Pregnancy outcome after ultrasound diagnosis of fetal intra-abdominal umbilical vein varix.

OBJECTIVES: Fetal intra-abdominal umbilical vein (FIUV) varix is a focal dilatation of the intra-abdominal portion of the umbilical vein, which has been reported to be associated with intrauterine death and other anomalies. Our aim was to examine our experience with this diagnosis at a single tertiary-care center and to correlate it with clinical outcome. METHODS: This was a retrospective case series study. Our ultrasound database was searched for all cases with a diagnosis of FIUV varix identified at our facility between 1997 and 2007. We reviewed all ultrasound examinations, maternal antenatal records, delivery records and newborns' medical records. RESULTS: We identified 52 cases of FIUV among a population of approximately 68,000. Three cases of trisomy 21 were identified, all of which were accompanied by other anomalies. There was intrauterine death of one fetus with trisomy 21 at 35 weeks of gestation. We did not find an association between FIUV varix and other obstetric complications. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of pregnancies with FIUV varix is generally favorable. The finding of a FIUV varix should prompt the search for other anomalies, especially markers of aneuploidy.

Comparison of CT- or ultrasound-guided drainage with concomitant intravenous antibiotics vs. intravenous antibiotics alone in the management of tubo-ovarian abscesses.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of treatment of tubo-ovarian abscesses by imaging-guided drainage and antibiotics vs. intravenous antibiotics alone. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of tubo-ovarian abscess was performed. Patients were categorized into two groups. The first group consisted of subjects treated with intravenous antibiotics alone. Patients in the second group had primary image-guided drainage with concomitant intravenous antibiotics. Treatment failures in the primary antibiotics group underwent salvage drainage when feasible. The primary outcome of interest was complete response. Secondary outcomes included need for additional treatment, duration of resolution of fever, total length of hospital stay, and complication rates. We also evaluated the effectiveness of secondary drainage in patients who failed primary antibiotic therapy alone. RESULTS: A total of 58 patients were included in the study. Fifty patients were treated primarily with intravenous antibiotics; eight patients had primary drainage, which was guided by ultrasound in all cases. Complete response was noted in 29 (58%) patients treated with antibiotics alone. All eight (100%) patients in the primary drainage group responded to treatment. Of the 21 treatment failures with primary antibiotics, two underwent surgery and 19 (90.5%) had salvage drainage with either ultrasound or computed tomographic guidance; 18 of 19 salvage drainages led to complete recovery. Subjects in the primary drainage group required shorter hospital stays and showed more rapid resolution of fever. No significant morbidity was noted as a consequence of drainage procedures. A higher failure rate for secondary drainage was noted in older patients, those with larger tubo-ovarian abscesses, and those with a history of pelvic inflammatory disease. CONCLUSION: Drainage of tubo-ovarian abscesses with concomitant intravenous antibiotics is an effective and safe treatment for the primary or secondary treatment of tubo-ovarian abscesses.

Plasma progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and estriol levels during labor induction with a sustained-release prostaglandin E2 vaginal insert.

OBJECTIVE: To measure plasma progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and estriol levels in women induced for labor with a sustained-release vaginal polymer prostaglandin E2 insert, and to analyze the relationships between the changes in hormone levels and Bishop score. METHODS: Twelve primipara and 12 multipara were treated with a sustained-release polymer vaginal prostaglandin E2 insert (0.3 mg/h) for up to 24 h. The Bishop score was assessed at the start and end of therapy, and serum samples were collected at 4-h intervals. Plasma levels of progesterone, DHEAS and estriol were measured by specific radioimmunoassays. RESULTS: Exposure averaged 13.5 +/- 7.2 h. Progesterone levels decreased in the majority of patients (79.2%) after the start of therapy. Higher baseline DHEAS and estriol levels were observed among women who achieved an improvement in Bishop score of at least 4 during prostaglandin E2 treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Higher DHEAS and estriol levels prior to labor induction with prostaglandin E2 may be indicators of a favorable labor outcome. Additional studies are needed to substantiate the decrease in progesterone levels observed in this study and the importance of this phenomenon for the mechanism of labor induction with prostaglandin E2.

Placental insufficiency and maternal death caused by advanced stage of breast cancer in third trimester.

We describe a case with placental, and general metastases, resulting in transient intrauterine and general hypoxia, and with additionally clinical features similar to HELLP syndrome. A patient in the third trimester with dyspnea at rest developed right heart failure during c-section. During emergency thoracotomy the patient went into generalized shock and died after intense CPR. Placental insufficiency was based on a multilocal metastatic event, decreasing the utero-placental perfusion.

Plasma prostaglandin E(2) metabolite levels during labor induction with a sustained-release prostaglandin E(2) vaginal insert.

OBJECTIVE: To measure prostaglandin E(2) levels during labor induction with a sustained-release vaginal polymer insert (prostaglandin E(2) insert) and to determine whether Bishop score change correlated with tachysystole. METHODS: Twelve primiparas and 12 multiparas were treated with a 0.3 mg per hour sustained-release polymer vaginal prostaglandin E(2) insert for up to 24 hours. Bishop score was assessed at start and end of therapy, and serum samples were collected at 4-hour intervals. Prostaglandin E(2) metabolite (PGEM) levels were measured by specific enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Exposure averaged 13.5 +/- 7.2 hours. Four patients (16.7%, three nulliparas) had tachysystole. Mean PGEM levels increased from 187 +/- 42 pg/mL at baseline to 548 +/- 110 pg/mL at 12 hours (P <.05) and remained relatively stable thereafter. Nulliparas with Bishop score changes of four points or more had the highest increase, with average peak levels of 985 +/- 109 pg/mL, compared with 452 +/- 58 pg/mL for all others (P <.001). Patients with tachysystole had higher 4-hour (P <.01) and overall (P <.04) increases in PGEM level. Removal of the insert led to an average decrease of 335 pg/mL in PGEM levels (P <.01). The decrease correlated with the PGEM level measured before removal (r =.94, P <.0001) and the maximum PGEM increase from baseline (r =.94, P <.0001). The mean mixed venous cord PGEM level was 409 +/- 375 pg/mL. CONCLUSION: Administration of the prostaglandin E(2) insert led to a sustained increase in circulating PGEM levels in women who had labor induction. Peak PGEM levels correlated with Bishop score improvement. Rapid increases in prostaglandin E(2) levels might cause tachysystole.