Adenomyosis: A Case Series and Review

Adenomyosis is a fairly common benign gyneco-logical condition resulting from an exag-gerated growth of the endometrium at the endometrial-myometrial interface. Progressive penetration of endometrial glands and stroma into the myo-metrium can produce the smooth muscle hyper-plasia that ultimately leads to uterine enlarge-ment. The disease most commonly affects women 40 to 50 years of age and is associated with a past history of childbirth. Adenomyosis is an important cause of dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia. Because of its nonspecific nature, until recently, the diagnosis was made only after hysterectomy. Transvaginal sonog-raphy, with its concomitant higher resolution, shows renewed promise for the presurgical diag-nosis of this disease.