Nontraumatic spinal epidural hematoma during pregnancy: diagnosis and management concerns

Objective:Nontraumatic spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) during pregnancy is rare. Therefore, appropriate management of this occurrence is not well defined. The aim of this study was to extensively review the literature on this subject, to propose some novel treatment guidelines.Methods:Electronic databases, manual reviews and conference proceedings up to December 2011 were systematically reviewed. Articles were deemed eligible for inclusion in this study if they dealt with nontraumatic SEH during pregnancy. Search protocols and data were independently assessed by two authors.Results:In all, 23 case reports were found to be appropriate for review. The mean patient age was 28 years and gestational age was 33.2 weeks. Thirteen cases presented with acute interscapular pain. The clinical picture consisted of paraplegia, which occurred approximately 63?h after pain onset. Spinal cord decompression was performed within an average time of 20?h after neurological deficit onset. Fifteen patients had cesarean deliveries, even when the gestational age was less than 36 weeks.Conclusion:This review failed to identify articles, other than case reports, which could assist in the formation of new guidelines to treat SEH in pregnancy. However, we believe that SEH may be managed neurosurgically, without requiring prior, premature, cesarean section.     

Antenatal diagnosis of choledochal cyst at 15 weeks' gestation: etiologic implications and management

We present the fourth case of antenatally diagnosed choledochal cyst--which was found at 15 weeks' gestation--and its subsequent treatment. We believe that the etiology was distal obstruction.     

The anaesthetic management of intracranial haemorrhage from arteriovenous malformations during pregnancy: three cases

We report three cases of intracranial haemorrhage from arteriovenous malformations during pregnancy. The anaesthetic management of the pregnant patient undergoing a major neurosurgical procedure and the anaesthetic management of caesarean section in a patient at risk of recurrent intracranial haemorrhage are discussed.     

Aggressive management of cholecystitis during pregnancy

Nonoperative management of symptomatic cholelithiasis has generally been recommended for pregnant patients. However, a review of our experience with 44 patients at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center indicates that conservative management is associated with recurrent episodes of biliary tract symptoms, often requiring multiple hospitalizations, as well as a significant rate of fetal loss; whereas operation performed during the second trimester was associated with little maternal morbidity, no fetal loss, and a substantial reduction in total hospital days.     

Arteriovenous malformations that rupture during pregnancy: a management dilemma

Summary Intracranial haemorrhage due to rupture of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) during pregnancy is a rare but serious condition that warrants prompt recognition. Once the diagnosis is made, the management is primarily based on neurosurgical rather than obstetric considerations. Due to its rarity, no definitive guidelines exist, and the best time to perform elective surgery (i.e., at presentation or at completion of the pregnancy) is ill-defined. This report describes three patients recently treated at our institution who had AVMs that ruptured during pregnancy. These cases well summarize the difficulties encountered in treating such patients. The diagnostic as well as the therapeutic implications of this condition are discussed.     

The current management of urolithiasis during pregnancy

The management of urolithiasis in pregnancy can present complex challenges to the urologist. However, if the principles discussed above are followed, these difficult clinical problems can be approached in a rational manner.     

Hepatic adenoma during pregnancy and anesthetic management

We report the case of a 24-year-old woman with a large hepatic adenoma diagnosed in the third trimester of pregnancy. The adenoma was at risk of rupture. She underwent scheduled preterm cesarean delivery under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia, followed by transarterial embolization on post-partum day six. Definitive resection of the adenoma took place two months postpartum.     

Changing management of gallstone disease during pregnancy

Background: Symptomatic gallstones may be problematic during pregnancy. The advisability of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is uncertain. The objective of this study is to define the natural history of gallstone disease during pregnancy and evaluate the safety of LC during pregnancy. Methods: Review of medical records of all pregnant patients with gallstone disease at the University of California, San Francisco, from 1980 to 1996. Results: Of approximately 29,750 deliveries, 47 (0.16%) patients were treated for gallstone disease, including biliary colic in 33, acute cholecystitis in 12, and pancreatitis in two. Conservative treatment was attempted in all patients but failed in 17 (36%) cases. Two patients required combined preterm Cesarean-section cholecystectomy and 10 required surgery in the early postpartum period for persistent symptoms. Seventeen patients required cholecystectomy during pregnancy for biliary colic (10), acute cholecystitis (six), and pancreatitis (one). Three patients were treated with open cholecystectomy. Fourteen patients underwent LC at a mean gestational age of 18.6 weeks, mean OR time of 74 min, and mean length of stay of 1.2 days. Hasson cannulation was utilized in 11 patients. Reduced-pressure pneumoperitoneum (6–10 mmHg) was used in seven patients. Prophylactic tocolytics were used in seven patients, with transient postoperative preterm labor observed in one. There were no open conversions, preterm deliveries, fetal loss, teratogenicity, or maternal morbidity. Conclusions: In past years, symptomatic gallstones during pregnancy were managed conservatively or with open cholecystectomy. LC is a feasible and safe method for treating severely symptomatic patients. Received: 3 April 1997/Accepted: 5 July 1997     

妊娠合并输尿管结石致顽固性肾绞痛的临床处理

目的探讨妊娠合并输尿管结石致顽固性肾绞痛安全有效的临床处理方法。方法妊娠合并输尿管结石致肾绞痛经保守治疗无效患者11例，孕6～33周，平均26周。结石最大径4～11mm。输尿管上段结石6例，中段3例，下段2例。上段结石中5例单纯留置双J管，1例将结石推回肾盂后留置双J管。中下段结石中3例采用输尿管镜下气压弹道碎石术击碎结石，2例应用输尿管镜下钬激光碎石。结果10例术后肾绞痛消失；1例单纯放置双J管者仍有间断轻微肾绞痛，服用解痉药物可以缓解。6例未碎石在结石排出前每3个月更换双J管。11例孕妇均较顺利度过围产期，并产健康婴儿。结论妊娠合并输尿管结石致顽固性肾绞痛患者采用逆行输尿管插管或输尿管镜取石术安全有效。