The categorization of opaque pathologies outside of contrast media in hysterosalpingography which facilitate interpretation: A pictorial review.

Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a practical and reliable imaging method to evaluate the cervical canal, uterine isthmus, uterine cavity, and fallopian tubes. Using HSG, opaque pathologies outside of contrast media can be detected as well as pathologies of uterus and fallopian tubes. We aim to present and categorize some uncommon and interesting abnormal findings that are located outside of the contrast areas in HSG. This is a pictorial review that depicts various types of HSG images that include opaque pathologies outside of the contrast areas. Images have been extracted from valuable archives collected over 50 yr by professor Shahrzad. A plain pelvic film contains soft tissues of the pelvis, bony structures, artifacts, or foreign bodies. Categorization might easily help the radiologist to interpret the HSG cliché. Opaque pathologies outside of contrast area in HSG can be categorized into 2 groups: "Pelvic Tissue Related" and "Foreign Bodies". Pelvic tissue abnormalities might have a gynecologic or non-gynecologic source. Foreign bodies can be located in the pelvis or outside of the body. HSG is a reliable and inexpensive procedure. Familiarity with the pathologies of pelvic tissues and the accurate interpretation of HSG images are important.

Unilateral Kidney Agenesis and other Kidney Anomalies in Infertile Men with Congenital Bilateral Absence of Vas deferens: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: We aim to determine the prevalence of renal anomalies in patients with congenital vas deferens agenesis referred for infertility assessment.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on eligible infertile men from 2016 to 2019. Infertile men who were suspected of obstructive azoospermia were referred to the Ultrasound ward and they were examined by abdominal ultrasound for detecting the genital and kidney anomalies. An informed consent form was filled out by patients. Data was entered into SPSS software 21. Patients were divided into two groups in terms of congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD) or congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens (CUAVD). Using the Chi-square test kidney anomalies between groups were compared. The P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The mean age of participants was 33.05 ± 6.35. The frequency of CBAVD was 66 and the frequency of left side VD and right side VD were 23 and 21, respectively. The percentage of other comorbidities was calculated. Out of 110 cases, 12 (11%) men had coexistence of vas deferens and kidney agenesis. Other studies are in agreement with our findings. Although the percentage of CBAVD and CUAVD were 9.1% and 1.8% respectively, the difference was not significant (P=0.07).
Conclusion: Considering the fact that kidney agenesis is a remarkable congenital anomaly that coexists with the majority of vas deferens agenesis cases and could not be detected by routine laboratory tests or transrectal ultrasound
examination, it should be ruled out with transabdominal ultrasound examination after detection of vas deferens agenesis.

Does amniotic fluid sludge result in preterm labor in pregnancies after assisted reproduction technology? A nested Case - Control study.

OBJECTIVE: to investigate the relationship between the Amniotic fluid Sludge exposure during pregnancy and the Preterm Labor (PTL) in pregnant women who had undergone Assisted Reproductive Technology procedures (ART) in Royan institute. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a nested case-control study that was conducted on 110 eligible pregnant women who had undergone IVF procedure in Royan institute, Tehran, Iran. The final sample size was 63 subjects with Amniotic fluid Sludge and 67 subjects with normal Amniotic fluid. Delivery before 37 of gestation was considered as PTL.The study was approved by the ethics committee of the Royan institute and the written consent form was filled by participants. Data was entered to the SPSS (version 21, SPSS, Inc.). The baseline characteristics of the participants were described as absolute (n) and relative (%) frequencies for the covariates. Man Whitney and T-Test were used to compare the mean of covariates and the P-value lower than 0.05 was considered significant. The prevalence of the PTL was compared between two groups. RESULTS: The mean Gestational Age at delivery in case and control group were 36.46 ± 3.45 and 38.03 ± 1.61, respectively which was significant (p = .01). The prevalence of PTL in case and control group were 23.8% and 10.4% respectively which was significant (p = .04). The percentage of cases with cervical length less than 30 (mm) in case and control group were 28.6% and 10.4%, respectively (p = .008) and the percentage of cerclage in case and control group were 33.3% and 7.5% respectively, (p = .00) which were significant statistically. CONCLUSION: The amniotic fluid sludge has a direct effect on the cervical length of pregnancies after ART. In such cases, PTB will be probable in the presence of sludge in spite of preventive treatments such as cerclage.

Similar Mullerian Cysts in an Identical Twin: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Several genital anomalies have been reported in the identical twins which have a tremendous effect on reproductive status. No previous studies have reported the Mullerian duct cyst in identical twin brothers. We describe a rare case of Mullerian cyst in a male identical twin with infertility. A 43-year-old man presented with 2 years of infertility. In the spermogram analysis, sperm count leaded to azoospermia detection. Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) examination was done. An echo-free structure in the mid part of prostate suggested a Mullerian cyst which had caused ejaculatory duct obstruction. The other twin, who dealt with infertility as well, was referred for TRUS. A Mullerian cyst was detected. Ultimately, testicular sperm extraction and percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration procedures were recommended. Imaging with variety ranges of modality can help to identify Mullerian cyst. Further researches for detecting the genetic factor causes of this anomaly should be considered.

The influence of mode of delivery, anthropometric indices, and infant's sex on the maternal and cord blood orexin-A levels: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Orexin as an adipokin hormone plays an important role in appetite regulation, energy metabolism, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The main source of orexin secretion in nonpregnant and pregnant women is adipose tissue and placenta, respectively. This research was conducted to evaluate the association between orexin-A level and the mode of delivery, anthropometric indices, and sex of the infant. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted on 69 normal pregnant women. The samples of umbilical cord blood were obtained at the time of delivery, and maternal blood was taken within 24 h of delivery. Serum orexin-A levels were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS and p < 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: We found a significant difference between postpartum maternal and umbilical cord orexin-A level both with the mode of delivery (p < 0.001). Also, a significant positive correlation was seen between maternal and umbilical cord serum orexin-A levels (r = -0.61, p < 0.001). There was no relationship between serum orexin-A levels with anthropometric indices and the sex of the neonate (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both maternal and umbilical cord serum orexin-A levels were associated with the mode of delivery. Maternal and cord blood orexin-A levels in normal vaginal delivery are higher than cesarean section.

Two leading international congresses in Iran in the era of COVID-19: 21st royan international twin congress, 4th international and 16th Iranian genetics congress.

In this report, we look at the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19 and how the Executive Board of these two congresses succeeded in overcoming those challenges and holding two congresses. The approach for a large festival with different virtual setting components provided a suitable solution that led to exemplary achievements and created an appropriate model for future virtual or combined virtual and face-to-face events. These events proved that pandemic problems could not limit the organizers, pushing them to make better use of the facilities and turning this threat into an opportunity.

Hysterosalpingography findings of leiomyomas and how they look in artistic eyes: new diagnostic signs.

Leiomyomas are benign lesions of the uterine smooth muscles that contain various amounts of fibrous connective tissue. Hystrosalpingography is not a method of diagnosing uterine fibroids, and other methods such as ultrasound and MRI are preferred, but during hystrosalpingography, especially in infertile females, uterine fibroids may be seen frequently. Leiomyomas have a wide range of appearances depending on their number, size and location. Leiomyomas may enlarge, elongate, displace, distort or rotate the uterine cavity and can be detected by such changes showing in hysterosalpingograms. These changes may be symmetric or asymmetric. Leiomyomas may result in uterine atony which can be locolized or generalized. Leiomyomas also may appear as one or multiple filling defects in different sizes which can be smooth or irregular. Some of the noted findings may create similar and frequent appearances looking like some patterns in nature and can be considered "excellent signs" for better detecting and enabling differential diagnosis. This study aims to improve the process of training on the diagnostic appearances of leiomyomas in hysterosalpingography by aligning the images with patterns found in nature that can be easily remembered by radiologists.

Predictive Value of Endometrial Length Measurement by Transvaginal Ultrasound and IVF/ICSI Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study to determine the relationship between endometrial length and positive pregnancy test in patients who underwent assisted reproductive technology (ART). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included patients who were referred for in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) therapy from 2013 to 2016. All nulliparous women who met the inclusion criteria were between 20-38 years of age and presented for ultrasound measurements prior to fresh embryo transfer (ET). Endometrial length was measured by transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) with a Medison Accuvix device on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration. The relationship between endometrial length and treatment success was assessed. The independent sample t test, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC) index and chi-square test were used for data analysis. P<0.05 were statistically significant. RESULTS: There was a significant relationship between endometrial length (41.5%) and treatment success (P<0.05). The endometrial length of 41.5(mm) with a sensitivity of 66.7%, specificity of 50.6%, positive predictive value of 46.8%, negative predictive value of 69.4%, and efficiency of 56.62% can be used as a proper cut-off point with an AUC of 0.63. CONCLUSION: The value of 41.5(mm) for endometrial length can be used as a proper cut-off point for prediction of a higher ART success rate. We recommend TVS as the first step for assessment of uterine and endometrium receptivity in the ART cycle.

Biological reflect of Adiponectin hormone in postpartum marital satisfaction and depression scores.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing body of evidence regarding the association between Adiponectin and mental disorders. We aim to evaluate the association between serum level of Adiponectin hormone and postpartum depression and marital satisfaction scores. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 90 pregnant women was conducted in Mahdieh Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Blood samples were collected during the first 24 h after delivery. The serum Adiponectin concentration was measured with an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit. The depression score was measured using a validated Iranian version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) questionnaire at six weeks (6-weeks) and twelve weeks (12-weeks) after delivery. Using the Kansas questionnaire at twelve weeks (12-weeks) after delivery, the marital satisfaction score was measured. The measurements were compared between two groups, satisfied and dissatisfied mothers. P-values lower than 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The mean serum level of Adiponectin was significantly higher in the dissatisfied group. It was 10.9 ± 13.4 µg/ml and 15.2 ± 17.7 µg /ml in the satisfied and dissatisfied groups, respectively (P = 0.04). The postpartum depression scores of 6- and 12-weeks after delivery were significantly higher in the dissatisfied group. At 6-weeks after delivery, the postpartum depression scores were 3.6 ± 3 and 8.7 ± 5.6 in satisfied and dissatisfied groups, respectively. Those were 2.7 ± 2.7 and 7.6 ± 5 at 12-weeks after delivery, respectively. There was a significant difference statistically (P <  0.001). CONCLUSION: Mothers in the dissatisfied group, experienced higher depression scores at 12-weeks postpartum while they had shown higher serum Adiponectin levels at the first 24 h after delivery.

Adiponectin levels in maternal serum and umbilical cord blood at birth by mode of delivery: relationship to anthropometric measurements and fetal sex.

BACKGROUND: The rate of cesarean section is increasing worldwide. Adiponectin is a hormone related to anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic effects; and it's concentrations may change in response to inflammatory situations including surgical intervention. The aim of the current study was to investigate serum adiponectin levels in maternal and umbilical cord blood according to different modes of delivery and their relationship with anthropometric measurements and fetal sex. METHODS: The study population initially comprised 90 healthy pregnant women referred to the teaching hospital. Eventually, 40 participants in the vaginal delivery group and 35 subjects in the cesarean delivery group were recruited in to the study. Umbilical cord blood and maternal serum samples were analyzed according to the standard protocol from the manufacturer. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS-16 software. P-value < 0.05 was considered as the significance level for all tests. RESULTS: Our results indicated a significant association between maternal adiponectin and the mode of delivery, with adiponectin levels significantly higher in vaginal delivery compared to cesarean section (P < 0.001). However, no difference was found in umbilical cord blood adiponectin between the two groups (P = 0.51). A significant positive correlation was found between maternal serum adiponectin in the first day after birth and umbilical cord blood adiponectin in the vaginal delivery group (P = 0.007). Nevertheless, this correlation was not statistically significant in the cesarean delivery group (P = 0.62). There was also no significant correlation between fetal sex and anthropometric measurements with maternal adiponectin (P = 0.44) and umbilical cord blood adiponectin (P = 0.86). CONCLUSIONS: The result of the current study revealed that maternal adiponectin concentration was significantly higher in vaginal delivery compared to cesarean section, which might be due to the increased levels of maternal adiponectin release during labor.

Interstitial ectopic pregnancy diagnosis by three-dimensional ultrasound and its laparoscopic management: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Interstitial Ectopic Pregnancy (IEP) is an uncommon type of ectopic pregnancy with the risk of rupturing and bleeding. The incidence of IEP is about 2-4% of all EPs. The diagnosis and management are challenging. We present a well-timed and managed case of IEP. CASE: The case was a 37-yr-old woman presented at the Royan Institute with a chief complain of sudden onset of pelvic pain and moderate vaginal bleeding, three weeks after her positive pregnancy test. She had got pregnant with in-vitro fertilization procedure. She was admitted for a two-dimensional ultrasound (2DUS). The 2DUS findings showed a gestational sac with live embryo and yolk sac which was located high in the fundus and eccentric to the endometrium. The suspicion of IEP rose after the 2DUS findings, the confirmation of further diagnosis was then done by three-dimensional ultrasound, and the treatment was done by laparoscopy. The patient underwent laparoscopic left corneal resection. She was discharged after two days and her ß-hCG achieved complete resolution ( < 5 mIU/mL) after two weeks' follow-up. CONCLUSION: According to the life-threatening complications that are associated with IEP, acquaintance and suspicion about IEP is important. Specified information that obtained by three-dimensional ultrasound could be useful for exact locating and detection.