进行统计学分析。直肠系膜最大横径为（7.15±0.87）cm,直肠最大横径为（2.84±0.74）cm,膀胱最大横径为（8.58±1.66）cm,双侧股骨头间距为（12.79±0.96）cm,前腹壁皮下脂肪厚度为（2.01±0.76）cm。直肠系膜横径与性别、年龄以及膀胱横径无统计学相关性（P>0.05）;直肠系膜横径与前腹壁皮下脂肪厚度、直肠横径、双侧股骨头间距存在线性正相关（t=3.807、2.612、2.002,P<0.05）。以直肠系膜最大横径（Y）为应变量,前腹壁皮下脂肪厚度（X1）、直肠横径（X2）、双侧股骨头间距（X3）为自变量,得回归方程为：Y=3.500+0.389 X1+0.275 X2+0.163 X3,P<0.05,R2=0.522。 结论　直肠系膜横径与双侧股骨头间距、前腹壁皮下脂肪厚度及直肠横径有关。直肠系膜横径的观察和测量,可为直肠病变的诊疗提供影像学依据。     

Clear cell carcinoma arising in endometriosis of the rectum following progestin therapy

A 40-year-old woman presented at our hospital with rectal stenosis. Computed tomography demonstrated a conglomerate tumor in the pelvis and malignant look-alike lesions in the liver and in both lungs. A palliative deep rectum resection was done. Histologically, clear cell carcinoma with a small area of endometrioid carcinoma was diagnosed. Severe endometriosis had been diagnosed 13 years earlier. The patient had been treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) for two years; no estrogen therapy had been given. The association between unopposed estrogen replacement therapy and malignant transformation of endometriosis is documented, but malignant transformation following progestin therapy has not been reported previously. It appears that radical surgery is the only means of preventing malignant transformation of the lesion in patients with endometriosis.