Gynae Flashcards
(137 cards)
whirlpool sign
ovarian torsion
masses in the uterine wall
fibroids
Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) is the most frequent presenting symptom
Prolonged menstruation, lasting more than 7 days
Abdominal pain, worse during menstruation
Bloating or feeling full in the abdomen
Urinary or bowel symptoms due to pelvic pressure or fullness
Deep dyspareunia (pain during intercourse)
Reduced fertility
Abdominal and bimanual examination may reveal a palpable pelvic mass or an enlarged firm non-tender uterus.
fibroids
Investigations for fibroids
Hysteroscopy is the initial investigation for submucosal fibroids presenting with heavy menstrual bleeding.
transvaginal ultrasound is the investigation of choice for larger fibroids.
Management of menorrhagia with no identified pathology, fibroids <3cm, or a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of adenomyosis
- mirena coil
- non-hormonal options: tranexamic acid, NSAIDs such as mefanamic acid (if dysmenorrhoea too)
- hormonal options: COCP, cyclical progestogens
- surgical
- endometrial ablasion
- hysterectomy
management of menorrhagia with fibroids > 3cm in diameter
- mirena coil (fibroids must be less than 3cm with no distortion of the uterus)
- non-hormonal options: tranexamic acid, NSAIDs
- hormonal options: COCP, cyclical progestogens fibroids must be less than 3cm with no distortion of the uterus
- Surgical options:
- uterine artery embolisation
- myomectomy (if want to maintain fertility)
- hysterectomy
what drugs can shrink fibroids eg before surgery
GnRH agonists, such as goserelin (Zoladex) or leuprorelin (Prostap), may be used to reduce the size of fibroids before surgery. They work by inducing a menopause-like state and reducing the amount of oestrogen maintaining the fibroid. Usually, GnRH agonists are only used short term, for example, to shrink a fibroid before myomectomy.
complications of fibroids
- sub-fertility
- anaemia
- red-degenration during pregnancy
pregnant lady with severe abdo pain, low grade fever, history of fibroids
red degeneration of fibroids
Initial investigations menorrhagia
- fbc
- transvaginal USS
NICE recommend arranging a routine transvaginal ultrasound scan if symptoms (for example, intermenstrual or postcoital bleeding, pelvic pain and/or pressure symptoms) suggest a structural or histological abnormality. Other indications include abnormal pelvic exam findings.
a benign ovarian tumour
ascites
pleural effusion
Meig’s syndrome
It is a rare condition usually occurring in woman over the age of 40 years and the ovarian tumour is generally a fibroma. It is managed by the surgical removal of the tumour, however the ascites and pleural effusion may need to be drained first to allow symptomatic relief and improve pulmonary function before the anaesthetic. It has excellent prognosis due to the benign nature of the tumour.
“string of pearls”
multiple ovarian cysts
Presentation of ovarian cysts
Most ovarian cysts are asymptomatic. Cysts are often found incidentally on pelvic ultrasound scans.
Occasionally, ovarian cysts can cause vague symptoms of:
Pelvic pain
Bloating
Fullness in the abdomen
A palpable pelvic mass (particularly with very large cysts such as mucinous cystadenomas)
Ovarian cysts may present with acute pelvic pain if there is ovarian torsion, haemorrhage or rupture of the cyst.
Most common type of ovarian cyst
Follicular cysts represent the developing follicle. When these fail to rupture and release the egg, the cyst can persist.
What type of ovarian cyst may cause pelvic discomfort, pain or delayed menstruation
corpus luteum cyst
What type of ovarian cysts can become huge and take up lots of space in abdomen
Mucinous Cystadenoma
benign tumour of the epithelial cells. They can become huge, taking up lots of space in the pelvis and abdomen.
What type of cysts are particualrly associated with torsion
teratomas
Dermoid Cysts / Germ Cell Tumours
What tests do you need to do after an ovarian cyst has been identified? younger women vs oldeR?
Younger women:
Premenopause with a simple ovarian cyst less than 5cm on ultrasound do not need further investigations.
Women under 40 years with a complex ovarian mass require tumour markers for a possible germ cell tumour:
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
Alpha-fetoprotein (α-FP)
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
Older women/complex on scan/>5cm:
CA-125
The risk of malignancy index (RMI) estimates the risk of an ovarian mass being malignant, taking account of three things:
Menopausal status
Ultrasound findings
CA125 level
2ww for ovarian cancer
complex cysts or raised CA125
Management of ovarian cysts - premenopause vs postmenopause
Premenopause:
- simple and < 5cm: no follow up
- 5-7cm: routine gynae rf, uss each year
- >7cm: MRI to see character, surgical rf
Postmenopause:
correlation with CA-125 to consider 2ww
- simple and < 5cm: uss every 4-6 months
- perisistent/enlarging: laparoscopy
Surgery may involve removing the cyst (ovarian cystectomy), possibly along with the affected ovary (oophorectomy).
has an ovarian cyst, acute onset pain
consider:
Torsion
Haemorrhage into the cyst
Rupture, with bleeding into the peritoneum
what type of cyst causes meig’s syndrome
Ovarian fibroma (a type of benign ovarian tumour)
Risk of malignancy index for ovarian cancer
Risk malignancy index (RMI) prognosis in ovarian cancer is based on
US findings,
menopausal status and
CA125 levels
A 29-year-old nulliparous female presents to gynaecology clinic with a history of worsening menstrual pain for three years. There is no relief from ibuprofen. She is sexually active with her husband and reports pain during intercourse. Dysuria and urgency in urination are also present. She has been trying to conceive for the past two years, but failed. On examination, her uterus is of normal size. Rectovaginal exam reveals uterosacral nodularity and tenderness.
endometriosis