Benign Gynae Flashcards
Name 8 gynae causes of pelvic pain
- Endometriosis
- Adenomysosis
- PID
- Primary dysmenorrhoea (outlet obstruction)
- Ovarian cyst accident (torsion, haemorrhage, rupture)
- Fallopian tube torsion
- Salpingo-ovarian abscess
- Pregnancy complications (ectopic/miscarriage/ovarian hyperstimulsation syndrome/ligament stretch)
Define adenomyosis
a disease that occurs when the cells that normally line the uterus grow into the muscular tissue of the uterine wall. It occurs most often in women older than 30 who have had a full-term pregnancy. It is rare in women who have not had a full-term pregnancy.
Causes of non-cyclical pelvic pain
- Gynae (PID, adhesions, hydrosalpinges, tumours, necrotic fibroids)
- Gastro (IBS, appendicitis, IBD, mesenteric adenitis, diverticulitis, strangulated hernia)
- Urological (recurrent UTIs, interstitial cysts, renal calculi)
- Neurological (nerve injury, entrapment)
- Musculoskeletal pain (myofascial pain)
What Qs should you ask in a female pt with pelvic pain?
• Chronicity
• Dysmenorrhoea
• Dysparaeunia, dyschesia
• Affected by micturition
• Associated with bloating/diarrhoea/constipation/nausea
• Recent weight change/appetite change
Gynae hx (IUD insertion, hysteroscopy, TOP, miscarriage, fibroid necrosis)
What should be assessed on examination on someone with pelvic pain?
Abdominal
• Trigger points
• Masses
Bimanual
• Size and mobility of uterus
• Uterosacral ligaments (palpable, nodules?)
• Adnexal masses
What investiagtions should be done for someone with pelvic pain?
• Triple swabs (infection) • MSU (UTI) • Pelvic USS (scarring/mass/cyst) FBC& group and save (ruptured ectopic/ovarian cyst) WCC & CRP (infection) Pregnancy test
Define endometrioisis
The presence of normal endometrial mucosa (glands and stroma) abnormally implanted in locations other than the uterine cavity. Approximately 30-40% of women with endometriosis will be subfertile.
The presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus that induces a chronic, inflammatory reaction.
Common sites of endometriosis
- Ovaries
- Uterosacral ligaments
- Pouch of Douglas (space between uterus and rectum)
- Broad ligament (fold of peritoneum that runs between uterus and pelvic side wall)
Uncommon sites of endometriosis
- Lung (cyclical haemoptysis)
- Nasal septum
- CNS
Presentation of endometriosis
• In up to 50% of women presenting with infertility (due to scarring in tubes)
• Pain (cyclical, dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, dyschesia)
• Pain starts up to 2 weeks before menstruation, exacerbated during menstruation
Peritonism is chocolate cyst ruptures
How is endometriosis diagnosed?
- Laparoscopy (chocolate cysts/gunshot lesions)
* Transvaginal ultrasound (ground glass cyst appearance of old clot material)
Medical treatment of endometriosis
Nonhormonal (simple analgesia) Hormonal • Progestogens • Combined oral contraceptive • Mirena • Gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonists +/ add back HRT (all are contraceptive)
Surgical management of endometriosis
Conservative ablation (diathermy/laser) or excision of visible endometriosis Radical (remove uterus, ovaries, nodules)
Short term management of ovarian cysts
COCP
Monitor for several cycles
Management of ovarian cysts in post menopausal women
In postmenopausal women, <10cm diameter and normal CA-125 should be monitored with serial ultrasounds. BSO and hysterectomy is sometimes indicated as these cysts have a higher rate of being neoplastic.
Management of ovarian cysts in pregnant women
In pregnant women, corpus luteal and follicular cysts should resolve by about 14 weeks. Less than 6cm cysts have a malignancy rate of <1%. CA-125 not recommended. Usually wait until after birth for surgical removal, but if symptomatic or rapid growth may operate in pregnancy.
Functions of a laparoscopy in ovarian cyst management
Minimally invasive (keyhole) technique
• To confirm the diagnosis of an ovarian cyst
• To assess whether the cyst appears to be malignant
• To obtain fluid from peritoneal washings for cytologic assessment
• To remove the entire cyst intact for pathologic analysis - This may mean removing the entire ovary
• To assess the opposite ovary and other abdominal organs
• To perform additional surgery as indicated
Define salpingitis
Inflammation of the fallopian tube, usually due to infection. i.e. PID