Isolated fallopian tube torsion (IFTT) is a rare form of adnexal torsion. A 2024 review described fewer than 150 cases over several decades. The clinical presentation of IFTT is highly variable and nonspecific, which may result in delayed diagnosis. Most patients present with acute unilateral abdominal pain with nausea and/or vomiting, while other patients may present with more gradual symptoms. Risk factors for IFTT include adnexal lesions, hydrosalpinx, previous pelvic surgery, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Ultrasound is particularly useful in identifying the imaging signs of IFTT, which include normal ovarian size and flow, a distended cylindrical structure that tapers to a “beak” adjacent to the ovary, thickened endosalpingeal folds resulting in a “cogwheel” appearance, and, lastly, a twisted vascular pedicle. We present an imaging-focused case in which the diagnosis of IFTT using ultrasound, following equivocal CT, resulted in prompt and confirmatory surgical management. Our goal is to raise awareness of IFTT as a possibility in females with abdominal pain and to discuss ultrasound characteristics that may increase clinical suspicion and diagnostic confidence. Prompt recognition and surgical management may prevent tubal necrosis and loss of fertility.
Results of a phase 2 trial of ribociclib and letrozole in patients with either relapsed estrogen receptor (ER)-positive ovarian cancers or relapsed ER-positive endometrial cancers.
5510 Background: Single agent aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy is associated with limited clinical activity in ovarian cancer (OC) and endometrial cancers (EC). AI therapy was associated with a progression free survival (PFS) at 12 weeks of only 20% in relapsed OC (Bowman et al, 2002) and a median PFS of 1 month in relapsed EC (Rose et al, 2000). In Estrogen Receptor (ER) positive metastatic breast cancer, clinical studies had shown a significant prolongation of PFS with the addition of the cyclin kinase 4/6 inhibitor ribociclib to AI (Hortobagyi et al, 2016). Here, we report the results of a phase 2 clinical trial of the combination of ribociclib and letrozole in patients with relapsed ER positive OC or EC. Objectives: Primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with relapsed ER positive OC or EC alive and progression-free after 12 weeks of therapy (PFS12) with the combination of ribociclib given at a dose of 400 mg orally daily and letrozole 2.5 mg orally daily. A PFS of 45% was considered a favorable result based on the data referenced above from Bowman et al. Methods: Eligibility criteria included patients with relapsed ER positive OC or EC, with measurable disease, not previously treated with ribociclib or AIs. Xenografts were created from CT guided tumor biopsies at baseline to assess feasibility. Results: A total of 40 patients were enrolled (20 with OC and 20 with EC) ) with a median age of 61 years (range: 30-82) and 64.5 (range: 52-75) in the OC and EC groups respectively. Among the OC patients, 17 had high grade serous carcinomas and 3 had low grade serous carcinomas. 11 EC patients had endometrioid cancers (3 with grade 1 tumors) and 9 had high grade serous tumors. Ten out of 20 OC patients and 11/20 EC patients were alive and progression-free at 12 weeks (PFS12 of 50 and 55%, respectively). The most common grade 3 or higher adverse events (occurring in at least 5 pts) were leukopenia (18%), lymphopenia (18%), neutropenia (13%), and fatigue (13%). 34 tumor biopsies were suitable for injection into mice and 44% engrafted. ER expression persisted through multiple passages in mice. Two of three EC PDX models exhibited improved PFS with letrozole/ribociclib compared to letrozole alone. Conclusions: The combination of ribociclib and letrozole is associated with a promising 50% and 55% PFS12 in patients with ER positive relapsed OC or EC respectively. Creation of xenograft tumor models from CT guided biopsies of OC and EC tumors was feasible. Clinical trial information: NCT02657928.
Cytology of the fallopian tube: A screening model for high-grade serous carcinoma
Ovarian cancer is a heterogeneous disease having the highest gynecologic fatality in the United States with a 5-year survival rate of 46.5%. Poor overall prognosis is mostly attributed to inadequate screening tools, and the majority of diagnoses occur at late stages of the disease. Due to genetic and biological underpinnings, ovarian high-grade serous carcinomas (HGSC) have etiologic evidence in the distal fallopian tube. Fallopian tube screening modalities are aggressively investigated, but few describe cytological characteristics of benign tubal specimens to help in the comparative detection of HGSC precursor cells. Here, we describe fimbrial cytomorphological and nuclear features of tubal specimens (n = 75) from patients clinically indicated for salpingectomy, bilateral or unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and hysterectomies for any diagnosis other than ovarian or peritoneal cancer. Fallopian tube histology was used as the diagnostic reference. A total of 75 samples had benign diagnoses. The benign cytological characteristics of fimbrial tubal specimens included ciliated cells in clustered arrangements with mild nuclear membrane irregularity, mild anisonucleosis, round and/or oval nuclei, hyperchromatic chromatin, and mild nuclear membrane irregularity. In contrast, none of the cytology samples had spindle-shaped nuclei, significantly marked anisonucleosis (n = 1), nor had hypochromasia as a characteristic feature. These cytological characteristics could be a potential area of distinction from HGSC precursor cells. Our study establishes cytomorphological characteristics of nonmalignant tubal cells which help underscore the importance of distinguishing malignant HGSC precursors through fimbrial brush sampling in minimally invasive approach.
Intuitive Surgical Inc. Payments to Ob/Gyns Compared to Other Specialties: Analysis from 2014 Open Payments Database [4D]
INTRODUCTION: Study Objective: To determine the payments made to Obstetricians and Gynecologists (OBGYNs) compared to other surgical specialties by the makers of the Da Vinci robot-Intuitive Surgical, Inc. in 2014. METHODS: Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study (Canadian Task force classification- II-3). Setting: Payments to OBGYNs in the United States compared to the total Intuitive Surgical payment amount in each state as analyzed from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)’ Open Payments website. Subjects: General OBGYNs, OBGYN subspecialists (Gynecologic Oncology, Reproductive Endocrinology, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Gynecology), and providers in other specialties nationwide. Interventions: Compare Intuitive Surgical Inc. payments to OBGYNs versus other surgical specialties as analyzed from publicly available CMS Open Payments database. RESULTS: A total of 50 states received money from Intuitive Surgical Inc. in 2014. Payments to general OBGYNs totaled $5,061,439, OBGYN subspecialties received $1,591,556, and other surgical specialties that use the Da Vinci platform received $33,011,657. Total payments per state can be represented in a map diagram. The state of Texas got the highest amount. Payments to OBGYNs divided by total payments in each state can be depicted in a similar fashion, Wyoming state had the highest value. CONCLUSION: OBGYNs received a significant proportion of funding from Intuitive Surgical Inc. as compared to other surgical specialties in 2014. We recommend that OBGYNs update or declare any conflicts when required.
Establishing Extrapolation Evidence for the MyTIPreport Feedback Application Using a Contemporary Validation Approach
BACKGROUND: OB/GYN residencies use myTIPreport to improve resident feedback. Validation is viewed as a process with construct validity established from different levels of evidence. In Kane's validity framework, extrapolation focuses on links between assessment outcomes and other measures of performance. METHODS: Single-institution, prospective cohort study of OB/GYN residents (n=24). Using the ACGME case log system and myTIPreport application, associations of PGY level, number of previous hysteroscopies (HSC), total vaginal hysterectomies (TVH), and total abdominal hysterectomies (TAH) with myTIPreport ratings of each procedure when performed in the operating room were assessed using Spearman's test correlation. A pilot study of inexpensive, low technology simulation models was initiated to assess extrapolation evidence for myTIPreport in the simulation setting (n=8). RESULTS: Associations (P<.01) existed between PGY level and myTIPreport scores in the OR (r=0.612 for HSC, r=0.763 for TAH, r=0.864 for TVH). Associations (P<.01) existed between number of procedures performed and myTIPreport scores in the OR (r=0.587 for HSC, r=0.681 for TAH, r=0.869 for TVH). An association (r=0.852, P=.031) existed between number of TVHs performed in the OR and myTIPreport scores during simulation, but not for TAH (P=.199) nor HSC (P=.154) due to the small sample size. DISCUSSION: The association between myTIPreport TVH performance with PGY level and number of TVHs was the strongest, supporting extrapolation evidence. The associations were weaker for TAH and HSC in both the OR and simulation settings secondary to higher ratings for lower PGY levels and fewer cases.
Prevalence of Abnormal Pap Smear in Women Undergoing Liver Transplantation [15E]
INTRODUCTION: Female patients being evaluated for liver transplantation (LT) routinely undergo a gynecologic exam including cervical cancer screening. The prevalence of cervical cytologic abnormalities in this high risk population is unknown. Our study determines prevalence of cervical cytologic abnormalities, HPV positive status, and risk factors for abnormal cervical screening for this population. METHODS: With Institutional review board approval, we reviewed 375 charts of women undergoing evaluation for LT from 2008‒2013 at Mayo Clinic Florida. We recorded demographics, Pap smear results, High risk HPV positive results, and co-morbid conditions. Univariate analysis was done to determine risk factors. We compared the result of the LT group to the general female population getting cervical cancer screening during the same time period. RESULTS: 37 of 375 (9.86%) LT patients had abnormal Pap smear, compared to 1784 of 26118 (6.83%) of the general population patients (p < 0.01). Among LT patients with cervical cytologic abnormalities, 40.5% were ASCUS, HPV positive (64.8% for non-LT patients), 29.7% were LSIL (28.1% for non-LT patients), 5.4% were HSIL (6.7% for non-LT patients) and 24.3% were cytology negative with HPV positive (0.2% for non-LT patients, p < 0.05). Younger age and presence of hypertension were associated with higher risk of having an abnormal cervical cytology or positive HPV status among LT patients. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing evaluation for LT have increased prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology, or a positive High risk HPV test. Gynecologic surveillance for this high risk population is recommended.