Transvaginal Biopsy Research Articles

Tumor Recurrence Versus Fibrosis in the Female Pelvis: Differentiation with MR Imaging at 1.5 T: Radiology, vol. 166, no. 2, Feb. 1988, pp. 333–340

Twenty-two women with previous malignancies of the pelvis were examined with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. In 21 of 22 patients, the MR imaging findings were confirmed with laparotomy on transvaginal biopsy. Twelve of the 22 patients had recurrent tumors; ten had a localized fibrotic mass, and two were found to have coexistent local fibrotic masses and distant recurrence. In 11 of the 12 patients with recurrence, MR imaging demonstrated the recurrent tumor as an area of increased signal intensity on long repetition time, long echo time spin-echo pulse sequences. Signal intensity of localized fibrosis varied with the time since initial treatment. Separate signal intensity measurements for T1- and T2-weighted images were obtained in regions of interest in recurrent tumors, early fibrosis (1-6 months after first treatment), and late fibrosis (more than 12 months). Ratios of signal intensity of muscle to that of fat were calculated, and a statistical analysis (Student t test) was performed. On heavily T2-weighted pulse sequences, the differences in signal intensity between late fibrosis and recurrent tumors were statistically significant (P less than .001). MR imaging is useful in identifying recurrent pelvic neoplasm and distinguishing it from posttreatment fibrosis.

Benign Periurethral Masses in Women

Benign periurethral masses were encountered in 4 women. The masses included 2 vaginal leiomyomas, 1 of which was found simultaneously with a urethral diverticulum, a fibrocystic urethral mass and hyperplastic glandular tissue obstructing the bladder outlet and resembling male prostate. The physical and endoscopic features were helpful in establishing the benign nature and extent of the lesions. Although the bladder base was deformed on an excretory urographic cystogram in each case the radiographic features were non-specific except as they applied to a urethral diverticulum. Transvaginal needle biopsy is recommended in contemplation of open surgical excision. Leiomyomas are best approached transvaginally and anterior urethral masses can be reached suprapubically.