Discordance in nuchal translucency thickness in the prediction of severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To examine in monochorionic pregnancies the possible value of intertwin discordance in nuchal translucency (NT) thickness in the prediction of early fetal death or severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). METHODS: In 512 monochorionic twin pregnancies NT was measured at 11 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation and regression analysis was used to determine the significance of the association between the intertwin discordance in NT and subsequent early fetal death or development of severe TTTS requiring endoscopic laser surgery. RESULTS: In 412 (80.5%) pregnancies there was a normal outcome, in 58 (11.3%) there was severe TTTS requiring endoscopic laser surgery at 18-24 weeks, in 19 (3.7%) there was death of one or both fetuses at 13-18 weeks and in 23 (4.5%) there was fetal death at 21-38 weeks. In the four outcome groups the median discordance in NT was 11%, 22%, 35% and 7%, respectively. Significant prediction of early fetal death and severe TTTS was provided by the discordance in fetal NT, which was not significantly improved by including the discordance in crown-rump length. If the discordance in NT was 20% or more, the false positive rate was 20%, the detection rate of early fetal death was 63% and the detection rate of severe TTTS was 52%. CONCLUSIONS: Discordance in NT of 20% or more is found in about 25% of monochorionic twins and in this group the risk of early fetal death or development of severe TTTS is more than 30%. If the discordance is less than 20% the risk of complications is less than 10%.     

Benign Cephalic Histiocytosis: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Benign cephalic histiocytosis (BCH) is a rare type of non‐Langerhans histiocytic disorder, usually presenting with small, yellow‐red or yellow‐brown, asymptomatic papules, located mostly on the head and neck of infants and young children. The histopathologic hallmark of BCH is a well‐circumscribed histiocytic infiltrate in the superficial to mid‐reticular dermis. BCH is a self‐healing disorder, with the eruptions regressing spontaneously in most cases; therefore no treatment is required. We present a case of BCH in a 7‐month‐old boy who was referred to our department with multiple, asymptomatic, yellow‐red papules located on his face, and we review 55 cases published in the English‐language literature in an effort to better describe and understand this unusual entity.     

Conservative surgical methods for FIGO stage IA2 squamous cervical carcinoma and their role in preserving women's fertility

OBJECTIVE: Until recently, the treatment of choice for stage IA2 squamous cervical cancer has been radical hysterectomy with pelvic node dissection. However, many of these cases occur in younger women, for whom the preservation of fertility is desirable. More conservative methods have emerged as alternative treatment modalities for these women, as they may allow for future fertility, without having a considerable adverse effect on cure rates. The objective of this review is to present the published data on these methods (radical vaginal, abdominal or laparoscopic trachelectomy and laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy, deep cold-knife excision and lymphadenectomy, ovarian transposition and radiotherapy) and comment on their clinical role. METHOD: A detailed literature search was done in MEDLINE (1966-2003), EMBASE (1974-2003) and CINAHL (1982-2003) for data on cure rates, survival and reproductive outcome of radical vaginal trachelectomy as well as other conservative treatment options. RESULTS: The recurrence rates after radical trachelectomy range from 0% to 8% and are comparable to reported results from series of patients treated with radical hysterectomy. There are over 35 reported live births out of approximately 210 women who had this operation. However, the rates of second trimester losses and preterm deliveries due to cervical weakness are high. Data from the other methods are limited. CONCLUSION: Vaginal radical trachelectomy is currently the fertility-sparing procedure with the most available data supporting its use. Although these results are encouraging, there is lack of level I evidence (i.e. randomized controlled trials) comparing safety and survival rates between conservative and radical methods. Therefore, these techniques should be used by fully trained operators, with the understanding that this is not the standard treatment at present.     

Fetal akinesia deformation sequence presenting with increased nuchal translucency in the first trimester of pregnancy

Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of fetal akinesia deformation sequence (FADS) is usually achieved during the second and third trimester of pregnancy and relies on the demonstration of contractures of multiple joints, paucity of fetal movements and nuchal edema or generalized hydrops. We present the early diagnosis of FADS in a 13-week fetus presenting with nuchal translucency thickness (NT) of 5.1 mm, bilateral talipes and fixed flexion deformity of the fingers and wrists. We also review cases of this condition diagnosed during the first trimester and discuss the role of increased NT in the early diagnosis of FADS even in cases without previous history of an affected child.