Should amplitude-integrated electroencephalography be used to identify infants suitable for hypothermic neuroprotection?

OBJECTIVE: Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) has been used adjunctively to identify infants suitable for hypothermic neuroprotection following severe intrapartum asphyxia. To determine whether an early aEEG predicts short-term adverse outcome in infants with significant hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) evaluated for hypothermic neuroprotection. STUDY DESIGN: The aEEG recordings were obtained within 6 h of birth in infants >or=36 weeks' gestational age during evaluation for possible selective head or whole-body cooling. Recordings were subsequently re-evaluated for both background pattern and voltage abnormalities by a certified reader masked to clinical history and brain-oriented interventions. All infants with moderate or severe HIE evaluated for hypothermic neuroprotection also underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain at a median postnatal age of 7 days. The predictive value using the aEEG for determining short-term dichotomous outcomes, defined as early death related to HIE, or a characteristic pattern of abnormalities consistent with hypoxic-ischemic injury on the MRI brain scans was assessed. RESULT: Fifty-four infants with moderate or severe HIE were evaluated with aEEG for hypothermic neuroprotection; 34 infants received selective head cooling, 12 infants underwent total body cooling and 8 infants were not cooled. Outcome data, available for 46 of the 54 infants, revealed a poor correlation between the early aEEG and short-term adverse outcomes, with a sensitivity of 54.8% and negative predictive value (NPV) of only 44%. CONCLUSION: Because of the poor NPV of an early aEEG for a short-term adverse outcome, its use as an 'additional selection criterion' for hypothermic neuroprotection may not be appropriate.     

生后6小时床旁视频脑电图诊断围产期缺氧缺血性脑病及其与近期神经行为发育相关性的研究

目的 探讨新生儿生后6 h床旁视频脑电图(video electroencephalogram,VEEG)对缺氧缺血性脑病(hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy,HIE)的诊断价值以及与早期神经行为发育结局的相关性.方法 采用前瞻性研究方法,连续纳入2009年3月至9月间我院收治的重度窒息新生儿,记录生后6 h床旁VEEG并分度;以HIE标准诊断方案作为临床诊断HIE和分度的金标准.分析生后6 h不同程度VEEG预测相应程度HIE的敏感性和特异性;在观察者盲法的基础上,比较生后6 h、3和7 d异常VEEG预测HIE的敏感性和特异性.生后7～14 d行新生儿行为神经评分(neonatal behavior neurological assessment,NBNA),出院后3月龄门诊随访行脑电图(electroencephalogram,EEG)、全身运动(general movements,GMs)质量评估和0～6岁发育筛查测验(developmental screening test for child under six,DST)评估;6月龄行EEG、贝利婴幼儿发展量表(Bayley scales of infant development,BSID)评估,分析6 h VEEG与近期神经发育结局的相关性.结果 重度窒息新生儿48例纳入分析.诊断为单纯重度窒息12例;HIE 36例,其中轻、中和重度分别为14、12和10例.生后6 h VEEG正常9例;异常39例(81.3%),其中轻、中、重和极重度异常分别为16、11、5和7例.36例HIE新生儿生后6 h VEEG异常32例.异常率88.9%.生后6 h VEEG异常程度与脑损伤程度的等级相关系数为0.849,P<0.01,生后6 h VEEG重度与极重度异常预测重度HIE敏感性为100%,特异性94.7%;生后6 h、3和7 d VEEG预测HIE的敏感性分别为88.9%、83.9%和28.6%,特异性分别为41.7%、91.7%和100.0%.生后6 h VEEG异常并持续异常于院内死亡9例,生后6 h VEEG中、重度异常者NBNA评分显著低于VEEG正常患儿(P均<0.01);VEEG重度异常者NBNA评分显著低于中度异常患儿(P<0.05).3月龄时35例患儿来院随访,32例DST>85分,3例DST 70～84分且伴有EEG异常,其中1例GMs质量评估示不安运动缺乏,提示脑性瘫痪可能性大.6月龄时14例患儿来院随访,7例EEG异常,4例BSID异常且均伴有EEG异常.结论 生后6 h VEEG预测HIE及其严重程度的敏感性和特异性较高,与早期神经发育结局有较好的相关性.     

Utility of prolonged bedside amplitude-integrated encephalogram in encephalopathic infants

We hypothesized that prolonged bedside limited-channel amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) monitoring following a standard 1-hour conventional electroencephalogram (cEEG) would increase the detection of subclinical seizures and allow continuous evaluation of the background EEG in neonatal encephalopathy. This may identify complementary roles for these EEG technologies in neonatal units where continuous cEEG monitoring may not be readily available. We prospectively recruited 25 term neonates with a diagnosis of neonatal seizures or encephalopathy. All infants underwent a standard 1-hour cEEG followed by 12 to 24 hours of aEEG monitoring. Data from the aEEG (plus the raw signal) were analyzed by an epileptologist and compared with information obtained from the clinical report of the cEEG. aEEG and cEEG data were available for 24 infants. Results from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed at 7 to 10 days of life were available in 23/24 infants. Background classification on cEEG and aEEG was similar in 83% of patients. Five of 24 infants had normal background on cEEG. Prolonged aEEG detected evolution of background from initially normal to moderately abnormal in an additional four infants. It also detected more subclinical seizures than the 1-hour cEEG in 8/14 infants. Normal background on aEEG and cEEG was associated with normal MRI results, and severe background abnormality (5/24) on both aEEG and cEEG was associated with abnormal MRI results. Data obtained from prolonged aEEG (plus raw EEG) provide similar background activity, enhance seizure detection, and complement standard cEEG in predicting short-term outcomes, based on MRI, in term neonates with seizures or encephalopathy. Limited-channel aEEG technology may provide a pragmatic alternative for longitudinal monitoring of newborn infants with encephalopathy in neonatal units where prolonged video EEG monitoring is not feasible.     

脑电图对新生儿缺氧缺血性脑病预后的诊断评估

目的　对缺氧缺血性脑病 ( HIE)患儿进行随访观察 ,以评价脑电图 ( EEG)在判断 HIE预后中的价值。　方法　对 62例 HIE中存活的 57例患儿进行体格检查及智力测试 ,对异常者行CT、EEG检查 ,评价其临床后遗症与新生儿期 EEG的关系。　结果　 62例 HIE患儿新生儿期 EEG显示电静息 3例 ,2例死亡 ,1例偏瘫 ;爆发抑制 4例 ,2例死亡 ,1例脑瘫 ,1例未见明显异常 ;低电压 5例 ,1例死亡 ,1例脑瘫 ,1例 IQ低下 ,2例未见异常 ;9例节律性放电者 ,1例出现癫。EEG重度异常后遗症发生率为 2 9% ,轻度异常其发生率为 3 %。　结论　EEG异常情况与临床 HIE程度呈正相关 ,且重度异常者其后遗症发生率显著高于轻度异常者。新生儿 EEG可作为 HIE早期判断预后的一种有效、方便的检查手段。     

The diagnostic value of PET/CT scanning in patients with cervical cancer: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical value of PET/CT as a supplement to FIGO staging in patients with cervical cancer stage >or=1B. METHODS: This prospective study included 120 consecutive patients. After staging, a whole-body PET/CT scan was performed and these examinations were divided into two groups: (1) patients suitable for radical hysterectomy including lymph node dissection and (2) patients referred to combined chemo/radiation therapy. The results were compared to histopathological findings and/ or follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients underwent radical surgery; four of these had PET/CT scans revealing pathological foci in the pelvis. Three (11%) were true positive; one was false positive. Twenty-two patients had true negative PET/CT scans concerning pelvic lymph nodes. One patient had a false negative node. For these patients, we found the positive predictive value (PPV) to be 75%, negative predictive value (NPV) 96%, sensitivity 75%, specificity 96%. Regarding para-aortal nodal disease in the total population of 119 patients, 15 patients had true positive scans. The number of true negatives was 103, resulting in PPV 94%, NPV 100%, sensitivity 100% and specificity 99%. PET/CT scans showed distant metastases in 19 patients, 10 were true positive and nine were false positive. The remaining 100 patients were considered true negative for distant metastases and for these patients, we found PPV 63%, NPV 100%, sensitivity 100% and specificity 94%. CONCLUSIONS: Whole-body FDG PET/CT scanning for newly diagnosed cervical cancer FIGO stage >or=1B has a high sensitivity and specificity, and can be a valuable supplement to the FIGO staging procedure.     

Brain magnetic resonance imaging and outcome after hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy

Objective: To correlate pattern of injury on neonatal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with outcome in infants ≥36?+?0 weeks gestation with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy.

Methods: Prospective cohort study. Images were blindly reviewed. Children were assessed using a variety of standardised assessments.

Results: MRI brain was performed on 88 infants. Follow up was available in 73(83%) infants. Eight of 25(32%) children with normal imaging had below normal assessment scores. Eight infants (12%) had isolated punctate white matter lesions and five of these had abnormal assessment scores. Death and cerebral palsy were seen only in children with imaging scores ≥3 on basal ganglia/thalami (BGT) score or ≥4 on watershed score. No developmental concerns were raised in 3/7(43%) infants with isolated watershed injury. Ten of 13(77%) infants with isolated BGT injury died or developed cerebral palsy. All 23 children with posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC) injury displayed developmental difficulties.

Conclusions: Almost one-third of infants with a normal MRI brain may be at risk of developmental problems. Punctate foci of white matter injury are common and not always benign. PLIC involvement is usually associated with neurological sequelae including isolated cognitive deficits. Worst outcomes are associated with basal ganglia injury.     

Neonatal brain imaging and the identification of metabolic acidemia and hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy

Objective.?To determine the precision with which intrapartum metabolic acidemia and hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in term and near-term infants can be identified by neonatal brain imaging.

Study design.?This is a case–control study whose inclusion criteria were neonates born at ≥34 weeks gestation with a cord gas at delivery, suspected neurological abnormalities, and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the brain. Neonates with chromosomal and major congenital malformations were excluded. Brain imaging for neonates with and without metabolic acidemia (pH < 7.0 and base deficit > 12 mM) at birth and HIE were retrospectively reviewed by a neuroradiologist blinded to their clinical course and compared.

Results.?There were 54 neonates admitted to the NICU at a single university hospital between 1992 and 2006 that met these inclusion criteria of which 27 had metabolic acidemia at birth. There were 16 diagnosed clinically as having HIE at the time of neonatal discharge, 13 from the acidemic group and 3 from the nonacidemic group. Radiological signs of basal ganglia injury were significantly more common in neonates with metabolic acidemia (29.6%, 3.7%, p = 0.02) and HIE (37.5%, 7.9%, p = 0.01). Logistic regression corrected for gestational age showed that radiological signs of basal ganglia injury could identify the presence of HIE with area under the ROC curve of 0.71, sensitivity 37.5%, specificity 92.1%, positive predictive value 66.7%, and negative predictive value of 77.8%.

Conclusion.?Radiological signs of basal ganglia injury on early neonatal imaging are associated with metabolic acidemia and HIE, but is not precise enough to serve as a gold standard in the identification of these conditions.     

Diffuse basal ganglia or thalamus hyperechogenicity in preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and factors associated with diffuse basal ganglia or thalamus hyperechogenicity (BGTH) in preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: (1) Review of serial neurosonograms among neonates with gestational age (GA) <34 weeks born at Weiler Hospital during a 21-month period; (2) Color Doppler flow imaging; (3) Case-control study using GA group-matched controls; and (4) Blind reading of CT scans or MRIs in patients with BGTH. RESULTS: Among 289 infants, 24 (8.3%) had diffuse BGTH. Color Doppler flow imaging was normal in nine patients. The incidence of diffuse BGTH was inversely related to GA (P<0.01). Logistic regression (n=96) showed that diffuse BGTH was significantly associated with requirement of high-frequency oscillation (HFO) (P=0.031), severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (P=0.004), hypotension requiring vasopressors (P=0.040), hypoglycemia (P=0.031) and male gender (P=0.014). Most patients with diffuse BGTH had normal basal ganglia and thalamus on CT/MRI, one had a hemorrhage, and one had an ischemic infarction. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, diffuse BGTH occurred in 8.3%, and was associated with factors similar to those previously reported. In contrast, several series have reported almost exclusively linear or punctuate hyperechoic foci, corresponding to hyperechogenicity of the lenticulostriate vessels. Our data provide further evidence to suggest that diffuse BGTH and hyperechogenicity of the lenticulostriate vessels are two different entities. Additional studies are required to determine the long-term significance of diffuse BGTH.     

Comparison between creatine kinase brain isoenzyme (CKBB) activity and Sarnat score for prediction of adverse outcome following perinatal asphyxia

AIM: To assess whether plasma creatine kinase brain isoenzyme (CKBB) levels or Sarnat scores are more accurate for prediction of poor neurological outcome in babies with suspected birth asphyxia. METHODS: In a retrospective study of 97 babies CKBB levels were compared to the presence of severe hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) as a predictive test for these outcomes: developmental delay, cerebral palsy, visual problems, deafness or death from perinatal asphyxia. The tests were compared using positive predictive values (PPV) and likelihood ratios (LR) with confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: 3 babies had died from perinatal asphyxia and 14 survivors were found to have neurological or developmental problems. CKBB was elevated in babies with severe HIE (p = 0.0004). A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve showed the optimal discriminating value for CKBB to be 21 IU/L but the CKBB was a poor predictive test. For prediction of adverse outcome: CKBB > 21 sensitivity 76%, specificity 40%, PPV 21% and LR 1.3 (95% CI 0.8-1.7). Severe HIE sensitivity 53%, specificity 95%, PPV 69% and LR 10.6 (95% CI 3.8-29.2). CONCLUSION: CKBB is elevated following birth asphyxia but is a poor predictor of adverse neurological outcome.     

Elevated total peripheral leukocyte count may identify risk for neurological disability in asphyxiated term neonates.

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the relationship between neurologic outcome and total circulating white blood cell (WBC) and absolute neutrophil counts (ANCs) in the first week of life in term infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). STUDY DESIGN: Long-term neurologic outcome at 18 months was measured retrospectively in 30 term neonates with HIE using the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category Scale (PCPCS) score with outcomes dichotomized as either good or poor. We then compared white blood cell and ANC levels during the first 4 days of life and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) obtained within the first month life between the two PCPCS groups. MRI was quantified using a validated scoring system. RESULTS: Neonates with good long-term outcomes had significantly lower MRI scores (indicating lesser injury) than neonates with poor outcomes. More importantly, neonates with poor outcomes had significantly higher WBC and ANC levels as early as12 h after birth and up to 96 h after birth compared to those with good outcomes. These data suggest that elevated peripheral neutrophil counts in the first 96 h of life may signal or predict adverse long-term outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that elevated peripheral neutrophil counts in the first 96 h of life in term infants with HIE may contribute to abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome.     

Clinical utility of magnetic resonance imaging and the preoperative identification of low risk endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is reported to offer the best imaging of local disease in endometrial cancer. We audited MRI scans to identify their clinical utility, particularly in the preoperative identification of 'low risk' endometrial cancer (grade one or two endometrioid tumours confined to the inner half of the myometrium). AIM: To correlate histological and MRI findings and to establish our ability to preoperatively identify women with 'low risk' tumours. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective audit of MRI scans in women with a new diagnosis of endometrial cancer from July 1998 to November 2002. Radiology and pathology reports and surgical staging data were extracted. Independently a team of radiologists reviewed MRI films and the findings were compared to pathology. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were included. Only 10% of original reports contained all the clinically relevant information. On review, the sensitivity for the detection of myometrial invasion was 90%, specificity 71%, positive predictive value (PPV) 93% and negative predictive value (NPV) 63%. For the detection of deep invasion, sensitivity was 56%, specificity 77%, PPV 64% and NPV 71%. All women with grade one or two tumours having no invasion or grade one having superficial invasion detected on MRI had pathological 'low risk' disease. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance imaging scans as reported offered limited clinical benefit. Attention needs to be given to MRI sequencing and reporting protocols. If the review results can be confirmed by prospective studies, MRI offers significant clinical utility in the identification of low risk patients and their surgical treatment planning.     

Role of Doppler velocimetry of uterine arteries and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in detecting pregnancies at risk for preeclampsia

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in association with Doppler velocimetry of uterine arteries in the detection of preeclampsia (PE). METHODS: In a prospective study, 22 patients at risk for the development of PE have been en-rolled: 17 were nulliparous women with increased resistances in uterine arteries at 24 weeks and 5 had an obstetric history of PE. All patients were tested with ABPM and uterine arteries Doppler velocimetry. A resistance index (RI) higher than 0.62 for the Doppler velocimetry and a diastolic midline estimating statistic of rhythm (MESOR) higher than 68 for the ABPM were considered abnormal. Patients were followed longitudinally until delivery. The occurrence of PE and low birth weight were considered as gestational outcomes endpoints. RESULTS: Overall, the mean gestational age at delivery was 36.3+/-3.4 weeks (range 29.4-41). Six out of 22 (27.2%) patients developed PE; 4 out of 22 (18%) newborns were small for gestational age (SGA) <5 degrees percentile. In the prediction of PE, ABPM in association with Doppler velocimetry showed a positive predictive value (PPV) of 42% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 90%, for the development of low birth weight the PPV was 33% and the NPV 100%. CONCLUSION: This study shows that ABPM in association with Doppler velocimetry evaluation is a useful test to detect patients at high risk for the development of PE.     

Therapeutic hypothermia for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: magnetic resonance imaging findings and neurological outcomes in a Brazilian cohort

Objective: To determine the neurodevelopment outcomes after therapeutic hypothermia for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and identify the neonatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings associated with neurological outcome in a middle-income country.

Study design: All infants born after 35 completed weeks’ gestation with signs of moderate to severe encephalopathy and evidence of perinatal asphyxia before 6?hours of life were submitted to whole-body hypothermia and were imaged at 18?±?8.4 days of life (range 7–33 days) after birth. Surviving infants had the neurodevelopment outcome assessed at 12 to 18 months of age by trained professional masked to MRI findings.

Results: Forty-eight infants included, MRI scans were obtained from 34 infants; 14 (29.1%) patients died during hospitalization before MRI was performed. Nine (64.3%) of 14 patients were classified as severe encephalopathy presented Posterior Limb Internal Capsule (PLIC) sign at the MRI, 10 (71.4%) thalamus and basal ganglia (TBG) lesion, 9 (64.3%) white matter (WM) lesion, and 7 (50.0%) cortical lesion. Severe encephalopathy was associated with the motor delay at 12–18 months by Bayley III, Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) scores (p?=?.020, p?=?.048, p?=?.033, respectively), but not for the cognitive (p?=?.167) or language skills (p?=?.309). Lower BSID-III motor, cognitive, and language composite scores were associated with PLIC sign (p?=?.047; p?=?.006 and p?=?.003, respectively). TBG lesion (p?=?.051) and cortical lesion (p?=?.030) were associated with lower language composite score. Motor delay by AIMS and the presence of PLIC sign, TBG lesion, WM lesion, and Cortical lesion on MRI were observed (p?p?=?.002; p?=?.001 and p?=?.027, respectively); as well as higher GMFCS score were associated with the presence of PLIC sign, TBG lesion, WM lesion, and Cortical lesion on MRI (p?p?=?.001; p?=?.001, and p?=?.011, respectively).

Conclusions: Brain MRI in neonates with HIE after therapeutic hypothermia is a valuable tool for diagnosis of encephalopathy cerebral abnormalities and is an early predictor of outcome in infants treated with whole body hypothermia for HIE in the Brazilian experience.     

Surgical management of rectovaginal septum endometriosis from a continuous series of 50 cases

OBJECTIVES: To assess the value of MRI and ano-rectal endosonography (ARES) for the diagnosis and surgical prognosis of rectovaginal septum endometriosis and to analyse the surgical management in order to evaluate its functional results and complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 50 consecutive patients operated for a clinical presumption of endometriosis nodule of the recto vaginal septum. Thirty-nine patients had a MRI, 31 an ARES and 28 both exams. All the patients had a complete dissection of the rectovaginal septum and all lesions were excised. RESULTS: For the diagnosis of rectovaginal septum endometriosis nodule, MRI results are: sensitivity 73%, specificity 50%, positive predictive value (PPV) 89%, negative predictive value (NPV) 25%; for uterosacral ligaments involvement: sensitivity 84%, specificity 95%, PPV 94%, NPV 86% and for rectal wall infiltration: sensitivity 53%, specificity 82%, PPV 69%, NPV 69%. The ARES results for diagnosis of rectovaginal septum endometriosis nodule are: sensitivity 93%, specificity 100%, PPV 100%, NPV 50% and for rectal wall infiltration: sensitivity 100%, specificity 71%, PPV 81%, NPV 100%. ARES appeared more sensitive than MRI for the detection of rectal wall infiltration (P = 0.002) and for rectovaginal septum endometriosis nodule diagnosis (P = 0.03). Eighty-nine percent of the patients had a coelioscopy in first intention and 15 laparoconversions were performed, 11 in order to perform a digestive resection: 45 nodules were found. In 43cases the nodule was excised, associated to 19 digestive resections, 30 colpectomys, and 22 uterosacral ligaments resections. Three patients required an additional surgical treatment by Hartman's procedure with Mickulicz's drainage for peritonitis. Forty-one nodules were endometriosis nodules: the two other cases were fibrosis nodules. Thirty-three patients were interviewed about the evolution of their pains over a mean history of 20 months: 90% of the patients were satisfied with the management results. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the efficiency of MRI for rectovaginal septum endometriosis nodule and uterosacral ligaments involvement diagnosis; accord ARES to rectovaginal septum endometriosis nodule diagnosis and its reliability in establishing a diagnosis of rectal wall involvement. The surgical cure of rectovaginal septum nodules without digestive infiltration is performed by coelioscopic or coelio-vaginal procedure, but in case of associated digestive affliction, laparotomy is actually the standard procedure in order to achieve a complete cure of the lesions. Complications, in particular peritonitis, are not frequent. Our data support the efficiency of radical surgical treatment for the improvement of pain symptoms. Results on fertility seem to be satisfactory, but complication risks suggest being careful in this indication. Clinical examination during a catamenial period is essential in order to evoke the diagnosis. MRI yields a complete map of the sub-peritoneal and peritoneal lesions and ARES allows for the diagnosis of an infiltration of the rectal wall. Pre-operative association of those two exams is actually indispensable for the surgical management of those patients, which consists of complete excision of endometriosical lesions and is efficient at treating pain symptoms and fertility. Complications are rare but severe, therefore, justifying a cure in specialised centres.     

The role of sonographic examination in the follow-up of gynecological neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: The role and type of procedures of follow-up in patients with gynecological tumors are still a debatable issue. We prospectively analyzed the role of routine transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound examination (US) in the detection of recurrent disease in gynecologic cancer patients. METHODS: Among 552 patients who underwent surgery for gynecological cancer, 385 were available for the analysis. Follow-up examinations included clinical examination, serum tumor marker assay, transvaginal and transabdominal sonography and CT scan/MRI. RESULTS: Positive US examination was documented in 83/385 patients (21.5%). In the overall series, the positive predictive value (PPV) of US examination was 100%, while the negative predictive value (NPV) was 92.7% failing to identify 22 cases of recurrences. When considering the subgroup of patients with positive clinical examination or abnormal tumor marker, positive US analysis was able to identify 66/66 cases of recurrence (PPV=100%), but exhibited an NPV of 22.2%, with 21/27 (77.8%) false negative cases. Conversely, in cases without clinical/serological signs of disease, positive US recognized all cases of recurrences (17/17, PPV=100%), and exhibited a very high NPV, with only 1 false negative case out of 275 (0.4%). The US detected recurrences appeared as a solitary lesion in 38/75 (50.6%) patients and in 28/75 (37%) appeared located centrally in the pelvis. The sonographic pattern of the ovarian recurrences was a solid lesion in most (33/40, 82%) cases. In the other gynecological tumors, the lesions appeared as solid masses in 33/35 (94%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that routine US might play a role in the follow-up of gynecologic malignancies, especially in the group of asymptomatic patients, while CT/MRI imaging might be more properly applied to patients with clinical or serological signs of disease.     

The performance of magnetic resonance imaging in early cervical carcinoma: a long-term experience

We report our long-term experience of performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in localizing cervical tumor, assessing tumor size, staging, and lymph node infiltration in patients with early cervical cancer. MRI of 150 patients with early carcinoma between 1995-2005 was retrospectively reviewed. Tumor location, size, tumor distance from internal os, parametrial invasion, myometrial invasion, lymph node size, and location were documented. All patients underwent surgery, pelvic lymphadenectomy, and histological correlation of MRI findings. For staging, MRI and histopathology had kappa value of 0.89. For parametrial invasion, MRI had specificity, negative predictive value (NPV) of 97% and 100%, respectively. For tumor size, MRI and histology had mean difference of -0.9 mm with 95% limits of agreement between -12.6 to +13 mm. In tumors greater than 10 mm, mean difference was 0.3 mm and limits of agreement were -7.5 to +7.9 mm. For internal os involvement sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and NPV were 90%, 98%, 86%, 98%. respectively. For myometrial invasion sensitivity, specificity, NPV, and PPV were 100%, 99%, 88%, 100%, respectively. Incidence of nodal metastases was 2.9%. On a per-patient basis, sensitivity, specificity for nodal involvement was 37% and 92% and on node-by-node basis, sensitivity and specificity of MRI was 27% and 99%, respectively. Our study confirms MRI is highly accurate in localizing cervical tumor, excluding parametrial invasion, confirming myometrial and internal os invasion. MRI is therefore useful in selecting patients for surgery and mandatory in patients for fertility-preserving surgery. Using accepted size criteria for nodal involvement, MRI is insensitive and currently will not avoid need for pelvic lymphadenectomy.     

The combined detection of umbilical cord nucleated red blood cells and lactate: early prediction of neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

OBJECTIVE: To establish a simple and quick method that could be used to predict the occurrence of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) as early as possible by investigating the variations of nucleated red blood cells per 100 white blood cell (NRBC/100 WBC) counts and lactate levels in cord blood. METHODS: In 46 cases of acute fetal distress (AFD) and 54 cases of chronic fetal distress (CFD) neonates we measured the percentage (NRBCs/100 WBC) and lactate in the umbilical blood. RESULTS: Both lactate levels and NRBC/100WBC counts were higher in CFD and AFD groups than in controls (both P<0.01). The numbers of NRBC/100 WBC and the values of lactate in moderate-severe HIE group were higher than in mild-HIE group (P=0.002 and P=0.042, respectively). The combined sensitivity and specificity was 94% and 96% at 15NRBC/100WBC and 4.25 mmol/L level by combined detecting NRBC and lactate to predict HIE. Three infants (including 1 death and 2 survivors) had the highest levels of NRBC/100WBC and lactate in cord blood, and the 2 survivors had the lowest mental development index (MDI) and psychomotor development index (PDI). CONCLUSIONS: Combined detection with NRBC/100WBC and lactate allows early prediction of development and severity of HIE. The levels of these parameters are related to the neurodevelopment outcome of HIE infants.     

Prediction of malignancy using transvaginal color flow Doppler in patients with gynecologic tumors

Eighty-five patients referred to the Women's Cancer Center, University of Minnesota had transvaginal color flow Doppler performed to determine if pelvic malignancy could be predicted by blood flow assessment. Their mean age was 49 years (range 21–86 years). Thirty-five patients were subsequently found to have malignant tumors of the cervix, uterus or ovary. The presence of increased intratumoral blood flow as depicted by color flow Doppler had a sensitivity of 83%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 89% for malignancy. The mean intratumoral Pulsatility Index (PI) of the patients with malignant tumors was 0.81 (SD 0.24; range 0.3–1.2), which was significantly lower than for the benign group ( P = 0.001). A PI of 1.0 had a sensitivity of 96.3%, specificity of 94.3%, PPV of 89.7% and NPV of 98% for predicting malignancy. Transvaginal color flow Doppler shows promise as a method of predicting malignancy in patients with gynecologic pathology.     

The value of serum pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance in the assessment of asphyxia in term neonates

Objective: Asphyxia is a major cause of disabilities in term-born infants. Here we have explored the value in HIE (hypoxic-ischemic-encephalopathy) of using a combination of serum pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance (PAB) assay for predicting the prognosis of asphyxia.

Method: Ninety term neonates with asphyxia were enrolled and followed up for two years. Serum PAB, demographic/biochemical characteristics of mothers, and their neonates were determined. The Denver II test was used to assess outcomes.

Results: Of the 90 asphyxiated neonates, 47 (52.2%) had a normal outcome and 43 babies (47.8%) had abnormal outcome. Serum PAB levels in neonates with normal and abnormal outcomes were 17.1?±?9.23 and 48.27?±?41.30 HK, respectively. A combination of HIE intensity and PAB, compared to other indicators, had a higher predictive-value (95.2%) for outcomes in asphyxiated babies.

Conclusion: We demonstrate that PAB in combination with HIE grade may have a better predictive value for the prognosis of asphyxiated babies and predicting future neurologic problems in asphyxiated term infants.     

Incidence,Intrapartum Risk Factors,and Prognosis of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Among Infants Born at 35 Weeks Gestation or More

IntroductionNeonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is associated with neonatal mortality, acute neurological injury, and long-term neurodevelopmental disabilities; however, the association between intrapartum factors and HIE remains unclear.MethodsThis population-based cohort study used linked obstetrical and newborn data derived from the Nova Scotia Atlee Perinatal Database (NSAPD, 1988–2015) and the AC Allen Perinatal Follow-Up Program Database (2006–2015) for all pregnancies with live, non-anomalous newborns ≥35 weeks gestation, not delivered by pre-labour cesarean section. Temporal trends in HIE incidence were described, and logistic regression estimated odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of intrapartum factors with HIE.ResultsThe NSAPD identified 227 HIE cases in the population of 226 711 deliveries from 1988 to 2015. Women with clinical chorioamnionitis in labour (OR 8.0; 95% CI 3.9–16), emergency cesarean delivery (OR 10; 95% CI 7.6–14), shoulder dystocia (OR 3.5; 95% CI 2.1–5.7), placental abruption (OR 18; 95% CI 11–29), and cord prolapse (OR 30; 95% CI 15–61) were more likely to have newborns with HIE. Two-thirds of newborns with HIE had an abnormal intrapartum fetal heart rate tracing. The mortality rate among infants with HIE was 27% by 3 years of age. Neurodevelopmental outcomes in the surviving infants were normal in 43% and showed severe developmental delay in 40%.ConclusionOverall, the rate of HIE was low in infants born at ≥35 weeks gestation. The identification of associated intrapartum factors should promote increased surveillance in these clinical situations and emphasize the importance of careful management to optimize newborn outcomes.