Gynaecology (Quesmed) Flashcards
What is Atrophic Vaginitis?
The Inflammation and Thinning of Genital Tissue due to a fall in Oestrogen levels so it is most common after Menopause
What are the 9 features of Atrophic Vaginitis?
4 things getting smaller/ 3 painful things/ 1 discharge and 1 UTI
Thinning of Vaginal Mucosae
Loss of Vaginal Rugae (folds)
Loss of Pubic Hair
Narrowed Introitus
Vaginal dryness or Itching
Dyspareunia
Post-Coital BLEEDING
Vaginal Discharge
Urinary Symptoms
If Atrophic Vaginitis is suspected, what other conditions should be suspected based on 5 symptoms?
Postmenopausal bleeding- Malignancy, Endometrial Hyperplasia
Genital Itching/ Discharge- STI, Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (fungal infection of vagina), skin conditions such as Lichen Sclerosis, Lichen Planus, Diabetes
Narrowed Introitus- Female Genital Mutilation
Urinary Symptoms- UTI, Bladder Dysfunctions, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, Cystitis
Dyspareunia- Malignancy, Vaginismus
What 4 investigations should be ordered in Atrophic Vaginitis?
Clinical Examination- including Speculum Examination if Tolerated, looking for Vaginal signs of Atrophy
Transvaginal Ultrasound and Endometrial Biopsy may be necessary to exclude Endometrial Cancer
Infection screen if there is Itching or Discharge
Biopsy of any abnormal Skin Lesions
What are the 3 treatment options for Atrophic Vaginitis?
Hormonal Treatment- Systemic hormone-replacement therapy (Oral or Transdermal), Topical Oestrogen Preparations
Non-hormonal Treatment- Lubricants which provide short-term improvement to Vaginal Dryness- this can Alleviate Symptoms such as Dyspareunia, Moisturisers can also be used
Also Transvaginal Laser Therapy but not enough evidence so not done
What are Bartholin’s Glands? And what are the 2 pathologies of these glands?
They are glands within the Vestibule, lateral to the Introitus and function to secrete a Lubricating Fluid
Bartholin’s Gland Cyst- When the duct from the gland becomes blocked resulting in a Palpable Swelling and Pain at the site of the Bartholin’s Gland
Bartholin’s Gland Abscess- When a Cyst becomes infected, resulting in extreme Pain, Lymphadenopathy, Erythema and (rarely) Systemic Upset
What is the 4 step management of a Bartholin’s Gland Cyst?
Incision and Drainage under local Anaesthetic
Antibiotics in Abscess
Salt Water Baths to relieve pain
Surgery if Recurrent
What is Primary Amenorrhoea?
It is the failure of Menstrual Periods to start by 15 years of age in a female with normal growth and secondary sexual characteristics
This may also be diagnosed at age 13 if the girl has Absent Pubertal Maturation and Absent Menses
What are the 5 causes of Primary Amenorrhoea?
A Constitutional Delay in Puberty
Chromosomal or Genetic Abnormality such as Turner Syndrome (45XO), Kallman Syndrome and Androgen Sensitivity
Disruption of the Hypothalamic or Pituitary Glands- Anorexia or Eating Disorders, Excessive Exercise, Extreme Physical or Psychological Stress
Structural Abnormalities of the Genetic Tract (Imperforate Hymen (which blocks the vaginal tract), Uterine Agenesis (the uterus does not develop))
Pregnancy
What cell type of Cancer is Cervical Cancer?
A Squamous Cell Carcinoma associated with HPV
What are the 4 risk factors for Cervical Cancer?
HPV 16 and 18
Multiple Sexual Partners
Smoking
Immunosuppression
What are the 8 signs of Cervical Cancer? (Although most of the cases are picked up Asymptomatically or through Cervical Screening)
Vaginal Discharge
Vaginal Bleeding (Either Post-Coital or with Micturition or Defaecation)
Urinary or Bowel Habit Change
Vaginal Discharge
Suprapubic Pain
Mass felt on PR Exam
Pelvic Bulkiness on PV Exam
Abnormal White/Red patches on the Cervix
What 2 investigations should be ordered if Cervical Cancer is suspected?
First line investigation is Colposcopy (allows for Visualisation and Biopsy of the Cervix)
CT Chest/ Abdomen/ Pelvis to Stage the Cancer
What is the 5 step management of Cervical Cancer?
For very small cancers in Stage 1A- they are Conised with Free Margins if aiming to retain Fertility. Conisation is done with a Scalpel (Cold-Knife), Laser or Electrosurgical Loop in Outpatients
Radical Trachelectomy is done for slightly more Advanced, but still Early-stage Cancers where the aim is to preserve Fertility. This is the removal of the Cervix, Upper Vagina and Pelvic Lymph Nodes
If Remaining Fertile is not an aim, Laparoscopic Hysterectomy and Lymphadenectomy is offered for Early-stage Cancers
For Invasive, Infiltrating, Early Metastatic Cancers, Radical (Wertheim’s) Hysterectomy can be performed, which involves the removal of the Uterus, Primary Tumour, Pelvic Lymph Nodes and the Upper Third of the Vagina and Uterovesical and Uterosacral Ligaments
If the cancer has spread outside the Cervix and Uterus, Surgical Management won’t be curative. These are treated with Radiotherapy and/or Chemotherapy
How often is Cervical Cancer Screening done?
For 24-49 year old women, every 3 years
Then every 5 years
What is the purpose of Cervical Cancer Screening?
To identify Dyskaryotic Cells which are Pre-cancerous- allowing management before Invasive Cancer can develop
The results from the Smear decide what is the next best step of patient care
What happens if a patient has positive HPV?
They have Cytological Testing and if they have Abnormal results, they are divided into:
- Borderline
- Mild Dyskaryosis
- Moderate Dyskaryosis
- Severe Dyskaryosis
Anybody with Abnormal Cytology should be referred to Colposcopy
Anybody with Positive HPV but Normal Cytology should have repeat HPV Testing in 12 months and again at 24 months if they are still Positive. If they are still positive at 24 months, they should be referred to Colposcopy
In some cases, the sample may be Inadequate so the Smear Test should be repeated. If it is still not Adequate for the next 2 samples, they should be Referred for Colposcopy
What happens if a patient is negative for HPV following a screening?
They are returned to their routine recall
What are the 7 Absolute (UKMEC 4) Contraindications to the Oral Contraceptive Pill?
Known or suspected pregnancy
Smoker over the age of 35 who smokes>15 cigarettes
Obesity
Breast Feeding< 6 weeks post partum
Family History of Thrombosis before 45 years old
Breast Cancer or some kind of Cancer within last few years
BRCA genes
What are the UKMEC 3 (Disadvantages> Advantages) (5), UKMEC 2 (Advantages> Disadvantages) for the Oral Contraceptive Pill (2)?
Breast feeding> 6 weeks post partum
Previous arterial or venous clots
Continued use after heart attack/ stroke
Migraines with Aura
Active Disease of Liver/ Gallbladder
Initiation after current or past history of MI or Stroke
Multiple risk factors for Arterial Cardiovascular Disease
What 3 investigations should be ordered in Dysmenorrhoea?
Rule out an STI
Examination of Abdominal Tenderness/ Mass, Bimanual Examination for Cervical Tenderness
Pelvic Ultrasound if Investigations suggest pathology (Fibroids, Endometriosis)
What 7 treatments can be given for Dysmenorrhoea?
NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Mefenamic Acid)
Tranexamic Acid
Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill
Progestogen-only Pill
Levonorgestrel-releasing Intrauterine System (Mirena)
Contraceptive Injection (Depo Provera)
Contraceptive Implant (Nexplanon)
What are the 7 risk factors for Ectopic Pregnancy?
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Genital Infection (Gonorrhoea)
Pelvic Surgery
Having an intrauterine device e.g. copper coil or Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine (e.g. Mirena) in situ
Assisted reproduction e.g. IVF
Previous Ectopic Pregnancy
Endometriosis
What are the 6 clinical features of Ectopic Pregnancy?
Pelvic Pain, which may be unilateral to the side of the ectopic
Shoulder Tip Pain, if the ectopic bleeds, the blood can irritate the diaphragm
Abnormal vaginal bleeding e.g. Missed Period or Intermenstrual Bleeding
Haemodynamic Instability caused by blood loss if ectopic ruptures
Abdominal examination reveals unilateral tenderness
Cervical tenderness (Chandelier sign) on Bimanual Examination
What is the main differential for Ectopic Pregnancy?
Miscarriage is the main differential, but in an ectopic pregnancy, the pain is often the first and dominant symptom and the vaginal bleeding is often minor compared to miscarriage
What 2 investigations should be ordered in an Ectopic Pregnancy?
A Pregnancy Test
Transvaginal Ultrasound to locate the pregnancy
There are 3 management options for an Ectopic Pregnancy, what is the Conservative Pathway? (2)
If the patient has minimal/ no symptoms
Do repeat B-hCG tests and if the levels are not falling at a satisfactory rate, then active management is advised
What is the medical management of an Ectopic Pregnancy? (3)
One-off dose of Methotrexate
The criteria for Methotrexate treatment (3) (low hCG level, ability to attend follow up, adherence to avoiding pregnancy for a period following treatment)
If the initial dose does not work, then a second dose or surgical management may be necessary
What is the surgical management of an Ectopic Pregnancy?
4 Criteria for Surgical Management
- Significant amount of pain
- Adnexal mass of 35mm or more
- B-hCG levels are 5000IU or more
- Ultrasound identifies a foetal heartbeat
Surgical Management- Salpingectomy (fallopian tube containing the Ectopic Pregnancy is removed)- if they only have one Fallopian Tube and wish to remain fertile then a Salpingotomy can be done
The risk with Salpingotomy is that sometimes not all of the tissue is removed, so B-hCG measurements are done to make sure no trophoblastic tissue is left
What are the 6 risk factors for Endometrial Cancer?
Late Menopause
Early Menarche
Obesity
Nulliparity
Oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
What are the 8 features of Endometrial Cancer?
Postmenopausal bleeding
Abnormal Vaginal bleeding (Intermenstrual bleeding)
Dyspareunia
Pelvic Pain
Abdominal discomfort/ bloating
Weight loss
Anaemia
Enlarged Uterus on Bimanual Pelvic Examination, or this may be normal as the gross uterus size may be unchanged
What 2 investigations should be ordered in Endometrial Cancer?
Transvaginal ultrasound to look for the abnormal thickening of the endometrium
Biopsy of the endometrium
What is the 3 step management of Endometrial Cancer?
Depends on the stage
Limited to uterus- Hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy is curative
Spread outside the uterus- Surgery, Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy
What are the 5 features of Endometriosis?
Dysmenorrhoea
Dyspareunia
Subfertility
Pelvic Examination may reveal Tender, Nodular masses on the ovaries or the ligaments surrounding the uterus
Rarely, Endometrial tissue can grow outside the female reproductive system, such as the Bowel- which leads to Cyclical Rectal Bleeding
What are the main differentials for Endometriosis? (4)
(Other causes of Dysmenorrhoea)
Primary Dysmenorrhoea
Uterine Conditions (fibroids, adenomyosis)
Adhesions
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
What 2 investigations should be ordered in Endometriosis?
Trans-vaginal Ultrasound (which is usually normal)- sometimes can identify an Ovarian Endometrioma (cyst made of Endometrial Tissue)
Diagnostic Laparoscopy is Gold-Standard but it carries complications (Bowel Perforation)- so it is not First Line
What is the Medical Management of Endometriosis (2)?
Analgesia (Paracetamol or NSAIDs)
Hormonal Therapy (3)
- Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill
- Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
- Gonadotrophin-releasing Hormone Agonists
What is the Surgical Management of Endometriosis (5)?
Diathermy of Lesions
Ovarian Cystectomy (for Endometriomas (cysts in the ovaries))
Adhesiolysis
Bilateral Oophorectomy (sometimes with Hysterectomy)
(For managing Infertility, menstrual suppression would be unsuitable, so ablation or surgery is more appropriate)
What is the presentation of Fibroids?
Often Asymptomatic
When symptoms occur, they involve menstrual dysfunction in the form of Menorrhagia and Dysmenorrhoea
If large enough, the fibroids may distort the Uterine Cavity and interfere with Fertility
If large, the fibroids may be palpable on abdominal examination such as a suprapubic mass. Pelvic examination may reveal and irregularly enlarged uterus
What are the differentials for Fibroids?
(Other causes of Menorrhagia and Dysmenorrhoea)
Endometrial Polyps
Endometriosis
What 3 investigations should be ordered if Fibroids are suspected?
Transvaginal Ultrasound (used to assess size and location of fibroids)
MRI is used if Ultrasound is not detailed enough to assess the fibroid for surgery
If there is any doubt over the diagnosis, a Biopsy may be taken to differentiate the fibroid from other differentials such as Endometrial Cancer
What warrants Non-surgical management of Fibroids and what are the 5 treatment options?
If <3cm with no Uterine Distortion
- NSAIDs
- Anti-fibrinolytics
- Combined Hormonal Contraception
- Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (Mirena)
- Mirena is first-line, however other treatments may be selected depending on the patient’s wishes to remain fertile
What is the Surgical management of Fibroids? (4)
Myomectomy (generally Fertility-sparing)
Ablation involves Laser or Radiofrequency (generates heat) to induce Necrosis of the Fibroid, so the dead vessels no longer bleed
Uterine Artery Embolisation may provide a targeted degeneration of the Fibroid and may also preserve Fertility
Hysterectomy involves removing the Uterus- Effective but does not preserve Fertility
What are the 7 types of Genital Prolapse?
Anterior Vaginal Wall
- Cystocele= bladder (may lead to stress incontinence)
- Urethrocele= urethra
- Cystourethrocele= both bladder and urethra
Posterior Vaginal Wall
- Enterocele= Small intestine
- Rectocele= Rectum
Apical Vaginal Wall
- Uterine Prolapse= Uterus
- Vaginal vault Prolapse= Roof of Vagina (common after a hysterectomy)