Prenatal diagnosis of bowel malposition using T2-weighted fetal MRI sequences.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to investigate the capability of T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in revealing fetal bowel malposition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All fetal MRI examinations (excluding central nervous system MRI examinations) performed in our department from January 2005 to January 2014 were retrospectively studied by 2 independent observers for situs, stomach and jejunum location on T2-weighted images. Patients data were also reviewed for results of ultrasound examinations, MRI indication, and gestational age. Abnormally positioned jejunums were classified into 3 groups: intrathoracic (A), extra-fetal (B) and abnormal intra-fetal (C). Prenatal data were compared to postnatal imaging, surgery or autopsy findings that served as standard of reference. RESULTS: A total of 709 fetal MRI examinations were analyzed. In 64 fetus (9%), the jejunum was not present in the left subgastric area on T2-weighted MR images. In these 64 fetuses, proximal jejunum was intrathoracic (41/64, 64%, group A), extra-fetal (11/64, 17%, group B), or intra-abdominal but abnormally positioned (12/64, 19%, group C). Interobserver agreement was 100%. All diagnoses for fetuses in groups A and B (52 cases) were confirmed postnatally (41 cases) or at autopsy (11 cases). In group C, bowel malposition was suspected after ultrasound in only 2/12 fetuses (16.6%); it was confirmed postnatally in 1 fetus but not confirmed in the remaining one. In the 10 remaining fetuses (83%), malposition was confirmed postnatally although not initially suspected. CONCLUSION: T2-weighted fetal MR images are useful for the prenatal diagnosis of bowel malposition, even when they are unsuspected on ultrasound examination.

Added value of MRI for the prenatal diagnosis of isolated orofacial clefts and comparison with ultrasound.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the added value of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing and assessing isolated orofacial clefts and compare MRI with second-line diagnostic ultrasound. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a two-year prospective bicenter study, fetuses with isolated orofacial clefts were reassessed using second-line diagnostic ultrasound and MRI. The results of second line ultrasound and those MRI were compared to each other. The gestational age at the time of ultrasound and MRI, and the final diagnosis for each of the imaging modalities were recorded. Finally, the results of second line ultrasound and those of MRI were compared to the results of neonatal clinical examination after delivery that served as standard of reference. RESULTS: Twenty-two women were included after informed consent was obtained. On average, diagnostic ultrasound was performed at 25.5weeks of gestation (range: 24-34weeks) and MRI at 29.5weeks of gestation (range: 27-34weeks). The results of ultrasound and those of MRI findings were strictly consistent in 20 women (20/22; 91%) but differed in 2 women (2/22; 9%). For all fetuses, the final radiological diagnosis was confirmed by clinical examination after delivery. CONCLUSION: If ultrasound examination proves technically challenging, fetal MRI can be used to obtain the same diagnostic information in 91% of cases and can help surgeons and interdisciplinary teams provide appropriate antenatal counseling.

[Assessment of shoulder dystocia related knowledge among French obstetrics and gynecology residents]. / Dystocie des épaules : état des lieux de la formation initiale des internes en France.

OBJECTIVE: To study the related knowledge of French residents in obstetrics concerning maneuvers for shoulder dystocia (SD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multicenter descriptive transversal study conducted from June to September 2014. Data collection was performed through questionnaires sent by email to French resident in obstetrics. RESULTS: Among the 1080 questionnaires sent, 366 responses were obtained with a response rate of 33.9%. One hundred and forty-three residents (39.1%) were in the first part of their training (≤5th semester) and 60.9% (n=223) were in the second part of their training. Theoretical training on the SD was provided to 88.2% of resident (n=323). In total, 38.8% (n=142) obtained their French degree in mechanical and technical obstetric and among them 77.5% (n=110) had the opportunity to train on simulators and dummies. Concerning their practical experiences, 31.5% (n=45) residents ≤5th semester reported having experienced SD during their residency vs 58.3% (n=130) amongst oldest residents (P<0.001). In the second part of residency, 40% of residents (n=89) expressed to feel able to manage shoulder dystocia. Only 19.1% (n=70) were satisfied with their residency training program vs 39.1% (n=143) who were unsatisfied. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that less than one resident out of two (40%) felt able to perform maneuvers for SD in the second part of residency. We think that simulation activities should be mandatory for residency training programs in Obstetrics and Gynecology, which have to develop dependable measures to assess resident competencies to execute practical maneuvers for clinical emergencies in obstetrics.

[Evaluation of adherence to French guidelines concerning the information of the women having a scarred uterus on their mode of delivery]. / Évaluation du suivi des recommandations concernant l'information des patientes ayant un utérus cicatriciel sur leur mode d'accouchement.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate adherence of obstetricians from our maternity to French practice guidelines concerning information to give to pregnant patients with a history of scarred uterus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational retrospective study performed on medical files from June to August 2014 and concerning women with a scarred uterus that gave live-birth after 37weeks of gestation. Information of patients had to concern the risks of a history of caesarean, the benefits and risks of the various delivery modes. RESULTS: On 758 deliveries, 77 cases were studied: 48 patients were followed up from the beginning of pregnancy, 23 from the 2nd trimester and 6 were not followed. Among patients followed from the beginning, no data was written on medical file concerning information that should to be given in immediate post-partum, in preconception counseling, and at the beginning of pregnancy about the risks of scarred uterus and the mode of delivery. In the 8th month, information about benefits and risks of the planned delivery mode was noticed in 45% of files. CONCLUSION: The information that need in theory to be given to the patients with scarred uterus appeared little or insufficiently noticed on medical files; which can be due either to an inaccurate information, or to a lack of transcription of the information nevertheless given. A check-list in obstetrical file would help to systematize the information to provide in scarred uterus patients.

[Cervical ripening after previous cesarean section with Foley catheter: A prospective study of 41 patients]. / Maturation cervicale des utérus unicicatriciels par sonde de Foley : étude prospective de 41 patientes.

OBJECTIVES: Effectiveness of cervical ripening with Foley catheter for patients requiring labor induction with a previous cesarean section and unfavorable cervical conditions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective unicentric study conducted between 1 April 2011 and 31 October 2013 on 41 patients with medical indication for labor induction with a Bishop's score<7 and one previous cesarean section. Outcomes evaluated were mode of delivery, Bishop's score variations and maternal or neonatal complications. RESULTS: Cervical ripening was performed in 39 patients and 17 (43.5%) were delivered vaginally. A total of 24/39 (61.5%) patients were put into work and 10/39 (25.6%) came into work immediately after removal of the Foley catheter. The average score improvement Bishop was 2.7±0.6 points. No maternal or fetal complication was reported. CONCLUSION: Foley catheter is an interesting procedure in patients with previous cesarean section and unfavorable cervical conditions requiring labor induction.

[Maternal morbidity after Thierry's spatulas and vacuum deliveries]. / Morbidité maternelle immédiate après extraction instrumentale par spatules de Thierry et par ventouse obstétricale.

OBJECTIVE: To compare maternal morbidity after Thierry's spatulas or vacuum-assisted deliveries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study, at the French hospital la Conception, in Marseilles. All successful instrumental deliveries between November 2003 and May 2005 were reviewed, that is to say 264. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed comparing maternal morbidity in the two groups. The primary outcome measure was perineal trauma. Secondary outcomes were blood loss and duration of hospitalization. RESULTS: Among the 264 deliveries, there were 96 vacuum deliveries and 168 Thierry's spatulas extraction. Thierry's spatulas were use more often in nulliparous patient (<0.001). Patients in the group of Thierry's spatulas have a higher rate of epidural analgesia (p=0.05), a longer duration of first (p=0.002) and second stage of labor (p=0.03). There was no difference in incidence of sphincter tears between women who underwent Thierry's spatulas and those who underwent vacuum delivery with respective incidence of 4.2 and 3.2% (p=0.67). There was a significant difference in post-partum hemoglobin value with a higher blood loss in the group of Thierry's spatulas (<0.001). Mean duration of hospitalization was longer in the group with Thierry's spatulas (5.6 days) than in the group who underwent vacuum delivery (4.7 days) (p<0.001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Incidence of third degree tears was similar between the vacuum and Thierry's spatulas group. Deliveries with vacuum are associated with less blood loss and a shorter hospitalization stay.

Development and internal validation of a nomogram to predict macrosomia.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a nomogram to predict macrosomia with a combination of clinical and ultrasound variables. METHODS: Data from 194 women who underwent sonographic fetal weight estimation were used to develop and calibrate a nomogram to predict fetal macrosomia. The nomogram was subjected to 200 bootstrap resamples for internal validation and to reduce overfit bias. An Internet-based tool was developed to facilitate use of the nomogram. RESULTS: The macrosomia prediction nomogram, based on parity, ethnicity, body mass index and fetal weight estimated macrosomia, had good discrimination and calibration before and after bootstrapping (area under curve (AUC), 0.860 and 0.850, respectively). The predictive accuracy of our nomogram was significantly better than was sonographically estimated fetal weight using Hadlock's formula (AUC, 0.740; P<0.001). We have provided a web-based interface to predict the individual probability of macrosomia. CONCLUSION: We have developed a nomogram to predict the individual probability of macrosomia based on clinical and ultrasound findings. Our web-based interface should help to guide patients and physicians in decision-making.

[Evaluation of controlled-release dinoprostone Propess for labor induction]. / Utilisation du dispositif vaginal Propess dans le déclenchement du travail: efficacité et innocuité

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of cervix ripening with vaginal controlled-release Propess. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of all women who underwent cervical ripening with Propess during the study period from 1(st) January 2002 to 31(st) December 2004 was carried out. A total of 130 patients who experienced Propess was compared with the next following patient who delivered spontaneously matched on gestational age. Modes of delivery, failure of labor, maternal morbidity were recorded. RESULTS: Indications for induction of labor were: post-term pregnancies in 18.5%, pre-eclampsia in 20.8%, oligohydroamnios in 18.5%, post-term pregnancy and oligohydramnios in 10.8%, intra-uterine fetal growth in 6.9%, premature rupture of membranes in 6.9%, diminution of fetal mobility in 6.1% and miscellaneous in 11.5%. Failure of cervical ripening was 21.2%. Patients in the Propess group had a 3.5 fold higher risk of Cesarean section [95% CI: 1.5-8.3; P < 0.04]. There was no case of maternal or fetal death. There was no difference in incidence of maternal complications, and post-partum haemorrhage. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Use of vaginal pessary Propess does not induce adverse maternal or fetal morbidity. However, it was associated with a higher incidence of Cesarean delivery.

[Delivery of a macrosomic infant: factors predictive of failed labor]. / Accouchement du foetus macrosome: facteurs prédictifs d'échec de l'épreuve du travail.

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors of failed labor in case of fetal macrosomia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical charts of two hundred and forty six women who delivered macrosomic infants (>4,000g) between January 2004 and May 2005 were reviewed. Maternal and obstetrical data were analyzed by mode of delivery. Univariate and multivariate (logistic regression analysis) were performed to identify risk factors of failed labor. RESULTS: Rate of cesarean delivery was 18.3%. Indications for cesarean were: failure to progress in 55.6%, arrest in fetal descent in 22.2%, fetal distress in 6.7%, and other in 8.9%. There was a higher risk of failed labor in nulliparous women (p<0.001), in case of a symphysio-fundal measurements>34cm (p=0.004), in nulliparity associated with symphysio-fundal measurements>34cm (p<0.001), in case of previous cesarean delivery (p=0.004), in cases of maternal height<1.65m (p=0.02), and with ocytocin use (p=0.05). In multivariate analysis, nulliparity associated with symphysio-fundal measurements>34cm (OR=5.2; CI 1.5-18.4), previous cesarean section (OR=3.7; CI 1.1-12.4) and maternal height<1.65m (OR=2.6; CI 1.2-5.5) were independent factors of failed labor. CONCLUSION: Failure of labor in case of macrosomia can be predicted in the event of previous cesarean section, shorter maternal height, and association of nulliparity and symphysio-fundal measurements>34cm.

[Contribution of hysteroscopic surgery for the treatment of postmenopausal metrorrhagia]. / Apport de l'hystéroscopie opératoire dans le traitement des métrorragies post-ménopausiques.

OBJECTIVES: Determine the effectiveness of hysteroscopic surgery in persistent postmenopausal bleeding. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Transcervical resection was performed in 176 women between the ages of 46-74 years. A benign cause was noted in 135 cases (polyps in 80 and submucous fibroids in 55); 37 patients had no significant disease and 4 had endometrial atypical hyperplasia missed in the preoperative evaluation. Patients underwent resection of polyp, resection of fibroid or endometrial ablation. Major operative complications were rare and included 3 perforations and one case of fluid overload. Patients were followed for 1-10 years after treatment (mean follow-up 52 months). RESULTS: 167 patients completed the study. Clinical manifestations disappeared in 85.2% of the patients; 15 patients had hysterectomy after the hysteroscopic procedure and 11 had repeat transcervical resection. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic treatment can be effective in carefully selected patients with postmenopausal bleeding or abnormal uterine bleeding on hormone replacement therapy. The operative criteria should take the causes of bleeding and not just the age of patient into account.

[Uretero-arterial fistulas: report of 2 cases and review of the literature]. / Fistules urétéro-artérielles: à propos de 2 cas et revue de la littérature.

Uretero-arterial fistulas are rare. The authors report two new cases complicating iliac vascular surgery. These fistulas occurred in a particular context: aorto-iliac disease, neoplasm and pelvic radiotherapy. Prolonged ureteric catheterisation is a risk factor found in 65% of cases. The clinical diagnosis is difficult and must be suggested in the presence of episodes of haematuria, sometimes minimal and intermittent, but often cataclysmic. The clinical context is highly suggestive of the diagnosis. The most useful complementary investigations are arteriography and retrograde ureteropyelography. Surgical treatment is complex, as it is performed in an emergency context in patients with a poor general state and it must treat both the vascular and the urological problem. Embolization can be proposed in some cases. The prognosis remains serious due to the frequency and severity of postoperative complications, which is why this disease must be investigated in all patients at risk.

[Painful pelvic adhesion syndrome]. / Syndromes adhérentiels pelviens douloureux.

Pelvic adhesions may be responsible for pelvic pain, at least partially, in the following conditions: sequelae of past infection, chronic active inflammatory state, endometriosis, post-operative adhesions. The problem in the presence of adhesions is to determine whether pain is mechanical, inflammatory and/or linked to associated ovarian dystrophy, and what is the psychological component. The postulate "adhesion = pain" is far from constant and there is no systematic relationship between clinical picture and anatomical findings. After careful clinical and laboratory evaluation, celioscopy is the key diagnostic procedure. It should include thorough examination of all pelvic organs, of the abdomen in general and the peri-hepatic region in particular. A diagnosis of psychosomatic pain can be made only in the absence of any macroscopic, histological and bacteriological lesion, though bearing in mind that this term certainly covers failure to recognise other causes.