A clinical score can predict associated deep infiltrating endometriosis before surgery for an endometrioma.

STUDY QUESTION: Is it possible to detect associated deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) before surgery for patients operated on for endometriomas using a preoperative clinical symptoms questionnaire? SUMMARY ANSWER: A diagnostic score of DIE associated with endometriomas using four clinical symptoms defined a high-risk group where the probability of DIE was 88% and a low-risk group with a 10% probability of DIE. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Many clinical symptoms are already known to be associated with DIE but they have not yet been used to build a clinical prediction model. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: We built a diagnostic score of DIE based on a case control study of 326 consecutive patients operated on for an endometrioma between January 2005 and October 2011: 164 had associated DIE (DIE+) and 162 had no DIE (DIE-). We derived the score on a training sample obtained from a random selection of 2/3 of the population (211 patients, 101 DIE+, 110 DIE-), and validated the results on the remaining third (115 patients, 63 DIE+, 52 DIE-). The gold standard for the diagnosis of DIE was based on surgical exploration and histological diagnosis. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Participants were consecutive patients aged 18-42 years who underwent surgery for an endometrioma with histological confirmation and complete treatment of their endometriotic lesions: data for these women were extracted from a prospective database including a standardized preoperative questionnaire. On the training dataset, variables associated with DIE in a univariate analysis were introduced in a multiple logistic regression and selected by a backward stepwise procedure and a Jackknife procedure. A diagnostic score of DIE was built with the scaled/rounded coefficients of the multiple regression. Two cut-off values delimitated a high and a low risk group, and their diagnostic accuracy was tested on the validation dataset. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Four variables were independently associated with DIE: visual analogue scale of gastro-intestinal symptoms ≥5 or of deep dyspareunia >5 (adjusted diagnostic odds ratio (aDOR) = 6.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) [2.9-12.1]), duration of pain greater than 24 months (aDOR = 3.8, 95% CI [1.9-7.7]), severe dysmenorrhoea (defined as the prescription of the oral contraceptive pill for the treatment of a primary dysmenorrhoea or the worsening of a secondary dysmenorrhoea) (aDOR = 3.8, 95% CI [1.9-7.6]) and primary or secondary infertility (aDOR = 2.5, 95% CI [1.2-4.9]). The sum of these variables weighted by their rounded/scaled coefficients constituted the score ranging from 0 to 53. A score <13 defined a low-risk group where the probability of DIE was 10% (95% CI [7-15] with a sensitivity of 95% (95% CI [89-98]) and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.1 (95% CI [0.0-0.3]). A score ≥35 defined a high-risk group where the probability of DIE was 88% (95% CI [83-92%]), with a specificity of 94% (95% CI [87-97]), and a positive likelihood ratio of 8.1 (95% CI [3.9-17.0]). The performance of the score was confirmed on the validation dataset with 11% of DIE+ patients having a score <13 (sensibility: 95%) and 90% of DIE+ patients having a score ≥35 (specificity: 94%). LIMITATION, REASONS FOR CAUTION: This study was performed in a department specialized in DIE management. Score accuracy could be different in less specialized centres. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This score could have a major clinical impact on the time of diagnosis, the management of DIE and could reduce the cost of investigations by helping to identify high-risk patients, while preserving the quality of care. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors have no competing interests to declare. No grant supported the study.

[Recurrence of pain after surgery for deeply infiltrating endometriosis: How does it happen? How to manage?]. / Récidive de la douleur après chirurgie pour endométriose profonde : pourquoi ? Que faire ?

Recurrence of deep endometriosis remains a major issue in the management of endometriosis. The main cause for recurrence appears to be an incomplete excisional surgery. Therefore, the goal of the primary surgery should be the complete resection of all endometriotic lesions. If surgical skills cannot meet this objective it seems preferable to refer the patient to a center with a recognized expertise in this field rather than performing an incomplete surgery. It seems also possible to tailor the indications according to the symptoms, especially when endometriosis affects the bladder in association with an asymptomatic vaginal and/or rectal involvement. This strategy does not increase the rate of recurrence. Postoperative medical treatment based on ovarian function suppression is attractive as it diminishes the recurrence rate. Facing the recurrence, appropriate assessment of the benefit risk balance must be performed. Medical treatment is an option. When surgery is chosen, it seems interesting to discuss carefully the indication of hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy, especially for women over 40 years old with no desire for pregnancy and/or symptomatic adenomyosis. Risks of induced ovarian castration must be taken into account.

[Granulomatous peritonitis after laparoscopic surgery of an ovarian dermoid cyst. Diagnosis, management, prevention, a case report]. / Péritonite granulomateuse après traitement coeliochirurgical d'un kyste dermoïde de l'ovaire. Diagnostic, prise en charge, prévention, à propos d'un cas.

We report a case of granulomatous peritonitis which occurred following laparoscopic exeresis of a dermoid cyst of the ovary performed together with medically induced abortion. The peritoneal cavity was contaminated when the cyst ruptured during the procedure emptying sebum and hairs in the peritoneum. Abondant washing with aspiration of all the visible particles was done with a 5 mm canula. The diagnosis of granulomatous peritonitis was suggested with the development of persistant fever, degradation of the patient's general health, moderate abdominal pain and a nodular image at echography located on the operated ovary. The nodule was found to be an inflammatory granuloma on a foreign body. Two second-look laparotomies, one transrectal and the other via the xypho-pubian route, were required 1 month after the initial operation for complete cure. The diagnosis was confirmed on the pathology report.

Varicella zoster virus infection during pregnancy: the limits of prenatal diagnosis.

In a mother with clinical evidence of chicken-pox at 12.5 weeks, fetal herpes varicella zoster infection was revealed by transient fetal ascites with liver calcifications at 27 weeks routine ultrasound. At 27 and 35 weeks fetal blood sampling and amniocentesis failed to demonstrate fetal viral infection. However, the diagnosis was confirmed postnatally based on thoracic herpes zoster at 8 months in an otherwise healthy infant. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on stored amniotic cells performed retrospectively was positive for varicella zoster virus (HVZV). This observation suggests that (1) in contrast to PCR, conventional fetal biology lacks sensitivity for prenatal diagnosis of HVZV infection, (2) the association of fetal sonographic abnormalities and positive amniotic PCR can be associated with a favorable pediatric outcome. Therefore, prenatal diagnosis of HVZV infection should be considered with the greatest caution.

[Chickenpox and pregnancy]. / Varicelle et grossesse.

The authors report a case of chickenpox exposure during the first three months of pregnancy. Ultrasonographic monitoring of the fetus revealed signs of fetal infection starting from 32 weeks of amenorrhea (hepatomegaly, ascites, pleural effusion) but clinical examination of the child at birth showed nothing abnormal. The diagnosis was confirmed by the development of herpes zoster in the child after birth. The difficulty of determining a fetal prognosis during pregnancy is emphasised.

[Acute water intoxication after prolonged infusion of oxytocin]. / Intoxication aiguë par l'eau après perfusion prolongée d'ocytocine.

The authors report a case of acute water intoxication with severe neurological features which complicated prolonged administration of oxytocin for post-partum hemorrhage. The patient was a 35-year-old woman with a tight mitral stenosis. The patient recovered consciousness after the hydro-electrolytic state had been put right. The precautions that have to be undertaken and the monitoring that is necessary to avoid hyponatraemia with water retention are reviewed. It is important to know the risk factors which are connected with this treatment and how certain abnormal conditions of the heart can play a role in causing this syndrome.

[The value of systematic prophylactic blood transfusions in the outcome of pregnancies in patients with severe sickle cell anemia. Study of 63 deliveries in Guadeloupe]. / De l'intérêt des transfusions prophylactiques systématiques dans l'évolution des grossesses chez les drépanocytaires majeures. Etude de 63 accouchements en Guadeloupe.

When pregnancy occurs in women suffering from major sickle cell disease there is a double risk for the mother and for the fetus. Pregnancy favours the development of the classical complications of the disease and fetal distress in utero or prematurity bring with them an increased level of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Routine blood transfusion carried out prophylactically might seem to be a solution that lessens the risk. In fact, a comparative study of two series of patients did not give rise to the conclusion that there was any benefit from carrying out the procedure. Careful supervision of the progress of the pregnancy would seem to be the one essential factor to improve the prognosis.