Case report: management of cystic adenomyosis

doi:10.15406/ipcb.2019.05.00163

International Journal of

eISSN: 2574-9889

Pregnancy & Child Birth

Case Report Volume 5 Issue 4

Case report: management of cystic adenomyosis

Shilpa Saple,

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Mukesh Agrawal

Aarush IVF and Endoscopy Centre, India

Correspondence: Shilpa Saple, Aarush IVF and Endoscopy Centre, India

Received: May 18, 2019 | Published: July 5, 2019

Citation: Saple S, Agrawal M. Case report: management of cystic adenomyosis. Int J Pregn & Chi Birth. 2019;5(4):132-133. DOI: 10.15406/ipcb.2019.05.00163

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Abstract

Adenomyosis has a negative impact on fertility owing to reduced likelihood of clinical pregnancy and implantation and increased risk of early pregnancy loss. Ultrasound detection of adenomyotic changes include globular uterine enlargement, wall thickening, linear striations, thickened endomyometrial borders, junctional zone and cystic anechoic spaces in myometrium. The aim of the case report is to present hysteroscopic dissection and ablation of subendometrial adenomyotic cyst with good subsequent ART outcome.

Introduction

Our objective is to present hysteroscopic dissection and ablation of adenomyotic cysts as a method of surgical management of this condition and discuss the implications and treatment in an infertile patient. Adenomyosis by definition is the benign invasion of endometrium into the myometrium producing a diffusely enlarged uterus which microscopically exhibits ectopic, non-neoplastic endometrial glands and stroma surrounded by hypertrophic and hyperplastic myometrium. Although it has been a histopathological diagnosis, with current modalities of 2D, 3D sonography and MRI, it is possible to diagnose this condition in vivo.

Diagnosis on TVS scan by the following distinctive features

Asymmetrical myometrial thickening, parallel shadowing, myometrial cysts, hyperechoic islands, irregular endo-myometrial junction. On 3D USG, junctional zone-thickening and disruption in adenomyosis, under normal circumstances it is hypoechoeic, heterogenous myometrial echotexture, increased echogenicity or linear striation due to ectopic endometrial tissue and presence of Subendometrial cysts. MRI criteria –thickness of Junctional zone >12mm, broadening of JZ is infiltrative (normal <5mm). High T2 signal intensity linear striations radiating out of the endometrium.^1,2

Distinctive features of differentiation from fibroid are as in chart below

FIBROIDS	ADENOMYOSIS
Defined margins	Poorly defined margins
Round shape	Variable shape
Mass effect	No mass effect
Calcifications	No calcification
Attenuation with edge shadowing	Multiple foci of attenuation
Peripheral vascularization	Rectilinear vascularization
JZ intact	Variable thickening of JZ

Brosens classification of cystic adenomyosis (MUSCLE)

M, myometrial location (intramural, submucous, subserous)
U, uterine site (midline,paramedian, lateral)
S, structure (cystic, mixed, polypoid)
C, contents (clear, hemorrhagic)
L, level (fundus,body, cervix)

Effects of adenomyosis on infertility

Altered peristaltic activity- responsive to endocrine and paracrine stimuli – Estrogen due to aromatase P450 overexpression, conversion of androgen to estrogen and oxytocin, PGs, GF, cytokines à dysperistalsis by Kunz.
Altered endometrial function and receptivity-Colonisation of endometrium with macrophages by Leiva.
Impaired implantation –expression of integrins and pinopode formation is affected.
Altered decidualisation overexpression of cytochrome P450à estrogen receptor& lack of PR.
Abnormal concentration of intrauterine free radicals –Nitic oxide, superoxide.
Gene dysregulation.
High risk of miscarriage.

Case report

Mrs. X 32-year-old was referred to us as case of primary infertility of 5 years duration. She had regular and painful menses. Husband’s Semen analysis was normal. Her HysteroLaparoscopy 3 years back was done which had normal findings and she had undergone 2 cycles of IUI with Clomifene stimulation previously without any resulting pregnancy.

General examination was normal

Positive findings on TVS- Transverse dimensions were increased. Presence of 2 intramural subendometrial cysts of 1cm and 0.8cm above the cervix on the posterior wall adjacent to each other and indenting the cavity. Her antral follicular count was 11. Her routine investigations and infection screen were done which were normal and AMH was 2.6. She was given one cycle of HMG 150 units x10 days from 2^nd day of menses and trigger at follicular size of 19-20mm and IUI was done on 12^th day with progesterone support post IUI. The cycle was negative. She was counselled for an ICSI cycle and precycle hysteroscopy was planned. Under General anesthesia, a diagnostic hysteroscopy was done using 2.9mm hysteroscope with Bettocchi operating sheath connected to a HD 3 chip Storz camera with saline distention using hysteromat. Uterine cavity was normal and a bulge of 1cm was seen on the posterior wall just above cervix. Using the same scope mounted on a bipolar resectoscope assembly using normal saline as a distending medium, a linear incision was made over the bulge with a Collin’s knife (Figure 1).^3–5

bulge on posterior wall
linear incision by Collins knife
chocolate fluid
base of the cyst

Figure 1 ICSI was planned with long protocol.

Lupride 0.5mg starting 7days post ovulation in the same cycle.
Stimulation with 300 units HMG was carried out after adequate downregulation (10days).
6M2 eggs were obtained and transfer of 3 embryos on Day 3 yielded a positive Bhcg test.

Differential diagnosis

Cystic degeneration in fibroid
Congenital anomaly- hematometra of horn

Other modalities of treatment

Scissors - open and resect the lesion with base.
Fulgurate base with ball electrode
Laparoscopic approach can be tried if lesions are in outer intramural part
USG guided aspiration for large lesions
Spirotome
Robotics

Conclusion

Hysteroscopic evaluation of the endometrial surface can detect changes, subtle lesions of which the pathological value is not yet proven but can be described as possible although not pathognomonic signs of adenomyotic changes in the myometrium. Endometrial changes like hyper-vascularization, strawberry pattern, endometrial defects and submucosal hemorrhagic cysts are suggestive of adenomyosis (78, 80, 81) (Figure 1). A cystic translucent area in the fundal area visualized by TVS, appearing as a bulging structure in the uterine cavity was described. Biopsy of the bed of the cyst was on histology diagnosed as adenomyosis (81). With the increasing evidence of the importance of the inner myometrium, uterine exploration in patients with infertility, abnormal uterine bleeding and pain should not be restricted to exploration of the uterine cavity but should include the exploration of the inner and outer myometrial structures.

Adenomyotic sub endometrial cyst >5mm, which can be picked up as a bulge on hysteroscopy can be drained and base cauterized to improve the pregnancy chances.
Hysteroscopy – clear visualization of intracavitary lesions with direct access
Treatment by mechanical dissection or bipolar ablative surgery produces minimal tissue damage.
Further studies would be required to understand its impact on fertility and benefits of its surgical removal.