Uterine leiomyomas or uterine fibroids are the most common gynaecological tumours and occur in about 20-50% of women around the world. Ultrasonography (USG) is the first-line imaging examination in suspected fibroids and shows high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing this condition....

Despite the efforts to decrease the rate of preterm birth, preterm delivery is still the main cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Identifying patients threatened with preterm delivery remains one of the main obstetric challenges. The aim of this study was to estimate the potential value of elastographic evaluation of internal cervical os stiffness at 18-22 weeks of pregnancy in low risk, asymptomatic women in the prediction of spontaneous preterm delivery.

To assess and compare the influence of three fibroid treatment options: supracervical hysterectomy, ulipristal acetate and uterine artery embolization on ovarian reserve. Prospective, observational, open-label study performed at the 3rd Chair and Department of Gynecology of the Medical University of Lublin, Poland. Premenopausal Caucasian women with symptomatic uterine fibroids were recruited into 3 groupspatients qualified for supracervical hysterectomies; patients qualified for preoperative ulipristal acetate (UPA) treatment scheduled for supracervical hysterectomies or myomectomies; patients qualified for uterine artery embolization (UAE). The following markers of ovarian reserve were investigated: antral follicle count (AFC), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), inhibin B (INHB), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2). These markers were assessed before and 3 months after supracervical hysterectomies, before and 3 months after UAEs, and before and after 3 months of UPA treatment, before the scheduled surgeries. Baseline characteristics (age, parity, dominant fibroid volume, hemoglobin level, BMI, as well as AFC, AMH, INHB, FSH and E2) were compared between the study groups by Kruskall-Wallis ANOVA. Pre- and post-interventional values of AFC, AMH, INHB, FSH and E2 in the studied groups were compared with the Wilcoxon matched pairs test. Twenty-six, 27 and 30 patients were included in the final analysis in the supracervical hysterectomy, UPA and UAE groups, respectively. Three months after supracervical hysterectomy INHB and E2 significantly decreased, while AFC, AMH and FSH remained unchanged. After 3 months of UPA treatment the values of all the assessed markers of ovarian reserve were not significantly different in comparison to baseline. Conversely, three months after UAE the values of AFC, AMH, INHB, and E2 were significantly decreased, while FSH was significantly increased. Of the compared fibroid treatment methods UAE seems to have the greatest impact on ovarian function and should not be offered to patients concerned about their ovarian function. Supracervical hysterectomy did not affect the most accurate markers of ovarian reserve, and therefore appears to be safe in terms of ovarian function. UPA did not change any of the studied markers of ovarian reserve and seems a reasonable option when ovarian function is concerned.

The aim of the study was to estimate the potential value of elastographic evaluation of the internal cervical os at 18-22 weeks of pregnancy in patients with short cervical length for prediction of preterm delivery (PTD). This prospective observational study included 109 patients with cervical length of ≤ 25 mm at 18-22 weeks scan. Stiffness of the internal cervical os was assessed by elastography. Elastographic assessment of the internal os was performed using a color map: red (soft), yellow (medium soft), blue (medium hard), and purple (hard). If two colors were visible in the region of the internal os, the softer option was noted. The following outcome measures were analyzed: percentage of PTDs in various categories of elastographic cervical assessment, sensitivity specificity negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) of elastography in predicting PTDs. Additionally ROC curves were constructed for elastography and cervical length for predicting PTDs. Forty-five cases of PTDs (< 37 weeks of pregnancy) were found in the studied population. The number of PTDs was significantly higher in the red group, than in the blue and purple groups. The sensitivity specificity NPV and PPV for the assessment of both, red and yellow internal os for predicting preterm delivery were 82.2%, 75.0%, 84.0% and 72.5% respectively The cut-off value for elastography suggested inclusion of both, red and yellow (warm) colors as predictors of PTD. Elastographic evaluation of the internal cervical os at 18-22 weeks of pregnancy in patients with short cervical length may be useful in predicting PTD.

This study aimed to collect confirmatory data in support of the safety and efficiency of the ArtVentive EOS™ for the treatment of the pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS). This study was based on the OCCLUDE 1 Study Protocol approved by the Local Ethics Committee.

Advances in Treating Cesarean Scar Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Review of Techniques, Clinical Outcomes, and Fertility Preservation - Article abstract #943550