Does first-trimester nuchal cord affect the blood flow in the ductus venosus? A prospective observational study

Introduction: Main objective of the present study was to investigate the association between the presence of nuchal cord (NC) and the measurement of the ductus venosus pulsatility index for veins (ductus venosus (DV) PIV).

Methods: This was a prospective study of 1974 singleton pregnancies that underwent first-trimester screening at 11–13⁺⁶ gestational weeks. Color Doppler was used to demonstrate the presence of a NC in all cases and the DV PIV was calculated routinely, as part of the standard scan. The association between the presence of a NC and the DV PIV was then examined overall and at each gestational week.

Results: A NC was demonstrated in 17.1% of cases. The incidence of nuchal cord was significantly higher at 13–13⁺⁶ weeks (24.7%, n?=?119) compared to the one at 12–12⁺⁶ (16.5%, n?=?192) and 11–11⁺⁶ weeks (7.9%, n?=?26) (p?p?=?.344). The DV PIV was 0.99 (± 0.15) for patients without NC versus 0.99 (± 0.15) for patients with NC (p?=?.34).

Conclusions: There was no association between the presence of a NC at 11–13⁺⁶ gestational weeks and the DV PIV.     

Akuter Mesenterialarterienverschluss

Notfall + Rettungsmedizin - Die Mortalität der akuten mesenterialen Ischämie ist nach wie vor sehr hoch. Auch bei einem standardisierten viszeral- und gefäßchirurgischen...     

Quantification of periaortic adipose tissue in contrast-enhanced CT angiography: technical feasibility and methodological considerations

The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - To examine the feasibility of the quantification of abdominal periaortic fat tissue (PaFT) (tissue within − 45 to...     

Do characteristic spermatozoal morphological abnormalities exist in patients who have undergone unilateral orchiectomy and preventive radiotherapy?

DESIGN: We examined 16 men who had been subjected to unilateral orchiectomy owing to seminoma and to preventive radiotherapy, in order to investigate the morphologic abnormalities of the spermatozoa (headless and small-round-headedness) that may contribute to infertility. RESULTS: The same morphologic abnormalities of the head and neck found in the semen samples of fertile men were also found in the semen samples of the patients, albeit in higher percentages; the morphologic abnormalities of the tail in the semen samples of the patients were similar to those of the fertile men, both qualitatively and quantitatively. CONCLUSION: No specifically characteristic morphologic abnormalities of the spermatozoa were detected in men who were subjected to unilateral orchiectomy and to preventive radiotherapy in comparison with fertile men. The percentage rate of morphologic tail abnormalities is not affected by preventive radiotherapy.     

Factors that may predispose to rupture of tubal ectopic pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate factors that may predispose to rupture of tubal ectopic pregnancy. The study included 99 cases of ectopic pregnancies that were treated during the 5-year period 1992-1996. RESULTS: It was found that: (1) tubal rupture is encountered more often in women with no history of ectopic pregnancy and in those who have full-term pregnancy, suggesting that ectopic pregnancy is less suspected in these women; (2) tubal rupture is encountered less often in lower age ectopic pregnancy; and (3) serum beta-hCG level does not predict tubal rupture. CONCLUSIONS: Rupture of the tube is more often observed in women with a history of ectopic pregnancy and in women with full-term pregnancy. Such observations suggest that ectopic pregnancy is less suspect in these cases.     

Uterine artery Doppler velocimetry with leiomyomas

The study was conducted to establish a correlation between Doppler velocimetry in relation to uterine weight in any phase of the menstrual cycle and symptoms in women who have leiomyomas. Doppler velocimetry was carried out on both uterine arteries in 18 pre-menopausal women and one post-menopausal woman prior to undergoing abdominal hysterectomy at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, NY and at Ioannina University Hospital. The t-test was used for statistical analysis. Changes in flow velocity correlatd directly with uterine size. When a division at 500 g was used, S/D ratio was 2.74±0.53 for larger uteri vs. 4.2±1.24 for smaller uteri, p<0.006. Eight women presented heavy bleeding and the mean S/D ratio was 3.75±1.36 while eleven women presented mild bleeding and the mean S/D ratio was 3.51±1.2 (p>0.5). Thus the study has demonstrated that in cases of uterine leiomyomas, the uterine artery flow increases although angiography had previously shown decreased vascularity within the tumor. Received: 9 April 1997 / Accepted: 22 December 1997     

Successful pregnancy and delivery in a young woman with cystic fibrosis and gestational diabetes.

We describe a 23-year-old Delta F508 homozygote cystic fibrosis primigravida. At the onset of gestation, she had mild to moderate pulmonary involvement, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, focal biliary cirrhosis, satisfactory nutritional status and normal fasting and post-prandial glucose blood levels. At 29 weeks, she developed polyhydramnion and gestational diabetes. At 37 weeks, she was delivered of a live 2,980 g boy by caesarean section under epidural anaesthesia. Insulin was subsequently discontinued and her pulmonary function improved spontaneously. Neither maternal nor neonatal health problems were observed during the 3-month follow-up.