Uterine Arteriovenous Malformations: Therapeutic Strategies and the Place of Hysteroscopy

Uterine arteriovenous malformations (UAVMs) are not common and are not well known. They are mainly manifested by hemorrhages that can be life-threatening. Their diagnosis is based mainly on ultrasound coupled with Doppler flow, as well as pelvic magnetic resonance imaging and angiography. In the absence of a consensus, and based on our experience, we discuss the place of hysteroscopy in the therapeutic strategy of UAVM. We reported 3 cases of UAVM, and we performed a review of the literature concerning the diagnosis and treatment of this pathology. We finally collected the advantages of the embolization-hysteroscopy sequence. In fact, the data suggest that hysteroscopy is a feasible and safe alternative treatment modality for UAVM. We believe that the resection of UAVM can be done under optimal conditions with a reduced risk of bleeding. Hysteroscopy would allow for optimal evaluation of the uterine cavity after treatment as well as the possibility of applying an anti-adhesive gel. In addition, the combination of hysteroscopy and embolization would require less healing time and shorter follow-up than embolization alone. It could also reduce the number of patients lost to follow-up.

Differential Diagnosisand Treatmentof Rudimentary Uterine Hornand Blind Uterine Hornin Puberty

Objective To investigate the diagnostic methods of pubertal uterine malformations in nongestational stage Method Hysteroscopy combined with transabdominal ultrasonography was used to diagnose and differentiate rudimentary uterine horn and blind uterine horn in puberty. Results The accuracy of the two diagnostic methods performed simultaneously was valuable in the diagnosis of pubertal unicornuate uterus with blind uterine horn in 3 cases and rudimentary uterine horn in 2 cases. Conclusion Hysteroscopy combined with transabdominal ultrasonography was reliable in diag- nosing uterine malformations and especially effective in treating maiden with rudimentary horn and blind horn of uterus.

Detection of Congenital Uterine Malformation by Using Transvaginal Three-dimensional Ultrasound

This study assessed the clinical application of transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound （3D TVUS） in the diagnosis of congenital uterine malformation. A retrospective study was performed on 62 patients with congenital uterine malformation confirmed hysteroscopically and/or laparoscopically. The patients were subjected to transvaginal two-dimensional ultrasound （2D TVUS） and 3D TVUS. The accuracy rate was compared between the two methods. The accuracy rate of 3D TVUS was （98.38%, 61/62）, higher than that of 2D TVUS （80.65%, 50/62）. 3D TVUS coronal plane imaging could demon- strate the internal shape of the endometrial cavity and the external contour of the uterine fundus. It al- lowed accurate measurement on the coronary plane, and could three-dimensionally show the image of cervical tube, thereby providing information for the diagnosis of some complex uterine malformation. 3D TVUS imaging can obtain comprehensive information of the uterus malformation, and it is superior to 2D TVUS for the diagnosis of congenital uterine malformations, especially complex uterine anomaly.

Effect of Uterine Anomalies on Pregnancy Rates and Reproductive Outcomes in Women Undergoing Artificial Insemination by Husband

Objective: Congenital uterine anomalies are common; however, their effects on artificial insemination by husband(AIH) and the period during which AIH is converted to in vitro fertilization(IVF) are unclear. We examined the influence of uterine malformations on reproductive outcomes following AIH and the optimum number of AIH cycles before resorting to IVF-embryo transfer(IVF-ET).Methods: We retrospectively recruited 168 patients with uterine malformations(anomalous group) undergoing AIH between January 2011 and December 2016. Meanwhile, 168 patients with infertility but with normal uteri(normal group) were matched as controls according to age.Results: The clinical pregnancy rate was similar in both groups(12.4% vs. 12.3%, P=0.950); the cancellation(21.6% vs. 4.4%, P< 0.001),early pregnancy loss(35.7% vs. 11.4%, P = 0.032), and preterm birth rates(21.4% vs. 2.9%, P = 0.038) were higher in the anomalous group,resulting in lower term birth(32.1 % vs. 74.3%, P =0.001) and live birth rates(50.0% vs. 77.1 %, P = 0.034). After two AIH cycles, the clinical pregnancy rate was lower(3.6% vs. 23.1%, P = 0.037) among women with uterine anomalies than among those with normal uteri. There was no difference in the pregnancy rates(52.5% vs. 53.7%, P= 0.908) between the two groups of patients with unsuccessful AIH who then underwent IVF-ET.Conclusions: IVF-ET can be performed immediately after two unsuccessful AIH cycles in patients with uterine malformations. In patients undergoing AIH or IVF, uterine malformations increase the risk of adverse obstetric outcomes.

Clinical Characteristics of Patients Who Underwent Surgery for Genital Tract Malformations at Peking Union Medical College Hospital across 31 Years

Background：Female genital malformations represent miscellaneous deviations from normal anatomy.This study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics of patients who underwent surgery for genital tract malformations at Peking Union Medical College Hospital （PUMCH） during a 31-year period.Methods：We retrospectively reviewed surgical cases of congenital malformation of the female genital tract at PUMCH for a 31-year period,analyzed the clinical characteristics of 1634 hospitalized patients,and investigated their general condition,diagnosis,and treatment process.Results：The average patient age was 27.6 ± 9.9 years.The average ages of patients who underwent surgery for uterine malformation and vaginal malformation were 31.9 ± 8.8 years and 24.7 ± 9.0 years,respectively;these ages differed significantly （P 〈 0.01）.Among patients with genital tract malformation,the percentages of vaginal malformation,uterine malformation,vulva malformation,cervical malformation,and other malformations were 43.9%,43.5%,7.4%,2.3%,and 2.8%,respectively.Among patients with uterine malformation,34.5% underwent surgery for the genital tract malformation,whereas in patients with vaginal malformation,the proportion is 70.6%;the difference between the two groups was statistically significant （P 〈 0.01）.The percentage of complications of the urinary system in patients with vaginal malformations was 10.2%,which was statistically significantly higher than that （5.3%） in patients with uterine malformations （P 〈 0.01）.Conclusions：Compared to patients with uterine malformations,patients with vaginal malformations displayed more severe clinical symptoms,a younger surgical age,and a greater need for attention,early diagnosis,and treatment.Patients with genital tract malformations,particularly vaginal malformations,tend to have more complications of the urinary system and other malformations than patients with uterine malformations.