[Comparative study of diagnostic hysteroscopy and transvaginal ultrasonography in patients with abnormal uterine hemorrhage during the peri- and post-menopausal period].

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of hysteroscopy and transvaginal ultrasonography in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in the peri and postmenopausal period.

Methods: 302 patients with AUB, underwent hysteroscopy and in 86 cases, also a transvaginal ultrasonography before hysteroscopy was performed. Results were compared with the histological diagnosis.

[Role of radiotherapy in the combined treatment of invasive cancer of the vulva].

The authors review the literature on the different combinations of radiotherapy with chemotherapy and surgery with the aim of giving a state of art on the role of combined multimodality treatment of invasive vulvar carcinoma. From the data of the recent literature it appears that radiation integrated with surgery and chemotherapy can play an important role in reducing the risk of postoperative locoregional failure in patients with advanced primary or nodal disease and avoiding exenteration in patients with disease involving the anus or proximal urethra. This integrated multimodality therapy is a promising approach in the treatment of invasive vulvar carcinoma but further exploration in a larger number of patients is needed before giving consolidated data applicable in routine oncological clinical practice.

[Terminology and classification problems in relation to vulvar pathology].

The aim of this paper is to update the physicians (gynecologists, dermatologists and pathologists) on the evolution of vulvar disease terminologies. In doing that the authors illustrate briefly the fundamental steps which led to present classifications of the International Society for the Study of Vulvar Disease (ISSVD). The classification of "non neoplastic epithelial disorders" together with that of "intraepithelial alterations" are illustrated and compared with the terminologies previously employed.

Psychological distress in women with nonneoplastic epithelial disorders of the vulva.

The aim of this study was to evaluate psychological distress in 44 women with vulvar squamous cell hyperplasia and 21 with vulvar lichen sclerosus in order to examine the presence of psychological factors in these dermatologic disorders. Two psychometric tests were used to evaluate depressive status and various aspects of anger. No significant depressive status was diagnosed with the former test either in patients with vulvar squamous cell hyperplasia or in patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus.

Membranous hypertrophy of the posterior fourchette as a cause of dyspareunia and vulvodynia.

Twenty-one women were treated surgically for entry dyspareunia and vulvodynia. The ages of the patients ranged from 18 to 39 years (mean, 24.5).