Juan Luis Alcazar

Prof. Dr. Juan Luis Alcazar

Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarre, Spain
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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

31Years (1996-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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4 May 2018 in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology
Verified
Journal Article
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SGStefano Guerriero
Stefano Guerriero
LSL. Saba
L. Saba
MPM.Angela Pascual
M.Angela Pascual
SAS. Ajossa
S. Ajossa
IRIgnacio Rodriguez
Ignacio Rodriguez
JAJuan Luis Alcazar
Juan Luis Alcazar

28 October 2017 in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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MNM. A. Coelho Neto
M. A. Coelho Neto
ALArtur Ludwin
Artur Ludwin
ABAntoni Borrell
Antoni Borrell
BBB. Benacerraf
B. Benacerraf
DDDidier Dewailly
Didier Dewailly
WMW. P. Martins
W. P. Martins
This Consensus Opinion summarizes the main aspects of several techniques for performing ovarian antral follicle count (AFC), proposes a standardized report and provides recommendations for future research. AFC should be performed using a transvaginal ultrasound (US) probe with frequency ≥ 7 MHz. For training, we suggest a minimum of 20–40 supervised examinations. The operator should be able to adjust the machine settings in order to achieve the best contrast between follicular fluid and ovarian stroma. AFC may be evaluated using real‐time two‐dimensional (2D) US, stored 2D‐US cine‐loops and stored three‐dimensional (3D) US datasets. Real‐time 2D‐US has the advantage of permitting additional maneuvers to determine whether an anechoic structure is a follicle, but may require a longer scanning time, particularly when there is a large number of follicles, resulting in more discomfort to the patient. 2D‐US cine‐loops have the advantages of reduced scanning time and the possibility for other observers to perform the count. The 3D‐US technique requires US machines with 3D capability and the operators to receive additional training for acquisition/analysis, but has the same advantages as cine‐loop and also allows application of different imaging techniques, such as volume contrast imaging, inversion mode and semi‐automated techniques such as sonography‐based automated volume calculation. In this Consensus Opinion, we make certain recommendations based on the available evidence. However, there is no strong evidence that any one method is better than another; the operator should choose the best method for counting ovarian follicles based on availability of resources and on their own preference and skill. More studies evaluating how to improve the reliability of AFC should be encouraged. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

11 October 2017 in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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ALArtur Ludwin
Artur Ludwin
WMW. P. Martins
W. P. Martins
CNC. O. Nastri
C. O. Nastri
ILI. Ludwin
I. Ludwin
MNM. A. Coelho Neto
M. A. Coelho Neto
ESE. Saridogan
E. Saridogan
Objectives: To assess the level of agreement between experts in distinguishing between septate and normal/arcuate uterus using their subjective judgment when reviewing the coronal view of the uterus from three‐dimensional ultrasound. Another aim was to determine the interobserver reliability and diagnostic test accuracy of three measurements suggested by recent guidelines, using as reference standard the decision made most often by experts (Congenital Uterine Malformation by Experts (CUME)).Methods: Images of the coronal plane of the uterus from 100 women with suspected fundal internal indentation were anonymized and provided to 15 experts (five clinicians, five surgeons and five sonologists). They were instructed to indicate whether they believed the uterus to be normal/arcuate (defined as normal uterine morphology or not clinically relevant degree of distortion caused by internal indentation) or septate (clinically relevant degree of distortion caused by internal indentation). Two other observers independently measured indentation depth, indentation angle and indentation‐to‐wall‐thickness (I:WT) ratio. The agreement between experts was assessed using kappa, the interobserver reliability was assessed using the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), the diagnostic test accuracy was assessed using the area under the receiver–operating characteristics curve (AUC) and the best cut‐off value was assessed using Youden's index, considering as the reference standard the choice made most often by the experts (CUME).Results: There was good agreement between all experts (kappa, 0.62). There were 18 septate and 82 normal/arcuate uteri according to CUME; European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE)‐European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) criteria (I:WT ratio > 50%) defined 80 septate and 20 normal/arcuate uteri, while American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) criteria defined five septate (depth > 15 mm and angle < 90°), 82 normal/arcuate (depth < 10 mm and angle > 90°) and 13 uteri that could not be classified (referred to as the gray‐zone). The agreement between ESHRE‐ESGE and CUME was 38% (kappa, 0.1); the agreement between ASRM criteria and CUME for septate was 87% (kappa, 0.39), and considering both septate and gray‐zone as septate, the agreement was 98% (kappa, 0.93). Among the three measurements, the interobserver reproducibility of indentation depth (CCC, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98–0.99) was better than both indentation angle (CCC, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94–0.97) and I:WT ratio (CCC, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.90–0.94). The diagnostic test accuracy of these three measurements using CUME as reference standard was very good, with AUC between 0.96 and 1.00. The best cut‐off values for these measurements to define septate uterus were: indentation depth ≥ 10 mm, indentation angle < 140° and I:WT ratio > 110% .Conclusions: The suggested ESHRE‐ESGE cut‐off value overestimates the prevalence of septate uterus while that of ASRM underestimates this prevalence, leaving in the gray‐zone most of the uteri that experts considered as septate. We recommend considering indentation depth ≥ 10 mm as septate, since the measurement is simple and reliable and this criterion is in agreement with expert opinion. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

25 March 2019 in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology
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Journal Article
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Manuela LudovisiManuela Ludovisi
Manuela Ludovisi
FMFrancesca Moro
Francesca Moro
Tina PasciutoTina Pasciuto
Tina Pasciuto
SNS. Di Noi
S. Di Noi
SGS. Giunchi
S. Giunchi
ATA. C. Testa
A. C. Testa

30 July 2020 in BMJ
Verified
Journal Article
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BCBen Van Calster
Ben Van Calster
LVLil Valentin
Lil Valentin
WFWouter Froyman
Wouter Froyman
CLChiara Landolfo
Chiara Landolfo
JCJolien Ceusters
Jolien Ceusters
DTDirk Timmerman
Dirk Timmerman
Objective To evaluate the performance of diagnostic prediction models for ovarian malignancy in all patients with an ovarian mass managed surgically or conservatively. Design Multicentre cohort study. Setting 36 oncology referral centres (tertiary centres with a specific gynaecological oncology unit) or other types of centre. Participants Consecutive adult patients presenting with an adnexal mass between January 2012 and March 2015 and managed by surgery or follow-up. Main outcome measures Overall and centre specific discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility of six prediction models for ovarian malignancy (risk of malignancy index (RMI), logistic regression model 2 (LR2), simple rules, simple rules risk model (SRRisk), assessment of different neoplasias in the adnexa (ADNEX) with or without CA125). ADNEX allows the risk of malignancy to be subdivided into risks of a borderline, stage I primary, stage II-IV primary, or secondary metastatic malignancy. The outcome was based on histology if patients underwent surgery, or on results of clinical and ultrasound follow-up at 12 (±2) months. Multiple imputation was used when outcome based on follow-up was uncertain. Results The primary analysis included 17 centres that met strict quality criteria for surgical and follow-up data (5717 of all 8519 patients). 812 patients (14%) had a mass that was already in follow-up at study recruitment, therefore 4905 patients were included in the statistical analysis. The outcome was benign in 3441 (70%) patients and malignant in 978 (20%). Uncertain outcomes (486, 10%) were most often explained by limited follow-up information. The overall area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was highest for ADNEX with CA125 (0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.92 to 0.96), ADNEX without CA125 (0.94, 0.91 to 0.95) and SRRisk (0.94, 0.91 to 0.95), and lowest for RMI (0.89, 0.85 to 0.92). Calibration varied among centres for all models, however the ADNEX models and SRRisk were the best calibrated. Calibration of the estimated risks for the tumour subtypes was good for ADNEX irrespective of whether or not CA125 was included as a predictor. Overall clinical utility (net benefit) was highest for the ADNEX models and SRRisk, and lowest for RMI. For patients who received at least one follow-up scan (n=1958), overall area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ranged from 0.76 (95% confidence interval 0.66 to 0.84) for RMI to 0.89 (0.81 to 0.94) for ADNEX with CA125. Conclusions Our study found the ADNEX models and SRRisk are the best models to distinguish between benign and malignant masses in all patients presenting with an adnexal mass, including those managed conservatively. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01698632.

26 April 2017 in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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EEElisabeth Epstein
Elisabeth Epstein
DFD. Fischerova
D. Fischerova
LVLil Valentin
Lil Valentin
ATA. C. Testa
A. C. Testa
DFD. Franchi
D. Franchi
TBT. Van Den Bosch
T. Van Den Bosch
Objective: To describe the sonographic features of endometrial cancer in relation to tumor stage, grade and histological type, using the International Endometrial Tumor Analysis (IETA) terminology.Methods: This was a prospective multicenter study of 1714 women with biopsy‐confirmed endometrial cancer undergoing standardized transvaginal grayscale and Doppler ultrasound examination according to the IETA study protocol, by experienced ultrasound examiners using high‐end ultrasound equipment. Clinical and sonographic data were entered into a web‐based database. We assessed how strongly sonographic characteristics, according to IETA, were associated with outcome at hysterectomy, i.e. tumor stage, grade and histological type, using univariable logistic regression and the c‐statistic.Results: In total, 1538 women were included in the final analysis. Median age was 65 (range, 27–98) years, median body mass index was 28.4 (range 16–67) kg/m2, 1377 (89.5%) women were postmenopausal and 1296 (84.3%) reported abnormal vaginal bleeding. Grayscale and color Doppler features varied according to grade and stage of tumor. High‐risk tumors, compared with low‐risk tumors, were less likely to have regular endometrial–myometrial junction (difference of −23%; 95% CI, −27 to −18%), were larger (mean endometrial thickness; difference of +9%; 95% CI, +8 to +11%), and were more likely to have non‐uniform echogenicity (difference of +7%; 95% CI, +1 to +13%), a multiple, multifocal vessel pattern (difference of +21%; 95% CI, +16 to +26%) and a moderate or high color score (difference of +22%; 95% CI, +18 to +27%).Conclusion: Grayscale and color Doppler sonographic features are associated with grade and stage of tumor, and differ between high‐ and low‐risk endometrial cancer. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.