Novel Strategy for the Management of Cervical Multicystic Diseases.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical practices of diagnosing multicystic cervical lesions as a means to develop a more appropriate diagnostic algorithm for gastric-type adenocarcinoma (GAS) and its precursors. METHODS: Clinical information for 159 surgically treated patients for multicystic disease of the uterine cervix was collected from 15 hospitals. We performed a central review of the MRI and pathological findings. The MRI findings were categorized into four types including two newly proposed imaging features based on the morphology and distribution of cysts, and the diagnosis accuracy was assessed. Among the four MRI types, types 1 and 2 were categorized as benign lesions that included LEGH; type 3 were precancerous lesions (with an assumption of atypical LEGH); and type 4 were malignant lesions. RESULTS: The central pathological review identified 56 cases of LEGH, seven with GAS, four with another form of carcinoma, and 92 with benign disease. In clinical practice, over-diagnosis of malignancy (suspicion of MDA) occurred for 12/19 cases (63.2%) and under-diagnosis of malignancy occurred for 4/11 (36%). Among the 118 patients who had a preoperative MRI and underwent a hysterectomy, type 3 or 4 MRI findings in conjunction with abnormal cytology were positively indicative of premalignancy or malignancy, with a sensitivity and specificity of 61.1% and 96.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although the correct preoperative diagnosis of cervical cancer with a multicystic lesion is challenging, the combination of cytology and MRI findings creates a more appropriate diagnostic algorithm that significantly improves the diagnostic accuracy for differentiating benign disease from premalignancy and malignancy.

Seasonal shift in epidemics of respiratory syncytial virus infection in Japan.

In Japan, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection generally has occurred during autumn and winter. However, a possible change in the seasonal trend of RSV infection has been observed recently. The current study was conducted to determine whether the epidemic season of RSV infection in Japan has indeed changed significantly. We used expectation-based Poisson scan statistics to detect periods with high weekly reported RSV cases (epidemic cluster), and the epidemic clusters were detected between September and December in the 2012-2016 seasons while those were detected between July and October in the 2017-2019 seasons. Non-linear and linear ordinary least squares regression models were built to evaluate whether there is a difference in year trend in the epidemic seasonality, and the epidemic season was shifted to earlier in the year in 2017-2019 compared to that in 2012-2016. Although the reason for the shift is unclear, this information may help in clinical practice and public health.

Associations of Body Mass Index, Weight Change, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Behavior With Endometrial Cancer Risk Among Japanese Women: The Japan Collaborative Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The impact of weight change, physical activity, and sedentary behavior on endometrial cancer risk among the Asian population is uncertain. We investigated the association of those factors with endometrial cancer risk among Japanese women with a low body mass index level. METHODS: We performed a large-scale nationwide cohort study consisting of 33,801 female participants aged 40-79 years. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of incident endometrial cancer. RESULTS: The mean body mass index of participants was 22.8 kg/m2. During a median follow-up of 14.8 years, 79 participants developed endometrial cancer. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, body mass index over 23.0 kg/m2 was linearly associated with the risk of endometrial cancer. The HR per 5 kg/m2 increase was 1.80 (95% CI, 1.28-2.54). Weight increment ≥+5 kg since age 20 was associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer compared to a weight change of -5 to <+5 kg (multivariable HR 1.96; 95% CI, 1.12-3.40). Compared with females who were mainly sitting at the worksite, those who were mainly standing and moving were at lower risk; the multivariable HRs were 0.79 (95% CI, 0.39-1.59) and 0.46 (95% CI, 0.22-0.97), respectively (P for trend = 0.042). Hours of physical exercise, daily walking, and TV viewing were not associated with endometrial cancer risk. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight and weight gain were positively associated with the risk of endometrial cancer, while worksite physical activity was inversely associated with the risk.

Left Ventricular Diastolic Function During the Normal Peripartum Period.

BACKGROUND: Because cardiovascular function and hemodynamics markedly change during pregnancy, our aim was to elucidate left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in pregnant women.Methods and Results:We prospectively collected the data of 397 pregnant women treated between 2012 and 2013. We evaluated their LV systolic and diastolic functions via echocardiography during the 3rd trimester (28-30 weeks' gestation) and within 4 days of delivery. Additionally, we analyzed the cardiac geometry: relative wall thickness and LV mass index (LVMI). Diastolic dysfunction was defined as early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (e') <7 cm/s and peak early filling velocity (E)/e' ratio >15. The pregnant women were 33.7±5.0 years old and the prevalence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) was 4.0%. LV systolic function was preserved in all pregnant women. However, diastolic function significantly decreased after delivery (mean e': 12.6 vs. 11.6 cm/s, P<0.0001; median E/e' ratio: 6.4 vs. 7.3, P<0.0001). Diastolic function after delivery was associated with the prevalence of HDP (P=0.035) and was correlated with age (R=-0.17, P=0.0009) and LVMI (R=-0.30, P<0.0001). However, these changes in diastolic function remained within the normal range and only 1 woman (1/397, 0.3%) had LV diastolic dysfunction after delivery. CONCLUSIONS: LV diastolic function decreased after delivery in pregnant women but was within the normal range.

Factors associated with increased levels of brain natriuretic peptide and cardiac troponin I during the peripartum period.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the values and the changes of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cardiac troponin in pregnant women. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively collected the data of 405 pregnant women who were treated at Japanese general hospital between 2012 and 2013. We analyzed their laboratory data and echocardiographic findings during the third trimester (28-30 weeks' gestation) and within 4 days of delivery. In addition, we evaluated the factors associated with elevation of BNP and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels. The pregnant women were 33.8 ± 5.0 years old and the prevalence of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and placental abnormality was 4.2% and 2.5%, respectively. BNP levels increased after delivery (13.2 pg/mL vs. 23.5 pg/mL; P <0.001), correlated with increased left ventricular diastolic dimension (P = 0.035), left atrial dimension (P <0.001), and decreased hemoglobin (P <0.001). Moreover, cTnI levels increased to over 0.015 ng/mL after delivery in 4.0% of pregnant women. In multivariate analysis, PIH (OR: 18.71, P = 0.003), placental abnormality (OR: 26.78, P = 0.007), and decreased hemoglobin after delivery (OR: 2.59, P <0.001) were the factors associated with elevated cTnI. CONCLUSIONS: BNP levels increased in association with cardiac chamber enlargement and decreased hemoglobin after delivery. Additionally, the factors affecting elevated cTnI levels were related to labor and delivery.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Associated with Ovarian Cancer.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may be associated with various types of malignancy. However, SLE occurring with ovarian cancer seems rare, and reliable therapeutic approaches for such cases have yet to be identified. We herein report a case of SLE with ovarian cancer that was successfully treated with corticosteroid, plasmapheresis and chemotherapy. This case may provide new insights into treatment approaches for SLE with ovarian cancer.

A case of laparoscopy-assisted vaginal cuff suturing for vaginal cuff dehiscence after total laparoscopic hysterectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Vaginal cuff dehiscence after hysterectomy is a rare complication and occurs in less than 1% of patients. It can present with serious complications, such as bowel evisceration and peritonitis. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 51-year-old multigravida Korean woman underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy for leiomyoma. Six months later, she reported lower abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. Physical examination revealed rebound tenderness in the lower abdomen, and pelvic examination showed a small amount of vaginal bleeding with an evisceration of the small intestine through the vagina that exhibited healthy peristalsis. The eviscerated bowel, which seemed to be a part of the ileum, was carefully manually reduced transvaginally into the abdominal cavity. Laparoscopic observation revealed adhesions between the omentum, small intestine, and the peritoneum. Specifically, the small intestine was adhered around the vaginal cuff. An abdominal abscess was found in the left lower abdominal cavity. An adhesiotomy was performed and the abdominal abscess was removed and irrigated. Complete separation of the anterior and posterior vaginal cuff edges was obtained. The vaginal cuff was closed with interrupted 0-polydioxanone absorbable sutures without bowel injury. A 6-month follow-up examination revealed complete healing of the vaginal cuff. DISCUSSION: In this case, we were able to make use of both laparoscopic and transvaginal methods to perform a successful repair with a minimally invasive and safe technique. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopically assisted vaginal cuff suturing for vaginal cuff dehiscence after total laparoscopic hysterectomy was found to be effective, safe, and minimally invasive.

Successful delivery after abdominal radical trachelectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced invasive uterine cervical cancer: a case report and literature review.

Uterine cervical cancer is increasingly prevalent among young Japanese women who are eager to preserve their fertility, and abdominal radical trachelectomy (ART) is often performed in patients with early-stage invasive lesions. Herein we present details of a 27-year-old woman with stage IB1 cervical cancer. Although the patient received ART, histopathological findings revealed a parametrial invasion. Hence, 3 courses of adjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin (TC) were administered, and the patient conceived spontaneously 44 months later. Rupture of the membrane occurred at 32 weeks and 4 days, and a 1822 g female baby was delivered by emergency cesarean section. The patient is alive without disease and her child is growing favorably. This case demonstrates the balance between preservation of fertility and curative adjuvant chemotherapy after ART.