[Ovarian cysts in adolescence: epidemiologic, clinical and management assessment]. / Cisti ovariche in età adolescenziale: valutazione epidemiologica, clinica e strumentale.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the frequency of ovarian cyst formation in the adolescents and to report on the clinical implications of these cysts. METHODS: A prospective analysis of data on 94 girls (aged 10-19) with diagnosed ovarian cysts was performed at the Gynecology Department of Aversa and Naples hospitals between 1995-2000. Operations were performed because of pains or ultrasound suspected features. The patients who were not operated on were kept under observation and had ultrasound tests monthly, receiving gestogen to facilitate resolution of the cyst and as treatment of menstrual disorders. The site, number, size and type of the cysts were examined. RESULTS: The ovarian cysts were unilateral, unilocular, and simple, with the size varying between 3 cm and 5 cm in 83 cases, more than 5 cm in 8 cases and less than 3 cm in 3 cases. Among 94 patients 6 (6.4%) were initially qualified for the operation because of the strong pains or ultrasound equivocal aspect. Hormonal treatment was given in 74 cases, whereas in 14 cases only follow up sonography was performed. Cysts resolved spontaneously in 2 months on average, or in 1 month after hormonal treatment. No malignant tumors were found in the observed group. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical observation periodically repeated ultrasound tests seems to be the most appropriate procedure employed at adolescent girls with asymptomatic ovarian cysts. Hormonal treatment shortened the duration of the cysts somewhat, even if in a not significant manner, and thus was useful mainly in the treatment of concomitant menstrual disorders.

[Borderline ovarian tumors. Retrospective analysis of 20 cases]. / Tumori ovarici borderline. Analisi retrospettiva di 20 casi.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the clinical features, the surgical management and outcome of 20 patients with stage-I borderline ovarian tumors. METHODS: Twenty cases of FIGO stage-I ovarian tumors, aged from 31 to 58 years (mean 37 years) have been reviewed. All informations of clinical stage, surgical intervention and prognosis were achieved by reviewing hospital records. Minimal requirements for conservative management were adequate staging and complete information about the therapeutic options. Factors important in the choice of the treatment were, age, wish to preserve fertility, histologic type and grade, and the stage of the tumour. RESULTS: Eleven of the 20 patients (55%) were at stage IA, 6 cases (30%) were at stage IB, 3 cases (15%) were at stage IC. Thirteen (65%) were with mucinous cystadenoma of borderline malignancy, 7 cases (35%) were of serous type. Thirteen patients underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH and BSO). Seven patients were treated with unilateral oophorectomy or unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (USO). One patient underwent enucleation of ovarian tumor and biopsy of contralateral ovary. Any patient were treated with chemotherapy after operation. With a median follow up of two years, we observed no recurrence of carcinoma in women treated conservatively or in those treated more radically. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative surgery remains a therapeutic option in selected patients with borderline ovarian tumors. Prolonged intensive follow-up is required for women treated conservatively for borderline malignant ovarian tumours.

[Behavior of maternal serum immunoglobulins in abortion]. / Comportamento delle immunoglobuline sieriche materne in corso di aborto.

PIP: This study investigates the role of maternal serum immunoglobulins, IgC, IgA, and IgM in the etiology of spontaneous abortion not caused by anatomic, genetic, or endocrine factors. 15 1st trimester women at high risk of spontaneous abortion were observed. In all women a progressive decrease in serum IgC, IgA, and IgM was noted in the period preceding the abortion; after the abortion levels of IgC, IgA, and IgM returned to preabortion levels, with IgC and IgM reaching even higher levels than before. This observation demonstrates that spontaneous abortion is due to circulating antiovular maternal antibodies, among which IgC plays a prominent role.^ieng