The Change of Fetal Liver Length and Liver Volume by Ultra-sonography according to Gestational Age in Normal Pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: The measurement of liver size can be used for the diagnosis of the fetal growth abnormality (FGR, macrosomia etc.). The purpose of this study was to evaluate a mathematical relationship between the fetal liver size(liver length or volume) and the gestational age in the normal pregnancies. Brief comparisons were also tried on the base of the degree of the correlation between liver length and its volume. METHODS: We collected 54 singleton pregnancies of 20 to 36weeks of gestation for measuring fetal liver length and 57 singleton pregnancies for measuring fetal liver volume. We used Combison 530 utrasonic machine(Kreztechnik AG, Zipf, Austria). RESULTS: There was significant correlation between liver size( length and volume) and gestation age. And the liver volume better correlated with gestational age than liver length(r=0.93 : r=0.78, p<0.0001, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Ultrasonic measurement of fetal liver size is a reliable indicator of fetal growth, especially liver volume. Therefore these data may have a potential value for the prediction of abnormal fetal growth(FGR, macrosomia).

The Outcomes of 17,744 Cervicovaginal Smears in Ihha University Hospital / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate the distribution of the result of 17,744 cervicovaginal smears and their pathologic results in Inha University Hospital to make a reference data. METHODS: During 28 months, May 1996 to August 1998, we performed 17,774 cervicovaginal smears and arranged them by the Bethesda system and compared them with their pathologic results. RESULTS: Among 17,744 smears, there were 93.2% of benign results, 2.9% of ASCUS, 0.9% of LSIL, 1.4% of HSIL, and 0.8% of SCC. The ASCUS/SIL ratio was 1.28. Among ASCUS, the high grade histologic outcome was composed 4.0%. Among LSIL, there were 15.7%, and HSIL 48.0%, SCC 56.1%, AGUS 9.3%, and Adenocarcinoma, the results was 69.2%. CONCLUSION: Among 17,744 smears, there were 93.2% of benign results, 2.9% of ASCUS, 0.9% of LSIL, 1.4% of HSIL, and 0.8% of SCC. The ASCUS/SIL ratio was 1.28. These results were very similar to other data and we would like to add our data to them as a reference. And the worse the smear results were, the worse the pathologic results were.

The protein / creatinine ratio of a spot urine specimen in the pregnancy induced hypertension / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of the protein/creatinine ratio of a spot urine specimen for early detection of proteinuria in the pregnancy induced hypertension and to suggest optimum cut-off value of that. STUDY DESIGN: A spot urine specimen and 24 hour urine collection for the proteinuria were ordered for 36 women admitted to obstetric unit for pregnancy induced hypertension and ROC curve analysis was performed to evaluate the usefulness of the protein/creatinine ratio of a spot urine specimen and to suggest optimum cut-off value. RESULT: The protein/creatinine ratio of spot urine positively correlated well with 24 hour urine proteinuria. (r=0.4322, p=0.0085) and the optimum cut-off value of the protein/creatinine ratio of a spot urine specimen to maximize the diagnostic accuracy was 5.0(Youden's index=0.66). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the protein / creatinine raio of a spot urine specimen may be a simple and inexpensive method for evaluation of proteinuria in the pregnancy induced hypertension when frequent determinations are necessary. This should improve clinical care, especially when managing hypertensive pregnant women as outpatients.

The comparison of the defecation physiology between postpartum and postoperative women by defecogram and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To understand the difference of defecation physiology between postpartum and postoperative women. METHODS: Between July 1998 to April 1999, we performed defecogram and pudendal nerve motor latency to 31 women, who were 8 postoperative women, 9 post cesarean-section state women, and 14 normal vaginal delivery-state women. RESULTS: According to the defecogram results, only squeezing angles of the anorectal angle were significantly increased(96.0 vs 72.3, 74.9 degree) in normal vaginal delivery-state women compared to post cesarean-section state and postoperative women, but rest and evacuation angles were not. And to pudendal nerve latency, there were no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the pudendal plexus was damaged during labor, therefore its ability to control puborectalis muscle was damaged. So, the anorectal angles of squeezing of postpartum women were significantly increased, compared to those of post cesarean section women or postoperative women.

The Distribution of CA-125 Level Among the Patients Who Underwent Hysterectomy / 대한부인종양콜포스코피학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: To understand the importance of the serum level of Ca-125 among pelvic mass, we performed a study. METHOD: From January to December 1998, we performed the study. Before hysterectomy, we performed a blood sampling to know the serum level of Ca-125, After hysterectomy, we weighed the uterus and measured the thickness of endometrium and other histologic characteristics. RESULTS: We performed my research to 80 peoples. The relation between uterine weight and the serum level of Ca-125 is little, if ever(R2=0.0007), and the relation between the thickness of endometrium and the serum level of Ca-125 is also little, if ever(R2=0.0353). The relation between leiomyoma, the cycle of endometrium and the serum level of Ca-125 were also little, but there was a close relationship between adenomyosis and the serum level of Ca-125. CONCLUSION: There was little relationship between uterine weight and the serum level of Ca-125.

Leptin levels in amniotic fluid and maternal blood at mid-trimester: Relations to gestational age, fetal sex, fetal weight estimated by ultrasound, and maternal BMI / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: Leptin is a 16-kD protein encoded by the ob/ob gene and represent the amount of body fat. In pregnancy, it is thought to act in intrauterine fetal growth and energy metabolism. In this study, we investigated the effect of gestational age, fetal sex, maternal body mass index (BMI), and fetal weight estimated by ultrasound on amniotic fluid and maternal serum leptin levels at mid-trimester, respectively. METHODS: Amniotic fluid and maternal blood sampling were collected from women who was performed for genetic amniocentesis at mid-trimester (n = 26). Leptin concentrations were measured by a specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) employing human recombinant leptin. Mean gestational age was 18.19+/-1.77 weeks. Mean maternal BMI was 23.83 +/-5.12kg/m2. Male fetus was 10, and female 16. Mean fetal weight estimated by ultrasound was 254.42+/-83.80gm. RESULTS: Mean maternal leptin level( 12.49+/-4.46 ng/mL) was significantly higher than mean amniotic leptin level(5.06+/-3.20 ng/mL)( p = 0.0001) at mid-trimester. But there was no significant correlationship between maternal and amniotic leptin levels( p = 0.1376). Maternal leptin concentrations at mid-trimester were correlated positively with maternal BMI(y = 2.24 + 0.43 x, R2 = 0.494, p = 0.0103). In contrast, leptin levels in amniotic fluid did not correlate with maternal leptin levels, gestational age, fetal sex, maternal BMI, and fetal weight estimated by ultrasound respectively. CONCLUSION: Maternal leptin level was higher than amniotic leptin level and could represent maternal fat mass. It was suggested that amniotic leptin level was not associated with several factors such as maternal, fetal, and amniotic factors.

Screening of high risk pregnancy using maternal serum triple markers / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether abnormal triple marker in the second trimester may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: Between November 1996 and April 1998, we evaluated 1,158 pregnant women undergoing second trimester triple marker screening tests who delivered at our hospital. The pregnancy outcomes of 48 women with false positive screens were compared with 1,158 screen negative controls. The pregnancy outcomes were obtained from hospital delivery records. RESULTS: Women with abnormal triple marker showed increased risks for low birth weight(p<0.01). But there was no significant differences between study and control groups with respect to preterm labor, pregnancy induced hypertension, oligohydroamnios, premature rupture of membrane, placenta previa, abruptio placenta, fetal death in utero. CONCLUSION: Abnormal triple marker in the second trimester was associated with low birth weight.

A Case of Mixed Germ Cell Tumor with 6 Components of Germ Cell and Sarcomatous Component / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary are uncommon neoplasms. Although 20-25% of all ovarian tumors are derived from germ cells, only about 3% of germ cell tumors are malignant. Mixed germ cell tumors contain at least two malignant germ cell elements. These lesions should be managed with combination chemotherapy, preferably BEP. Recently we experienced a case of mixed germ cell tumor with 6 components of germ cell and sarcomatous change in a 11 year old girl. Preoperative CA-125, B-hCG, aFP, LDH, a-1-antitrypsin were elevated and the final pathologic report was mixed germ cell tumor composed of endodermal sinus tumor, embryonal carcinoma, mature and immature teratoma, choriocarcinoma, dysgerminoma and sarcomatous change, Postoperative chemotherapy with 6 courses of BEP regimen was performed and all tumor markers became normal after 4 courses of chemotherapy. What we interested in this case was several components of germ cells and sarcomatous change and the sarcomatous change might be derived from the mature cystic teratoma component, so we present this case with a brief review of the literatures here.

Ultrasonography for Evaluation of Polyhydramnios / 대한산부인과학회잡지

This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficiency of ultrasonography for the prenatalassessment of Polyhydramnios. From May 1988 to October 1993, 2,320 subjects hadsingle gestations undergoing fetal testing after 20 gestational weeks at the Severance Hospital.The incidence of Polyhydramnios diagnosed by amniotic fluid index was 6.8%(157/2,320). Maternal diabetes mellitus and fetal congenital anomalies diagnosed by ultrasonographywere found in 6(3.8%) and 73(46.5%) patients among the polyhydramnios group. Thecausative factor of the other cases(49.7%) was unknown. The most common fetal malformationswere central nervous system(26.0%) and gastrointestinal system anomalies(24.7%). And they were followed by abdominal wall defect(8.2%), skeletal dysplasia(8.2%),cardiac lesion(6.8%), facial lesion(5.5%), and thoracic or diaphragmatic lesion(4.5%). Theincidence of Cesarean section due to fetal distress, low 5-min Apgar score, large for getationalage, admission to intensive care nursery, and perinatal mortality was not significantlydifferent in the idiopathic polyhydramnios group compared with that of the control group(p < 0.05).We found ultrasonic examination seems to be valuable diagnostic tool to assess theamount of amniotic fluid volume and detect fetal anomalies. Also it might be essential toperform the follow-up examination in idiopathic polyhydramnios to predict the perinatal outcome.

Congenital Anomalies Diagnosed by Antenatal Ultrasonography / 대한산부인과학회잡지

The incidence of congenital anomalies is reported to be 2~3% of live born births. Inthe past, infection was one of the major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, butowing to the development of antibiotics and intensive care, congenital anomalies are becominga major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Prenatal diagnosis of congenitalanomalies is becoming more important because appropriate perinatal care may minimize theeffect of congenital anomalies.We studied the incidence of congenital anomalies diagnosed by antenatal ultrasoundexaminations retrospectively. The study group was 13,652 pregnant women who were takenantenatal obstetric ultrasound examinations between Jan. 1, 1991 and Dec. 31, 1995. Therewere 694 cases of congenital anomalies diagnosed by antenatal ultrasonography examinations.The incidence of congenital anomalies was 5.1%. The most common congenital anomaliesby organ system was central nervous system(32.7%), and the next were urogenital(14.7%), heart(11.7%), face and neck(8.4%), multiple anomalies(8.4%), G-I(6.8%), abdominalwall defect(4.5%), skeletal(3.5%), thorax(3.2%) in order. The most common congenitalanomalies was choroid plexus cyst(8.8%), and the next were hydrocephalus(7.9%), hydronephrosis(6.5%), cystic hygroma(4.2%), anencephaly(3.9%), cleft lip and/or palate(2.9%),hydrops fetalis(2.4%), small intestinal obstruction(2.3%), multicystic kidney(2.2%), diaphragmatichernia(2.2%), omphalocele(2.0%), gastroschisis(2.0%), holoprosencephaly(1.9%),ovarian cyst(1.6%), esophageal atresia(1.4%), microcephaly(1.4%), amniotic band syndrome(1.3%), meningocele or meningomyelocele(1.3%) in decreasing order. Ultrasonography maybe a useful prenatal diagnostic method of detecting congenial anomalies.

Is Doppler Velocimetry Useful for the Prediction of Uteroplacental Insufficiency? / 대한산부인과학회잡지

This study was designed to investigate a possible role for Doppler velocimetry as apredictor of uteroplacental insufficiency with fetal heart rate(FHR) tracing. From January1994 to through May 1996, we studied 419 high risk pregnant women who underwent Dopplervelocimetry within 1 week of intrapartum cardiotocogram or contraction stress test(CST) after 30 gestational weeks. The presence of a diastolic notch in uterine artery,elevated systolic/diastolic(S/D) ratios in umbilical artery(more than 3.0), or in uterine artery(more than 2.6) were considered abnormal. All of the 419 subjects were performed intrapartumcardiotocogram or CST within 1 week after Doppler veocimetry. Seventeen caseswere associated with persistent late deceleration or positive CST. The sensitivity, specificity,positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and relative risk of umbilical arteryS/D ratio for predicting abnormal FHR tracing were 23.5%(4/17), 89.3%(359/402), 8.5%(4/47), 96.5%(359/372), and 0.97. those of uterine artery S/D ratio and diastolic notch were29.4%(5/17), 92.5%(372/402), 14.3%(5/35), 96.9%(372/384), 1.35 and 35.3%(6/17), 90.3%(363/402), 13.3%(6/45), 97.6%(363/374), 3.88 respectively. The presence of uterine arterydiastolic notch in Doppler velocimetry seems to be a better predictor for abnormal FHRtracing after 30 weeks gestation than are S/D ratios in umbilical or uterine arteries.In conclusion, we can suggest that the presence of diastolic notch in uterine arteryDoppler velocimetry might be useful to predict the uteroplacental insufficiency after 30gestational weeks.

Clinical Significance of Fetal Cardiac Axis in Screening of Fetal Cardiac and Extracardiac Intrathoracic Anomaly / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to investigate a possible role for fetal cardiac axis in prenatal screening of congenital cardiac or extracardiac intrathoracic anomaly. Introduction: The incidence of the congenital heart disease is reported to be 8 per 1000 live births. The congenital heart disease is the most common major anomaly in newborn, and significantly affects perinatal morbidity and mortality. Because about 90% of congenital heart disease occurs in fetus without risk factors, it is important to screen congenital heart disease in low risk patients for the congenital heart disease. METHOD: 48 cases of cardiac(38 cases) and extracardiac intrathoracic(10 cases) anomaly and 205 cases for control were evaluated for measurement of cardiac axis and analyzed by Student`s t-test and correlation analysis with SPSS/PC+ packages. RESULTS: The mean cardiac axis of control group was 39.4degrees (SD: 9.2degrees, range: 20degrees ~ 65degrees), and in the lesion group it was 42.1degrees (SD: 28.9degrees, range: -34degrees ~ 127degrees). If we use mean cardiac axis+/-2SD of normal fetuses as a range of normal cardiac axis(21degrees ~ 58degrees), 16/48(33.3%) of the congeital heart disease or extracardiac intrathoracic anomaly will be detected and specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value of the fetal cardiac axis in screening cardiac or intrathoracic anomaly will be 96.6%, 69.6%, 86.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The fetal cardiac axis may be a useful parameter in screening fetal cardiac or extracardiac intrathoracic anomaly, and could be used clinically as a parameter for evaluation of the four-chamber view of the heart.

Amniotic Fluid Index According to Fetal Presentation / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of fetal presentation to the measurement of amniotic fluid index(AFI) in singleton pregnancy after 20 weeks of gestation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review of the medical and ultrasonographic records from 1992 to 1996 including AFI value and pregnancy outcomes was performed retrospectively. The inclusion criteria were (1) singleton pregnancy delivered after 37 weeks of gestation, (2) birth weight between 10th and 90th percentile, (3) no fetal anomaly, (4) 5 minute Apgar score>or=7, (5) no maternal medical disease such as hypetensive disorders or diabetes, (6) and intact amniotic membranes at the time of ultrasonography. The results of 7,362 tests from 5,607 pregnancies were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: In normal pregnancies after 20 weeks of gestation, the AFI value showed the peak during 25~30 week and decreased thereafter. The range of AFI during preterm pregnancy(30~36 weeks, N=2,836) were between 9.4 and 21.8 cm(5th to 95th percentile, mean value of 15.2+/-4.1cm). The range of AFI at term(37~40 weeks, N=1,245) were 7.7 and 21.9 cm(5th to 95th percentile, mean value of 14.2+/-4.5cm), which showed significant difference (p=0.000) from that of preterm. The range of AFI after 41 weeks(N=75) were within 4.3 and 26.7cm(5th to 95th percentile, mean value of 13.8+/-6.3cm), which showed gradual decrease. The AFI among the gravidas with breech presentation showed similar values between 20~36 weeks. At term pregnancies(after 37 weeks, N=84) with breech presentation, the AFI(range 5.2cm~22.3cm, mean value 13.5+/-4.8cm) was smaller than those with cephalic presentation, but statistically insignificant(p=0.103). The commonly used criteria for oligohydramnios, AFI 5.0cm, equated to 1st percentile in cephalic presentation and 5th percentile in breech pregnancies, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study AFI throughout pregnancies after 20 week of gestation showed difference of distribution of AFI according to gestational age and fetal presentation in term pregnancy. Further studies would be required to establish the cutoff value of oligohydramnios in cephalic and breech presentation at term pregnancy to establish different criteria according to fetal presentation.