Objective: To investigate the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging characteristics and clinical symptoms and therapeutic efficacy in adenomyosis patients. Methods: The clinical characteristics of the adenomyosis questionnaire was self-designed. This was a retrospective study. From September 2015 to September 2020, totally 459 patients were diagnosed with adenomyosis and underwent pelvic MRI examination at Peking University Third Hospital. Clinical characteristics and treatment were collected, MRI was used to determine the lesion location, and to measure the maximum lesion thickness, the maximum myometrium thickness, uterine cavity length, uterine volume, the minimum distance between the lesion and serosa or endometrium, and whether combined with ovarian endometrioma. The difference of MRI imaging characteristics in patients with adenomyosis and its relationship with clinical symptoms and therapeutic efficacy were analyzed. Results: (1) Among the 459 patients, the age was (39.1±6.4) years. There were 376 patients (81.9%, 376/459) with dysmenorrhea. Whether patients had dysmenorrhea were related to uterine cavity length, uterine volume, ratio of the maximum lesion thickness to the maximum myometrium thickness, and whether patients had ovarian endometrioma (all P<0.001). Multivariate analysis suggested that ovarian endometrioma was the risk factor for dysmenorrhea (OR=0.438, 95%CI: 0.226-0.850, P=0.015). There were 195 patients (42.5%, 195/459) with menorrhagia. Whether patients had menorrhagia were related to age, whether patients had ovarian endometrioma, uterine cavity length, the minimum distance between lesion and endometrium or serosa, uterine volume, ratio of the maximum lesion thickness to the maximum myometrium thickness (all P<0.001). Multivariate analysis suggested that ratio of the maximum lesion thickness to the maximum myometrium thickness was the risk factor for menorrhagia (OR=774.791, 95%CI: 3.500-1.715×10⁵, P=0.016). There were 145 patients (31.6%, 145/459) with infertility. Whether the patients had infertility were related to age, the minimum distance between lesion and endometrium or serosa, and whether patients had ovarian endometrioma (all P<0.01). Multivariate analysis suggested that young and large uterine volume were risk factors for infertility (OR=0.845, 95%CI: 0.809-0.882, P<0.001; OR=1.001, 95%CI: 1.000-1.002, P=0.009). (2) The success rate of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) was 39.2% (20/51). Dysmenorrhea, high maximum visual analogue scale score and large uterine volume affected the success rate of IVF-ET (all P<0.05). The smaller the maximum lesion thickness, the smaller the distance between the lesion and serosa, the larger the distance between the lesion and endometrium, the smaller the uterine volume, and the smaller the ratio of the maximum lesion thickness to the maximum myometrium thickness, the better the therapeutic efficacy of progesterones (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Concomitant ovarian endometrioma increases the risk of dysmenorrhea in patients with adenomyosis. The ratio of the maximum lesion thickness to the maximum myometrium thickness is an independent risk factor for menorrhagia. Young and large uterine volume may increase the risk of infertility. Severe dysmenorrhea and large uterine volume affect the success rate of IVF-ET. The therapeutic efficacy of progesterones is relatively better when the lesion is small and far away from the endometrium.
Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Adenomyosis/pathology* ; Dysmenorrhea/therapy* ; Menorrhagia/pathology* ; Endometriosis/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Infertility/complications* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of CO₂ laser moxibustion on endometriosis related pelvic pain of cold coagulation and blood stasis. METHODS: A total of 76 patients with endometriosis related pelvic pain of cold coagulation and blood stasis were randomized into a laser moxibustion group and a sham laser moxibustion group, 38 cases in each group. In the laser moxibustion group, moxibustion was applied at bilateral Zigong (EX-CA 1) using CO₂ laser moxibustion instrument. In the sham laser moxibustion group, the manipulation of moxibustion was same as the laser moxibustion group, without laser output. The treatment was given once every other day, 30 min each time, 3 times a week for 4 weeks in both groups. Before and after treatment and follow-up of 3 months after treatment, the scores of Gracely box scale (GBS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were observed, the usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for the duration of the treatment and the average days of taking drugs were recorded in both groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the GBS and VAS scores were decreased after treatment and during follow-up in the laser moxibustion group (P<0.05), while those in the sham moxibustion group had no significant differences (P>0.05). Compared with the sham moxibustion group, the GBS and VAS scores were decreased after treatment and during follow-up (P<0.05), the cases and average days of taking drugs were less in the laser moxibustion group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION CO₂ laser moxibustion can improve the pain symptom in patients with endometriosis related pelvic pain of cold coagulation and blood stasis, and reduce the use of analgesic drugs.
Acupuncture Points ; Carbon Dioxide ; Endometriosis/complications* ; Female ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Pelvic Pain/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of herb-separated moxibustion on dysmenorrhea in ovarian endometriosis. METHODS: A total of 54 patients with ovarian endometriosis dysmenorrhea were randomized into a herb-separated moxibustion group and a waiting-list group, 27 cases in each one (3 cases dropped off in the herb-separated moxibustion group, 4 cases dropped off in the waiting-list group). Herb-separated moxibustion was applied at hypogastrium and lumbosacral area for 30 min in the herb-separated moxibustion group, once a week for 3 months, and oral ibuprofen sustained-release capsule was given to relieve pain when necessary. Excepting giving ibuprofen sustained-release capsule when necessary, no more intervention was adopted in the waiting-list group. Before and after treatment and in 3 months follow-up, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, days of dysmenorrhea, total dose of oral painkiller were observed. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the VAS scores after tratment and in follow-up were decreased in the herb-separated moxibustion group (<0.05), and were less than those in the waiting-list group (<0.05); the days of dysmenorrhea and the total doses of oral painkiller after tratment and in follow-up were decreased in the herb-separated moxibustion group (<0.05), and were less than those in the waiting-list group (<0.05). CONCLUSION Herb-separated moxibustion can effectively improve dysmenorrhea symptom and shorten dysmenorrhea days in patients with ovarian endometriosis.
Acupuncture Points ; Dysmenorrhea ; therapy ; Endometriosis ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Ibuprofen ; therapeutic use ; Moxibustion ; Ovary ; physiopathology

Endometriosis is a common and difficult gynecological disease. The incidence of endometriosis has been increasing year by year. Because endometriosis mostly occurs in childbearing age,it can cause persistent damage to the fertility of patients,and is an important cause of infertility. Although endometriosis is a benign disease,it has malignant behavior,and is easy for relapse and metastasis and difficult to treat in clinic. Early diagnosis,comprehensive evaluation,formulation of programs and timely treatment play an important role in protecting patients' fertility. The pathogenesis of endometriosis is still unclear in modern medicine. Drugs,surgery and assisted reproductive technology are the main therapies. The author has achieved a good efficacy in the long-term treatment of infertility due to endometriosis. She believes that the disease is caused by kidney deficiency and blood stasis. They are cause and effect to each other,which form a vicious circle. In view of the basic pathogenesis of kidney deficiency and blood stasis,we should make good use of the method of Bushen Huoxue,and emphasize the treatment by stages: promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis,and treating diarrhea with purgative in the menstrual stage; nourishing kidney and blood,and regulating thoroughfare and conception vessels in the postmenstrual stage; warming kidney and supporting Yang,and dredging collaterals and hastening excretion in the interval stage;and tonifying kidney and spleen,and managing Qi and activating blood in the premenstruum stage. Leech is commonly adopted in clinic prescriptions to remove accumulation of persistent blood stasis and regulate mood,and combined with enema of traditional Chinese medicine,hot compress and other external therapies to enhance the curative effect.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endometriosis ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

OBJECTIVE: To compare laboratory and clinical outcomes of fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in patients with endometriosis using antagonist protocol, long agonist protocol or prolonged agonist protocol. METHODS: Totally 313 patients with endometriosis were recruited in Reproductive Centers of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine,Jiaxing Women and Children's Hospital,and Ningbo Women and Children's Hospital from April 2017 to October 2018, including 81 patients treated with antagonist protocol (antagonist group), 148 treated with long agonist protocol (long agonist group) and 84 treated with prolonged agonist protocol (prolonged agonist group). The clinical and laboratory data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed to investigate the effect of ovarian stimulation protocols on the IVF-ET outcomes of patients with endometriosis. RESULTS: The average age in the antagonist group patients was significantly higher than those in the other two groups (all <0.05),and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) level and antral follicle numbers were significantly lower than those in the other two groups (all <0.01). The numbers of average retrieved oocyte, fertilized oocyte and available embryo in the antagonist group were significantly lower than those in the long agonist group (all <0.05), but were similar with those in the prolonged agonist group (all >0.05). Fertilization rate and available embryo rate were comparable among the three groups (all >0.05). Considering analysis per cycle with embryo transfer, the human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) positive rate, clinical pregnancy rate and total implantation rate showed no significant difference among the three groups (all >0.05). The implantation rate after fresh embryo transfer in the antagonist group was lower than that in the long agonist group (<0.05), but was similar with that in the prolonged agonist group (>0.05). While the implantation rate of freeze-thaw embryo transfer showed a higher trend in the antagonist group, but there was no significant difference (>0.05). The patients were further divided into diminished and normal ovarian reserve subgroups, the per cycle with embryo transfer, the HCG positive rate, clinical pregnancy rate and total implantation rate still showed no significant difference between two subgroups (all >0.05), no matter in which ovarian stimulation protocol groups. Besides, in women with diminished ovarian reserve, the available embryo rate in antagonist group was significantly higher than that in the long agonist group (<0.05). The amount and duration of Gn application in antagonist group were significantly lower than those in long and prolonged agonist groups (all <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Patients with endometriosis who used the antagonist protocol in IVF procedure could reduce the cost and time of Gn treatment, when combined with frozen-embryo transfer strategy the antagonist protocol has comparable clinical pregnancy outcome with long or prolonged agonist protocol, especially in those with diminished ovarian reserve, the higher available embryo rate can be achieved.
Embryo Transfer ; Endometriosis ; therapy ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Ovulation Induction ; methods ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies

The occurrence of ovarian squamous cell carcinoma associated with ovarian endometriosis is extremely rare. Several studies revealed poor prognosis for ovarian squamous cell carcinoma especially when associated with endometriosis. We report a case of ovarian squamous cell carcinoma that invades the parametrium that is also associated with ovarian endometriosis. A 41-year-old woman with stage IIB ovarian squamous cell carcinoma was treated with debulking surgery followed by six courses combination chemotherapy composed of paclitaxel and carboplatin. Twenty months after the last course of chemotherapy (3 months after normal positron emission tomography–computed tomography [CT] scanning), upper abdominal pain developed and abdomen CT scan revealed multiple metastasis in liver and paraaortic lymph node. Although two cycles of paclitaxel and cisplatin was administrated, she died of disease three months after the recurrence.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Carboplatin ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cisplatin ; Drug Therapy* ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Electrons ; Endometriosis* ; Epithelial Cells* ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Paclitaxel ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Extra pelvic endometriosis is considered to be rare. This paper reports a case of catamenial hemoptysis accompanied by subcutaneous endometriosis in 26-year-old woman. A computed tomography scan of the chest revealed a focal ground-glass opacity lesion in the posterior segment of the right upper lobe. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of endometriosis of right lung and concurrent subcutaneous endometriosis. She was treated with surgical resection of the endometriosis lesions on two different sites and perioperative gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy. The 6-month follow-up after combination treatment showed no recurrence. Though long-term follow-up result is needed, aggressive treatment using combination treatment (surgery and perioperative medication) should be considered for symptomatic extra pelvic endometriosis.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Endometriosis* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Hemoptysis* ; Humans ; Lung ; Recurrence ; Thorax

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect and safety of acupuncture combined with Jiawei Mojie tablet for the prevention of endometriosis recurrence after surgery.

METHODSOne hundred and six patients after the conservative surgery against endometriosis were randomly divided into a western medication group and an acupuncture and medication group(a combination group), 53 cases in each one. In the western medication group, gestrinone was applied orally. In the combination group, acupuncture and Jiawei Mojie tablet with oral administration were adopted. Xuehai (SP 10), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Guanyuan (CV 4) were mainly used, and acupoints based on syndrome differentiation were combined. After the surgery and when the menstruation was end, 3 to 5 days later the preventive treatment was used successively for 6 months. Patients were followed up after treatment and in 3 months, 6 months, and 18 months (two years after surgery) after treatment. The recurrence [Abdominal/perineal ultrasonic examination, serum cancer antigen 125 (CA125) test], menstruation score, endometriosis health profile-5 (EHP-5) and the safety index of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSEight patients (five cases in the western medication group and three cases in the combination group) were rejected because of dropping, and six ones (two cases in the western medication group and four cases in the combination group) discontinued. When patients were followed up in 18 months after treatment, the suspected recurrence rate through ultrasonic examination was 2.0% (1/50), and the unusual rate of serum CA125 text was 4.0% (2/50) in the combination group, which were apparently lower than 18.8% (9/48) and 25.0% (12/48) in the western medication group (both P < 0.01). After treatment and 3-month, 6-month, and 18-month following up, the menstruation scores of the combination group were obviously lower than those of the western medication group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). After 18 months, the positive rate of EHP-5 in the combination group was 0 (0/50), which was markedly lower than 18.8% (9/48) in the western medication group (P < 0.01). After treatment and 3-month, 6-month, and 18-month following up, the unusual rates of serum ALT text in the combination group were lower than those in the western medication group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). After treatment, the unusual rate of serum ALT text was not significantly different in the combination group compared with that before treatment (P > 0.05), and after treatment and 3-month, 6-month following up, the unusual rates of serum ALT text in the western medication group were remarkablely higher than those before treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). After 18-month following up, the unusual rate of serum ALT text in the western medication group was not statistically significant compared with that before treatment (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture combined with Jiawei Mojie tablet can effectively prevent endometriosis recurrence after surgery, and improve menstruation condition and life quality, which are less injurious for liver than gestrinone.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Administration, Oral ; Adult ; CA-125 Antigen ; blood ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Endometriosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Recurrence ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo determine the effects of hypobaric hypoxia pretreatment on surgically induced endometriosis in rats.

METHODSSix rats were randomized into 2 groups and exposed to hypoxia (8% O) and normoxia (21% O) for 8 h. The uterine endometrium was intraperitoneally implanted into estrogen-treated ovariectomized Lewis rat, and the growth and quality of the implants were measured. The changes in apoptosis, protein and gene expressions in the serum, abdominis effusion fluids and implants were tested by ELISA, immunohistochemical staining, TUNNEL assay, Western blotting and RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe volume of the implants in the hypoxic pretreatment group was significantly increased compared with the normoxia group. High expressions of Ki67, CD31, VEGF, and HIF-1α and lowered cell apoptosis were found in the hypoxia-pretreated implants compared with the normoxic group. VEGF level in the serum and peritoneal fluid were increased in hypoxia-pretreated group, but TNFα level was comparable between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONHypoxia play an important role in the occurrence and progression of endometriosis by increasing cell proliferation and angiogenesis and decreasing cell apoptosis in the implants in the rat model.

Allografts ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Ascitic Fluid ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Proliferation ; Endometriosis ; therapy ; Endometrium ; transplantation ; Female ; Hypoxia ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

INTRODUCTIONThis retrospective study was conducted to perform an external validation of the in vitro fertilisation (IVF) predict model developed by Scott Nelson et al in an Asian population.

MATERIALS AND METHODSAll IVF cycles registered in the study centre from January 2005 to December 2010 were included. Observed and predicted values of at least 1 live birth per cycle were compared by discrimination, calibration. Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to assess the goodness-of-fit of the model calibration and Brier score was used to assess overall model performance.

RESULTSAmong 634 IVF cycles, rate of at least 1 live birth was 30.6%. Causes of infertility were unexplained in 35.5% cases. Fifty-seven percent of women came for their first IVF treatment. First IVF cycle showed significantly higher success in comparison to subsequent cycles. The odds ratio of successful live birth was worse in women with endometriosis. Observed outcome was found to be more than the prediction of the model. The area under the curve (AUC) in this study was found to be 0.65 that was close to that of Nelson model (0.6335) done in internal validation. Brier score (average prediction error) of model was 0.2. Chi square goodness-of-fit test indicated that there was difference between the predicted and observed value (x² =18.28, df = 8, P = 0.019). Overall statistical findings indicated that the accuracy of the prediction model fitted poorly with the study population.

CONCLUSIONOvarian reserve, treatment centre and racial effect on predictability cannot be excluded. So it is important to make a good prediction model by considering the additional factors before using the model widely.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anovulation ; complications ; Area Under Curve ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Endometriosis ; complications ; Fallopian Tube Diseases ; complications ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; etiology ; therapy ; Infertility, Male ; therapy ; Live Birth ; Male ; Maternal Age ; Odds Ratio ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Reproducibility of Results ; Reproductive History ; Retrospective Studies ; Singapore ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult