ABSTRACT
The primary aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic impact (defined as disease-free-DFS and overall survival-OS) of the ultrasound scan tumor parameters, patients' anthropometric parameters, and their combination in early-stage cervical cancer. The secondary aim was to assess the relation between ultrasound characteristics and pathological parametrial infiltration. This is a retrospective, single-center, observational cohort study. Consecutive patients with clinical FIGO 2018 stage IA1-IB2 and IIA1 cervical cancer who underwent preoperative ultrasound examination and radical surgery between 02/2012 and 06/2019 were included. Patients who underwent neo-adjuvant treatment, fertility sparing surgery, and pre-operative conization were excluded. Data from 164 patients were analyzed. Body mass index (BMI) ≤20 Kg/m2 (p < 0.001) and ultrasound tumor volume (p = 0.038) were related to a higher risk of recurrence. The ratios between ultrasound tumor volume and BMI, ultrasound tumor volume and height, and ultrasound largest tumor diameter and BMI were significantly related to a higher risk of recurrence (p = 0.011, p = 0.031, and p = 0.017, respectively). The only anthropometric characteristic related to a higher risk of death was BMI ≤20 Kg/m2 (p = 0.021). In the multivariate analysis, the ratio between ultrasound-measured largest tumor diameter and cervix-fundus uterine diameter (with 37 as the cut-off) was significantly associated with pathological microscopic parametrial infiltration (p = 0.018). In conclusion, a low BMI was the most significant anthropometric biomarker impairing DFS and OS in patients with apparent early-stage cervical cancer. The ratios between ultrasound tumor volume and BMI, ultrasound tumor volume and height, and ultrasound largest tumor diameter and BMI significantly affected DFS but not OS. The ratio between ultrasound-measured largest tumor diameter and cervix-fundus uterine diameter was related to parametrial infiltration. These novel prognostic parameters may be useful in pre-operative workup for a patient-tailored treatment in early-stage cervical cancer.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to clarify the vitamin D (VD) effect on male infertility. Our research was conducted using the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Library. Selection criteria included all published randomized controlled trials and non-randomized studies, focusing on vitamin D and male reproductive function. The results showed that the effects of VD on male reproduction has been investigated in three different topics: the molecular mechanism underlying VD effects on semen quality (SQ), the relationship between VD levels and SQ, and the effect of VD supplementation on SQ. Results supported the hypothesis of a relevant interrelation between concentrations of male VD and semen parameters, with particular reference to sperm motility; on the contrary, evidence on the effect of VD on male sex steroid hormone levels was inconclusive. The results of this review hold up the thesis that VD plays a role in male reproduction. Most of the data highlighted a positive effect on semen quality, particularly in sperm motility, both in fertile and infertile men. Additional dedicated studies are required to elucidate the still controversial aspects of this topic.
Subject(s)
Infertility, Male , Vitamin D , Humans , Male , Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Semen Analysis , Sperm MotilityABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Incomplete obliteration of the urachal lumen could cause different types of anomalies and urachal cyst is the most common among these in the adult population. It is usually asymptomatic and may be an incidental finding during a surgical exploration for other reasons. However, it can be subject to complications. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 38-year-old female patient with history of worsening lower-quadrants abdominal pain, associated with fever and chills, presented to emergency room; clinical examination revealed a painful, tender, and fixed lump to the left inferior abdominal quadrant. Ultrasound reveled a left adnexal mass and, along the midline, between the adnexal mass, the bladder and the uterus, was evident a 3-cm unilocular cyst with regular walls and hypoechoic content. MRI confirmed the suspicion of a left tubo-ovarian abscess and suggested a diagnosis of urachal remnant for the smaller midline cyst. In this report, we describe the step-by-step laparoscopic management of the case, paying attention to "the tips and tricks" for urachal cyst excision. DISCUSSION: The urachal cyst, which results from the accumulations of secretions in urachal remnant, presents as a single or multiple parietal abdominal mass, per se asymptomatic. However, this condition is not without risk and infection represents the most common complication. Ultrasound is very useful in the diagnostic phase. Today, the main approach has become laparoscopic excision, with particular attention to a radical removing of the mass, due to high recurrence rate and the risk of malignancy. CONCLUSION: In our experience, laparoscopy represents an excellent diagnostic and therapeutic tool for urachal cyst, especially for patients with acute urgent conditions, doubtful clinical history, and no clear signs or symptoms.
