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R W Stones

Publications and source records attributed to R W Stones.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Suprasensitivity to calcitonin gene-related peptide but not vasoactive intestinal peptide in women with chronic pelvic pain.

Chronic pelvic pain in women is associated with radiological evidence of pelvic venous dilatation and reduced flow, termed 'pelvic congestion'. The aim of this study was to elucidate a possible role in this condition for vasoactive intestinal peptide and calcitonin gene-related peptide, both localized in perivascular nerves in the ovaries and uterus. Healthy volunteers and women with chronic pelvic pain and venous congestion received intravenous infusions of vasoactive intestinal peptide (n = 15), calcitonin gene-related peptide (n = 15) or a bland infusate (n = 7). Changes in the uterovaginal and skin blood flow were assessed by continuous measurement of vaginal, axillary, cheek and hand temperature. During calcitonin gene-related peptide infusion median hand temperature changes were +0.97 degrees C in women with pelvic pain and -0.03 degrees C in healthy volunteers (p < 0.05). There were no differences between groups in hand and cheek temperature responses to vasoactive intestinal peptide infusion. Vasoactive intestinal peptide and calcitonin gene-related peptide appeared to dilate the uterovaginal vasculature in healthy subjects but not in those with pelvic pain. Vasoactive intestinal peptide and calcitonin gene-related peptide did not provoke pain in healthy subjects but in those with pelvic pain, symptoms were significantly exacerbated during calcitonin gene-related peptide infusion but not by vasoactive intestinal peptide. Changes in plasma follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and oestradiol during either infusion were not significant. These findings indicate greater sensitivity to calcitonin gene-related peptide in women with pelvic pain and suggest a possible underlying neurovascular disorder.

Adult↗

Measurement of pelvic blood flow changes in response to posture in normal subjects and in women with pelvic pain owing to congestion by using a thermal technique.

1. A method is described for studying pelvic blood flow in women by the indirect method of measuring vaginal temperature changes in response to a posture change. Ten women with chronic pelvic pain and venous congestion and 10 normal subjects were observed during posture changes over a 2 h period. 2. Vaginal temperature minus axillary temperature rose after subjects changed from the supine to the seated position, indicating a fall in the rate of pelvic blood flow. 3. A significantly greater variance in the rate of change in vaginal temperature minus axillary temperature was found in patients with pelvic venous congestion compared with control subjects (P less than 0.005). 4. The findings are consistent with a disorder of blood flow regulation in women with pelvic pain owing to congestion.

Adult↗

Bilateral oophorectomy and hysterectomy in the treatment of intractable pelvic pain associated with pelvic congestion.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether bilateral oophorectomy combined with hysterectomy is an effective treatment for chronic pelvic pain due to congestion. DESIGN: Prospective non-randomized single centre study. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre to a specialist pelvic pain clinic in a teaching hospital. SUBJECTS: 36 women, 33 of whom had failed to obtain long term relief of pain on medical therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relief of pain, coital frequency, and effect on daily life. Histology of uterus and ovaries. RESULTS: Median pain score on visual analogue scale fell from a pre-operative value of 10 to 0 at one year. Twelve of the 36 women had some residual pain at one year postoperatively, but in only one woman was the pain affecting her daily life. Thirty women were noted to have pelvic tenderness pre-operatively, at one year, 26 had no tenderness and four minimal tenderness on pelvic examination. The median frequency of sexual intercourse increased from once per month preoperatively to eight times per month one year postoperatively. The uterus was histologically normal in 25 women, adenomyosis was present in eight of whom two had ovarian endometriosis. Fibroids were present in three and endometriosis was found confined to the ovaries in one woman. Multiple peripheral cysts were present in the ovaries of 25 women. CONCLUSION: Bilateral oophorectomy combined with hysterectomy and hormone replacement therapy is an effective treatment for chronic pelvic pain due to venous congestion, which has failed to respond to medical treatment and leads to restoration of normal coital function and daily life.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Pelvic congestion in women: evaluation with transvaginal ultrasound and observation of venous pharmacology.

Fourteen women with chronic pelvic pain due to congestion underwent transvaginal ultrasound scanning to observe changes in the diameters of dilated pelvic veins. Spontaneous fluctuations were observed, and intravenous dihydroergotamine resulted in a consistent venoconstrictor response (p = 0.0021) during 20 min observation. Transvaginal ultrasound is useful for imaging dilated pelvic veins and for the study of venous pharmacology.

Dihydroergotamine↗