The effect of small size uterine fibroids on pregnancy outcomes in high-risk pregnancies

Abstract Objective To evaluate the obstetric outcomes of singleton high-risk pregnancies with a small size uterine fibroid. Methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted among 172 high-risk pregnant women who were followed-up by a single surgeon between 2016 and 2019. Pregnant women with preconceptionally diagnosed small size (< 5 cm) single uterine fibroids (n = 25) were compared with pregnant women without uterine fibroids (n = 147) in terms of obstetric outcomes. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The size of the fibroids was increased in 60% of the cases, and the growth percentage of the fibroids was 25% during pregnancy. Intrapartum and short-term complication was not observed in women who underwent cesarean myomectomy. Conclusion Small size uterine fibroids seem to have no adverse effect on pregnancy outcomes even in high-risk pregnancies, and cesarean myomectomy may be safelyperformed in properly selected cases.

Outcomes of cases of prenatally-diagnosed congenital pulmonary airway malformation / Desfechos de casos de malformação das vias respiratórias diagnosticados no pré-natal

Abstract Objective To evaluate the outcomes of cases of prenatally-diagnosed congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM). Methods We retrospectively evaluated cases of prenatally-diagnosed CPAM between 2004 and 2018. Ultrasonographic features such as visualization of a fetal lung mass and heterogeneous pulmonary parenchyma were used for CPAM diagnosis. Prenatal and postnatal findings were compared in terms of accuracy regarding the CPAM diagnosis. Results The sample consisted of 27 cases. There were four cases in which the patients opted for the termination of pregnancy due to the severity of the lesion. A total of 23 neonates were delivered, and CPAM was confirmed in 15 cases. Themedian gestational age at delivery was 37 weeks (28-40 weeks) and the mean birth weight was 2,776 g. There were two neonatal deaths, one due to pneumothorax, and the other due to hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). A total of five patients with respiratory problems were operated in the postpartum period. There were eight misdiagnosis: bronchopulmonary sequestration (five cases), congenital lobar emphysema (two cases), and congenital diaphragm hernia (one case). Conclusion A precise postnatal diagnosis is very important to organize the proper management of the pregnancies with fetuses with CPAM. The positive predictive value of the prenatal diagnosis of CPAM via ultrasonography is of 70.3%. The differential diagnosis of CPAM may be prolonged to the postpartum period in some cases.

Methotrexate therapy for ectopic pregnancies: A tertiary center experience

Abstract Objective Our aim is to demonstrate the importance of methotrexate (MTX) therapy for the treatment of ectopic pregnancy (EP). Methods This retrospective study consisted of 99 patients (72 tubal EPs, 20 pregnancies of unknown location (PUL), 4 cesarean section (CS) scar EPs and 3 cervical EPs) treated with MTX. Results Methotrexate therapy was successful in 68.5% of EPs. There were statistically significant differences between the MTX success and failure groups based on ultrasonographic findings, patient complaints, gestational week and serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) values. The MTX success rates in PUL and tubal pregnancies were 95% and 61.1%, respectively. The MTX success rates in single-dose, two-dose and multi-dose protocol groups were 86.9%, 28.6% and 40%, respectively. All cervical and CS scar ectopic pregnancies were treated successfully with MTX therapy. Conclusion Methotrexate might be the first-line treatment option for EPs under certain conditions. Physicians must be more cautious in cases with higher hCG values, the presence of abdominal-pelvic pain, the presence of fetal cardiac activity, larger gestational sac (GS) diameters, and more advanced gestational weeks according to the last menstrual period.