ABSTRACT
Germ cell tumors are malignant (cancerous) or nonmalignant (benign, noncancerous) tumors that are comprised mostly of germ cells, the cells that develop in the embryo and become the cells that make up the reproductive system in male and female. Most ovarian tumors are of germ cell origin. A 5-year-old female child was taken to the Paediatrics department at Tawau General Hospital (TGH), Sabah, Malaysia on 10.4.2005 with gradual distension of abdomen which had been noticed by parents for the last 2 months. As bedside ultrasonography (USG) showed mixed echogenic mass in the lower abdomen, CT scan of abdomen was requested for further delineation. CT scan of abdomen done on 18.4.2005 showed a very large (about 12 × 9 cm) mixed density mass with homogenously enhancing well defined borders in the abdomen extending from the pelvic cavity to the upper abdomen causing significant pressure effect downwards towards urinary bladder and contrast material filled guts outwards and backwards mostly occupying the anterior part of abdominal cavity. The tumor was removed surgically and diagnosed as ovarian teratoma histopathologically.
ABSTRACT
Background: Premature rupture of membrane (PROM) is one of the common complications of pregnancy that has major impact on fetal and neonatal outcome. It is the commonest clinical event where a normal pregnancy becomes suddenly a high-risk one for mother and fetus or neonate. Objective: The study was undertaken to investigate whether raised fibronectin level in vaginal fluid may indicate premature rupture of membrane. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Sir Salimullah Medical College & Mitford Hospital, Dhaka during the period of January 2006 to December 2007. A total of 114 pregnant women with gestational age 28th week up to 40th week were included. Sixty were PROM (Group I) and 54 were non-PROM (Group II) subjects. Fibronectin in vaginal fluid was measured by an immunochemical reaction by nephelometer. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 10.0. Results: The PROM patients had significantly higher concentration of fibronectin (225.77 ± 115.18 ng/mL) compared to that in non-PROM subjects (8.04 ± 16.17 ng/mL) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: It can be concluded that in cases of unequivocal rupture or intactness of the membranes, the result of the fibronectin test corresponds well with the clinical situation. So fibronectin is a sensitive test for detection of amniotic fluid in the vagina.