Urethral diverticulum as a cause for chronic genitourinary pain: a case report

A 53-year-old woman suffering for 20 years from chronic genitourinary pain was seen in our urogynecological unit. Quality of life assessment by King's Health Questionnaire showed a highly negative impact on quality of life. Clinical examination revealed a painful and swollen distal urethra, and a small fistula was seen located 12 mm proximal to the meatus externus. Perineal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple cystic formations bilaterally located in the suburethral and paraurethral regions. A diverticulectomy was performed using the vaginal approach. Twelve months after surgery the woman is completely satisfied and only complaining about slight alguria.     

Incisional endometriomas after Cesarean section: a case series

OBJECTIVE: To review a series of women with endometriomas developing in the scar of the skin incision performed for cesarean section. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 37 patients diagnosed with incisional endometrioma at the time of surgical excision from 1975 to 2005 were identified from the comprehensive surgical database, which includes all operative procedures performed at this institution. The medical records of 33 of the 37 patients were available for review. RESULTS: The endometriomas ranged in size from a diameter of 1-12 cm and were initially observed to be present 6 months to 9 years (mean, 3.2) after the surgical procedure. Diagnosis was best made by needle aspiration of chocolate colored fluid from the mass. Medical therapy with a gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist, medroxyprogesterone acetate or combination oral contraceptives had been attempted in 14 patients without a change in lesion size. All patients were cured by surgical excision of the endometrioma. CONCLUSION: The overall incidence of incisional endometriomas following cesarean section during the 30-year period was 0.08%. Optimal treatment is by surgical excision. It is hypothesized that failure to close the parietal and visceral peritoneum with sutures at the time of cesarean section may markedly increase the postoperative occurrence of an endometrioma in the skin incision scar.     

The prognostic significance of positive peritoneal cytology and adnexal/serosal metastasis in stage IIIA endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE: The clinical significance and optimal management of patients with stage IIIA endometrial cancer are controversial. We sought to determine whether recurrence and survival of patients with stage IIIA endometrial cancer differ with surgical pathologic findings (positive peritoneal cytology versus positive adnexae or serosa) and adjuvant treatment. METHODS: Retrospective single institution analysis of patients surgically staged for IIIA endometrial cancer at Duke University Medical Center from 1973 to 2002. Stage IIIA patients were stratified into positive cytology alone (group IIIA1, n=37) and positive adnexae or uterine serosa (group IIIA2, n=20). Comparison was made with previously reported group of 467 patients with surgical stage I/II disease. Recurrence and survival were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimations and Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Mean age of 57 patients with stage IIIA endometrial cancer was 63. Adjuvant therapies were administered to 89% patients (74% radiotherapy, 4% chemotherapy, 19% progestins). Five-year overall (OS) and recurrence-free disease-specific survival (RFDSS) were 64% and 76%, respectively. Survival was similar comparing IIIA1 (62%) and IIIA2 (68%, p=0.999). RFDSS by adjuvant therapy was: external beam radiotherapy 89% (n=10), intraperitoneal P32 84% (n=21), progestins 78% (n=9), none 75% (n=6). 61% recurrences included extrapelvic component. In multivariable analysis of stage I-IIIA patients (n=517), positive cytology but not adnexal/serosal metastasis was predictive of death (HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.06-2.73) and disease recurrence (HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.07-2.71). CONCLUSION: Among patients with stage IIIA endometrial cancer, metastasis to adnexae or serosa does not appear to confer worse prognosis than positive cytology alone. Positive cytology is an independent predictor of prognosis among patients with stage I-IIIA endometrial cancer. While optimal adjuvant therapy for these groups remains unclear, recurrence patterns suggest that systemic therapies are appropriate.     

Fact: antidepressants and anxiolytics are not safe during pregnancy

Psychotropic medication is used by a growing number of women of reproductive age. Although necessary in some cases, in many others non-pharmacological treatments offer valid alternatives for the pregnant woman. The noxious effects of antidepressants and anxiolytics urge the physician to look for other solutions. The efficacy of alternative treatment is enhanced by early detection that requires monitoring for mood disorders from the earliest stages of pregnancy, and multidisciplinary professional care.