Embolización de las arterias uterinas como alternativa de tratamiento para miomas uterinos. Experiencia en 60 pacientes

Introduction

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign solid tumors of the female genital tract. Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is presented as an alternative to surgical treatment.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of UAE in the management of symptomatic fibroids, establish the success rate, and evaluate the safety of the technique by detecting complications during the procedure.

Material and methods

A retrospective dual-center study was performed in 60 patients undergoing UAE from 2000 to 2011 in Albacete and the Puerta de Hierro General Hospital in Madrid.

Results

The clinical success of the technique was demonstrated in 41 of the 60 patients (overall success rate of 68% at 4 years of follow-up) Complications occurred in 7 of the 60 patients (11.6%), consisting of embolization syndrome and transient ischemic pain in the first and second, which resolved with medical treatment and without further complications.

Conclusion

UAE is an effective treatment for women with symptomatic fibroids, showing high reliability and a low rate of minor complications.     

Conocimiento de los mecanismos de acción de los métodos de planificación familiar

Objective

To investigate women's knowledge of the mechanisms of action of birth control methods, especially those that act after fertilization, and to identify whether women want more information on this issue.

Methods

We performed a cross sectional study in a sample of 725 fertile women from primary care health centers in Pamplona (Spain) through a self-administered, anonymous, 30-item questionnaire on family planning. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

Less than 5% knew all the mechanisms of action of oral contraceptives and the intrauterine device and only 7% knew those of the emergency contraception pill. Regardless of their beliefs, most women (91%) believed that they should be informed of any postfertilization effects.

Conclusions

To ensure their right to free choice,women should be informed of all the mechanisms of action of birth control methods.     

Diagnóstico genético preimplantacional en un caso de una paciente portadora de una inmunodeficiencia combinada severa. Revisión crítica de este procedimiento en ciclos de FIV-ICSI

Objective

To perform a critical analysis from a clinical case of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).

Patients and methods

A patient is described who has a disease of genetic origin (severe combined immunodeficiency) in which PGD was of vital importance for her treatment.

Conclusions

PGD is a very important tool in assisted reproduction but its indications, except in monogenic diseases and those linked to sex, are still under debate.     

Éxito en el manejo conservador del acretismo placentario mediante embolización y metotrexato

Introduction

The incidence of placenta accreta has risen and this entity can cause postpartum hemorrhage, often requiring obstetric hysterectomy. There are, however, alternative conservative treatments to surgery.

Case report

A 38-year-old woman in her first pregnancy underwent manual removal of the placenta, with moderate hemorrhaging and subsequent curettage. The diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound scan and magnetic resonance imaging. Selective embolization of the nutritional vessel was performed and methotrexate was administered. Three days after the embolization, the placental mass was expelled.

Conclusions

Selective embolization of a nutritional vessel and adjuvant treatment with methotrexate are conservative techniques that allow preservation of both the uterus and fertility. According to previous reports in the literature, the time interval between delivery and definitive placental expulsion was lower in our case than in other conservatively managed cases.     

Actualización en linfomas primarios de mama: serie de casos y revisión de la literatura

Introduction

Primary breast lymphomas (PBL) are a rare malignant disease of the breast that can be mistaken for breast carcinoma. Knowledge of PBL allows a correct diagnostic-therapeutic approach to this uncommon malignancy (0.04- 0.5% of breast cancers).

Material and methods

This update is based on an analytic retrospective study of a series of cases recorded at the Hospital Príncipe de Asturias and a comprehensive review of the oncologic and gynecologic literature available.

Discussion

PBL are virtually indistinguishable from breast carcinomas because of their similar age distribution, clinical presentation and imaging features. Diagnosis can only be confirmed by histology. The most effective treatment is combined therapy based on chemotherapy (the most widely used being the CHOP-R regimen). Surgery and radiotherapy play a secondary role. The course of PBL varies widely, from early dissemination to complete remission. Prognostic factors play an important role in PBL. Prompt diagnosis is essential to improve outcome.

Conclusion

Because of their low prevalence, PBL are a diagnostic-therapeutic challenge. There is no agreement on treatment regimens, and outcome is highly variable. New in-depth studies are required to unify criteria and knowledge of this entity.     

Preeclampsia y eclampsia de presentación atípica

Objective

To contribute to the diagnosis and management of atypical preeclampsia-eclampsia.

Case report

A puerperal woman was admitted to hospital with hemolysis. During her hospital stay she developed hypertension and other complications of preeclampsia, as well as tonic-clonic seizures. The literature on the topic was reviewed through an electronic search of the Ebsco, Medline and Scielo databases.

Conclusions

Unusual presentations of preeclampsia-eclampsia should be considered to avoid a missed diagnosis and adverse outcomes.     

Factores etiopatogénicos de la prematuridad en el hospital universitario Sant Joan de Déu de Barcelona

Objective

To determine the rate of preterm births in 2010 at the Sant Joan de Déu University Hospital in Barcelona, and classify them according to the main cause by using a mapping algorithm to establish the main etiological causes of preterm birth.

Subjects and methods

All preterm births at less than 37 weeks’ gestation occurring in the Sant Joan de Déu University Hospital in 2010 (n = 396) were reviewed and assigned to a group according to their primary etiology.

Results

The preterm birth rate was 9.8%. Inflammatory causes accounted for 36% of all preterm births followed by idiopathic causes (29%). In preterm deliveries of multiple gestations, inflammatory causes accounted for 44%.

Conclusions

Inflammatory causes are the main etiology of preterm births and are more common in multiple gestations.     

Evolución clínica y paraclínica de 9 embarazos en 4 pacientes con enfermedad de Gaucher tipo 1 en el servicio de hematología de un hospital docente asistencial

Objectives

To describe the clinical presentation and course in a group of pregnant women with Gaucher disease type 1.

Subjects and methods

Pregnant women admitted to our hematology service with a medical diagnosis of Gaucher disease type 1.

Results

All patients were classified as high risk. We describe 9 pregnancies in 4 patients: 7 were on enzyme replacement therapy before the pregnancy and continued to receive this therapy throughout the pregnancy; 1 patient discontinued therapy 8 months previously and had a hematological exacerbation.

Conclusions

Pregnancy should not be contraindicated in patients with stable disease. Enzyme replacement therapy should not be interrupted or suspended because it decreases complications.     

Utilidad de la prueba de la fibronectina fetal y de la longitud del cérvix en la predicción del parto prematuro en gestantes sintomáticas

Objective

To evaluate the usefulness of fetal fibronectin and cervical length in predicting preterm birth in women with preterm uterine contractions.

Material and methods

A prospective study was conducted at the Virgen Macarena Hospital in Seville that included 153 pregnant women with suspected preterm labor and intact membranes. Cervical length was measured by transvaginal sonography and a rapid qualitative fibronectin test was performed in the emergency consultation. Women with a negative fibronectin test and cervical length ≥ 30 mm were not hospitalized or treated with tocolytics or corticosteroids.

Results

The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 223,02 ± 19,98 days, and 267,52 ± 14,15 days at delivery. Preterm birth < 37 weeks rate was 23% and 7,4% for deliveries < 35 weeks. There is an association between cervical length < 30 mm and birth < 37 weeks (OR, 3,68; 95% CI, 1,53-8,84), and with delivery in the following 14 days (OR, 3,35; 95% CI, 1,30-21,95). With the association of both tests we gain specificity in predicting preterm birth.

Conclusion

Cervical length is the test with higher specificity (E) and negative predictive value (VPN) for the prediction of preterm birth in women with symptomatic contractions.     

Tratamiento de la endometriosis con 5 mg o 25 mg diarios de mifepristona durante 6 meses. Ensayo clínico aleatorizado,doble ciego

Objectives

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 5 mg and 25 mg doses of mifepristone for the treatment of endometriosis.

Design

Randomized double-blind study.

Setting

Eusebio Hernández Hospital, Havana, Cuba.

Subjects

Twenty-six women laparoscopically diagnosed with endometriosis were included.

Treatment

Group I received one tablet of 25 mg mifepristone daily and group II received one tablet of 5 mg mifepristone daily for 6 months. Laparoscopy and endometrial biopsy were performed before and after treatment.

Variable to evaluate efficacy

Reduction in the intensity of dysmenorrhea measured by a visual analogue scale.

Results

In both groups reductions in the intensity of dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia were highly significant compared with initial values (P <.001). All the women were amenorrheic after 45 days of treatment.

Conclusions

At doses of 5 mg or 25 mg, mifepristone could be an alternative for the treatment of endometriosis.     

Embolización de las arterias uterinas en el tratamiento del mioma uterino sintomático. Resultados en 90 pacientes a los 2 años

Objective

To evaluate the mid-term outcomes and patient satisfaction following UAE in women with symptomatic leiomyomata, as well as to assess safety treatment.

Material and methods

Prospective study of 90 patients from Sabadell Hospital between December 2002 and October 2006.Data were collected using a questionnaire and was later introduced in a specific database. Statistical analysis of data was carried out using SPSS 15.0.All patients went on a 2-year follow-up after UAE, including clinical, laboratory and diagnostic imaging examinations.Symptoms were scored as successful, improvement, unchanged or worsened. Adverse events were noted following the Society of Interventional Radiology's classification. Patients were also asked about their satisfaction.The need of an eventual hysterectomy or the persistence of symptoms was considered to be a treatment failure.

Results

The improvement of symptoms occurred in 90,7% of all the embolized women. We had to perform a second embolization in 4 cases, and a hysterectomy in 6 cases.6 months later, null vascularisation or hypovascularisation of the myoma was observed in 92.8% of women. Over two years, the average volume reduction of the dominant myoma was 76.3%.The rate of major complications was 12.7%. Patient satisfaction for the procedure was 90.2%.

Conclusions

Uterine artery embolization is an effective treatment for women with symptomatic uterine leiomyomata, being well accepted by the patients in the mid-term follow-up.     

Encefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica tras hematoma espontáneo de cordón umbilical

Objective

To present the case of a pregnant woman with a spontaneous umbilical cord hematoma and to provide a review of the literature.

Subjects and methods

A primigravida, with no antecedents of interest and uneventful pregnancy, was admitted to our hospital in the latent phase of labor. Cardiotocography was unsatisfactory, and an urgent cesarean section was performed.

Results

A 3050 g girl was born, with an Apgar score of 1/3, and was admitted to the intensive care unit. The neonate was discharged with a diagnosis of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Conclusions

Umbilical cord abnormalities should be suspected when the results of fetal monitoring are unsatisfactory. Histological analysis of the umbilical cord should be performed.     

Carcinoma adenoide quístico de mama: a propósito de un caso

Objective

To describe an unusual and infrequent type of breast carcinoma with specific defining characteristics.

Case report

We present the case of a woman with cystic adenoid carcinoma and review the literature published on this entity to date.

Results

The behavior of this tumor in relation to other breast tumors, and its clinical management and treatment are analyzed.

Conclusions

Cystic adenoma of the breast is a distinct clinicopathological entity from infiltrating ductal or lobular breast carcinoma. Its treatment is not based on parameters that are determinant in other breast cancers. Its outcome and biological behavior seem more favorable.     

Hiperplasia endometrial atípica en biopsia preoperatoria y resultado de la pieza de histerectomía

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between diagnosis of atypical endometrial hyperplasia in a curettage sample and the final pathological result after hysterectomy.

Material and methods

There were 33 patients who fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in this study. Clinical records were reviewed to identify clinical, histopathological and treatment data.

Results

Adenocarcinoma was found in four (12.12%) of the 33 surgical specimens from hysterectomy. Endometrial hyperplasia was found in 28 specimens, although 12 (36.3%) of these specimens showed no atypia. No endometrial hyperplasia or signs of any other tumor were found in one specimen.

Conclusions

After pathological findings of atypical endometrial hyperplasia, the next step should be to perform hysterectomy. Given the major risks of delaying or not performing surgery for a possible concomitant endometrial cancer, which can be treated and cured, the risk of overtreating some patients is acceptable.     

Degeneración cerebelosa paraneoplásica en cáncer ginecológico: descripción de 3 casos

Background and objective

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) is a rare neurological complication that develops in patients with cancer and is associated with different antibodies. PCD associated with anti-Yo antibodies usually occurs in patients with gynecological cancer. There is no diagnostic method that would allow early detection and appropriate treatment.

Methods

We describe three patients who presented with subacute cerebellar dysfunction and positive anti-Yo antibodies. After diagnosis and treatment, the patients were monitored to evaluate persistence of the neurological syndrome.

Results

Imaging studies were performed when gynecologic cancer was suspected. In all patients, fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/tomography computerized (FDG-PET/TC) was the only imaging test that led to suspicion of the primary lesion. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma in two patients and carcinoma of the horn in the third patient. All patients underwent radical surgery and subsequent chemotherapy. Corticosteroids were administered with no improvement of the neurological syndrome in any of the patients.

Conclusion

Oncologic treatment does not improve neurological symptoms. FDG-PET/TC with fluorodeoxyglucose could be useful in cases of PCD in which conventional imaging tests do not identify the underlying malignancy.