ABSTRACT
The uterosacral ligaments are an important part of the pelvic support system. The objective of this study was to compare the expression of collagen type I and collagen type III in the uterosacral ligament biopsies from women with and without pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The uterosacral ligament biopsies were obtained from women with POP (n = 29) and non-POP subjects (n = 35). Immunohistochemistry for collagen type I and collagen type III was performed on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded sections. The two groups were matched for age, body mass index, parity and postmenopausal status. The expression of collagen type I (p < 0.001) and collagen type III (p < 0.0001) differed between women with POP and non-POP subjects. There was decreased expression of collagen type I and increased expression of collagen type III in uterosacral ligaments of women with POP compared with non-POP subjects. This difference indicates a possible relationship between POP and the immunohistochemical expression of collagen type I and collagen type III in uterosacral ligaments.
Subject(s)
Connective Tissue/metabolism , Pelvic Organ Prolapse/metabolism , Adult , Aged , Case-Control Studies , Collagen Type I/metabolism , Collagen Type III/metabolism , Connective Tissue/pathology , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Ligaments/metabolism , Ligaments/pathology , Middle Aged , Pelvic Organ Prolapse/pathology , PostmenopauseABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To emphasize the importance of complete ultrasonographic evaluation during the first trimester of pregnancy. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Obstetric unit in a training and research hospital. PATIENT(S): A 27-year-old primigravida woman who reached 37 weeks' gestation with a noncommunicating rudimentary horn pregnancy. INTERVENTION(S): The accurate diagnosis of a noncommunicating rudimentary horn pregnancy was made after cesarean section at 37 weeks' gestation. Rudimentary horn excision and ipsilateral salpingectomy were performed during exploration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Early diagnosis using sonography to prevent maternal morbidity and mortality. RESULT(S): A female baby with a 7/10 apgar score was delivered successfully. The patient and her baby were both discharged in good health. CONCLUSION(S): Rudimentary uterine horn pregnancy should always be considered as a differential diagnosis of intrauterine pregnancy in a bicornuate uterus. A thorough ultrasonographic examination should be performed on the aspects of the pregnancy and the pelvic anatomy. Lack of knowledge of and experience with müllerian anomalies still makes these anomalies difficult to recognize even with laparoscopy.
