ABSTRACT
A pregnancy luteoma represents an unusual response of ovarian stromal cells to the altered hormonal levels of pregnancy. It is a distinctive non-neoplastic lesion characterized by solid proliferations of luteinized cells resulting in a tumor-like ovarian enlargement. Most patients are asymptomatic; the ovarian enlargement is usually discovered incidentally at cesarean section or during postpartum tubal ligation. We report a typical case that we found at cesarean section to be associated with a virilized infant who manifested clitoromegaly and labial fusion. We detected an increased level of testosterone in the maternal patient. We concluded that the ovarian luteoma induced the fetal virilization.
Subject(s)
Luteoma/complications , Ovarian Neoplasms/complications , Virilism/etiology , Adult , Cesarean Section , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Luteoma/blood , Maternal-Fetal Exchange , Ovarian Neoplasms/blood , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic/diagnosis , Testosterone/blood , Virilism/bloodABSTRACT
Choroid plexus cysts (CPC) are a well-known ultrasound aneuploidy marker easily detectable at second-trimester ultrasound examination. However, their genetic etiology is totally unknown. We report two cases of Japanese mothers who carried two and three siblings respectively; all the fetuses that had CPC were noticed at second trimester. Genetic amniocentesis revealed that each fetus had different karyotypes, that is, trisomy 18 and 46,XX in the case of one mother, and trisomy 18, 46,XY and trisomy 21 in the case of the other. These observations indicate that the genetic basis of the cysts is not linked to abnormal chromosomes. We propose that careful ultrasound observation and genetic counseling of the siblings should be offered to patients who have previously had a baby with CPC, despite that baby having a normal karyotype.
Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms/congenital , Central Nervous System Cysts/congenital , Choroid Plexus , Adult , Brain Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Brain Neoplasms/genetics , Central Nervous System Cysts/diagnostic imaging , Central Nervous System Cysts/genetics , Choroid Plexus/abnormalities , Choroid Plexus/diagnostic imaging , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 , Down Syndrome/diagnostic imaging , Down Syndrome/genetics , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Pregnancy , Siblings , Trisomy , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
AIM: Prostaglandin D (PGD), synthesized by lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS), has marked effects on a number of biological processes, including the prevention of platelet aggregation and the relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. The aim of the study presented here was to examine the significance of L-PGDS in human pregnancy. METHODS: We measured the concentration of plasma L-PGDS in pregnant and non-pregnant women, and the concentration of L-PGDS in the umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid and urine of newborns by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. To determine the localization of L-PGDS, we performed immunohistochemical analysis. To evaluate the usefulness of diagnosis of rupture of membranes (ROM), we determined the concentration of L-PGDS in cervicovaginal secretions. RESULTS: Pregnant women and non-pregnant women had similar L-PGDS concentrations (0.57 +/- 0.13 microg/mL vs 0.53 +/- 0.07 microg/mL). Umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid and newborn urine contained higher L-PGDS concentrations (1.87 +/- 0.73 microg/mL, 2.62 +/- 0.86 microg/mL, 6.31 +/- 4.62 microg/mL, respectively) than maternal blood. The concentration of L-PGDS in amniotic fluid from 19 weeks onward was significantly greater than that at 15-18 weeks (3.201 +/- 0.384 microg/mL, n = 6 vs 1.735 +/- 0.477 microg/mL, n = 4; P < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the amniotic cells of the placenta expressed L-PGDS. The sources of L-PGDS in amniotic fluid are fetus urine and amniotic cells. The concentration of L-PGDS in cervicovaginal secretions with rupture of membrane (ROM) were significantly higher than those without ROM. CONCLUSION: The measurement of L-PGDS in cervicovaginal fluid was useful in the detection of ROM during pregnancy.
