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Harmsen MJ, Trommelen LM, de Leeuw RA, Tellum T, Juffermans LJM, Griffioen AW, Thomassin-Naggara I, Van den Bosch T, Huirne JAF. Uterine junctional zone and adenomyosis: comparison of MRI, transvaginal ultrasound and histology. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2022. [PMID: 36370446 DOI: 10.1002/uog.26117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The uterine junctional zone is the subendometrial area in the myometrium that contributes to peristalsis and aids in spermatozoa and blastocyst transport. Alterations in the appearance of the junctional zone on transvaginal sonography (TVS) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are associated with adenomyosis. The lack of standardization of description of its appearance and ill-defined boundaries on both histology and imaging hamper understanding of the junctional zone and limit its role in the diagnosis of adenomyosis. The objectives of this review were to investigate the accordance in definition of the junctional zone across different diagnostic approaches and to examine how imaging findings can be linked to histological findings in the context of diagnosis of adenomyosis. A comprehensive literature review was conducted of articles describing the appearance on imaging and the histological structure of the uterine junctional zone. Our review suggests that the junctional zone is distinguished from the middle and outer myometrium by gradual changes in smooth-muscle cell density, extracellular space, connective tissue, water content and vascular properties. However, while the signal intensity from the junctional zone to the middle myometrium changes abruptly on MRI, the histopathological changes are gradual and its border may be difficult or impossible to distinguish on two-dimensional TVS. Moreover, the thickness of the junctional zone measured on MRI is larger than that measured on TVS. Thus, these two imaging modalities reflect this zone differently. Although a thickened junctional zone is often used to diagnose adenomyosis on MRI, the presence of adenomyosis can be described more accurately as interruptions of the junctional zone by endometrial tissue, which leads to direct signs on imaging such as subendometrial lines and buds on two- and three-dimensional TVS or bright foci on MRI. The histopathological criteria for diagnosis are based on enlargement of the uterus with severe adenomyosis, and might not reflect its early stages. Clinicians should be aware that findings on MRI cannot be extrapolated readily to ultrasound. An understanding of this is necessary when investigating the uterine junctional zone as a functional unit and the association between visualization of direct features of adenomyosis in the junctional zone and clinical symptoms. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Harmsen
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - L M Trommelen
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R A de Leeuw
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - T Tellum
- Department of Gynecology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - L J M Juffermans
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A W Griffioen
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - I Thomassin-Naggara
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging (IRIS), Sorbonne Université, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - T Van den Bosch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - J A F Huirne
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Angelopoulos K, Palmér M, Gull B, Lundqvist N, Kopelia L, Hellström M, Leonhardt H. Computed tomography contrast enhancement pattern of the uterus in premenopausal women in relation to menstrual cycle and hormonal contraception. Acta Radiol 2021; 62:1257-1262. [PMID: 32927957 PMCID: PMC8392783 DOI: 10.1177/0284185120958404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are different types of computed tomography (CT) contrast enhancement patterns of the uterus. It is not known whether these are hormonally dependent. PURPOSE To assess the relationship between these patterns and the menstrual cycle in non-users of hormonal contraception, and the possible impact of hormonal contraception. MATERIAL AND METHODS Prospective observational study of abdominal CT scans of 53 premenopausal women of whom 28 were non-users and 25 users of hormonal contraception. The non-users were divided according to menstrual cycle phase: follicular (n = 12); ovulatory (n = 1); and luteal (n = 12). The pattern and intensity of contrast enhancement of the uterine myometrium were assessed. RESULTS The dominant pattern of contrast enhancement of the myometrium was the diffuse homogeneous type in both non-users and users. The intensity of the enhancement measured in Hounsfield units (HU) was higher in the follicular phase (median 102, range 73-130) compared to the luteal phase in non-users (median 92, range 57-130); however this was not statistically significant (P = 0.2). The HU values observed in users (median 95, range 45-160) were at the same levels compared to those of the luteal phase in non-users. CONCLUSION The dominant pattern of contrast enhancement in the portal venous phase of the myometrium in fertile ages is the diffuse homogeneous type and is independent of menstrual cycle phase or the use of hormonal contraception. However, these factors seem to play a role in the intensity of contrast enhancement, with a tendency of higher HU values in the follicular phase of non-users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Magnus Palmér
- Department of Radiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Berit Gull
- Department of Gynecology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Niklas Lundqvist
- Department of Radiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Linda Kopelia
- Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Mikael Hellström
- Department of Radiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Henrik Leonhardt
- Department of Radiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Otonkoski S, Sainio T, Komar G, Suomi V, Saunavaara J, Blanco Sequeiros R, Perheentupa A, Joronen K. Oxytocin selectively reduces blood flow in uterine fibroids without an effect on myometrial blood flow: a dynamic contrast enhanced MRI evaluation. Int J Hyperthermia 2021; 37:1293-1300. [PMID: 33207939 DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2020.1846792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Uterine fibroids are the most common benign neoplasms in women. The administration of intravenous oxytocin is known to increase the efficacy of a non-invasive thermal ablation method (MR-HIFU) for treating fibroids. However, it is not known whether this phenomenon is caused by the effect of the oxytocin on the myometrium or the fibroid itself. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of oxytocin on the blood flow of fibroids, myometrium and skeletal muscle using a quantitative perfusion MRI technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS 17 premenopausal women with fibroids considered to be treated with MR-HIFU and 11 women with no fibroids were enrolled in the study. An extended MRI protocol of the pelvis was acquired for each subject. Later another MRI scan was performed with continuous intravenous infusion of oxytocin. The effect of oxytocin was analyzed from quantitative perfusion imaging. The study was registered in clinicaltrials.gov NCT03937401. RESULTS Oxytocin decreased the blood flow of each fibroid; the median blood flow of fibroid was 39.9 ml/100 g tissue/min without and 3.5 mL/100 g/min with oxytocin (p ≤ 0.0001). Oxytocin did not affect the blood flow of the myometrium in either group. Oxytocin increased the blood flow of the skeletal muscle in both groups (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION Oxytocin is effective in decreasing the blood flow in fibroids while having minor or no effect on the blood flow of normal myometrium. Routine use of oxytocin in HIFU therapy may make the therapy suitable to a larger group of women in a safe manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saara Otonkoski
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,University of Turku, Faculty of Medicine, Turku, Finland
| | - Teija Sainio
- Department of Radiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Department of Medical Physics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Gaber Komar
- University of Turku, Faculty of Medicine, Turku, Finland.,Department of Radiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Visa Suomi
- University of Turku, Faculty of Medicine, Turku, Finland.,Department of Radiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Jani Saunavaara
- Department of Radiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Department of Medical Physics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Roberto Blanco Sequeiros
- University of Turku, Faculty of Medicine, Turku, Finland.,Department of Radiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Antti Perheentupa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,University of Turku, Faculty of Medicine, Turku, Finland
| | - Kirsi Joronen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,University of Turku, Faculty of Medicine, Turku, Finland
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