Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes after periconceptional exposure to isotretinoin in Koreans

Objective@#Isotretinoin should not be used during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. Most pregnant women exposed to isotretinoin choose voluntary pregnancy termination due to concerns about birth defects. However, birth outcome data supporting the termination of pregnancy are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate pregnancy and neonatal outcomes after periconception exposure to isotretinoin. @*Methods@#This was a prospective cohort study. We evaluated pregnancy and neonatal outcomes after exposure to isotretinoin in 151 pregnant women. Among 1,026 callers at the Korean Teratology Information Service from 2001 to 2017 exposed to isotretinoin during the periconception period, 151 pregnant women who received counseling on teratogenic risk after visiting the clinic were included. @*Results@#Among the 151 participants who visited the clinic, only 42 were evaluated using ultrasonography until approximately 20 weeks of gestation. Ultimately, 23 patients were included in the study. The average gestation period during the last exposure to the drug was 2 weeks, and the average daily exposure dose was 12 mg. There were two cases of major birth defects in the exposure group. Spontaneous abortion rates were 17.7% and 8.7% in the exposure and nonexposure groups, respectively (P=0.035). There was no significant difference between the exposure and non-exposure groups in terms of pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. @*Conclusion@#There was no significant difference in pregnancy and neonatal outcomes, including birth defects, between the exposure and non-exposure groups. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required to validate our findings.

Uterine alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in an elderly patient manifesting extremely poor prognosis; a rare subtype of rhabdomyosarcoma

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) arising in the corpus uteri is an extremely rare condition with exceptionally rapid progression and poor prognosis. Furthermore, ARMS is primarily diagnosed in the pediatric population. Due to rarity of the disease, there are no standard treatment guidelines. A 90-year-old woman was presented with a huge pelvic mass causing dyspnea and abdominal distension. The patient underwent debulking surgery and was diagnosed with uterine ARMS by fresh specimen biopsy. Despite intensive postoperative care, the patient died on the eighth postoperative day. Here, we report a case of uterine ARMS that will add to our understanding of this exceptionally rare type of tumor.

The rates of major malformations after gestational exposure to isotretinoin: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective@#Isotretinoin is among the most notorious human teratogens, documented originally as causing up to 30% of malformations. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the rates of major malformation (MM) among isotretinoin-exposed pregnant women over the years through a systematic review and meta-analysis. @*Methods@#Eligible studies were searched and identified using various databases. Single-arm meta-analysis and meta-analysis of odd ratios among controlled studies were performed using Review Manager version 5.3. @*Results@#Ten eligible studies that combined 2,783 isotretinoin-exposed women were included in our study. The rate of MM weighted for the sample size was 15%. Three studies that included an unexposed comparison group were eligible for the meta-analysis. The pooled odds ratio of MM for isotretinoin-exposed women was 3.76. After 2006, the pooled odds ratio of MM for isotretinoin exposure was significantly lower at 1.04. @*Conclusion@#The current rate of MM in isotretinoin-exposed women was substantially lower after 2006.

Uterine alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in an elderly patient manifesting extremely poor prognosis; a rare subtype of rhabdomyosarcoma

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) arising in the corpus uteri is an extremely rare condition with exceptionally rapid progression and poor prognosis. Furthermore, ARMS is primarily diagnosed in the pediatric population. Due to rarity of the disease, there are no standard treatment guidelines. A 90-year-old woman was presented with a huge pelvic mass causing dyspnea and abdominal distension. The patient underwent debulking surgery and was diagnosed with uterine ARMS by fresh specimen biopsy. Despite intensive postoperative care, the patient died on the eighth postoperative day. Here, we report a case of uterine ARMS that will add to our understanding of this exceptionally rare type of tumor.

The rates of major malformations after gestational exposure to isotretinoin: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective@#Isotretinoin is among the most notorious human teratogens, documented originally as causing up to 30% of malformations. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the rates of major malformation (MM) among isotretinoin-exposed pregnant women over the years through a systematic review and meta-analysis. @*Methods@#Eligible studies were searched and identified using various databases. Single-arm meta-analysis and meta-analysis of odd ratios among controlled studies were performed using Review Manager version 5.3. @*Results@#Ten eligible studies that combined 2,783 isotretinoin-exposed women were included in our study. The rate of MM weighted for the sample size was 15%. Three studies that included an unexposed comparison group were eligible for the meta-analysis. The pooled odds ratio of MM for isotretinoin-exposed women was 3.76. After 2006, the pooled odds ratio of MM for isotretinoin exposure was significantly lower at 1.04. @*Conclusion@#The current rate of MM in isotretinoin-exposed women was substantially lower after 2006.

Ovarian pregnancy rupture in second trimester manifesting mental change in pregnancy: a case report

Ovarian pregnancies comprise approximately 3% of ectopic pregnancies. Moreover, ovarian pregnancies in the second trimester are extremely rare. We herein present a case of ruptured ovarian pregnancy in the second trimester. A 26-year-old Asian woman presented to our hospital complaining of an abrupt mental change. She was pregnant; however, she had not been receiving antenatal care. Her initial vital signs were unstable, and pelvic ultrasound revealed pelvic fluid collection. We analyzed the hemoperitoneum and performed exploratory laparotomy. When her abdomen was opened, we observed that her right ovary was ruptured. Placental cord insertion originated from the ovary, and a fetus was found in the pelvic cavity. The ovarian pregnancy was detected in a delayed state. Pregnant women require appropriate antenatal care, and pelvic ultrasound should be performed in the second trimester to ensure that the fetus is in the intrauterine cavity.

Delayed intestinal perforation and vertebral osteomyelitis after high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment for uterine leiomyoma

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive uterine fibroid treatment option for patients who want to preserve fertility. However, according to several reports regarding ablation of solid tumors by HIFU, there are rare complications in patients with uterine leiomyomas, and overall data are still insufficient. Here, we report rare and major complications of HIFU, such as delayed intestinal perforation, uterine perforation with recto-uterine fistula, and osteomyelitis 29 days after the HIFU procedure to treat multiple myomas. Thus, we present a very serious case resulting from HIFU treatment of uterine fibroids and a review of the literature.

Knowledge of HPV and Surgery among Women Who Underwent Cervical Conization: A Korean Multi-Center Study

PURPOSE: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a well-known cause of cervical cancer, which, along with its precursors, can be diagnosed and treated with cervical conization (CC). This study aimed to assess HPV- and procedure-related knowledge among women who had undergone CC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February and May 2014, consecutive women who had undergone CC at five different educational hospitals were recruited. All patients had undergone a loop electrosurgical excision procedure as the method of CC. A survey was conducted with a self-developed, 29-item questionnaire, measuring knowledge related to HPV and CC. We analyzed the responses of 160 patients who completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean total knowledge scores (±standard deviation) for HPV and CC were 5.2±3.0 of a possible 13.0 and 8.3±4.2 of a possible 16.0, respectively. While 73% of the patients knew that HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer, only 44% knew that HPV is sexually transmitted. The purpose of CC was correctly identified by 71% of the patients. However, 35% failed to indicate the anatomical area resected at the time of CC in the schematic diagram. Women who were younger (p<0.001), had higher education level (p<0.001), and higher family income (p=0.008) had higher knowledge scores. In contrast, neither interval from CC to survey nor disease severity were associated with total knowledge score. CONCLUSION: The level of knowledge related to HPV and CC was unexpectedly low in women who had undergone CC. Intuitive educational resources may improve this knowledge, and further cohort studies are warranted.

Carcinosarcoma of the uterine cervix arising from Mullerian ducts

Carcinosarcomas of the uterine cervix are extremely rare. Cervical carcinosarcoma can be characterized by having two different origins: the Mullerian ducts and the mesonephric duct remnants. A 53-year-old Korean woman was admitted to the hospital because of pelvic mass detected on computed tomography scan done at private clinic. A Radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingooophorectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy was carried out upon a diagnosis of stage IB2 cervical sarcoma. Immunohistochemically, the epithelial component was positive for pancytokeratin and estrogen receptor, but negative for CD 10 and carletinin. The mesenchymal component was positive for vimentin. The histopathologic diagnosis was a carcinosarcoma of the uterine cervix arising from Mullerian ducts. She underwent chemotherapy. She developed systemic recurrence seven months after operation and died of disease. The origin of cervical carcinosarcoma needs to be verified and immunohistochemical studies using mesonephric marker (CD 10, carletinin, and estrogen receptor) is helpful.

Innervation in women with uterine myoma and adenomyosis

OBJECTIVE: To determine if neurofilament (NF) is expressed in the endometrium and the lesions of myomas and adenomyosis, and to determine their correlation. METHODS: Histologic sections were prepared from hysterectomies performed on women with adenomyosis (n=21), uterine myoma (n=31), and carcinoma in situ of the uterine cervix. Full-thickness uterine paraffin blocks, which included the endometrium and myometrium histologic sections, were stained immunohistochemically using the antibodies for monoclonal mouse antihuman NF protein. RESULTS: NF-positive cells were found in the endometrium and myometrium in 11 women with myoma and in 7 with adenomyosis, but not in patients with carcinoma in situ of uterine cervix, although the difference was statistically not significant. There was no significant difference between the existence of NF-positive cells and menstrual pain or phases. The NF-positive nerve fibers were in direct contact with the lesions in nine cases (29.0%) of myoma and in five cases (23.8%) of adenomyosis. It was analyzed if there was a statistical significance between the existence of NF positive cells in the endometrium and the expression of NF-positive cells in the uterine myoma/adenomyosis lesions. When NF-positive cell were detected in the myoma lesions, the incidence of NF-positive nerve cells in the eutopic endometrium was significantly high. When NF-positive cell were detected in the basal layer, the incidence of NF-positive nerve cells in the myoma lesions and adenomyosis lesions was significantly high. CONCLUSION: We assume that NF-positive cells in the endometrium and the myoma and adenomyosis lesions might play a role in pathogenesis. Therefore, more studies may be needed on the mechanisms of nerve fiber growth in estrogen-dependent diseases.

Discrepancy between Non-stress Test Result and Umbilical Artery Doppler Study in a Pregnancy Complicated by Diabetes; A Case Report / 대한주산의학회잡지

Pregestational diabetes is a well-known risk factor for perinatal mortality, and regarded as an important cause of stillbirth. Unfortunately, more than half of stillbirths remain unexplained. Nevertheless, there is no consensus regarding the optimal timing and content of antepartum testing in pregnancies complicated by diabetes. A 32-year-old primigravida presented with diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy. Antenatal fetal surveillance tests including nonstress test, biophysical profile, and Doppler waveforms of umbilical arteries were performed twice weekly, beginning at 32 weeks gestation. At 37(+4) weeks' gestation, a discrepancy in the surveillance test results arose when reversed end-diastolic flow in the umbilical arteries was seen, despite a reactive nonstress test. A male baby was delivered by cesarean section. The umbilical arterial pH at delivery was 7.171. Antenatal fetal surveillance in pregnancies complicated by diabetes should include evaluation of Doppler waveforms in the umbilical vessels, regardless of the presence or absence of maternal vasculopathy.

Pelvic actinomycosis associated with bilateral hydronephrosis developed in a nulligravida woman / 대한산부인과학회지

Pelvic actinomycosis is well-known to be associated with the longstanding use of intrauterine devices, sometimes related with a pregnancy history and an obstetric and/or gynecologic surgery. It can extend to the retroperitoneum and may also be associated with ureteral obstruction. In this case, pelvic actinomycosis in the form of bilateral tubo-ovarian abscess extending to the retroperitoneum resulting in bilateral hydronephrosis occurred in a nulligravida woman who had only few prior sexual intercourses. Apparently, pelvic actinomycosis can occur without any specific history. Moreover, such could possibly give rise to hydronephrosis by direct extension to the retroperitoneum.