The relationship between ovarian volume and serum CA-125 levels.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between ovarian volume and serum CA-125 levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum CA-125 levels and ovarian volume were compared among the cases with benign ovarian neoplasms, primary epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Also, the correlation between CA-125 levels and ovarian volume were evaluated in the presence of peritoneal fluid and/or peritoneal carcinomatosis. RESULTS: Although ovarian volume was not different among the groups, CA-125 levels were higher in the cases with EOC than with benign ovarian tumors (p = 0.001). Baseline CA-125 levels were not found to have increased while ovarian volume went up with controlled hyperstimulation in the infertile group (p = 0.555). However, uncontrolled hyperstimulation of the ovaries and the presence of peritoneal fluid caused an increase in the levels of CA-125 (p = 0.001). There was no correlation between ovarian volume and CA-125 levels in the cases with malignant ovarian tumors (r = 0.083). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study have confirmed that CA-125 is a peritoneal marker and increased ovarian volume with benign ovarian neoplasms or controlled hyperstimulation does not increase CA-125 levels in the same way. The presence of peritoneal carcinomatosis and/or peritoneal fluid seems to be an important factor for high CA-125 levels in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Does ovarian endometrioma affect the number of oocytes retrieved for in vitro fertilization?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of ovarian endometrioma on the number of oocytes retrieved for in vitro fertilization (IVF). BACKGROUND: The presence of endometrioma may be the most important predictor of a poor reproductive outcome. Literature data suggest that ovarian endometriomas might affect the response to ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval. METHODS: The present retrospective study evaluates 2,023 women who applied to our center with an infertility complaint. Twenty-nine women with endometriomas (group 1) who were treated with IVF were included in the study. They were compared with 51 women with unexplained infertility (group 2) regarding the number of retrieved oocytes after egg retrieval and number of metaphase II oocytes. The diagnosis of endometrioma was made via ultrasound examination with the identification of low-density cystic masses in the ovaries. The patients underwent a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) with either the long agonist mini-dose protocol or the multi-dose antagonist protocol. RESULTS: The incidence of endometrioma in infertile women was found to be 1.4 %. The women's ages ranged between 24 and 45 years, and the duration of their infertility ranged between 12 and 216 months. The endometrioma was bilateral in 24 % of the cases. The mean endometrioma diameter was 26.2±7.3 mm for the right ovary and 23.2±6.1 mm for the left ovary. The average number of retrieved oocytes after egg retrieval in groups 1 and 2 was 12.4±8.3 and 12.2±8.6, respectively. The average number of metaphase II oocytes in groups 1 and 2 was 8.6±6.1 and 9.4±7.3, respectively. The number of retrieved oocytes after egg retrieval and the number of metaphase II oocytes in both endometrioma group and unexplained infertile group were similar (p >0.05). CONCLUSION: Endometrioma did not reduce the number of retrieved oocytes in a COH cycle for IVF treatment. However it should be noted that the ovarian response is affected by the size of endometriomas, bilaterality, previous surgeries, recurrence, and the patient's age (Tab. 1, Ref. 31).

Factors affecting pregnancy in IVF: age and duration of embryo transfer.

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate factors affecting clinical pregnancy rates, especially age and duration of embryo transfer, in IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles (1313 embryo transfers). Overall clinical pregnancy rate was 30.0% (n=394). Clinical pregnancy rates were found to be 31.6% for the <44 s interval, 25.9% for the 45-59 s interval and 23.6% for the > or = 60 s interval (P=0.020). In the <35 year age group, clinical pregnancy rates were 35.1%, 29.9% and 30.6%, and in the > or = 35 year age group, they were 26.9%, 21.0% and 13.4% (P=0.013), respectively. According to logistic regression analyses, the odds of failed pregnancy increased by 1.61 times [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-2.41] for embryo transfer durations longer than 60 s and odds ratios of a failed pregnancy were 1.53 (95% CI 1.18-1.99) in the > or = 35 year age group, 1.49 (95% CI 1.05-2.12) for fewer than five oocytes and 3.38 (95% CI 2.10-5.43) for fewer than two transferred embryos. In conclusion, to increase the likelihood of a successful pregnancy in women over 35 years of age, the duration of embryo transfer must be kept below 60 s. The number of oocytes obtained and the number of transferred embryos also play a role in the success of pregnancy.

Removal of intra-abdominal intrauterine device by laparoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the cases in which intra-abdominal intrauterine devices (IUDs) were removed by laparoscopy. METHODS: A retrospective study, from 1994 to 2000 was carried out with eight patients who underwent laparoscopy for the removal of an IUD. The patients admitted to our clinic with 'lost IUD' were examined by pelvic ultrasonography, X-ray and hysteroscopy. IUDs were found to be extrauterine but within the abdominal cavity. The IUDs were removed by operative laparoscopy. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 31.5 years. The mean duration of usage of IUD was 5.5 years. The IUD was located in the cavity of Douglas in four cases, in the posterior wall of the uterus (perimetrium) in one case and in the conglomerated mass bordered by the intestines in three cases. The types of the IUDs were Cu-T 380A (n = 5), Multiload (n = 1) and Lippes-Loop (n = 2). The mean laparoscopic operation time was 25 min. No major complications (intestinal or vessel injuries) or minor problems occurred. Laparotomy was not necessary in any of the eight cases. All cases were treated as out-patients and discharged on the same day. After counselling, three women requested sterilization, which was performed at the same laparoscopy session by the administration of bilateral Yoon rings, and other family planning methods were chosen by five women. There were no problems when cases were followed at the 10th and 30th postoperative days. DISCUSSION: Our results support the idea that, in cases of extrauterine but intra-abdominal IUD, laparoscopic removal of the IUD must be the first choice of therapy.

Role of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in infertility due to tubal factor.

The prevalence of IgG antibodies to C. trachomatis was determined in 185 infertile women who underwent laparoscopy, and 110 pregnant women with no known infertility problems. In addition, chlamydial antigens were evaluated by EIA in cervical samples taken from all subjects. Subjects with tubal infertility had the highest prevalence of chlamydial antigen and antibody (P less than 0.01). While the percentage of subjects with antigen and antibody positive was 11.6 per cent, those with antigen negative and antibody positive averaged 55.8 per cent among women with tubal related infertility. The results of our study provide additional support to the concept that infertility of tubal etiology often is a sequela of a previous chlamydial infection.

[Abdominal pregnancy. Six personal cases]. / La grossesse abdominale. A propos de six cas personnels.

This study consists of six accurately diagnosed and treated cases of abdominal pregnancy over a 16-year period (1974-1989) in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Cukurova University Medical Faculty in Adana. In this study the incidence of abdominal pregnancy we found was 1 per 4,017 births. In two cases whose pregnancies continued until term, living babies were delivered. The separation of placenta was easy in four cases. However in the other two cases, the management of placenta detachment was difficult because of the stick adhesions with visseria; so in these cases the placenta tissues were left in the abdomen. The methotrexate was administered to eroze to the placenta in these cases. One of them who received methotrexate died of infection.

Giant cervical polyp due to a foreign body in a 'virgin'.

A 17-year-old virgin who had a giant cervical polyp which had developed through a foreign body and protruded out of the hymen was evaluated; the aetiological significance of the foreign body in the formation of the cervical polyp is discussed.