Pelvic actinomycosis. Is long-term antibiotic therapy necessary?

OBJECTIVE: To describe 11 cases of actinomycosis and analyze whether long-term antibiotic use in necessary. STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of 11 cases of pelvic actinomycosis diagnosed and treated during the last nine years. Four patients had an intrauterine device (IUD) for 6-20 years, three patients had an IUD for 3-5 years, and four patients had no known etiology. In most patients the symptoms lasted from several days to one month. The actinomycotic lesions involved one or both ovaries in all 11 cases. In five patients the lesion extended to other areas, such as the uterus, omentum, parametrium, pelvic walls, colon, bladder, cul-de-sac and gallbladder. RESULTS: All patients underwent surgery that included removal of the lesions with the ipsilateral or both adnexa and, in specific cases, with extension of the lesions, hysterectomy, omentectomy, hemicolectomy and cholecystectomy. Confirmation of the diagnosis of actinomycosis was done by histology in all cases, and antibiotic treatment usually began 1-14 days after surgery. The drug of choice was penicillin. The duration of treatment was 12 months in 6 patients, 6 months in 3 and < or = 3 months in two. All patients were alive and well after two to nine years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: In contrast to actinomycosis at other sites, where the literature recommends antibiotic therapy for 6-12 months, pelvic actinomycosis could be a limited disease. We propose that in cases of pelvic actinomycosis where the abscess can be completely removed surgically, a shorter period of antibiotic therapy can be effective.     

Laparoscopic myomectomy—an unusual cause of meralgia paresthetica

Meralgia paresthetica may be associated with diabetes, trauma, infection, and use of self-retaining retractors. Our patient experienced left upper thigh paresthesia after undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy with extensive dissection of the left retroperitoneal space. Neurologic evaluation confirmed meralgia paresthetica. The patient was observed for 4 months, by which time the neuropathy resolved spontaneously.     

Piriformis pyomyositis,an unusual presentation of leg pain post partum – case report and review of literature

Piriformis pyomyositis is defined as a subacute infection of skeletal muscles associated with systemic infectious symptoms. In the literature it rarely occurs postpartum. We report a case of piriformis pyomyositis involving a parturient and review the published cases available in the literature.     

Pelvic pain—A common gynaecological problem

Women who attended a gynaecological outpatient clinic complaining of pelvic pain of at least 6 months' duration were thoroughly investigated by examination, pathological tests and a laparoscopy to determine the cause of the pain. Those in whom no pathology could be demonstrated (32 women) were referred to a psychologist who attended the gynaecological clinic and who randomly assigned each woman to one of three treatment groups or to a control group. The object was to determine which of a number of simple therapeutic approaches proved most effective in the treatment of the pain. Results indicated that, although there was improvement (in terms of number of painfree days in the month) in all the treatment groups at three months, it was most marked in the non-directive counselling group. The results of a follow-up one year later are presented. During the study it became clear that the close association between the psychologist and the gynaecologist was an important factor in the acceptance by the patients of a psychological approach to their problem.     

Pelvic Pain

There are many and widely differing causes of pelvic pain inwomen. Pain of gynaecological origin may result from normalphysiological events, such as ovulation and menstruation, or mayalternatively result from a pathological process, such as torsion ofan o…     

Inner myometrial laceration – an unusual presentation of antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage: case reports and review of the literature

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic criteria, treatment options and progression of cases who have antenatal or postpartum hemorrhage due to internal myometrial laceration (IML) and to review the literature.

Study design: The files of eight patients who were diagnosed to have IML between August 2012 and July 2015 were evaluated retrospectively.

Results: The patient group consisted of four patients who had an emergency c-section due to massive bleeding during labor and four patients who had an emergency laparotomy due to uncontrolled bleeding after vaginal delivery after evaluation of the patient for signs of 4Ts (trauma, tissue retention, uterine tonus, and trombin). Primary suturation was the first-line treatment in all patients. In two of the patients, hysterectomy was performed after the defined surgical procedures were not successful in controling the bleeding.

Conclusion: The presented case series is a pioneering study that describes IM which is a poorly defined reason of postpartum hemorrhage, as the cause of bleeding during labor. Primary suturation is the first-step, further surgery might be required in order to treat this life-threathening condition and the decision should be based on the age and the fertility status of the patient.     

Non-puerperal uterine inversion and uterine sarcoma (malignant mixed müllerian tumor): report of an unusual case

A 45-year-old woman with a history of cervical cancer (stage IIa), who had received complete radiation treatment 16 years previously, presented with a huge mass protruding from her vaginal introitus. She had had the condition for about 1 week. Diagnosis was difficult, and she elected to have a diagnostic laparoscopic procedure plus tumor removal. The pathologic investigation revealed a malignant mixed müllerian tumor of the endometrium. Post-operative course was uneventful. She underwent postoperative pelvic radiation. No recurrence was found during the 13 months follow up period. This rare case of chronic non-puerperal uterine inversion due to malignant mixed müllerian tumor (MMMT) is herein reported.     

Pelvic floor-lifting: an interdisciplinary repair of combined rectal and vaginal prolapse—5 years experience

Purpose

Combined rectal and vaginal prolapse requires a complete repair of the pelvic floor that can only be achieved by an interdisciplinary management. We have, therefore, established a co-operation for preoperative diagnosis, interdisciplinary operations, and postoperative care involving a colorectal surgeon and a gynecologist.

Methods

Our standardized operation, which we call the pelvic floor-lifting, is a combination of well-established colorectal and gynecological operative steps and the application of surgical principles for hernia repair. A non-absorbable mesh which is used for the Wells rectopexy is used, in addition, to perform a colpopexy and also a repositioning and pre-peritoneal mesh-reinforcement of the pouch of Douglas (Douglas-lifting). The optional final step of the operation is a Burch/Hirsch colposuspension.

Results

We report on the satisfactory colorectal as well as gynecological results of 32 pelvic floor-lifting operations in a 5-year period. In addition, the outcomes of the operations were studied using quality-of-life questionnaires.

Conclusions

The feasibility of the pelvic floor-lifting operation was demonstrated. The Douglas-lifting, which is the repair of the Douglas hernia according to surgical principles, is the best possible preventive measure against repeat pelvic floor relaxation.     

Is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction an Independent Threat to Sexual Function? A Cross-Sectional Study in Women With Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

IntroductionPrior studies have reported an association of sexual dysfunction with pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), but without defining causation.AimTo investigate predictors of sexual function in women with PFD, including pelvic organ prolapse, stress urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, obstructed defecation, and fecal incontinence.MethodsThis retrospective cross-sectional study included 755 women (mean age = 56 years, 68% postmenopausal) referred for PFD (2008–2013). Subjects underwent standardized history and examination, including demographics and assessment of pelvic floor function and sexual function using validated quality-of-life instruments. The physical examination included body mass index, Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification measurements, and pelvic muscle strength (Oxford scale). Proportional odds regression analysis tested patient characteristics, PFD, and other determinants of sexual dysfunction as predictors of sexual function.Main Outcome MeasuresThe Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7) to assess PFD and the Short Personal Experiences Questionnaire to assess sexual function.ResultsThe prevalence of PFD included pelvic organ prolapse (72%), stress urinary incontinence (66%), overactive bladder (78%), fecal incontinence (41%), and obstructed defecation (70%). Most subjects (74%) had a sexual partner and most (56%) reported recent sexual intercourse. Participants reported a low level of sexual desire and sexual enjoyment and moderate levels of sexual arousal and orgasm. When stratified by sexual enjoyment, 46% enjoyed sex and this group had lower PFDI and PFIQ scores, reflecting less quality-of-life burden. Pelvic organ prolapse, obstructed defecation, and fecal incontinence were associated with not enjoying sex. However, when adjusted for other determinants of sexual dysfunction (eg, aging, dyspareunia, atrophy, and partner issues), these associations disappeared.ConclusionWomen with PFD also have a large burden of sexual dysfunction, although this appears to be mediated by factors not unique to PFD.     

An unusual case of Asherman’s syndrome in a virgin menopausal woman

Absract We present here a case of Ashermans syndrome in a 52-year-old menopausal woman referred to our clinic for postmenopausal bleeding. This case demonstrates a very unusual combination of postmenopausal intrauterine adhesions and ovarian tumour.     

Herlyn–Werner–Wünderlich syndrome: An unusual case with presentation of menorrhagia

ObjectiveHerlyn–Werner–Wünderlich (HWW) syndrome is a rare condition in which patients present with a palpable pelvic mass and pain caused by an obstructed hemivagina. Here we present a case of HWW syndrome characterized by prolonged menstrual bleeding.Case reportA 19-year-old nonsexually active unmarried women experienced irregular menstrual cycles and menorrhagia. The duration of menstrual bleeding was 10–14 days. She also suffered from mild dysmenorrhea since menarche at the age of 13. Transabdominal sonography revealed a double uterus and a heterogeneous myoma-mimicking mass over the left cervical region. The left kidney was absent. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a double uterus, a double vagina with an unperforated left hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis. The patient underwent cervicovaginal orifice reconstruction surgery.ConclusionLeft hematocolpos compression, a partially obstructed right vaginal channel, and an orifice with local venous drainage abnormalities resulted in prolonged menstrual bleeding. In HWW syndrome, the occurrence of a pelvic mass and pain is common; however, prolonged menstrual bleeding is rare.     

Huge ovarian endometrioma—a case report

A 33-years-old woman referred to our hospital with a huge abdominopelvic mass. Ultrasonographically, a septated cyst 24.3 × 17.6 × 16.6 cm in dimension without neovascularization was diagnosed. Serum CA125 and CA19-9 levels were 70.4 and 383,1 U/ml, respectively. Right salpingooopherectomy was performed through laparotomy and pathologic examination revealed an endometrioma. The cyst was 5 kg in weight, 26 × 18 × 17 cm in dimension, and contains 3,250 ml of chocolate brown fluid.     

Pulmonary edema in preeclampsia: an Indonesian case–control study

Objective: To analyze risk factors, obstetric outcome and the need for mechanical ventilation in preeclampsia complicated by pulmonary edema.

Materials and methods: Case–control study using medical record on preeclampsia complicated by pulmonary edema patients in East Java tertiary referral hospital over 2?years. A simple scoring system was developed to predict the need for mechanical ventilation, using logistic regression.

Results: 1106 cases of preeclampsia were admitted, with 62 cases (5.6%) had pulmonary edema. Postpartum (p?p?=?.001) proportions were higher in the preeclampsia with pulmonary edema group. Of the 62 cases with pulmonary edema, 81% required intensive care admission and 60% needed mechanical ventilation support. Mechanical ventilation used was associated with eclampsia (p?=?.04), hypertensive crisis (p?=?.02), lower serum albumin (p?=?.05) and higher creatinine (p?=?.01). A simple scoring model developed could predict a 46%–99% probability of need for mechanical ventilation (AUC (ROC): 0.856, 95%CI 0.763–0.95).

Conclusions: Pulmonary edema is a common complication of preeclampsia in Indonesian referral hospitals. This severe complication increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The developed scoring model in this study can be used as a triage tool to predict the probability of mechanical ventilation use due to this complication.     

Pregnancy following laparoscopic hysteropexy—a case series

Background

Uterine-preserving prolapse surgery offers the chance to retain fertility; however, limited data is available for the safety of pregnancy following surgery and the effect of pregnancy on surgical outcome. Our operative technique involves mesh encircling the cervix and uterine arteries, which raises concerns that compromise of uterine blood flow during pregnancy may lead to foetal growth restriction. We also think this necessitates delivery by caesarean section. We report on six pregnancy outcomes following laparoscopic hysteropexy. Primary outcomes were live birth and birth weight. Secondary outcomes were integrity of mesh and immediate effect on prolapse.

Results

All patients had successful pregnancy outcomes with birth weights on or above the 10th centile. There was no effect on mesh integrity seen in any of the cases. There was no deterioration in apical prolapse when assessed post delivery, but two patients had new onset anterior vaginal wall prolapse.

Conclusions

We think our technique of hysteropexy is safe for those wishing to conceive. Larger numbers are needed to allow robust evidence-based guidance for patients and clinicians.