Comparison of intrauterine insemination and timed intercourse following controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in unexplained infertility: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Being a diagnosis of exclusion the treatment options of unexplained infertility are often empiric. There is significant dilemma regarding the superiority of one over another. Despite increasing use of intrauterine insemination (IUI) in adjunct to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) there is scarcity of randomized controlled trials (RCT) from developing countries. Objective was to compare IUI and timed intercourse (TI) in super ovulated cycles among couples with unexplained infertility over one year.Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled trial total 85 patients were randomly assigned into group 1 (COH with IUI, N= 44) and group 2 (COH with TI, N=41). Patients underwent COH using sequential Clomiphene Citrate and injection human menopausal gonadotrophin followed by IUI in group 1 and timed intercourse in group 2. Either protocol was repeated for three consecutive cycles. Finally, both groups were compared for clinical pregnancy rate, adverse effects and acceptability of the treatment process and outcome. Comparison was done by Student’s unpaired t test for continuous and 2-tailed chi square test for categorical variables.Results: Clinical pregnancy rates following COH/IUI and COH/TI were 13.64% and 19.51% respectively. There was observable difference in the acceptability of the outcome (38.64% in IUI and 56.09% in TI group). All the results including complications and side effect rates were statistically insignificant.Conclusions: Present study failed to show any improvement of pregnancy rates following addition of IUI over TI and it raised the probability that the outcome of the procedure may not be well accepted.

Primary pelvic hydatid cyst in a postmenopausal female: a surgical challenge

Primary pelvic hydatid cysts are a rare entity and are often overlooked as a differential diagnosis of a pelvic-space-occupying lesion particularly in non-endemic regions. Unpreparedness and a hasty decision on the surgical approach may end in life-threatening complications and systemic dissemination of the disease. We report the case of a 55-year-old postmenopausal woman with a history of two previous unsuccessful surgeries to remove pelvic cystic lesions due to dense adhesions between the surrounding gut wall, bladder, and the cyst wall. Clinical and imaging findings failed to diagnose the nature of the cysts, and a laparotomy was contemplated. On the third surgical attempt, the clinical suspicion was considered and by meticulous dissection the cysts were removed thoroughly without undue complications. In the postoperative follow-up period there was no sign of disease recurrence or dissemination.