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Purpose To compare sonohysterosalpingography (sono-HSG) with foam instillation (HyFoSy) versus saline solution (HyCoSy) in the evaluation of tubal patency. Methods We prospectively enrolled 37 infertile women, scheduled for laparoscopy. The women were randomized into two groups: HyFoSy (group I) and HyCoSy (group II). The patients of both groups underwent laparoscopy with dye test. We assessed the diagnostic performance (sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy) of HyFoSy and HyCoSy, compared with laparoscopy and dye test, in the assessment of tubal patency. Results Sono-HSG findings in tubal patency assessment obtained in the HyFoSy group were concordant with laparoscopic results in 94.4% of cases, with a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 100%, whereas in the HyCoSy group, concordance occurred in only 57.8% of examinations, with a sensitivity of 50% and a specificity of 66.6%. Conclusions HyFoSy allows a more accurate diagnosis of tubal patency compared with HyCoSy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2016

Endometriosis is a chronic disease and a clinical problem in women of fertile age, with a high impact on quality of life, work productivity and health care management. Two imaging modalities are employed in the diagnosis and evaluation of extent of disease: ultrasound examination with endovaginal approach and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI, thanks to its high contrast and resolution characteristics, offers a high level of accuracy in the study of endometriosis and adenomyosis. We illustrate here 10 key MRI points for the detection and diagnosis of endometriosis.

Purpose To assess the diagnostic accuracy of 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in assessing the involvement of uterosacral ligaments (USLs) in deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). Methods Between July 2010 and July 2012, 42 women, aged between 19 and 45 years (mean age 28 years), with a diagnosis of cystic ovarian endometriosis and scheduled for laparoscopic treatment, underwent pre-operative 3.0-T MRI examination. USL was considered normal when it was not visible or when it was thin and regular. Results We found USL involvement in 20/42 cases: 4/20 had bilateral involvement, 16/20 had monolateral involvement; in the right ligament in 9/16 cases and in the left in 7/16. Asymmetric morphology was found in 17 patients with an arciform shape associated with increased thickness of the ligament. A thickness >3 mm was considered positive. These patients also presented thickening of the torus uterinus region. In three cases complete cul de sac obliteration led to loss of tissue plane which hindered identification of the USLs. Comparison with laparoscopy findings enabled us to achieve the following statistical values: 94.7% sensitivity, 91.3% specificity, 90.0% positive predictive value, 95.4% negative predictive value, and 93% diagnostic accuracy. Conclusions Optimal visualization of USLs was obtained on para-axial scans on T2W and T1W sequences which allowed an optimal anatomic visualization. In our study we demonstrated that 3.0T imaging enabled an optimal assessment of USL involvement to select patients for the correct kind of surgery or follow-up of these patients.

A panel of experts in the field of endometriosis expressed their opinions on management options in a 28-year-old patient, attempting pregnancy for 1 year, with severe cyclic pelvic pain and with clinical examination and imaging techniques suggestive of adenomyosis. Many questions this paradigmatic patient may pose to the clinician are addressed, and all clinical scenarios are discussed. A decision algorithm derived from this discussion is also proposed.

Extrapelvic endometriosis is a rare condition defined as the presence of endometriotic stroma and glands outside the pelvis and elsewhere in the body. The cervix, vagina, vulva, intestinal tract, urinary tract, diaphragm, abdominal wall, inguinal canal, thoracic cage and lungs, extremities and even the central and peripheral nervous system can be involved. Because extrapelvic endometriosis is located in unusual sites, it is often confused with other pathologic conditions. This can lead to a difficult and challenging diagnosis and management. In the presence of recurrent, cyclical and catamenial symptoms, extragenital endometriotic lesions should be suspected. The aim of our paper is to report 9 cases of rare locations of extrapelvic endometriosis and to provide a literature review.

The aim of this study was to characterize the placental transfer of some environmental pollutants, and to explore the possibility of quantitatively predicting in utero exposure to these contaminants from concentrations assessed in maternal blood. Levels of toxic substances such as pesticides (p,p’-DDE, β-HCH, and HCB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were determined in serum samples of 38 pregnant women living in Rome and in samples of cord blood from their respective newborns. The study was carried out in the years 2008–2009. PCB mean concentrations in maternal serum and cord serum ranged from 0.058 to 0.30, and from 0.018 to 0.064 ng/g·fw respectively. Arithmetic means of PFOS and PFOA concentrations in mothers and newborns were 3.2 and 1.4 ng/g·fw, and 2.9 and 1.6 ng/g·fw. A strong correlation was observed between concentrations in the maternal and the foetal compartment for PFOS (Spearman r = 0.74, p < 0.001), PFOA (Spearman r = 0.70, p < 0.001), PCB 153 (Spearman r = 0.60, p < 0.001), HCB (Spearman r = 0.68, p < 0.001), PCB 180 (Spearman r = 0.55, p = 0.0012), and p,p’-DDE (Spearman r = 0.53, p = 0.0099). A weak correlation (p < 0.1) was observed for PCBs 118 and 138.

Background. Ovarian pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy. It is often difficult to distinguish from tubal pregnancy, and diagnosis and management are frequently a challenge.Case. A 33-year-old nulligravida woman presented with light vaginal bleeding and bilateral lower quadrants abdominal pain. Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) level (592 mUI/mL) and clinical and ultrasound (US) findings were suspicious for tubal pregnancy. On the third day, despite beta-hCG decrease (364 mUI/mL), she complained of severe pain in the lower abdomen, and physical examination revealed abdominal rebound tenderness. US showed a large amount of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Because of the unstable clinical condition, emergency laparoscopy and resection of left ovarian ectopic pregnancy were performed. Histology confirmed ovarian gestation.Conclusion. This case shows that ectopic pregnancy rupture may occur despite low levels of beta-hCG. Hemoperitoneum is not contraindication to laparoscopy.