Endometriosis in an inguinal crural hernia. Diagnosis by fine needle aspiration biopsy.

The fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy findings of endometriosis is an inguinal crural hernia in a 40-year-old woman are presented. The cytologic findings were similar to those previously reported in aspirates of solid endometriosis in other sites: nonatypical, small, epithelial groups in an inflammatory and proteinaceous background. The cytologic diagnosis of a benign epithelial lesion, possibly endometriosis, was confirmed by histologic study of the extirpated mass. This case shows that endometriosis must be included in the differential diagnosis of FNA samples of palpable lesions of the groin in women of reproductive age.     

Fine needle aspiration cytology in cutaneous and subcutaneous endometriosis

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of cutaneous and subcutaneous endometriosis. STUDY DESIGN: We present 7 cases of endometriosis in abdominal wall, inguinal region and perineum diagnosed by FNAC. All cases were confirmed with histologic follow-up. Cytologic and histologic material was prepared using standard methods. RESULTS: The smears were highly cellular, showing a hemorrhagic background with hemosiderin-laden macrophages and sheets of epithelial and stromal cells. Occasionally, these cellular components were closely associated. CONCLUSION: FNAC is useful in the diagnosis of cutaneous and subcutaneous endometriosis, providing a rapid and accurate preoperative diagnosis.     

Fine needle cytology of endometriosis: experience with 10 cases

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether commonly used cytologic criteria for the diagnosis of endometriosis are sufficiently specific, to assess the possible role of special methods in the differential diagnosis and to assess the clinical meaning and drawbacks of a cytopathologic diagnosis of endometriosis by fine needle aspiration. STUDY DESIGN: We retrieved 10 cases of endometriosis from our files that had been diagnosed primarily by fine needle cytology (FNC) with subsequent tissue study. In some cases additional cytospin preparations and/or smears had been used for cytochemistry (periodic acid-Schiff stain, mucicarmine) or immunocytochemistry (pan-cytokeratin, cytokeratin 7, vimentin, CD10) using a 3-step streptavidin-biotin-immunoperoxidase reaction. RESULTS: The cell pattern and immunocytochemical profile of the cases suggested a diagnosis of endometriosis. All cases were histologically confirmed. CONCLUSION: With optimal preparations a confident cytologic diagnosis of endometriosis may be made with ease, permitting correct treatment of the disease and, in selected cases, planning of preoperative pharmacologic therapy.     

经阴道超声联合血清AFP、PAI-1及MMIF对子宫内膜异位症的诊断价值分析

摘要 目的：探讨经阴道超声联合血清甲胎蛋白（AFP）、纤溶酶原激活物抑制物1（PAI-1）及巨噬细胞移动抑制因子（MMIF）对子宫内膜异位症的诊断价值。方法：选取我院2021年8月到2023年8月收治的150例子宫内膜异位症患者进行回顾性分析,分析其经阴道超声检查图像特征,并以病理诊断作为"金标准",分析阴道超声对宫内膜异位症的阳性检出率。依照子宫内膜异位症分期,将其分为Ⅰ~Ⅱ期组（n=77）,Ⅲ~Ⅳ期组（n=73）,另选取同期来我院体检的150例健康女性作为对照组。分析三组受检者血清AFP、PAI-1及MMIF表达水平,并采用Spearman相关分析法分析AFP、PAI-1及MMIF与子宫内膜异位症的相关性。最后建立受试者特征（ROC）工作曲线分析经阴道超声联合血清AFP、PAI-1及MMIF对子宫内膜异位症的诊断效能。结果：150例子宫内膜异位症患者均经病理诊断确诊,通过经阴道超声检查确诊为子宫内膜异位症的患者128例,85.33%。其中75例患者为卵巢型,超声显示巨大巧克力囊肿,内部可见大量细密点状回声与分隔光带。53例患者为子宫型,超声显示后壁腺肌瘤,内部回声不均匀,可见片状无回声区域;三组受检者血清AFP、PAI-1及MMIF表达水平对比差异显著,Ⅲ~Ⅳ期组明显高于Ⅰ~Ⅱ期组和对照组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;Spearman相关分析结果显示：AFP、PAI-1及MMIF与子宫内膜异位症呈正相关（P＜0.05）;诊断灵敏度和特异度从低到高依次为MMIF（52.58%、64.32%）、PAI-1（60.03%、67.53%）、AFP（65.24%、71.27%）、经阴道超声（73.25%、86.36%）、经阴道超声联合血清AFP、PAI-1及MMIF（84.26%、98.63%）。经阴道超声联合血清AFP、PAI-1及MMIF的诊断灵敏度明显高于单一指标诊断（P＜0.05）。结论：经阴道超声联合血清AFP、PAI-1及MMIF对子宫内膜异位症的诊断价值较高,其灵敏度和特异度分别为84.26%、98.63%,通过联合诊断可进一步辅助减少子宫内膜异位症的误诊和漏诊几率,为子宫内膜异位症的诊断与治疗提供重要参考。     

Cytopathology of peritoneal endometriosis caused by ruptured ovarian cysts

The cytopathologic features of two cases of peritoneal endometriosis (secondary to ruptured ovarian endometrial cysts) are described. Both patients presented with abdominal distension and tenderness and were clinically thought to have an abdominal tumor. Preoperative cytologic examination of peritoneal fluids gave a diagnosis of endometriosis in both cases. The endometrial tissue was present in the smears as honeycombs, syncytia and tight clusters of both epithelial and stromal cells. Subsequent surgery confirmed the cytodiagnosis in both cases. These cases emphasize the need to include endometriosis in the differential diagnosis of peritoneal effusions, especially in women.     

Record review of baboons with histologically confirmed endometriosis in a large established colony

Spontaneous endometriosis was diagnosed in 43 baboons over a 14-year period. Thirty-seven have died; five remain alive; one was sold and lost to follow-up. The average age at diagnosis was 17.2 years; 29 (67%) were between 12 and 21 years of age. Fifteen (35%) were diagnosed by biopsy and received surgical excision of the endometriotic tissue; four of these were identified during caesarian section, confirming one prior report of endometriosis in pregnant animals. Twenty-eight (65%) were diagnosed at or shortly preceding necropsy. When diagnosed by a palpable abdominal mass, there was a significantly greater likelihood the animal died or was killed as a result of complications of endometriosis. When diagnosis was at necropsy, there was a significantly greater likelihood that the animal died from causes unrelated to endometriosis. Early identification with surgical removal appears to provide a benefit for both survival and delivering offspring after diagnosis. In twenty-one baboons (49%), endometriosis affected multiple sites within the peritoneal cavity. In the remaining baboons, lesions were more localized. Ovarian involvement was seen in sixteen (37%) of these baboons. This paper is the first to describe significant ovarian involvement in baboons, previously considered a limitation of the usefulness of this species as an animal model. We also describe the first reported endometriosis seeding of an abdominal surgery scar in a baboon. Many of these baboons were middle aged, had few or no offspring, or had evidence of a long duration of uninterrupted menstrual cycles, consistent with risk factors for women. Endometriosis was an incidental finding in 17 (40%) of these baboons, consistent with previous reports of minimal endometriosis as a common asymptomatic finding in baboons and in women. Overall, endometriosis in baboons presents a spontaneously occurring animal model that shares important features with the disease in women and the rhesus macaque.     

RsaI polymorphism of the ERβ gene in women with endometriosis

We examined the frequency of RsaI polymorphism of the ERβ gene in 54 patients diagnosed with endometriosis and 46 controls. Peripheral blood was collected from women undergoing laparoscopy with a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis. Polymorphisms of the ERβ gene and p53 were assessed by PCR and analyzed on 2% agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide. The AG polymorphism genotype frequency in patients with endometriosis was 59.3%, with 40.7% GG. In the control group, the frequency of AG was 6.5%, with 93.5% GG. The frequency of heterozygous AG was nine times higher in patients with endometriosis than in the control group (P < 0.0001).     

Polymorphism of the progesterone receptor gene associated with endometriosis in patients from Goiás, Brazil

We investigated a possible link between endometriosis and polymorphism of the progesterone receptor gene (PROGINS). The endometriosis group consisted of 54 patients with a diagnosis of endometriosis by laparoscopy, and the control group comprised 44 women without endometriosis. Genotypes for PROGINS polymorphisms (A1/A1, A1/A2 and A2/A2) were determined by polymerase chain reaction and analyzed on a 2% agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide. The frequency of polymorphic genotypes (A1/A2 and A2/A2) was significantly higher in patients with endometriosis (33%) than in the control group (16%). We conclude that there is a significant correlation between PROGINS polymorphism and endometriosis.     

Nickel Allergy Is a Risk Factor for Endometriosis: An 11-Year Population-Based Nested Case-Control Study

BackgroundA cross-sectional study has reported that nickel allergy is associated with endometriosis. However, causal studies of this association are limited.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of nickel allergy in women with and without endometriosis.MethodsWe used a National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) sample cohort dataset that included approximately 1 million individuals from South Korea; the data were obtained between January 01, 2002, and December 31, 2013. We selected the endometriosis group according to diagnosis code (N80.X), surgery codes, and drug codes during the years 2009~2013. The controls were randomly matched to the endometriosis patients at a ratio of 4:1 by age and socioeconomic status. Patients with nickel allergy were defined in the cohort dataset as those with a simultaneous diagnosis code (L23.0) and patch test code during 2002~2008.ResultsIn total, 4,985 women were selected from the NHIS cohort database and divided into an endometriosis group (997 women) and a control group (3,988 women). The number of patients with nickel allergy in the endometriosis group was eight (0.8%), and that in the control group was thirteen (0.3%). After adjustment for age and socioeconomic status, the rate of nickel allergy in was higher in the endometriosis group than in the control group [odds ratio: 2.474; 95% confidence interval: 1.023~5.988; p = 0.044].ConclusionsWe found that nickel allergy is a risk factor for endometriosis.     

Cytodiagnosis and comparison of nondecidualized and decidualized endometriosis of the abdominal wall. A report of two cases.

We describe two cases of endometriosis of the abdominal wall occurring in young, multiparous women in which the diagnosis was made by fine needle aspiration biopsy. One case illustrates the cytologic features of non-decidualized endometriosis: a biphasic population of stromal and glandular cells. In contrast, the other case showed large, plump stromal cells in a distinctive myxoid background, creating a picture of decidualized endometriosis. The differential diagnoses of palpable masses in the abdominal wall and the importance of clinicopathologic correlation are discussed.     

子宫内膜异位症患者血清可溶性B7-H4的水平及意义

目的:探讨子宫内膜异位症患者血清可溶性B7-H4(sB7-H4)的水平及其临床意义。方法:用ELISA夹心法检测43例子宫内膜异位症患者术前血清sB7-H4的水平及40例子宫内膜异位症患者术后血清sB7-H4的水平,同时选取30例体检健康妇女血清sB7-H4水平作为对照。结果:子宫内膜异位症患者血清sB7-H4水平为(36.23±5.67)μg/L,体检健康者血清sB7-H4水平为(31.24±4.56)μg/L,两者比较差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。手术前,子宫内膜异位症患者血清sB7-H4水平为(36.23±5.67)μg/L,明显高于术后(32.54±4.27)μg/L(P0.05)。子宫内膜异位症患者血清sB7-H4水平与CA125水平呈显著正相关(r=0.531,P0.01)。结论:血清可溶性B7-H4可能与子宫内膜异位症的发病有关,检测血清中可溶性B7-H4水平对内异症的辅助诊断和疗效观察可能具有一定的临床意义。     

Ciblage des tissus endométriaux par la 16α-[18F]fluoro-17β-œstradiol (PET-[18F]FES) : résultats préliminaires dans le diagnostic de l’endométriose

ObjectivesPositron emission tomography with 16α-[18F]fluoro-17β-œstradiol (PET-[18F]FES) is used to evaluate the in vivo tissue density in estrogen receptor (ER). We report here the first cases in the diagnosis of endometriosis.Patients and methodsFour patients with clinical and morphological signs (pelvic ultrasound ± MRI) consistent with endometriosis were enrolled in this National Grant PHRC ENDOTEP. They underwent a PET-[¹⁸F]FES scan before laparoscopy (macroscopic and histological analysis, immuno-histochemical ER expression).ResultsIn the four patients, the diagnosis of endometriosis was confirmed on the typical macroscopic appearance of laparoscopy plus histological analysis of at least one lesion. No uptake of [¹⁸F]FES by endometriosis lesions was observed in the first three patients with estrogen-progestin therapy. The fourth patient, untreated and in the first part of the menstrual cycle when performing PET-[¹⁸F]FES, had however an increased [¹⁸F]FES uptake of one lesion of endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopy.ConclusionWe report here the first case of [¹⁸F]FES uptake by an endometriosis lesion. With the ENDOTEP trial, the performance of PET-[¹⁸F]FES for the diagnosis of endometriosis will be evaluated in patients who are not receiving hormone therapy.     

Metabolomic profile as a noninvasive adjunct tool for the diagnosis of Grades III and IV endometriosis‐related infertility

The aim of the present case‐control study was to develop a noninvasive adjuvant tool for the diagnosis of endometriosis. Serum samples from 100 patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection were split into two groups according to the cause of infertility: an endometriosis group (n = 50), consisting of samples derived from patients with Grade III and IV endometriosis, and a control group (n = 50), comprising samples derived from patients with isolated male factor infertility. The metabolomic profile of each sample was obtained, through mass spectrometry. Partial least squares discriminant analysis was able to clearly classify the endometriosis and control groups. Ten potential biomarkers were selected based on their importance for model prediction. These ions were used to build the receiver‐operating characteristic curve, which presented an area under the curve of 0.904 (95% confidence interval: 0.796–0.985). To validate the model, 30 other samples from infertile women without any evidence of endometriosis were tested. Considering these ions as possible biomarkers, the model was able to correctly classify 84% of the patients. Finally, a similar prediction potential was observed in the model validated set, when samples from the disease‐free group were tested. Serum metabolomics may be useful as a noninvasive adjunct tool for the selection of patients who must undergo laparoscopy for definitive endometriosis diagnosis.     

Peritoneal endometriosis. Report of a case with cytologic, cytochemical and histopathologic study

The cytologic and histochemical data in a case of extensive peritoneal endometriosis are presented. The presence of macrophages heavily laden with blue and dark pigment (as demonstrated by May-Grünwald-Giemsa, Perls and Fontana stains) and scattered non-neoplastic endometrial cells in hemorrhagic ascitic fluid indicated a diagnosis of peritoneal endometriosis. Metabolized hemoglobin material was related to both recent and older hemorrhages.     

Deep infiltrating ureteral endometriosis with catamenial hydroureteronephrosis: a case report

Background

This aim of this case report is to raise awareness of ureteral endometriosis in women of reproductive age with hydronephrosis in the absence of urolithiasis to enable early diagnosis and prevent loss of renal function.

Case presentation

A 44-year-old Asian woman presented with a 4-year history of cyclic right flank pain and right hydronephrosis during menstruation. Despite several evaluations by physicians, including gynecologists, the cause of her symptoms was not diagnosed. On transvaginal ultrasonography, the uterus was observed deviated to the right, with a nodular lesion at the right uterosacral ligament, and the right ovary was attached to the uterus with no apparent cystic lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass in the right uterine wall and mild wall thickening with delayed enhancement of the right distal ureter. Right ureteral endometriosis was suspected. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed narrowing of the distal right ureter between the right uterosacral ligament and the right ovary with adhesions caused by deep infiltrating endometriosis. The adhesion bands and infiltrating endometriosis around the right ureter were dissected.

Conclusions

The nonspecific symptoms of ureteral endometriosis can result in incorrect diagnosis, with renal damage as a result of prolonged hydronephrosis. A high index of suspicion and use of imaging modalities enable earlier diagnosis and preservation of renal function.

     

Emerging hallmarks of endometriosis metabolism: A promising target for the treatment of endometriosis

Endometriosis, characterized by ectopic endometrium growth in the extrauterine environment, is one of the most notable diseases of the female reproductive system. Worldwide, endometriosis affects nearly 10 % of women in their reproductive years and causes a significant decline in quality of life. Despite extensive investigations of endometriosis over the past years, the mechanisms of endometriosis pathogenesis remain unclear. In recent years, metabolic factors have increasingly been considered factors in endometriosis. There is compelling evidence regarding the progress of endometriosis in the context of severe metabolic dysfunction. Hence, the curative strategies and ongoing attempts to conquer endometriosis might start with metabolic pathways. This review focuses on metabolic mechanisms and summarizes current research progress. These findings provide valuable information for the non-intrusive diagnosis of the disease and may contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of endometriosis.     

Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of different forms of endometriosis

The present paper examines the capacities of non-invasive MRI in the diagnosis of endometriosis. A standardized study algorithm is proposed, indications and methodology for MRI in different forms of endometriosis (EM) are specified. It is shown that in the diagnosis of different types of EM there are specific changes in the MR pattern of small pelvic organs, which allow one to make a differential diagnosis of this disease with a higher sensitivity (96%) and specificity (87%) as compared with ultrasound study. MRI makes it possible to assess the degree of invasion of endometrioid heterotopies into the wall of the intestine and cervix uteri with a high degree of accuracy and to judge the degree and extent of intestinal luminal narrowing. Diagnostic errors in solving these problems (as well as those associated with the detection of extragenital foci of EM in the small pelvis) are due first of all to movement artefacts a (respiration and intestinal motility) particularly in the presence of a significant adhesive process and/or after surgical intervention. MRI does not virtually yield false-negative conclusions in the diagnosis of different forms of genital endometriosis (less than 3%), which, in the authors' opinion, rather justifies some hyperdiagnosis (about 11%) made by this method in the diagnosis of endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum. MRI is a closing, specifying stage of instrumental diagnosis of not only EM, but also other small pelvic diseases.     

Cytokine array analysis of peritoneal fluid between women with endometriosis of different stages and those without endometriosis

Cytokines are key mediators of intercellular communication and are likely to promote the development and progression of endometriosis. Previous studies provided evidence that endometriosis develops as a result of the pathogenetic factors in the peritoneal environment, especially the peritoneal fluid (PF). We determined different cytokine expression in peritoneal fluid between women with minimal/mild and moderate/severe endometriosis and those without endometriosis using the cytokine array. As a result, 78 cytokines were found to have a threefold change, including 74 increases and four decreases in endometriosis compared with the control group; 96 cytokines had a threefold change including 91 increases and five decreases in minimal and mild endometriosis compared with the control group; 83 cytokines had a threefold change including 14 increases and 69 decreases in moderate and severe endometriosis compared with minimal and mild endometriosis. The cytokine networks were produced by Pathway Studio software and revealed that most cytokines are involved in cell binding, interaction and protein synthesis and transportation regulation. Among them activin A, Smad7 and β-nerve growth factor are the most interesting as they may be involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. These results suggest that cytokines are very important factors in the development of endometriosis. The findings of differentially expressed cytokines improves our knowledge of the pathogenesis and development of endometriosis and these findings warrant further studies to develop potential targets for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.     

子宫内膜异位症发病机制的研究进展

子宫内膜异位症(内异症)仍是医学上的一个难题,给育龄期的妇女带来了极大的痛苦,可以引起继发性痛经、慢性盆腔痛、不孕等临床症状。内异症的具体发病机制仍不清楚,在经典的"经血逆流"学说提出以后,又出现了体腔上皮化生学说、苗勒管残迹学说等。近几年的研究又提出了一系列与内异症发病相关的因素,包括在位内膜的生物学特点、雌激素作用、免疫炎症反应、血管形成等,这些因素的提出对子宫内膜异位症的发病机制进行了补充和深入,也为现在子宫内膜异位症的诊治提供了新的思路和方向。文章对近年来子宫内膜异位症发病机制的相关研究进展进行了回顾与总结,作一综述。     

子宫内膜异位症的临床诊断及治疗新进展

子宫内膜异位症是至今为止仍让人迷茫的疾病,现在引起人们越来越多地关注。内异症是一种进展性疾病,国内外医疗界学者试图将其早期诊断彻底治愈,但结果颇为不佳。通过临床的不断摸索,期望更全面更合理的诊断与治疗系统问世。目前其发病机制尚未彻底阐明,而在其诊断及治疗方面也缺乏特异性的方法,现就其诊断及治疗进展综述如下。