ENDOMETRIOSIS

DEFINITION The presence of endometrial tissue outside the

normal uterus cavity.

Endometriosis is Classified Into:Internal type (Adenomyosis): the presence of

endometrial tissue in the muscle of the uterus

External type: the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus or serosal involvement from without

INCIDENCE

Increased in recurrent years due to increased

awareness about the disease and availability of

laparoscopy as diagnostic tool.

PREDISPOSING FACTORS

1. Age - between 30 - 40 years old

2. Parity - 50 - 700k develop in nullipara

3. Estrogen - estrogen may play role in endometriosis

4. Genetic factor - it is common in certain families and in Japanese

5. Socio-economic - it is a disease of rich people

6. Cervical stenosis and RVF

7. Immunological factors - immunological defect (cellular mediated type)

CAUSES OF ENDOMETRIOSIS

1. Retrograde Menstruation (Sampson's theory) Endometriosis is

common with cryptomenorrhea against this theory - endometrium,

menstruation is non-viable and it can not explain distant

endometriosis.

2. Serosal Metaplasia (Meyer's theory)

The female genital tract develops from mullerian due

which develop from coelomic epithelium. Endometriosis

develop from dormant embryonic cells is differentiated into

endometrial cells as a result of inflammatory or hormonal

stimuli.

Against this theory, it can not explain endometriosis outside

pelvis and abdomen, also endometriosis never develop in

absence, normal endometriosis.

3. Lymphatic Spread (Halban's Theory)

This theory can explain endometriosis, pelvic LN.

* Endometriosis of the umbilicus (spread along lymphatic of the urachus)

* Endometriosis of the kidney (spread along periureteric lymphatic

4. Diverticular Theory (Cullen's theory)

The basal layer of endometriosis grow downwards into

myometrium. It is separated from original gland due to uterine

contraction. This theory explains adenomyosis, but not

endometriosis.

PATHOLOGY OF ENDOMETRIOSIS

I. Type (Adenomyosis) * Uterine The uterus symmetrically enlarged but does not exceed 10-12 weeks gestation

The wall is thick due to myohyperplasia

Islands of endometrial tissue can be seen scattered throughout the myometrium. They are surrounded with well differentiated stromal cells

* Types: - non-functioning type - functioning type (rare) small chocolate cysts are scattered through out the myometrium

II. Extrauterine

A. Pelvic

* Ovaries - the most common site to be affected.

It is usually bilateral. It takes the form of multiple

burnt match head a tarry cyst (chocolate cyst) which

is variable in sizes, the wall is thick, granular and

surrounded by extensive adhesion

* Serosal surface of the uterus is bickered with multiple small

haemorrhagic nodules

* Broad ligament, uterosacral and ovarian ligament

* Vesico-uterine Pouch and Pouch of Douglas

* Fullterm

* Frozen pelvis

B. Extra Pelvic

Vulva and vagina in the posterior fornix, RV septum, episiotomy scar

Abdominal wall: umbilicus or laparotomy scar

Gastro-intestinal tract - caecum, appendix, rectum, recto-sigmoid junction

Urinary tract - kidney and ureteric

Pleura and lung

CLINICAL PICTURE SYMPTOMS1. Pain

* Dysmenorrhoea - congestive dysmenorrhoea pain occurs 2 - 3 days before the onset of menses due to pelvic congestion, increased after the flow, reaches its maximum in the last day of menses pain is due to pressure if imprisoned blood

* Dyspareunia - due to endometriosis of post fornix - RV septum = RVF

* Pain during defecation - endometriosis in posterior fornix, RV septum

* Acute Abdomen - rupture tarry cyst

2. Menorrhagia

Increased surface area of endometrium

increased vascularity

Endometrial hyperplasia

3. Infertility in 30 - 40% of cases

a. Tubal - pelvic adhesions which interfere for with ovum pick up and transport Increased PG content of peritoneal fluid

B. Ovarian - AnovultionLPD - due to tutolytic action of PG

 C. Uterine - production of autoantibodies unfavourable for implantation

d. Peritoneal - macrophages --> phagocytic sperm e. Hyperprolactinaemia f. Early spontaneous abortion

Examinationgeneral examinationabdominal examination: -ve or endometriosis of umbilicus

local examination:

endometriotic nodule of ovulation

endometriotic nodule of recto-vaginal septum

uterus symmetrical enlarge or fixed r.v.f.

investigations

1. infertility investigation 2. laparoscopy:

* confirm the diagnosis * localize and evaluate the extent of

lesion * localize and evaluate the extent of

adhesion second look laparoscopy at the end of

treatment * therapeutic vulva and lysis of adhesion

3. biopsy from skin or vulva lesion 4. curettage in case of menorrhagia 5. sigmoidoscopy - git lesion 6. cystoscopy - urinary lesion

Treatment of Endometriosis

General Measure

1. get pregnant as early as possible

2. sedative and analgesic

3. iron, vitamin, tonic

Hormonal Treatment

I. Induction of Pseudomenopause

Aim - stop cyclic stimulation of endometrium + atrophy Danazol - 17 alpha ethyl testosterone derivative

1. It acts on the hypothalamus and inhibit release of GnRH

2. Inhibit release of pituitary Gn

3. Inhibition of ovarian steroid genesis

4. Amenorrhoea

5. Dose 200 - 800 mg - 6 months Side effects - acne-hirsutism, weight gain

LH-RH - continuous administration of LH-RH result initial stimulation followed by down regulation (decrease number of receptor) and desensitization (decrease responsiveness) of pituitary gland

* Inhibition of release pituitary gland * Inhibition of ovarian steroidogenesis * Amenorrhoea

Dosage - 4 mg microcapsule 1M monthly 3 - 6 months Side effect - expensive, osteoporosis

Androgen - testosterone and methyltestosterone Dose: 5 - 10 mg/day 3 - 6 months

II. Induction of Pseudo Pregnancy Progesterone - 10 gm/day ---> which increased up to 40 mg/dl Medroxy progesterone acetate

SURGICAL TREATMENT 1. Conservative

Resection of endometriotic ---> lysis of adhesion

Ventrosuspension of uterus

Micro-surgical technique

Corticosteroid, antihistamine - postoperative given

2. Laser (X-ray) - used through the laparotomy or laparoscopies for photocoagulation of endometriotic implant

3. RadicalT AH + SSO + Resection of endometriosis

Combined Treatment Hormonal treatment followed with surgery

Radiological Treatment It is indicated when the operation is risky due to extensive adhesion or endometriosis of recto vaginal septum

It is due to deep x-ray therapy or packing of the uterine cavity with radium. It is rarely done.

Chronic Pelvic pain and Endometriosis

"Symptoms that depress the doctor". One of these was entitled "Too much pain".

Many studies have confirmed that people complaining of chronic pain are more likely to have a neurotic type of personality. Pain has often been found to be a sign of psychological illness and there is no doubt that most patients with chronic pain who present to hospital show evidence of psychological disturbance.

Pain is caused by a condition which has proved resistant to

attempts at a cure, the doctor's concern may be increased

by feelings of failure and inadequacy. Such is the case with

advanced malignant disease.

Chronic pelvic pain is a common complaint amongst women

in their reproductive years. In addition investigation of pelvic

pain was the commonest indication for laparoscopy.

Severe pain is not necessarily caused by organic disease whilst conversely less troublesome pain may be the harbinger of serious pathology. Pain may of course be related to a non gynaecological problem.

Table 15.1 Gynaecological Causes of Chronic Pelvic Pain

1. Cyclical pain: Dysmenorrhoea Mittelschmerz

2. Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease

3. Endometriosis

4. Neoplasia: Benign - fibroids - ovarian cyst

Malignant disease of the genital tract

5. Pelvic venous congestion I pelvic pain syndrome (PPS)

6. Polycystic ovarian syndrome

7. Residual ovary syndrome

8. Uterovaginal prolapse

Table 15.2 Non-gynaecological causes of chronic pelvic pain

Intestine:Diverculitis Inflammatory bowel disease Irritable bowel syndrome Malignancy Subacute intestinal obstruction

Urinary tract:

Calculus

Chronic retention

Infection

Malignancy

Musculo-skeletal:

Lumbo-sacral osteoarth ritis

Prolapsed intervertebral disc

Spondylolisthesis

INNERVATION

Gynaecological pain may be somatic, from the vulva, perineum and lower vagina, and transmitted via the pudendal nerves (S2, 3 and 4) or visceral from the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and visceral peritoneum supplied by the autonomic nervous system. Visceral and somatic pain perceptions are different. The viscera are insensitive to thermal and tactile.

Referred pain results from irritation of the overlying peritoneum, and is perceived in dermatomes supplied by the same nerve root.

Stimuli that produce pain include the following:

1. Distension and contraction of a hollow organ

2. Rapid stretching of the capsule of a solid organ

3. Chemical irritation of the parietal peritoneum

4. Tissue ischaemia

5. "Neuritis", secondary to inflammatory, neoplastic or fibrotic processes in adjacent organs

Characteristics of the Pain:

1. Mode of onset

2. Duration

3. Site

4. Radiation

5. Relationship to menstrual cycle and previous pregnancy

6. Intensity: this can be best assessed by instructing the

patient in the use of a visual analogue scale

EXAMINATION The formal examination should cover the following points:

1. General examination, specifically looking for signs of malignancy such as lymphadenopathy, anaemia and swelling of the lower limbs.

2. Abdominal palpation for masses, ascites and tenderness. Vaginal examination:

3. Speculum examination Bimanual palpation

4. Rectal examination, to exclude malignant disease

5. Examination of lumbo-sacral spine and hip joints

GYNAECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS Cyclical Pain

Dysmenorrhoea is a common complaint, although only in 5%. In the majority of cases there is no underlying pathology although congestive dysmenorrhoea is said to be associated with such conditions as endometriosis or adenomyosis. Ovulation Pain (Mittelschmerz) mid-cycle is of acute onset and is a sharp lower abdominal pain by several hours of dull aching in the pelvis. Caused by rupture of the ovarian follicle at ovulation, the onset of pain corresponds to the peak LH levels 24 hours prior to ovulation perifollicular smooth muscle, mediated through prostaglandin.

PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE (PID)

Clinical signs and symptoms are frequently misleading

however. In women who have a combination of lower

abdominal pain, vaginal discharge and pelvic tenderness

only 600k will be found to have pelvic infection at

laparoscopy.

ENDOMETRIOSIS

The pain of endometriosis is variable in presentation

and there is a poor correlation with the laparoscopic findings.

Severe pain may be associated with minimal disease, whilst

the reverse is also true. The commonest symptoms are

dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia and persistent dull ache in the

pelvis, although severe acute pain may be caused by the

rupture of an endometriotic cyst.

NEOPLASIA OF THE GENITAL TRACT

Benign

Large fibroids may cause a persistent dull aching pain in the

pelvis, whilst an ovarian cyst may produce recurrent

episodes of sharp pain secondary to torsion of the ovarian

pedicle.

Malignant

Although pain is not a leading feature of malignant disease

of the cervix and body of the uterus, lower abdominal and

pelvic pain is the commonest presenting symptom in

advanced ovarian cancer.

Pelvic Pain Syndrome (PPS)

Dull aching pain with occasional severe acute attacks more

commonly present in the right iliac fossa, but sometimes moving

from one side to the other.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

It has been postulated that the excess oestrogen seen in

PCOS causes dilatation of the pelvic veins (Reginald et al

1989), as oestrogen has been shown to inhibit the

contraction of smooth muscle in the walls of human veins.

Residual Ovary Syndrome

Symptoms from ovaries left at the time of hysterectomy.

Chronic pelvic pain and dyspareunia are the presenting

symptoms in approximately 75% of cases.

Uterovaginal Prolapse

A dull aching pain or dragging sensation in the pelvis in association

with a "lump" in the vagina.

NON-GYNAECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Gastrointestinal

Diverticular disease is common in people over the age of 60

years and approximately half the patients have chronic or

intermittent lower abdominal pain. Constipation, or alternating

diarrhoea and constipation with passage of pebbly stools

may accompany the pain or occur independently.

The irritable bowel syndrome (TBS) is a common complaint

of women presenting with pelvic pain to a Gynaecology

clinic.

Renal Tract

Causes of pain arising from the urinary tract are infection

and the presence of calculi. Chronic infection can result in

persistent pelvic pain, whilst chronic interstitial cystitis

usually occurs in middle-aged women and causes severe

supra-pubic pain.

Ureteric and Bladder Calculi

May cause recurrent episodes of lower abdominal and

pelvic pain.

Skeletal Causes

Pelvic pain are often polysymptomatic and may well

complain of back-ache. Low back-ache of musculo-skeletal origin

radiates most commonly to the lower limbs and not to the abdomen

or pelvis. Hip pain may sometimes be mistaken for pain arising in

the lower back and characteristically is most severe in the groins

but may also be felt in the buttocks.

INVESTIGATIONS

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is by far the most informative and is an

essential part of the investigation in all cases of pelvic pain.

Imaging

Ultrasound

Is a very informative investigation which has the added

advantage of being non-invasive. The dimension of uterus

and ovaries tend to be larger than normal in cases of PPS

whilst the diameter of pelvic veins can be measured using

the Doppler mode.

X-Rays

1. Plain x-ray of lumbo-sacral spine and hip joints

2. Intravenous urogram

3. Barium enema

4. Transuterine pelvic venography

 

Computerized Tomography and Magnetic Resonance

Imaging Although these techniques have no place in

assessing the majority of women with chronic pelvic pain

they are invaluable in assessing the spread of malignant

disease.

OTHER INVESTIGATIONS

1. Examination of mid-stream urine specimen

2. Full blood count may reveal an iron deficiency which although

commonly caused by menorrhagia, may alert to the possibility of a

colonic malignancy.

TREATMENT

In a minority of women complaining of chronic pelvic

pain a specific pathology can be identified as the cause, and

the appropriate treatment undertaken.

Surgical Treatment

Although surgery clearly has a limited role in a

disorder confined exclusively to the child bearing years,

there have been advocates of this approach. Resection of

dilated ovarian veins has been successful in some cases as

has hysterectomy. In the older woman who has no wish for

further pregnancies, total abdominal hysterectomy together

with bilateral salpingo oophorectomy, followed by hormone

replacement therapy will definitely have a place.

Drug Treatment

Continuous High Dose Progestogen

The rationale behind this treatment is to reduce

oestrogen levels by suppressing ovulation. Using

medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) (Provera Upjohn) 300

mg/day have achieved promising results.

Dihydroergotamine (DHEl

The use of ergot alkaloids is not a new idea. Over 100 years

ago, Lawson Tait used ergot to relieve the pain of congestive

dysmenorrhoea. DHE is a selective venoconstricting agent

which increases venous tone and mobilizes blood which is

present in capacitance vessels.

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Many of these women are helped by a sympathetic

doctor who is prepared to take their complaint seriously.

2. Full gynaecological, contraceptive and obstetric history, including any sexual problems.

3. Full history relating to bowel and urinary function.

4. Past medical history, including psychiatric illness.

5. Family history with particular reference to cancer, amongst female relatives