Microparticles hyperactivity in a case of intrauterine growth restriction.

A case of a residual intrauterine fetal growth is described in a primiparous woman, aged 33 years, undergoing the 37th week of pregnancy. The patient was admitted to the outpatient department of the present clinic complaining of decreased fetal movement in the past few days. The cardiotocography (CTG) was non reactive, with reduced variability for a period of more than 30 minutes. The evaluation of the activity of microparticles (MPs) showed a value of 48.90 nM, which was 21.26 times higher than the mean of normal women of comparable pregnancy age (2.31 ± 1.95 nM) and 18.11 times higher than that of the average women who had intrauterine growth retardation (2.70 ± 2.63 nM). The reasons for this increase in the activity of the MPs are discussed in this case report.

Three-dimensional versus two-dimensional ultrasound for fetal nasal bone evaluation in the second trimester.

OBJECTIVES: To compare two-dimensional with three-dimensional ultrasound evaluation of the fetal nasal bone in the second trimester. METHODS: A prospective, non-interventional study was conducted, in 55 singleton fetuses, between 18 and 24 weeks' gestation. Fetal nasal bone length was measured in the midsagittal plane by two-dimensional imaging and in the midsagittal and coronal plane with three-dimensional ultrasound. All three measurements were compared with one another using one-way repeated samples-measures ANOVA and paired samples t-test. RESULTS: The average fetal nasal bone length (mean ± SD) as determined by the three methods was 7.01 ± 0.94 mm for the two-dimensional midsagittal, 6.96 ± 1.34 mm for the three-dimensional midsagittal, and 6.98 ± 1.32 mm for the three-dimensional coronal plane; comparisons between one another were not statistically significant. Unilateral hypoplasia and bifid shape of the fetal nasal bone were detected in 8.2% and 20.4% of cases, respectively, by three-dimensional ultrasound, whereas all cases evaded detection with two-dimensional ultrasound (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal nasal bone length measured with two-dimensional ultrasound does not differ significantly from three-dimensional measurements. However, three-dimensional ultrasound is superior in detecting unilateral nasal bone hypoplasia or absence and in assessing fetal nasal bone shape. Hence, fetal nasal bone examination in the second trimester should include three-dimensional ultrasound evaluation.

Association of fetal loss with recent parvovirus infection and other demographic prognostic risk factors.

A total of 206 pregnant women were prospectively enrolled to this case-control study, from which 71 and 65 women had 1st and 2nd trimester miscarriage, respectively. The remaining 70 women with uneventful pregnancy were the control group. The serological profile of parvo B19 infection was confirmed with ELISA. Electron microscopy was selectively conducted in the patients' group. Recent infection rate in women with 1st and 2nd trimester miscarriage was 3.68% and 5.8%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed significant association between miscarriage and ethnicity (p = 0.04), type of work (p = 0.019), children attending school (p = 0.012) and recent parvovirus B19 infection (p = 0.013). Pregnant women with recent infection had a two-fold higher risk (OR = 1.94) for miscarriage. The association between 1st and 2nd trimester miscarriage rates in the women with recent parvovirus B19 infection, was not significant (p = 0.29). Multivariate analysis showed that recent parvovirus B19 infection was higher in women with children at school (OR = 3.5, p = 0.036). Placental tissues and specific histological findings were only detectable in the patients group.

A rare case of umbilical and vaginal metastasis from endometrial cancer--review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Metastases from primary endometrial cancer to the umbilicus are extremely rare. This unusual site of metastases has been described as Sister Joseph's nodule. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We present a case of a 73-year-old Caucasian woman with a BMI of 30, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and umbilical and vaginal metastasis of endometroid endometrial adenocarcinoma (FIGO Stage IIIa, G2). Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy by Pfannenstiel dissection, had been performed eight months before. The size of the umbilical mass was 2 x 2 cm. A second laparotomy including full recession of the umbilical ring, omentectomy, bilateral inguinal lymph nodes and excision of the upper one-third of the vagina was performed. Histological diagnosis revealed metastases of the same origin with her primary disease. CONCLUSION: The exact mechanism of implantation of cancer cells at the site of the umbilical ring is still unclear. Perhaps malignant cells penetrated the thickness of the uterine wall and spread intraperitoneally to reach the umbilical ring. The exfoliation of cells from the primary tumor via the fallopian tubes could be another possible explanation. Unfortunately, the presence of umbilical metastasis is a poor prognostic feature and sign of advanced neoplastic disease. The survival rate of these patients is influenced by the type of treatment and time of the diagnosis.

Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) levels in serum and follicular fluid as predictors of ovarian response in stimulated (IVF and ICSI) cycles.

INTRODUCTION: Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) was recently introduced as a marker of ovarian reserve in assisted reproduction. The cutoff values of AMH for prediction of poor response have not yet been determined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety women undergoing their first IVF/ICSI cycle were prospectively included in this clinical, non-interventional study. Baseline AMH, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and antral follicle count (AFC) were measured before starting ovarian stimulation. AMH was also measured on day 5 of stimulation and in the follicular fluid of the first aspirated follicle. The predictive value of baseline AMH, day 5 AMH and follicular fluid AMH were assessed comparatively to FSH and AFC for ovarian response. Ovarian response was defined as poor (<4 oocytes), high (>12 oocytes) or normal (≥4 oocytes and ≤12 oocytes). However, only 3 patients met the criterion for high ovarian response and thus analysis was focused on the prediction of poor response. RESULTS: Significant differences were present between poor responders and non-poor responders regarding FSH (p = 0.019), baseline AMH (p = 0.002), AFC (p < 0.001), day 5 AMH (p = 0.005) but not for follicular AMH (p = 0.183). The largest AUC (area under the curve) for poor ovarian response was obtained by AFC (AUC = 0.81) followed by baseline AMH (AUC = 0.70). At a level below 2.74 ng/mL, the sensitivity of the test is 69% and specificity is 70.5%. CONCLUSION: Baseline AMH is almost as good a predictor for poor ovarian response as AFC.

Molecular epidemiology of HPV infection using a clinical array methodology in 2952 women in Greece.

The molecular epidemiology of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in a sample of Greek women (n = 2952, mean age 42.2 ± 13.3 years) was examined. HPV prevalence was 50.7% (95% confidence interval, 48.8-52.6). The most frequent HPV types were HPV 53, 51 and 66 (10.2%, 9.4% and 9.3%, respectively). HPV positivity was associated with age, age of sexual debut, number of sexual partners and duration of sexual relationship, while marriage or multiparity protected against infection (all p <0.001). Follow-up of this cohort will assist in predicting the effect of vaccination with the new HPV vaccines on future screening with HPV-based tests for cervical cancer.

Pregnancy-associated breast cancer--a review analysis.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the present review was to assess the relationship between pregnancy and/or lactation and breast cancer, the influence of pregnancy on mortality and prognosis of the disease, the consequences of breast cancer to the current pregnancy and also to discuss the future perspective for women's fertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Articles were obtained from Medline (1988 present) using as keywords breast cancer, pregnancy, breastfeeding, lactation, carcinoma and pregnancy. RESULTS: Unfortunately, delays in diagnosis and treatment are common during pregnancy and the prognosis is thus worsened. Nulliparity, early menarche and late age at first pregnancy are associated with increased risk for breast cancer. Breastfeeding confers a protective effect on risk of breast cancer, which appears to be related to the duration of breastfeeding. In cases of advanced metastatic disease during the first 14 to 15 weeks of pregnancy when chemotherapy is necessary for prompt treatment, termination of pregnancy may be proposed, particularly if the patient is ER-positive. Modified radical mastectomy is probably the procedure most frequently used today. In general chemotherapy should be delayed until after 14 to 15 weeks of gestation and radiation should be reserved until post delivery. Several authorities generally advise that future pregnancy should be delayed for at least two years after breast cancer treatment. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer has an equivalent prognosis in pregnant and non pregnant patients when matched by age and stage at diagnosis. Women are invariably best treated by multidisciplinary teams.

Proportion of excision and cervical healing after large loop excision of the transformation zone for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how the proportion of the cervical volume excised affects cervical regeneration. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: University Hospital. POPULATION: Women planning to undergo excisional treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia who wish to have future pregnancies. METHODS: The cervical volume (and dimensions) is calculated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before treatment. The volume (and dimensions) of the cone is assessed before fixation by a volumetric tube and a ruler; the percentage (%) of excision is computed. Cervical regeneration is estimated by repeat MRI at 6 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cervical regeneration in relation to proportion of excision. Statistical analysis was performed by box plots and analysis of variance. RESULTS: A total of 48 women have been recruited; 29 have completed 6 months follow up. Both the total cervical volume (from MRI) before treatment and the volume of the excised/ablated cone varied substantially. The estimated proportion of excision varied significantly between 4% and 39% (median 11%). Multivariate linear regression revealed that the proportional deficit at 6 months post-treatment was determined mainly by the proportion of the excised volume. CONCLUSIONS: Careful assessment of risks and benefits of treatment is essential when deciding to treat women who wish to have future pregnancies. Assessment of the proportion of the cervical volume and length excised might identify those that need further surveillance during future pregnancy.

Sonographic assessment of fetal subcutaneous fat tissue thickness as an indicator of gestational diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: We used ultrasound to measure fetal subcutaneous fat in pregnancies with normal and abnormal glucose tolerance tests (GTT). STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-five women with singleton pregnancies between 24 and 26 weeks' gestation participated in our study. We measured fetal subcutaneous fat tissue thickness in 20 women with abnormal GTT (Group A, study group) and 15 women with normal GTT (Group B, control group). Maximum subcutaneous fat tissue thickness of the fetuses was measured at three different levels of the fetal body, from the inner to the outer aspect of the echogenic subcutaneous fat. One measurement was taken at the level of the biparietal diameter (BPD), a second at the level of the abdominal circumference (AC) and the third was performed sagittally at the level of the thoracic spine (TS). RESULTS: Each variable was tested separately for statistically significant differences between the two groups using two statistical tests, the parametric Student's t-test and the non-parametric Mann-Whitney (M-W) test. Both tests verified a statistically significant difference for the three variables of interest (HC, AC and TS) between the two groups. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the diagnostic value of each of the three variables regarding the detection of gestational diabetes. Finally, all three variables were used to construct a linear discriminant analysis model in order to evaluate their combined discrimination ability. CONCLUSION: Assessing these parameters using a noninvasive tool such as ultrasound could enhance the detection of gestational diabetes and limit the potential morbidity resulting from undiagnosed gestational diabetes. It could be useful in women who are unable to tolerate GTT or have poor follow-up during pregnancy.

Awareness of human papillomavirus infection, testing and vaccination in midwives and midwifery students in Greece.

Midwives play an important role in the implementation of cervical cancer screening. We assessed the knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and of its relationship with cervical cancer in 107 midwives and 29 graduating midwifery students. The majority of midwives (78.5%) were aware that a viral infection causes cervical cancer, whereas only 48.3% of the students knew this (p = 0.003). Only one midwife (0.9%) was not aware of HPV infection compared with 10.3% of the students (p = 0.029). Midwives were also more knowledgeable of the relationship between HPV infection and cervical cancer and of the availability of a vaccine against HPV infection (p = 0.005 and p < 0.0001, respectively). In conclusion, Greek midwives have a satisfactory level of knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV infection, in contrast to midwifery students. It is important to better educate midwifery students in order to facilitate the incorporation of HPV testing and vaccination in clinical practice.

Surgical complications of hyperglycaemia.

We review the mechanisms leading to hyperglycaemic damage and draw functional extrapolations aiming to an improved management of surgical complications, which are common among diabetic patients.

Tension free vaginal tape underneath bladder base: does it prevent cystocele recurrence?

OBJECTIVE: The target of the current prospective study was to assess the effectiveness of the polypropylene tapes in preventing recurrence of cystocele formation when placed underneath the bladder base. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two Caucasian women, predominantly postmemopausal with marked descent of the anterior, middle and/or posterior pelvic segment, participated in the study. Vaginal reconstructive surgery including anterior colporrhaphy and Kelly placation, posterior colpoperineorrhaphy and/or hysterectomy, was undertaken in all subjects. The polypropylene tape was placed not under the midurethra, as often performed in stress urine incontinence (SUI) cases, but underneath the bladder base as an adjunct to the anterior colporrhaphy sutures. The postoperative follow up lasted 2 years and was carried out every 4 months. The assessment of the anatomic result included evaluation of the operated sites and the position of the tapes inserted on clinical grounds and after perineal sonography. Urodynamic assessment was performed in the presence of urinary incontinence. RESULTS: In all patients the postoperative correction of the anterior vaginal wall was sufficient, 14 subjects did not present genitourinary symptoms and therefore were considered as cured; three patients were designated as improved because despite sufficient anatomic correction of the anterior vaginal segment they reported urinary incontinence symptoms. Retropubic haematoma occurred in 1 patient, transient urge incontinence in 1, transient stress incontinence in 1, and persistent stress incontinence also in 1. There was no erosion of the tape noticed. Mean residual urine was 30 ml, mean bladder base distance to the inferior edge of the symphysis pubis was 1.2 cm and the mean total vaginal length was 7 cm. CONCLUSION: Despite the relative short follow up period and the limited number of patients enrolled, we conclude from our study that the use of polypropylene tapes as an adjunct for fortification of the anterior pelvic segment could provide an option in preventing recurrence of cystocele formation.

A prospective two years study of first trimester screening for Down syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays maternal age of pregnant women has increased in most developed countries. The rate of women above 35 years old constitutes about 15% of pregnancies. AIM: The aim of our study is to prove that by first trimester screening, the number of women who have indication for invasive prenatal diagnostic procedure is significantly reduced. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study lasted two years from 02/2005 to 02/2007. The participants to our study were 531 pregnant women with a mean maternal age of 30 years (19-42). We used the first trimester screening test for Down's syndrome. The biochemical blood test of free b-hCG (beta human chorionic gonadotropin) and PAPP-A (pregnancy associated plasma protein A) and the measurement of nuchal translucency were performed between 11-13 weeks +6 days (mean gestational age 12 weeks +2 days). RESULTS: In our study group, 69 women (12%) were 35 years old or more. The risk estimate for Down syndrome was 1 in 300 or more in 14 (2%) cases. In all these 14 cases we offered CVS (chorionic villus sampling) or amniocentesis. CONCLUSION: It is a fact that although the risk of any individual 36 years old is higher, most abnormalities (approximately 70%) occur in the low risk population. With the first trimester screening the sensitivity of detecting DOWN syndrome reaches 90%. Our study confirms that by first trimester screening, the number of women who have indication for invasive prenatal diagnostic procedure is significantly reduced. As a result the cost for prenatal diagnosis of the population and also the risk of iatrogenic missed miscarriages is also reduced. Finally, this screening method gives the advantage of early diagnosis.

Anterior vaginal wall reconstruction: anterior colporrhaphy reinforced with tension free vaginal tape underneath bladder base.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of the polypropylene tape in preventing cystocele recurrence. METHODS: Fifty Caucasian women aged 50-77 years (mean age 66.6 years), with stage II-IV pelvic organ prolapse, enrolled into the study. Vaginal reconstructive surgery included an anterior colporrhaphy on all patients, posterior colpoperineorrhaphy on 28 patients and hysterectomy on 36 patients. Patients were divided into a study group of 28 women and a control group of 22 women. As reinforcement to the anterior colporrhaphy procedure, in the study group a polypropylene tape (TVT-O) was placed underneath the bladder base and fixed with polyglactin sutures. Postoperative follow-up was carried out every 4 months (total 48 months). The assessment of the anatomic result included both clinical evaluation of the operated sites and perineal sonography. RESULTS: The mean postoperative distance of the bladder base to the inferior edge of the symphysis pubis was 1.5 cm (range: 1.0-2.2 cm) in the study group and 2.8 cm (range: 2.0-3.8) in the control group. Postoperatively, there were two cases of stress incontinence and two cases of urge incontinence, one in each group. No case of tape erosion was noted, no dyspareunia and no recurrent cystocele in the study group. Four cases of recurrent cystocele (20%) were reported in the control group. CONCLUSION: While the preliminary results of our study are encouraging, larger series of patients and longer follow-up are required to verify the effectiveness of the aforementioned modification.

Thromboprophylaxis throughout pregnancy in women with previous history of recurrent miscarriages of unknown aetiology.

The purpose of this prospective preliminary clinical study was to assess the efficacy of thromboprophylaxis throughout pregnancy in women with a history of unexplained first trimester recurrent miscarriages. From the 53 patients originally assigned to the study 15 were excluded. The remaining 38 were treated with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH-natroparine calcium 0.3 ml twice daily) and low dose aspirin from the day the fetal heart motion was detected until the 37th week or earlier at the onset of premature labor. Among the patients treated (n = 38) thrombophilia screening was positive in 16 patients and in the remaining 22 no causative factor was detected. The overall success rate (viable pregnancy > or = 24 weeks) was 92.2% with no significant difference between patients with positive or negative thrombophilia screening. The most significant complications were: preeclampsia (21%), IUGR (26%), placenta abruptio (5.2%), injection site haematoma (44%) and skin reaction (15.7%). No abnormal bleeding was observed during vaginal or caesarean section. The results of this study suggest that thromboprophylaxis during pregnancy, which has already been successfully tried in patients with recurrent miscarriages with a causative factor, may be similarly effective in patients with such a pregnancy complication but of unknown aetiology.

Ovarian remnant syndrome: a case report and review of the literature.

The ovarian remnant syndrome in an unusual complication of bilateral oophorectomy, usually presenting with pelvic mass and pain. A case of the syndrome is described in a 35-year-old woman with a history of abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy. We suggest that ovarian remnant syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain after recorded oophorectomy.

Single high dose of local methotrexate for the management of relatively advanced ectopic pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the limits of the conservative management of relatively advanced ectopic pregnancies (EPs) with local methotrexate given at a higher than standard dose. DESIGN: Nonrandomized prospective study. SETTING: A tertiary teaching hospital and an affiliated infertility center. PATIENT(S): We treated 118 EPs of up to 56 days' gestation (8 weeks) regardless of the presence of fetal heart activity, the size of the gestational mass, and the initial beta-hCG levels. INTERVENTION(S): Transvaginal intraamniotic or laparoscopic intratubal injection of 100 mg of methotrexate as a single dose. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): beta-hCG levels, red and white blood cell count, and liver function tests before and after methotrexate injection, followed by repeat transvaginal color Doppler assessments. RESULT(S): Treatment was successful in 105 (88.98%) of the 118 patients included in the study. In 7 of them with persistent fetal cardiac activity after the methotrexate injection, treatment was concluded with a complementary intracardiac injection of 10% KCl. No grade 3 or important clinical, hematologic, or biochemical toxicities occurred. CONCLUSION(S): Local administration of a single high dose of methotrexate (100 mg) proved safe and effective in the medical management of relatively advanced and unselected EPs, including cases with fetal heart activity, with high initial beta-hCG levels, and with a gestational mass beyond the standard maximum of 3.5 cm. Complementary hypertonic KCl proved to be effective in cases with persistent cardiac activity.

Adenomyosis at hysterectomy: prevalence and relationship to operative findings and reproductive and menstrual factors.

In order to estimate the frequency and risk factors for adenomyosis, the clinical records of 594 women undergoing hysterectomy were retrieved. Data were collected on indications for the intervention, age at surgery, age at menarche, parity, abortions, mode of delivery, abnormal uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea, and menopausal status at surgery. Adenomyosis was found in 116 of the 594 patients (19.5%). A pathologic condition was present in 63 patients with fibroids (20.5%), 11 with genital prolapse (25.6%), 11 with benign ovarian tumors (17.8%), six with endometrial hyperplasia (13.6%), two with cervical cancer (18.2%), ten with endometrial cancer (16.1%), and 13 with ovarian cancer (21.3%). No relationship was found between adenomyosis and endometriosis. On the contrary, a strong relationship was found between adenomyosis and parity, cesarean section, induced abortions, dysmenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding, and late age at menarche. These results show that adenomyosis is a common pathologic finding, significantly related to reproductive and menstrual characteristics of the patients.

Lead concentrations in early human milk of urban and rural mothers.

The aim of this study was to determine and compare lead concentrations in breast milk between urban and rural women. Colostrum from 51 women living in the city of Thessaloniki (exposed to increased air lead concentration, 0.54 micrograms/m3) and from 40 women living in rural areas (exposed to significantly lower air lead concentrations) was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Urban women showed slightly higher lead concentrations (mean +/- SD: 0.090 +/- 0.029 micrograms/ml) than rural women (mean +/- SD: 0.084 +/- 0.024 micrograms/ml). This difference was not statistically significant. These results suggest that the lead content of human milk is not influenced by the concentrations of this environmental pollutant in the air.