Uterus & its abnormalities Flashcards
what is the lymph drainage of the uterus?
fundus - paraaortic nodes
rest - internal and external iliac
what is the blood supply to the uterus
uterine arteries
the uterine branch of the ovarian artery (forms anastomoses with uterine artery at Cornu)
what aree fibroids?
BENIGN tumour of thee MYOMETRIUM
what are some protective factors against fibroids?
protective:
COCP, depot prosgestogeens
childbirth
risk factors: afrocarribean, asian (more likely to get multiple) Fhx - 1st degree relative near menopause obesity
growth of fibroids is dependent on?
how can growth change in the lifecourse of a woman./
oestrogen (and progesterone) dependent
In pregnancy may grow, shrink or show no change
Regress after menopause due to less oestrogens
Monoclonal origin
which fibroids can sometimes form intracavity polyps?
submucosal
what are the presenting symptoms of a fibroid?
- 50% asymptomatic
- can be incidental finding during US or physical exam
Symptoms related to site rather than size
- Heavy menstrual bleeding in 30%
- InterMBleeding : Submucosal or polypoid
- Pain
- Only peroid pain
- outside period if torsion, red degeneration or sarcomatous change occur - Subfertility: distortion of uterine cavity
- Pressure symptoms- Urinary frequency or retention
why can fibroids cause impaired fertility?
Distortion of cavity - or not (intramural)
Prevention of implantation (submucosal)
Obstruction of tubal ostia
what symptoms will the following cause:
2 cm diameter submucosal fibroid
2 cm diameter subserosal fibroid
A 2 cm diameter submucosal fibroid will
often lead to abnormal menstrual bleeding:
- HeavyMB & InterMB
whereas
a 2 cm diameter subserosal fibroid will usually be
aymptomatic.
what are the types of uterine degeneration?
reasons they happen?
occur due to inadequate blood supply -perhaps fibroid has outgrown the supply
‘red degeneration’ is characterized by
pain and uterine tenderness; haemorrhage and necrosis
occur.
In ‘hyaline degeneration’ and ‘cystic degeneration’,
the fibroid is soft and partly liquefied.
what is the natural hx of a fibroid briefly?
Enlargement: slow
Degeneration
Malignancy : 0.1% .
what are the complications of a fibroid?
Torsion of pedunculated fibroid = pain
Degenerations: Red (particularly in pregnancy) -> pain
Hyaline/cystic
Calcification (postmenopausal and asymptomatic)
- can cause new sx: all those of a normal fibroid
Malignancy Leiomyosarcoma
what must be considered upon morcellatoin of a fibrod during a proceedure eg laparoscopic myomectomy?
if it turns out to be cancer not fibroid; leomyosarcoma, there is a small risk of tumour spread due to the morcellation - apple core piercing.
what issues can fibroids cause in pregnancy? what complications can arise?
Associated with premature labour, malpresentations, transverse lie, obstructed labour and post
partum haemorrhage
Red degeneration = common and can cause severe pain
Should not remove at C-section due to heavy bleeding
Torsion of pedunculated fibroids post-partum
how are fibroids investigated?
- Abdominal exam
- Bloods : Hb for anaemia
- Refer for TVUS
Others:
MRI
Laparaoscopy
Adenomyosis – fibroid-like mass, differentiated by MRI
Hysteroscopy or hysterosalpingogram -> assess distortion of uterine cavitiy, particularly if fertility is an
issue. remove small fibroid polyp/submucosal fibroid.
Hb
o Low due to bleeding
o Or high as fibroids can secrete EPO
how do you know if a fibroid is malignant?
fibroid growth in postmenopausal women not on HRT
or rapidly enlarging fibroids + pain
or sudden onset of pain in women of any age.
poor response to GnRH agonists or ulipristal acetate
how are fibroids managed?
- None if asymptomatic or slow growing
B. Larger fibroids should be kept under surveillance as
higher malignant potential - Medical
For HeavyMB: Tranexamic acid, NSAIDs (mefenamic acid),
Progestogen - IUS: not great evidence for fibroids ( surely you cant place an ius into a distorted cavity?)
GnRH agonists
Can be used if woman is near menopause or to shrink fibroid before surgery.
Max 6 months use. Loss of BMD. Not for teens
COCPs too no?
- Surgery
- Hysteroscopy: Fibroid polyp or small (<3cm) submucous fibroid
- Myomectomy: if medical tx failed but preservation of reproductive function is required
- Hysterectomy: high patient satisfaction
others:
Uterine artery embolization - 80% success rate
Ablation
what are the caveats of GnRH use for fibroids?
Restrict use to 6months due to loss of bone mineral density
Not appropriate for women trying to conceive
what are the caveats and. the considerations for the following in fibroid mx:
Hysterescopy
Uterine artery embolization
Hysterectomy
Hysterescopy:
Pretreatment with GnRH agonist for 1-2m shrinks fibroid, reduces vascularity and thins endometrium to make resection easier and safer
Uterine artery embolization :
Higher readmission rates than with myomectomy or hysterectomy
Unclear affect on fertility
Hysterectomy:
GnRH/ Ulipristal acetate : 2-3 months prior. can allow less invasive method. to be used
what are the caveats and. the considerations for the following in fibroid mx:
Myomectomy
Myomectomy:
- risk heavy blood loss -> hysterectomy/blood transfusion
- inc risk uterine rupture during labour
- Adhesions form at surgivcal site - reduced fertility
- GnRH preteatment needed if open
- Perioperative injection of vasopressin directly into myometrium can reduce blood loss
what is adenomyosis, how does it present, and its aetiology?
Formerly endometriosis interna
Presence of endometrium and underlying stroma within the myometrium. Endometrium grows into myometrium to form adenomyosis. severe: pockets of blood in myometrium.
common around 40 years old
Associated with endometriosis and fibroids
Sx: painful, regular and heavy menstruation (or no symptoms)
Ex: mildly enlarged, tender uterus.
Symptoms subside after menopause
How is adenomyosis ivx and MX?
Ivx: MRI
- only way to distinguish from fibroid
Mx: mirena IUS, COCP + NSAIDs Hysterectomy often required GnRH analogues Oestrogen dependent condition but cause not fully known – effects on fertility unclear
what is ulipristal acetate?
uses?
Selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRMs)
(e.g. oral ulipristal acetate) are a new class of drug that
reduce HMB,
commonly cause reversible amenorrhoea
and shrink fibroids (volume reduced by 50%, similar to
GnRH agonists) without causing bone density loss and
menopausal side effects
used short term in
preparation for surgery or long term intermittently to
control fibroid symptoms and avoid surgery altogether
what are the indications for c-section use in all future pregnancies after treatment for fibroids?
If the endometrial cavity is opened during myomectomy
or if the fibroids are multiple and/or large
Endometrial tissue in myometrium is called?
adenomyosis
what is the difference between Adenomyosis and endometriosis?
endometriosis is when endometrial cells (the lining of the uterus) are in a location outside of the uterus.
Adenomyosis is when these cells are within the uterus, in the uterine wall. hence Formerly: endometriosis interna