Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume 48, Issue 3 , Pages 232-238, September 2009

Adenomyosis and Its Variance: Adenomyoma and Female Fertility

  • Peng-Hui Wang

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University Hospital and National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to: Dr Peng-Hui Wang, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University Hospital and National Yang-Ming University, 201, Shih-Pai Road, Section 2, Taipei 112, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Wen-Hsiang Su

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yee-Zen Hospital, and Institute of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, National Central University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Bor-Ching Sheu

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Wei-Min Liu

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Medical University and Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

Accepted 12 March 2009.

Article Outline

Summary 

Extensive adenomyosis (adenomyosis) or its variance, localized adenomyosis (adenomyoma) of the uterus, is often described as scattered, widely-distributed endometrial glands or stromal tissue found throughout the myometrium layer of the uterus. By definition, adenomyosis consists of epithelial as well as stromal elements, and is situated at least 2.5 mm below the endometrial–myometrial junction. However, the diagnosis and clinical significance of uterine adenomyosis and/or adenomyoma remain somewhat enigmatic. The relationship between infertility and uterine adenomyosis and/or adenomyoma is still uncertain, but severe endometriosis impairs the chances of successful pregnancy when using artificial reproductive techniques. To date, there is no uniform agreement on the most appropriate therapeutic methods for managing women with uterine adenomyosis and/or adenomyoma who want to preserve their fertility. Fertility has been restored after successful treatment of adenomyosis using multiple modalities, including hormonal therapy and conservative surgical therapy via laparoscopy or exploratory laparotomy, uterine artery embolization, and other methods, including a potential but under- investigated procedure, magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound. This review will explore recent publications that have addressed the use of different approaches in the management of subfertile women with uterine adenomyosis and adenomyoma.

Key Words:  adenomyoma , adenomyosis , infertility , subfertility

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 This paper was presented at the 96th Annual Meeting of the Taiwan Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei, Taiwan, March 24–25, 2007

PII: S1028-4559(09)60295-3

doi:10.1016/S1028-4559(09)60295-3

Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume 48, Issue 3 , Pages 232-238, September 2009

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