Doppler velocimetry and cytofluorimetric analysis in uterine myomas.
BACKGROUND
To correlate resistance indices (RI) of vessels detected by transvaginal Doppler velocimetry to the proliferative fraction (PF) calculated by flow cytometry in uterine myomas. A prospective study was carried out on patients scheduled for surgery because of symptomatic uterine myomas. A group of 26 myomas characterized by the presence of detectable vessels at Doppler analysis in the inner part of the mass were included in the study.


METHODS
The day before surgery patients were studied with both conventional and color Doppler ultrasonography. The volume of the myoma was recorded. The lowest value of RI obtained by Doppler analysis of the vessels within the myoma was considered for the study. Samples from myomas were processed and analyzed by flow cytometry. A PF, representing the cumulative frequency of cells in the S and G2/M phases of the cell cycle, was considered for the analysis.


RESULTS
No statistically significant correlation was observed between RI and PF (r = 0.06, p = 0.74). Regression analysis of the intratumoral RI values on the volume of the myoma showed a significant negative correlation (r = -0.46, p = 0.012).


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative Doppler evaluation of uterine myomas did not provide predictive information of the proliferative status of the neoplasm. A significant correlation was found between the volume of the myoma and RI.
Testa
Antonia Carla
AC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. atesta@rm.unicatt.it
Pomini
Francesco
F
Fattorossi
Andrea
A
Battaglia
Alessandra
A
Ferrandina
Gabriella
G
Mansueto
Donata
D
Mastromarino
Carmen
C
Scambia
Giovanni
G
Caruso
Alessandro
A
D002453:Cell Cycle; D002455:Cell Division; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014655:Vascular Resistance