Congenital gastrointestinal system malformations in a 5-year post mortem series.

The aim of this study was to determine the types and frequencies of congenital gastroinstestinal (G-I) tract malformations on post mortem in the period from 1996 to 2000. Autopsy protocols of aborted fetuses, stillborn infants and infants that died within 7 days after delivery were retrieved from the archive and studied. Cases of cleft lip and/or palate, biliary tract, pancreatic and diaphragmal malformations were not included in the study. During the mentioned period, 1251 autopsy was performed with 127 showing some malformation. G-I tract malformation was diagnosed in 37 cases (2.9% and 29.1%, respectively). Most frequent malformations were atresias at the different level of the G-I tract (56.75%), followed by omphalocoele (35.13%) and gastroschisis (8.1%). Of atresias, the most frequent were oesophageal and anorectal (38.1% of atresias, each). A striking male preponderance (2.36:1) in the frequency of G-I malformations was noticed. Isolated G-I malformations were found in 32.4%, different but simultaneous G-I malformations in 5.4% and association with other organ system(s) malformations in 62.2%. Omphalocoele and anorectal atresia were associated with other organ system malformation(s) in 34.8%, each. Other organ systems affected by malformation besides the G-I tract were cardiovascular system (65.21%), urogenital system (also 65.2%), gastrointestinal system with the malformation of another kind or atresia at the different level (17.4%), CNS (17.4%), skeletal system (26.1%) and other organs or systems (30.7%).

A cure from the small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix following conventional surgery.

The small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix is a rare, but very aggressive neoplasm. Previous reports suggested that it had dismall prognosis if treated with conventional surgery and radiotherapy, even in early stage disease. We present the case of neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma that was cured from the disease following conventional surgery only.

Middle cerebral artery velocity waveforms in fetuses with absent umbilical artery end-diastolic flow.

Middle cerebral artery (MCA) velocity waveforms were analyzed in 21 fetuses with absent umbilical artery end-diastolic flow (AEDF). Resistance index (RI) was measured from MCA velocity waveforms when AEDF was observed for the first time and at consecutive examinations. Fetal distress defined by fetal heart rate monitoring was found in 19 cases (90%). The difference between MCA RI values of first and last examinations was statistically significant (p < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between MCA RI values at the first examination and the time passing to delivery (r = 0.52; p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between MCA RI values and the incidence of an adverse perinatal outcome. Pregnancies with AEDF are of high risk for the development of fetal distress. MCA resistance index values decrease gradually in fetuses with AEDF suggesting continuous reduction of cerebral vascular resistance during chronic fetal hypoxia.