structural anomalies Flashcards

1
Q

What is pelvic organ prolapse

A

This is the descent of pelvic organs into the vagina. This is the result of weakness and lengthening of the ligaments and muscles surrounding the uterus.

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2
Q

What is a uterine prolapse

A

This is where the uterus itself descends in the vagina.

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3
Q

What is a rectocele

A
  • defect in the posterior vaginal wall – where the rectum prolapses into the vagina
  • assoc with constipation
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4
Q

What is the presentation of a rectocele

A

Women can often become faecally loaded in the part of the rectum that had prolapsed into the vagina, resulting in constipation, urinary retention (due to compression on the urethra) and a lump in the vagina.

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5
Q

What is the management of a rectocele

A

Women can use their fingers to press the lump backwards (correcting the anatomical position of the rectum) in order to defecate.

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6
Q

What is a Cystocele

A
  • defect in the anterior vaginal wall – where the bladder prolapses into the vagina
  • can also be prolapse of the urethra (called a urethrocele) or both the bladder and the urethra (cystourethrocele).
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7
Q

What are the risk factors for uterine prolapse

A
Multiple vaginal childbirths
Traumatic vaginal childbirths
Advanced age (and post-menopause)
Obesity
Chronic Constipation (particularly rectoceles
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8
Q

What is the presentation of a uterine prolapse

A
  • urinary, bowel or sexual dysfunction.
  • Feeling of “something coming down” in the vagina
  • Dragging or heavy sensation in the pelvis
  • Women may have identified a lump or a mass in the vagina, and often will already be pushing it back up themselves.
  • The prolapse will become worse on straining or bearing down.
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9
Q

What are the management options for a uterine prolapse

A

Conservative management
Vaginal pessary
Surgery

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10
Q

What conservative management is advised for uterine prolapse

A
  • Physiotherapy (pelvic floor exercises)
  • Lifestyle changes for associated stress incontinence (reduced caffeine intake, incontinence pads etc)
  • Treat associated symptoms such as stress incontinence (e.g. with anticholinergic mediations like solifenacin or oxybutynin)
  • Vaginal oestrogen cream
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11
Q

What is a vaginal pessary

A
  • There are many types of pessary (e.g. ring, gellhorn, cube, donut and hodge)
  • They fit inside the vagina and provide support for the uterus
  • Women often have to try a few types before finding the correct comfort and symptom relief
  • Pessaries should be removed and cleaned / changed periodically (e.g. every 4 months)
  • They can cause vaginal irritation / erosion over time, oestrogen cream can help this
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12
Q

What is the surgical management for a uterine prolapse

A
  • consider the pros and cons of surgery and the persons co-morbidities
  • hysterectomy for uterine prolapse
  • Surgery can be very successful in correcting the problem
  • controversy about mesh repairs and the potential complications (including chronic pain) associated with the use of mesh.
  • There are other complications (e.g. infection, bleeding, damage to bladder / bowel etc)
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13
Q

What are the features of polycystic ovarian syndrome

A
Weight gain
Hirsuitism
Infrequent or absent ovulation resulting in oligomenorrhoea or amenorrhoea and poor fertility
Acanthosis nigricans
Impaired glucose tolerance
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14
Q

What is the hormone profile of a patient with PCOS

A

LH is raised
LH to FSH ratio is raised
Insulin can be raised
Testosterone can be raised

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15
Q

What is the Rotterdam criteria

A

Requires two of three to make a diagnosis

  • Infrequent or absent ovulation
  • Hyperandrogenism (e.g. hirsutism)
  • Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound (or ovarian volume >10mls)
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16
Q

What is the general management of PCOS

A

Weight loss

Combined oral contraceptive pill

17
Q

What is insulin resistance

A
  • High levels of insulin result in higher levels of androgens (such as testosterone). I
  • Insulin promotes the release of androgens from the ovaries and adrenal glands
  • Very common in patients with PCOS
  • Metformin can help improve fertility
18
Q

How do you manage infertility in PCOS

A

Step wise approach

  1. Weight loss
  2. Metformin
  3. Clomifene
19
Q

How do you mange hirstuitism in woman with PCOS

A
Co-cyprindiol (Dianette): 
- Has an anti-androgenic effect
- Contraceptive
- Increased risk of VTE
Topical eflornithine
20
Q

What is female genital mutilation

A
  • Involves surgically changing female genitals for non-medical reasons.
  • This is illegal as per the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003.
  • It is a legal requirement to report any discovered cases of FGM to the police.
21
Q

Where is FGM most prevelant

A
  • Common cultural practice in many African countries.
  • Somalia has the highest levels of FGM of any country.
  • Other countries with high rates are Ethiopia, Sudan and Eritrea.
  • It is also found in Yemen, Kurdistan, Indonesia and various parts of South and Western Asia.
22
Q

What are the different types of FGM

A

Removal of the clitorus.
Removal of the clitoris and labia minora.
Narrowing or closing the vaginal orifice.
Other unnecessary procedures to the female genitalia.

23
Q

What is a bicornate uterus

A
  • where there are two “horns” to the uterus

- associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, however successful pregnancy is generally expected

24
Q

What are the complications of a bicornate uterus

A

Miscarriage
Premature birth
Malpresentation

25
Q

What is vaginal agenesis

A
  • vagina fails to develop, probably due to failure of the Mullerian ducts to develop
  • associated with an absent uterus and cervix.
  • Ovaries typically remain in place so the female sexual hormones are unaffected unless it is caused by androgen insensitivity syndrome.
26
Q

What is a Transverse Vaginal Septae

A
  • error in development where a septum (wall) forms transversely across the vagina.
  • can either be perforate (with a hole) or imperforate (completely sealed).
27
Q

How does a perforate transverse vaginal septae present

A

girls will still menstruate but can present with difficulty with intercourse or tampon use.

28
Q

How does an imperforate transverse vaginal septae present

A

Like an imperforate hymen

29
Q

How do you diagnose and manage and transverse vaginal septae

A

examination, ultrasound or MRI. Treatment is with surgical correction.

30
Q

What are the main complications of a transverse vaginal septae

A

stenosis or the vagina or recurrence.

31
Q

What is an imperforate hymen

A

where the hymen at the opening of the vagina is completely formed without any opening.

32
Q

How does an imperforate hymen present

A

typical or more intense cyclical pelvic pain / cramping that would normally be associated with menstruation but without any vaginal bleeding.

33
Q

How do you diagnose and manage an imperforate hymen

A

simple examination and treatment is with surgical incision to create an opening in the hymen.

34
Q

What can happen as a result of not treating an imperforate hymen

A

menses could be backed up and retrograde menstruation could occur out of the fallopian tubes. This could lead to endometriosis

35
Q

What investigations should be done in all pre-menopausal woman with complex looking cysts

A
  • CA-125
  • αFP
  • βHCG
    With suspicion of malignancy until proven otherwise