Hysteroscopic tubal cannulation for management of proximal tubal obstruction

Tubal obstruction is a frequent cause of infertility, proximal tubal block represents 25-30% of the cases of tubal obstruction and is always challenging in its diagnosis and treatment. This study which took part in Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital and recruited 24 patients evaluates hysteroscopy tubal cannulation for the management of proximal tubal block. Results are evaluated in terms of tubal patency and pregnancy rate following the procedure

Tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF alpha] in preeclampsia

To investigate the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF alpha] in the etiology and pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The current study was performed in Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital and included fifty six [56] nulliparous women, in their last trimester of pregnancy. Twenty [20] of them were normotensive and served as a control group. The remainder [36] had different grades of preeclampsia [mild preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia] and they constituted the patient group. Serum and placental TNF alpha were measured in both groups using immunoradiometric assay. Elevated serum level of TNF alpha was found in preeclamptic group mild and severe preeclampsia], with a mean of 18.39 pg/ml. In contrast, the mean of control group serum TNF alpha was 12.75 pg/ml; the difference between both groups was statistically significant [P<0.05]. As regard to the placental level of TNF alpha, the mean was 90.54 pg/gm placental wet weights in preeclamptic group and 61.51 in the control group and the difference was statistically significant. [P < 0.05]. However by dividing the preeclampting group into mild and severe statistically significant difference was found between severe preeclampsia and control group [P < 0.05] regarding both serum and placental TNF alpha. Comparing mild preeclampsia and control group revealed, there was statistically significant difference regarding placental TNF alpha [P < 0.05], and there was no statistically significant difference regarding serum TNF alpha [P> 0.05]. This study has demonstrated that TNF alpha levels are elevated in both sera and placentae in patients with preeclampsia and associated with severity of the disease. It may serve as marker of the severity of the disease

Chlamydial antibodies among copper T intrauterine contraceptive device users

Approximately 60 million women use the intrauterine contraceptive devices [IUCD] worldwide. IUCD constitutes one of the most accepted and widely used methods of contraception especially in the developing countries. Several studies have demonstrated an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease [PID] in women using intrauterine contraceptive devices. The role of chlamydia trachomatis in causing PID among IUCD users is not clear. This prospective study aims to clarify the effect of copper T IUCD on the incidence of chlamydia trachomatis infection in the female genital tract. This was done by measuring anti-chlamydia antibodies in the serum of copper T IUCD users compared to non-users among 100 patients attending Family Planning Clinic in Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital. The results showed that Chlamydia antibodies were significantly higher [P < 0.01] among IUCD users compared to non-users. In addition, on linking diagnostic criteria of chlamydia trachomatis infection to the mean serology of chlamydial antibodies, there was no significant correlation to serology [P > 0.05]. This indicates the silent nature of this infection and the importance of screening of chlamydia trachomatis among women at riskor acquiring this infection