Uterine fibroids are one of the most common medical conditions affecting women. Despite the fact that at least 1 out of every 4 women has fibroids, there is a considerable amount of misinformation regarding the effects of fibroids and their treatment. In order to fully understand these common uterine tumors, one needs to understand their cause, possible symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.
A Non-surgical Outpatient Procedure for the Treatment of Symptomatic Fibroids
Uterine fibroids, also called myomas, are the most common tumors of the female reproductive organs. Although the exact cause of these tumors is unknown, current medical opinion is that they arise from a single microscopic smooth muscle cell. Smooth muscle cells are the type of cell that forms the uterus.
In 1984, Lesli Hicks complained to her gynecologist that her lower back hurt. She was told that she'd probably lifted something incorrectly. She sought a second opinion and an ultrasound examination.
What is different with the MRI diagnostic test the doctor’s order to help them determine if a uterine fibroid patient is a candidate for the ExAblate procedure?
A lot of women and family members have asked me about when/how did I know I had fibroids. Actually it was a big surprise to me, BUT looking back I should of saw the signs. I thought it would be nice to start a list of all the things women and families have experienced when the uterine fibroids and uterus started to expand. I’ll start the list and I hope everyone will add to it so we can help others through their Journey.
This image presents a hysteroscopic view of normal tubal ostium.
Fibroids and Hysterectomies used to go together like Rogers and Hammerstein. Not anymore. If your physician recommends removing your uterus as the most effective treatment for severe fibroids without first considering less invasive therapies, start singing another tune and get a second opinion!
Have you ever noticed how easily misinformation develops and how eagerly it is spread by the ill informed? Of late I have heard and read all manner of seemingly authoritative pronouncements on uterine artery embolization (UAE) for the management of uterine myomas. I even saw an "authority" recently on OPRAH stating that UAE was experimental and not useful for tumors larger 4 cms.
48 year old woman, a tumor in abdomen was discovered. No complaints now except anemia (Hb 4,4 mmol/l). After second delivery (17 years ago) period of abdominal pains. The cystic mass is WITHIN the fundal myometrium.
One hundred and six pregnant women diagnosed with Leiomyoma during pregnancy were evaluated clinically and by ultrasound. Leiomyoma size changes were analyzed on the basis of trimesters. The common echotexture pattern and the different echotextures as well as any changes in the echogenicity were noticed during the follow up. The number and location of the myomata were observed with their impact on pregnancy outcome.
This is the 30 year old wife of a colleague, G2 P1, 19 weeks pregnant. This is a known myoma, posterior and left. Part of the placenta is implanted over this myoma.
K.C., a 44 year-old woman, called me from upstate New York. Over the past 15 years her uterus has gradually enlarged to the size of a seven month pregnancy due to the presence of multiple fibroids. She also suffered from asthma and her markedly enlarged uterus was contributing to her breathing difficulties. Her periods had become progressively heavier, leading to anemia.
Mrs. Blumenthal*, a 40-year-old G1P1, had young twins at home and was also a full-time student. She delivered her twins in 1992 by C-section after conceiving through IVF. The patient had long-standing endometriosis, treated previously by three abdominal procedures (one laparotomy and two laparoscopies).
In late 1996 Mrs. Martin contacted our office and reported concern over the fact that her periods were occurring every 2 weeks. During the office visit, she stated that she was experiencing heavy bleeding with the passage of clots that lasted approximately 7 days, requiring the use of 10 or more pads per day. The problem was very upsetting to her and was interfering with daily life at home and at work.
Laparoscopy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the United States today. It is the modality of choice for many physicians for removal of ectopic pregnancy, bilateral tubal sterilization, treatment of endometriosis, lysis of adhesions, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, splenectomy, prostatectomy, etc. It is becoming increasingly popular for more complex procedures, including laparoscopic hysterectomy and myomectomy.
Transvaginal Ultrasonography, Sonohysterography, Hysterosalpingography And Operative Hysteroscopy In Predicting Endometrial Hyperplasia
Reproductive endocrinology, a relatively new subspecialty of obstetrics and Gynecology, came of age during the 1980s. The discipline has benefited greatly from substantial recent advances in reproductive biology and allied fields and technologic improvements in computers, ultrasonography, and surgical instrumentation. All of these developments have been applied to clinical practice at an unprecedented rate.
Many clinicians and perhaps some statisticians are at odds regarding the correct application of Bayes theorem in integrated risk assessments of screening programs for Down syndrome1. Most standard textbooks show that the posterior odds = prior odds X likelihood ratio but some publications show the use of prior risk X likelihood ratio to calculate the posterior risk. Bayes theorem does refer to probabilities, which is equivalent to the word "risk"
Since the first report of Doppler ultrasound evaluating high-risk pregnancies in 1983, the fetal arterial system has been extensively studied to determine if abnormal waveforms identify fetuses at increased risk for perinatal mortality.
The Prenatal Ultrasonographic Detection of Myelomeningocele in Patients Referred to Children's Hospital Medical Center
Uterine myomas irrespective of whether they are small and asymptomatic (as in the postmenopausal women) or large and symptomatic (as in premenopausal women) considerably affect uterine artery blood flow velocity. Benign uterine leiomyomas are usually easily recognized with gray-scale ultrasonography, but may sometimes be difficult to differentiate from solid ovarian tumours.
