Bleeding from Gynecologic Malignancies.

Initial assessment of vaginal bleeding in gynecologic malignancies includes a thorough history and physical examination, identification of site and extent of disease, and patient goals of care. Patients who are initially hemodynamically unstable may require critical care services. Choice of treatment is disease site specific. Cervical cancer frequently is treated with chemoradiation. Uterine cancer may be treated surgically, with radiation, or pharmacologically. Gestational trophoblastic disease is treated surgically. Alternative treatment modalities include vascular embolization and topical hemostatic agents. Patients with bleeding gynecologic malignancies should be managed as inpatients in facilities with gynecologic oncology, radiation oncology, and critical care services.

Our Experience in Using the Endovascular Therapy in the Management of Hemorrhages in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

(1) Background: A quarter of maternal deaths are caused by post-partum hemorrhage; hence obstetric bleeding is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among women. Pelvic artery embolization (PAE) represents a minimally invasive interventional procedure which plays an important role in conservative management of significant bleeding in Obstetrics and Gynecology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect and the complications of PAE in patients with significant vaginal bleeding with different obstetrical and gynecological pathologies. (2) Methods: We conducted an observational, retrospective study on 1135 patients who presented to the University Emergency Hospital of Bucharest with vaginal bleeding of various etiology treated with endovascular therapy. All the patients included in the study presented vaginal hemorrhage that was caused by: uterine leiomyomas, genital tract malignancies, ectopic pregnancy, arterio-venous mal-formations and other obstetrical causes. We excluded patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe hepatic impairment, congestive heart failure, renal failure or ventricular arrhythmias. (3) Results: Bleeding was caused in 88.19% of cases by uterine leiomyomas (n = 1001), 7.84% (n = 89) by cervical cancer, 2.29% by ectopic pregnancy (n = 26), 1.23% by arteriovenous malformation (n = 14) and 0.52% by major hemorrhage of obstetrical causes. Endovascular procedures were used in all the cases. In patients with uterine leiomyomas, supra-selective uterine arteries embolization was used. In 97% (n = 1101) of patients, bleeding was stopped after the first attempt of PAE. 3% (n = 34) needed a second embolization. In 12 of 14 cases of AVM, PAE was successful, two other cases needed reintervention; (4) Conclusions: Endovascular procedures represent a major therapy method for both acute and chronic hemorrhage in Obstetrics and Gynecology. It can be used in post-partum or post-traumatic causes of vaginal bleeding, but also in patients with chronic hemorrhage from uterine leiomyomas or inoperable genital malignancies or even as a preoperative adjuvant in cases of voluminous uterine fibroids or invasive malignant tumors, aiming to reduce intraoperative hemorrhage.

Autotransfusion of vaginally shed blood as a novel therapy in obstetric hemorrhage: A case series.

OBJECTIVE: To report maternal outcomes in a cohort of women who received autotransfusion of vaginally shed blood and to describe the feasibility of blood collection and cell salvage processing at the time of vaginal hemorrhage. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case series of patients who received autotransfusion of vaginally shed blood at the time of obstetric hemorrhage from January 2014 to August 2020. Maternal data and cell salvage utilization characteristics were abstracted from the electronic medical record. RESULTS: Sixty-four cases were identified in which autotransfusion of vaginally shed blood occurred during an obstetric hemorrhage. Median quantitative blood loss was 2175 ml (interquartile range 1500-2250 ml) with 89% of cases having a blood loss greater than 1000 ml. Patients on average received approximately 1.3 units of autologous blood product (384 ml, interquartile range 244-520 ml) and no direct adverse events were observed during transfusion. We observed heterogeneity in autologous blood volume across all values of quantitative blood loss. The need for allogenic blood transfusion was common and occurred in 72% of all cases (N = 46). There were no documented cases of maternal sepsis or severe infectious morbidity. CONCLUSION: In 64 cases where autotransfusion of vaginally shed blood occurred, autotransfusion was well tolerated. Heterogeneity in autologous blood volume collection likely represents the lack of standardized protocols for blood collection in the delivery room. Autotransfusion of vaginally shed blood is a feasible and reasonable technique to employ during severe obstetric hemorrhage.

Tumor del saco vitelino primario de vagina en una niña. A propósito de un caso / Primary vaginal yolk sac tumor in a girl. Case report

Las neoplasias ginecológicas en niñas son raras. Representan menos del 5 % de todos los cánceres en pediatría. No existen estadísticas sobre la incidencia de tumores de vagina en esta etapa de la vida. Se presenta el caso de una niña de 9 meses con sangrado por genitales. La ecografía evidencia una masa sólida en vagina, y la vaginoscopia, un tumor friable. Presenta valores de α-fetoproteína elevados, por lo que se diagnostica tumor de saco vitelino, confirmado por biopsia. Se realiza tratamiento quimioterápico. A menos de 1 año del diagnóstico, se encuentra en remisión completa. Este caso resulta de interés no solo por la rareza, sino también porque el diagnóstico rápido de tumor de saco vitelino permite mejorar los resultados y la sobrevida de las pacientes

Gynecological neoplasms in girls are rare and represent only less than 5 % of all childhood tumors. There are no statistics on the incidence of vaginal tumors at this stage in life. We present a 9-month-old girl evaluated for genital bleeding. Ultrasound reveals a vaginal solid mass and vaginoscopy reports a friable tumor. AFP is elevated. A yolk sac tumor is confirmed by biopsy she receives chemotherapy. Within a year after diagnosis, she remains tumor-free. This is a case of interest, not only because of its rarity, but also because a rapid diagnosis of a yolk sac tumor improves outcomes and patient's survival rates.

[Primary vaginal yolk sac tumor in a girl. Case report]. / Tumor del saco vitelino primario de vagina en una niña. A propósito de un caso.

Gynecological neoplasms in girls are rare and represent only less than 5 % of all childhood tumors. There are no statistics on the incidence of vaginal tumors at this stage in life. We present a 9-month-old girl evaluated for genital bleeding. Ultrasound reveals a vaginal solid mass and vaginoscopy reports a friable tumor. AFP is elevated. A yolk sac tumor is confirmed by biopsy she receives chemotherapy. Within a year after diagnosis, she remains tumor-free. This is a case of interest, not only because of its rarity, but also because a rapid diagnosis of a yolk sac tumor improves outcomes and patient's survival rates.

Las neoplasias ginecológicas en niñas son raras. Representan menos del 5 % de todos los cánceres en pediatría. No existen estadísticas sobre la incidencia de tumores de vagina en esta etapa de la vida. Se presenta el caso de una niña de 9 meses con sangrado por genitales. La ecografía evidencia una masa sólida en vagina, y la vaginoscopia, un tumor friable. Presenta valores de α-fetoproteína elevados, por lo que se diagnostica tumor de saco vitelino, confirmado por biopsia. Se realiza tratamiento quimioterápico. A menos de 1 año del diagnóstico, se encuentra en remisión completa. Este caso resulta de interés no solo por la rareza, sino también porque el diagnóstico rápido de tumor de saco vitelino permite mejorar los resultados y la sobrevida de las pacientes.

Uterine Artery Pseudoaneurysm: A Life-Threatening Cause of Vaginal Bleeding in the Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: Vaginal bleeding is a common presenting complaint in the emergency department (ED); life-threatening hemorrhage is rare. Uterine artery pseudoaneurysm (UAP) is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening cause of vaginal bleeding that is most likely to present primarily to EDs, given its delayed postpartum or postoperative presentation. CASE REPORT: A 25-year-old female gravida two, para one, who was 19 days post dilation and evacuation for an elective termination of a pregnancy at 20 weeks, presented to the ED with profuse vaginal bleeding. She was hypotensive and tachycardic at presentation, requiring resuscitation with 0.9% normal saline and transfusions of packed red blood cells. Transvaginal ultrasound completed in the ED demonstrated a pulsatile mass in the cervix with internal "ying-yang" flow on Doppler images, suggestive of a uterine artery pseudoaneurysm within the cervix. The patient underwent emergent uterine artery embolization with resolution of bleeding and improvement in her hemodynamic status. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: UAP is an uncommon cause of vaginal bleeding, but UAP rupture can be life-threatening. UAP is an important differential diagnosis for vaginal bleeding, particularly in the postpartum or postoperative setting. Delaying diagnosis may worsen bleeding in the setting of a ruptured UAP if treatment is pursued for alternative diagnosis; for example, treating retained products of conception with a dilation and curettage. Being aware of UAP and how to diagnose it will allow early proper treatment and more favorable patient outcomes.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever with hepatic impairment and vaginal hemorrhage: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a tick-borne disease described in more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Albania is located in the southwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula. In 1986, the first case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever was registered, and cases of patients with hemorrhagic fever are rising, and most of them present in a serious condition, when the mortality rate is very high. In districts like Mirdite, Lezhe, Gjirokaster, Skrapar, Erseke, and Kukes, there is delineated human-to-human transmission. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 32 year-old Albanian woman from a rural area of Albania. She was hospitalized at the Infectious Diseases Service, for a severe influenza-like illness of 4 days duration. Our patient had been bitten by a tick while working in her garden. She presented with nausea, vomiting, headache and muscle pain. A physical examination found a high fever of 40 °C, an enlarged liver, petechia, and vaginal bleeding; flapping tremor and fetor hepaticus were found as a sign for hepatic encephalopathy; and confusion and disorientation were observed in her neurological examination. Her platelet and white blood cell counts were very low, while her aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were very high. She was transferred to the intensive care unit because of her worsening condition. Serological and C-reactive protein test results for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever were positive. She was treated with oral ribavirin and discharged with normal parameters. CONCLUSIONS: People in high-risk professions in the endemic areas should be informed and trained on the risk of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever as a matter of urgency. Vaginal bleeding is not always a gynecological problem. In Albania, these places are the mountainous areas, so people who have traveled to these areas and who have symptoms after a tick bite are advised to contact their doctors.

Bleeding in cancer patients and its treatment: a review.

Bleeding is a common problem in cancer patients, related to local tumor invasion, tumor angiogenesis, systemic effects of the cancer, or anti-cancer treatments. Existing bleeds can also be exacerbated by medications such as bevacizumab, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and anticoagulants. Patients may develop acute catastrophic bleeding, episodic major bleeding, or low-volume oozing. Bleeding may present as bruising, petechiae, epistaxis, hemoptysis, hematemesis, hematochezia, melena, hematuria, or vaginal bleeding. Therapeutic intervention for bleeding should start by establishing goals of care, and treatment choice should be guided by life expectancy and quality of life. Careful thought should be given to discontinuation of medications and reversal of anticoagulation. Interventions to stop or slow bleeding may include systemic agents or transfusion of blood products. Noninvasive local treatment options include applied pressure, dressings, packing, and radiation therapy. Invasive local treatments include percutaneous embolization, endoscopic procedures, and surgical treatment.

The use of QuikClot combat gauze in cervical and vaginal hemorrhage.

QuikClot combat gauze is a synthetic hemostatic dressing used for hemorrhage control. There is a paucity of data describing the clinical use and hemostatic results of combat gauze in the obstetric and gynecologic setting. This case series demonstrates the use of combat gauze as an effective hemostatic agent when used as vaginal packing in cervical and vaginal hemorrhage. Hemostasis was achieved rapidly in all cases and further interventions were avoided. The combat gauze remained in place for a mean time of 15 h with no adverse side effects observed. The use of combat gauze as vaginal packing may provide an alternative option in the treatment of cervical and vaginal hemorrhage when other traditional conservative and surgical interventions fail or are unavailable.