Bilateral pleural endometriosis

The patient was a 40-year-old woman with a 1-year history of catamenial chest pain and a recent bilateral hemothorax. She underwent a left thoracotomy for surgical pleurodesis, and a pleural biopsy. Subsequently, she had a hysterectomy in conjunction with an oophorectomy. The pathologic investigation of the pleura revealed an endometrial implant. The postoperative course was uneventful with no recurrence of hemothorax and chest pain during the first 6 months and at the patient's follow-up. This is a very rare case of a patient with thoracic endometriosis presenting with bilateral hemothorax.     

Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease in Women with a History of Pregnancy Complicated by Preeclampsia or Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Objective: Women with a history of preeclampsia or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease in later life. We determined the presence of traditional and novel risk factors for cardiovascular disease in these women. Methods: We studied 256 women with a history of preeclampsia and 59 women with a history of intrauterine growth restriction. Fifty-three women with a history of uncomplicated pregnancy served as controls. We determined values for blood pressure, body mass index, concentrations of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoprotein (a), and insulin resistance. Results: Women with a history of preeclampsia exhibited more risk factors for future cardiovascular disease such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and increased insulin resistance compared with women with a history of uncomplicated pregnancy. Women with a history of IUGR have higher concentrations of cholesterol and show a tendency to higher BMI, higher triglyceride concentrations, and increased insulin resistance as compared with women with a history of normal pregnancy. Conclusions: Preeclampsia or IUGR may represent an early marker for increased risk for early cardiovascular disease.     

Second look laparoscopy; evaluation of two different antibiotic regimens after treatment of acute salpingitis

In order to have their diagnoses verified, etiology determined and treatment evaluated, 64 patients with suspected acute salpingitis (AS) underwent laparoscopy during which specimens were taken. The patients were referred to groups of either a mild (16/64), a moderate (26/64), or a severe (22/64) form of salpingitis. They were then randomized to one of two groups for treatment with either doxycycline/bensylpenicillin-procain (DC/BP) or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ). The results were evaluated by second-look laparoscopy 3–6 months later when adhesions and tubal passage were looked for. Isolates from the cervix were culture positive for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) in 36/64 (56%) (9/16 with a mild form, 13/26 with moderate form and 14/22 with a severe form of salpingitis). Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) was isolated from the cervix in 15/64 (23%) (5/16 with a mild form, 4/26 with a moderate form and 6/22 with a severe form of the disease). Oviductal cultures for CT were found in 12/64 (19%) (1/16 with a mild form, 4/26 with a moderate and 7/25 with severe form of salpingitis). Oviductal isolates for NG were found in 2/64 (13%) (2/16 from the group with a mild form of the disease). Second-look laparoscopy revealed totally occluded oviducts in two patients from the group with a severe form of salpingitis (one from each treatment group).     

An unusual anatomic variation of a unicornuate uterus with normal external uterine morphology

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of a unicornuate uterus with a normal external uterine morphology. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: University-based fertility center. PATIENT(S): A 30-year-old nulligravid woman with a 1-year history of infertility found to have a right proximal tubal occlusion on hysterosalpingogram. INTERVENTION(S): Laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): External and internal morphology of the uterus. RESULT(S): Laparoscopy showed a normal external uterine morphology and normal fallopian tubes and ovaries, but chromopertubation failed to demonstrate a fill and spill from the right fallopian tube. Hysteroscopy showed a single tubular uterine cavity projecting to the left with a single left tubal ostium, consistent with a unicornuate uterus. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a normal external uterine fundal contour and an internal uterine morphology consistent with a unicornuate uterus. CONCLUSION(S): This is the first reported case of a unicornuate uterus presenting with a normal external uterine morphology and an internal morphology consistent with a unicornuate uterus, and we propose inclusion of this anomaly in the classification of mullerian anomalies.     

Resting oxygen consumption in patients with twin pregnancy

Objective This study examined the resting oxygen consumption in patients with a twin pregnancy and compared the results with those of singleton pregnancies.Methods In 15 patients with a twin and 26 patients with a singleton pregnancy, the resting oxygen consumption was measured using an open-circuit ventilatory system during the third trimester of pregnancy.Results The average resting oxygen consumption in patients with a twin pregnancy was 231±25 ml/min, significantly higher than that in patients with a singleton pregnancy (209±24 ml/min, P<0.05).Conclusion Our results indicate an estimated increase in metabolic rate in patients during the third trimester of a twin pregnancy compared with those with a singleton pregnancy.     

Síndrome de Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich

Uterus didelphys with obstructed hemivagina frequently associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis is a rare congenital anomaly known as Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWW). We report the case of a 31-year-old woman with no relevant medical history, with scant, intermittent and ill-smelling metrorrhagia for the last 2-3 months. Intraoperative vaginal exploration revealed a hypotrophic cervix and the external orifice of a fistula communicating with the right uterine cavity and draining a dark hematic fluid. Intravenous urography showed right renal agenesis and confirmed the suspected diagnosis of HWW.     

Obesity and menstrual disorders

Obesity is a growing public health concern and is associated with a range of menstrual disorders, including heavy menstrual bleeding, oligomenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and endometrial pathology. Investigations may be more logistically challenging in those in the population with obesity, and because of the heightened risk of endometrial malignancy, there should be a low threshold for biopsy to exclude endometrial hyperplasia. Although treatment modalities for women with obesity are broadly similar to those with a normal BMI, additional consideration must be given to the risks associated with estrogen in obesity. Outpatient management of heavy menstrual bleeding is a developing field and outpatient treatment modalities are preferable in the population with obesity to avoid the morbidity associated with anesthetics.     

The clinical significance of detecting Ureaplasma urealyticum by the polymerase chain reaction in the amniotic fluid of patients with preterm labor

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine the clinical significance of a detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the amniotic fluid of patients with preterm labor and intact membranes. STUDY DESIGN: Amniocentesis was performed in 257 patients with preterm labor and intact membranes. Amniotic fluid was cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria as well as genital mycoplasmas. U urealyticum was detected by PCR using specific primers. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the results of amniotic fluid culture and PCR for U urealyticum: those with a negative culture and negative PCR (n=228), those with a negative culture but positive PCR (n=6), and those with a positive culture regardless of the results of PCR (n=23). RESULTS: The prevalence of positive amniotic fluid culture was 9% (23 of 257). U urealyticum was detected by PCR in 6% (15 of 254) of cases. Of the 15 cases with positive PCR for U urealyticum, amniotic fluid culture was negative in 40% (6 of 15). Patients with a negative culture but positive PCR for U urealyticum had significantly shorter median amniocentesis-to-delivery interval and higher amniotic fluid interleukin-6 and white blood cell count than those with a negative amniotic fluid culture and negative PCR (P<.01 for each). Patients with a positive PCR for U urealyticum but a negative amniotic fluid culture had a higher rate of significant neonatal morbidity than those with a negative culture and negative PCR (P<.05). However, no significant differences in perinatal outcome were observed between patients with a negative culture but positive PCR and those with a positive amniotic fluid culture. CONCLUSION: Patients with preterm labor and a positive PCR for U urealyticum but negative amniotic fluid culture are at risk for impending preterm delivery and adverse perinatal outcome.     

Endometriosis and subfertility: is the relationship resolved?

There are many arguments to support the hypothesis that there is a causal relationship between the presence of endometriosis and subfertility. These arguments are reviewed in this article and include: (1) an increased prevalence of endometriosis in subfertile women compared with women of proven fertility; (2) a reduced monthly fecundity rate (MFR) in baboons with mild to severe (spontaneous or induced) endometriosis compared with those with minimal endometriosis or a normal pelvis; (3) a trend toward a reduced MFR in infertile women with minimal to mild endometriosis compared with women with unexplained infertility; (4) a dose-effect relationship: a negative correlation between the r-AFS stage of endometriosis and the monthly fecundity rate and crude pregnancy rate; (5) a reduced monthly fecundity rate and cumulative pregnancy rate after donor sperm insemination in women with minimal-mild endometriosis compared with those with a normal pelvis; (6) a reduced MFR after husband sperm insemination in women with minimal to mild endometriosis compared with those with a normal pelvis; (7) a reduced implantation rate per embryo after IVF in women with moderate to severe endometriosis compared with women with a normal pelvis; and (8) an increased monthly fecundity rate and cumulative pregnancy rate after surgical removal of minimal to mild endometriosis.     

Endometrioid carcinoma of the endometrium with choriocarcinomatous differentiation: a case report and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE: An endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EAC) with true trophoblastic differentiation is a rare event with a highly aggressive clinical course. CASE: We report an endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium in which there was a morphologically conventional-appearing EAC component admixed with multinucleated giant cells and large pleomorphic tumor cells that resembled a choriocarcinoma without an elevated serum level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a 42-year-old unmarried woman with a history of abnormal uterine bleeding. A total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and pelvic lymph node dissection were performed. Histopathologic study of the specimen showed endometrioid adenocarcinoma extended to the deep myometrium with a focus of hemorrhagic and necrotic tumor composed of multinucleated giant cells, large pleomorphic tumor cells, suggesting choriocarcinomatous differentiation (CD). Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated intense reactivity of tumor cells for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) confirming the diagnosis. A complete clinical workup ruled out metastatic spread to the brain, lungs, skeleton, or abdomen. The patient was alive with no evidence of disease 6 months later. CONCLUSION: Although endometrioid adenocarcinoma with choriocarcinomatous differentiation is known to behave in a more aggressive course, this disease may have a good prognosis with a clinically indolent course when it is small, and without elevated serum hCG levels.     

Early pregnancy loss in in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a positive predictor of subsequent IVF success

OBJECTIVE: To determine the significance of biochemical pregnancy losses and clinical spontaneous abortion (SAB) on outcomes of future IVF cycles. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Academic IVF program. PATIENT(S): Women with a history of unsuccessful IVF attempts undergoing IVF. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical pregnancy rate. RESULT(S): Patients with an early pregnancy loss had a greater ongoing clinical pregnancy rate in the immediate next cycle when compared with those women who had a negative pregnancy test (37.3% vs. 27.3%). Patients with a history of a biochemical pregnancy or a clinical spontaneous abortion had an ongoing clinical pregnancy rate in the next cycle of 38.4% and 42.3%, respectively, compared with 27.3% in women who had a history of a negative pregnancy test. The cumulative pregnancy rate after the first IVF attempt was 54.1% in patients with a previous biochemical pregnancy loss, 61.4% in those with a previous clinical SAB, and 46.5% in women with a previous negative pregnancy test. CONCLUSION(S): Women who experience an early pregnancy loss after IVF have a greater likelihood of success in subsequent IVF cycles when compared with patients who fail to conceive.     

Carcinoma adenoide quístico de cuello uterino: una rara entidad

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a very rare pathology, representing less than 1% of all carcinomas, and has a high risk of local and distant recurrence. Although there is currently no standard management, there are reports of them being radiosensitive. The case is presented of a 76-year-old Peruvian woman with a clinical stage i cervical adenoid cystic carcinoma, specifically managed with radical hysterectomy with a histological result of an adenoid cystic carcinoma associated with basal adenoid carcinoma, presenting with an early distant recurrence.     

First trimester fetal heart rate measurements by transvaginal ultrasound combined with pulsed Doppler: an evaluation of 1331 cases

The aim of this study is to present the cardiac activity measurements obtained from 1331 embryos and first trimester fetuses in whom the crown-rump length (CRL) measurements were between 2 and 60 mm, and to correlate the pattern of changes according to growth in body length, with an objective and reliable technique; transvaginal ultrasound combined with pulsed Doppler. Sonographic examinations were performed using a Combison 320-Kretz scanner with a 5–7.5 MHz vaginal probe with 240° scanning angle, combined with a 4.5 MHz pulsed Doppler. As the embryo grows, the mean heart rate increases sharply, from 106.8 ± 6.4 at a CRL of 2 mm to 178.3 ± 7.0 at a CRL of 23 mm; followed by a plateau and a slight decline thereafter. Statistical analysis of the body length and corresponding heart rate revealed a relationship with a correlation coefficient of 0.61 (P < 0.01), whereas relationship between CRL ≤ 23 and corresponding heart rate was striking with a correlation coefficient of 0.87 (P < 0.01).     

Botulism in pregnancy – a clinical approach to diagnosis and management

Botulism is a life-threatening toxin mediated disease that often presents with a sudden rapid onset of paralysis of their skeletal muscles with subsequent respiratory compromise and sudden death. Given the natural physiological changes during pregnancy, pregnant women with botulism may experience a more exaggerated course and have worse outcomes compared to nonpregnant women. Medical providers caring for such patients should not only maintain a high level of suspicion for botulism, but administration of an antitoxin early in their care can help reduce morbidity and mortality, while awaiting confirmatory laboratory results. It is not uncommon for a medical provider caring for these women to mistakenly associate the signs and symptoms associated with botulism with pregnancy-related findings; therefore, this article illustrates a clinical algorithmic approach to caring for these women, including a systematic approach to establishing a diagnosis and management plan for pregnant women with botulism.     

Preeclampsia and pregnancies with small-for-gestational age neonates have different profiles of complement split products

Objective.?The activation of the complement system results in the generation of split products with pro-inflammatory properties. The objective of this study was to determine whether preeclampsia and small-for-gestational age (SGA) are associated with changes in the maternal plasma concentrations of anaphylatoxins C3a, C4a and C5a.

Methods.?A cross-sectional study was conducted in the following groups: (a) normal pregnant women (n?=?134); (b) women who delivered an SGA neonate (n?=?53); (c) preeclampsia with (n?=?52) and without SGA (n?=?54). Maternal plasma anaphylatoxin concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay.

Results.?(1) Women with preeclampsia with or without SGA had a significantly higher median plasma C5a concentration than that of normal pregnant women and those with SGA alone (all P?<?0.01); (2) women with SGA alone did not have an increase in plasma C5a concentration; (3) in contrast, the median maternal plasma concentration of C4a was lower in women with preeclampsia and SGA than that of those with a normal pregnancy (P?=?0.001); (4) no changes in C3a were observed among the study groups.

Conclusion.?Preeclampsia is associated with increased plasma concentration of C5a, regardless of the presence or absence of an SGA fetus. In contrast, there was no difference in the plasma C3a, C4a and C5a concentration in patients with SGA.     

Carcinosarcoma of the ovary treated over a 10-year period at the Christie Hospital

Carcinosarcomas (previously termed malignant mixed Müllerian tumors) are highly malignant but rare tumors of the ovary. Most patients have been treated according to a wide variety of protocols for soft tissue sarcoma or for epithelial ovarian carcinoma and as a result the optimal treatment for this neoplasm is unknown. We describe here 20 patients with this ovarian tumor (15 with heterologous sarcomatous elements and five with homologous sarcomatous elements) referred to our institute. Five patients were treated with surgery alone, two patients with chemotherapy alone and 13 patients with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. A variety of chemotherapeutic regimens were used reflecting the 10-year time span it took to accrue these patients. Forty-five per cent of all patients died within 1 year of initial surgery and there was a median survival of 14 months. Two patients achieved a complete remission following treatment with 10 cycles of intravenous cyclophosphamide and are still alive at 103 and 106 months follow-up. We suggest that a chemotherapy regimen combining cyclophosphamide and a platinum analog may be useful for the management of patients with carcinosarcoma of the ovary requiring further therapy following surgery.     

Twin pregnancy outcomes for women with gestational diabetes mellitus compared with glucose tolerant women

OBJECTIVE: To examine pregnancy outcomes for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and a twin pregnancy compared with glucose tolerant women with a twin pregnancy. DESIGN: Comparison of selected pregnancy outcomes. SETTING: Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. POPULATION: Women with GDM seen over a 10-year period by an endocrinologist, and women from a selected year of an obstetric database including Wollongong and Shellharbour Hospitals. METHODS: Examination of pregnancy outcome data from the two sources. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fetal birthweights and method of delivery. RESULTS: There were 28 GDM women with a twin pregnancy from 1229 consecutive referrals (2.3%) of women with GDM for medical management. For comparison there were 29 glucose tolerant women with twin pregnancies evaluable who had delivered over a 1-year period. For the women with GDM and a twin pregnancy there were no significant differences in demographics or outcomes except for a higher rate of elective Caesarean section. CONCLUSION: The higher rate of Caesarean section appeared to be related to the combination of a twin pregnancy and GDM rather than the twin pregnancy or the GDM independently.     

Dietary advices on carbohydrate intake for pregnant women with type 1 diabetes

The impact of the quality and quantity of carbohydrate intake on glycaemic control and pregnancy outcome was evaluated with focus on pregnant women with type 1 diabetes. For women with type 1 diabetes, a gestational weight gain within the lower range of the guidelines of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) is generally recommended. A low-glycaemic index diet is considered safe, and has shown, positive effects on the glycaemic control and pregnancy outcomes for both healthy women, those with type 2 diabetic and gestational diabetes (GDM). In general, carbohydrate counting does improve glycaemic control in type 1 diabetes. A moderately low carbohydrate diet with a carbohydrate content of 40% of the calories results in better glycaemic control and comparable obstetric outcomes in type 2 diabetes and GDM when compared to a diet with a higher carbohydrate content, and is regarded safe in diabetic pregnancy. In type 1 diabetes pregnancy, a moderately low carbohydrate diet with 40% carbohydrates has been suggested; however, a minimum intake of 175?g carbohydrate daily is recommended. Despite limited evidence the combination of a low-glycaemic index diet with a moderately low carbohydrate intake, using carbohydrate counting can be recommended for pregnant women with type 1 diabetes.     

Radical vaginal trachelectomy after supracervical hysterectomy

BACKGROUND: Radical vaginal trachelectomy (RVT) is an acceptable approach when applied toward a select group of patients with early stage cervical carcinoma. It is less invasive, can maintain fertility, and can be ideal in patients with significant comorbid factors compared to abdominal approaches. A small subset of patients with a previous supracervical hysterectomy can pose a surgical dilemma. CASE: An 81-year-old woman with a history of severe cardiac disease on routine gynecological examination was found to have adenocarcinoma in situ with a focus suspicious for invasion of the cervical stump diagnosed by cone biopsy. She previously had a supracervical hysterectomy for benign disease of the uterus. A RVT was performed as definitive treatment and the patient recovered without complications. CONCLUSION: In the rare case that presents with a history of supracervical hysterectomy, RVT with some technical modifications can still be considered as a therapeutic option for early stage cervical carcinoma.     

多学科管理下鸟氨酸氨甲酰基转移酶缺乏症妇女连续三次妊娠分娩健康儿一例

本文报告1例鸟氨酸氨甲酰基转移酶缺乏症患者3次妊娠,最终在多学科管理下分娩一健康新生儿的诊疗经过。2013年患者首次妊娠,孕28周出现急性高氨血症收入上海交通大学医学院附属新华医院,诊断为鸟氨酸氨甲酰基转移酶缺乏症。给予低蛋白饮食及降血氨治疗,并在多学科管理下于孕32周剖宫产一男婴,但该男婴生后第3天死亡。基因分析提示患者及其新生儿鸟氨酸氨甲酰基转移酶基因均存在c.583G>A(G195R)突变。2015年患者再次自然妊娠,但产前诊断提示胎儿为男性,且鸟氨酸氨甲酰基转移酶基因存在同一位点纯合突变,于孕21周引产终止妊娠。2017年借助体外受精-胚胎移植及植入前基因诊断技术第3次妊娠,并在多学科管理下最终顺利分娩一名健康男婴。