Cem Dane

Ultrasound screening for fetal major abnormalities at 11-14 weeks.

Background. This study was planned to evaluate the efficiency of the 11–14 week scan in detecting fetuses with major fetal structural abnormalities. Methods. Some 1,290 pregnant women were submitted to a routine ultrasound scan between the 11th and 14th week after the detection of the fetal viability. The fetal anatomy was examined transabdominally, and in suspected cases transvaginally. Following the scans, the patients were examined in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Fetal structural abnormalities classified as major and early onset were noted. Isolated choroid plexus cysts, cardiac defects not requiring treatment, mild ventriculomegaly, and mild renal pelviectasis in second trimester were not included. Results. Twenty‐four (1.86%) fetuses with various defects were identified, and 17 of these were diagnosed at the 11–14 week scan. The antenatal ultrasound detection rate of the fetuses with major anomalies was 95%, and 70% were detected in the first‐trimester assessment. Four cardiac defects associated with genetic syndromes or requiring operation were included (0.31%) in this series. Two of the fetuses with cardiac defects (50%) had an increased nuchal translucency thickness. In this group, none of the fetuses with karyotype anomalies was born alive. Conclusions. The first‐trimester scan is important in routine antenatal care for early detection of fetal defects, and determination of the fetuses at risk of cardiac anomalies and genetic syndromes.

Comparison of the effects of raloxifene and low-dose hormone replacement therapy on bone mineral density and bone turnover in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Objective. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of raloxifene and low-dose hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Methods. Forty-two postmenopausal osteoporotic women, who were randomized to receive raloxifene 60 mg or estradiol 1 mg/norethisterone acetate 0.5 mg daily for 1 year, were studied. All women received calcium 600 mg/day and vitamin D 400 IU/day. BMD and markers of bone turnover were measured at baseline and at 12 months. Results. After 12 months of treatment, there were statistically significant increases in BMD in both groups at all sites (all p < 0.05). For the lumbar spine, the increase in BMD was 2.3% for raloxifene compared with 5.8% for low-dose HRT and corresponding values for total body BMD were 2.9% for raloxifene and 4.6% for low-dose HRT; the increases being significantly greater in the low-dose HRT group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.02, respectively). Although the increase in BMD at the hip was significant for both raloxifene (2.1%) and low-dose HRT (3.2%) compared with baseline, the difference between the two regimens did not reach statistical significance. The decrease in serum C-terminal telopeptide fragment of type I collagen and serum osteocalcin levels for the low-dose HRT group (−53% and −47%, respectively) was significantly greater than for the raloxifene group (−23% and −27%, respectively; both p < 0.01). Conclusions. In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, low-dose HRT produced significantly greater increases in BMD of the lumbar spine and total body and greater decreases in bone turnover than raloxifene at 12 months.

Correlation between First-Trimester Maternal Serum Markers, Second-Trimester Uterine Artery Doppler Indices and Pregnancy Outcome

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between first trimester maternal serum free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (fBHCG), pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPPA), second-trimester uterine artery (UA) Doppler measurements and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Serum levels of PAPPA and fBHCG were determined at the first trimester, and patients underwent bilateral UA Doppler assessments at 20–25 weeks of gestation. A serum PAPPA level <0.4 MoM was termed as low and the abnormal Doppler findings were the presence of bilateral notches and RI >0.52 (mean) or unilateral notch and RI >0.66 (90th percentile). Results: Mean PAPPA level was significantly lower in cases with unilateral or bilateral notches (1.09; 0.79 and 0.80 MoM for 0, 1 and 2 notches, p < 0.001). Fifty-two cases (12.8%) had a low PAPPA level; in this group the incidence of abnormal Doppler was significantly higher (34.6 vs. 18.4%, p = 0.011). In the presence of abnormal Doppler in a case with a low serum PAPPA the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension (OR = 4.56, p = 0.0067), low birth weight (OR = 6.8, p = 0.0002) and the risk of at least one complication (OR = 7.6, p = 0.00001) were significantly high. Conclusion: Combination of first- and second-trimester findings might improve the efficiency of screening for pregnancy complications.

Maternal Plasma Fibronectin and Advanced Oxidative Protein Products for the Prediction of Preeclampsia in High Risk Pregnancies: A Prospective Cohort Study

Objective: To determine whether maternal plasma fibronectin and advanced oxidative protein products (AOPP) can be used for the prediction of preeclampsia in high-risk women. Study Design: One hundred pregnant women at high risk of preeclampsia were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Maternal plasma total fibronectin and AOPP levels were measured at 19–25 weeks of gestation. AOPP levels were also measured in 23 normal non-pregnant women. After delivery, the pregnant cohort was assigned to either the normotensive or preeclamptic group depending on their clinical course. Results: Among the 78 pregnant women who completed the study, 19 (24.3%) developed preeclampsia between 36 and 39 (36.8 ± 1.0) weeks of gestation. AOPP levels, which are significantly higher in normotensive pregnant women compared to nonpregnant controls (42.55 ± 15.94 vs. 27.95 ± 10.5; p = 0.0001) were not significantly different between normotensive and preeclamptic women (42.55 ± 15.94 vs. 47.45 ± 14.19 μM; p = 0.23). Plasma fibronectin levels were significantly higher in women who continued to develop preeclampsia rather than remain normotensive (383.68 ± 19.07 vs. 227.65 ± 97.39; p < 0.0001). ROC curve analysis shows that total fibronectin ≥360 mg/l is predictive for the development of preeclampsia. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values are 57, 92, 73 and 85%, respectively, with a likelihood ratio of 7.38. Conclusion: Second trimester plasma concentrations of AOPP are not altered in women that develop pre-eclampsia later in pregnancy. However, total fibronectin levels are significantly increased and may be used to predict the onset of clinical symptoms of preeclampsia.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Bartter Syndrome with Biochemical Examination of Amniotic Fluid: Case Report

Antenatal Bartter syndrome typically presents with marked fetal polyuria that leads to polyhydramnios and premature delivery. In our case, polyhydramnios was detected at 26 weeks of gestation and amniotic fluid chloride level was high. Serial amnion-drains were performed. During indomethacine treatment, fetal bradycardia developed. The mother was given daily oral potassium to maintain normal serum level and prevent fetal arrhythmias. After birth, hypokalaemic alkalosis, low chloride, hyper-reninemia and hyperaldosteronemia were detected.

Antenatal Bartter syndrome: analysis of two cases with placental findings.

The prenatal diagnosis of Bartter syndrome can be based on the high chloride level in the amniotic fluid. Microscopic examination of the placenta in untreated cases showed extensive mineralization in the chorionic villi in previous studies. Two cases were presented at 26–29 weeks of gestation with severe polyhydramnios. The mothers were treated with Indomethacin, KCl, and serial amniocentesis in order to reduce the amniotic fluid volume and prevent fetal hypokalemia. The microscopic examination of the placenta revealed focal calcification and acute atherosis in placental vessels. The treatment with Indomethacin in the antenatal period can prevent severe nephrocalcinosis.

Maternal Death After Uterine Rupture in an Unscarred Uterus: A Case Report

Spontaneous uterine rupture is a life-threatening obstetrical emergency encountered infrequently in the Emergency Department. Emergency Physicians must consider this diagnosis when presented with a pregnant patient in shock with abdominal pain. We present the case of a multigravid woman who had a spontaneous uterine rupture after induction with oxytocin, followed by a discussion of uterine rupture with special emphasis on the unscarred uterus. After the delivery, the patient was treated with fundal pressure and oxytocin due to severe vaginal hemorrhage. Despite the lack of vaginal hemorrhage after 1 h, the condition of the patient worsened. Laparotomy and a hysterectomy were performed. A parametrial hematoma about 20 cm was detected. The patient died 30 min after the operation. The treatment for intrapartum uterine rupture includes fluid resuscitation and emergency laparotomy.

Screening properties of human papillomavirus testing for predicting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion smears: a prospective study.

The aim of the present study was to determine the usefulness of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing for predicting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 and 2 to 3 on cervical biopsies in women who had atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) on Papanicolaou tests. In this prospective cohort, 167 women with abnormal cytologic examination (ASCUS and LSIL) were evaluated by colposcopy-directed biopsy and endocervical curettage. Colposcopy was performed on all study participants to obtain cervical tissue for histologic examination for detection of underlying CIN in patients with an initial cytologic test result of ASCUS and LSIL. A sample for HPV DNA detection by polymerase chain reaction was obtained. The HPV type 16 was positive in 35.4% of the 167 women with abnormal cytologic examination result in our gynecologic outpatients clinic. Histologic diagnosis of CIN 1 was found in 45 of 135 women with ASCUS and in 17 of 32 women with LSIL. According to the cytologic findings, the frequency of CIN grade 2 or 3 in patients classified as ASCUS and LSIL was 12.5% (17/135) and 18.7% (6/32), respectively. Of the ASCUS smears, 9.6% were positive for HPV type 16. The sensitivity of the HPV type 16 using polymerase chain reaction technique threshold in detecting CIN 1 and CIN 2 to 3 was 57% and 46% in ASCUS-LSIL cytologic examination, respectively. The positive predictive value of HPV type 16 ranged from 60% in patients with CIN 1 and 42% in CIN 2 to 3 in ASCUS-LSIL. By contrast, negative predictive value was 58% in patients with CIN 1 and 80% in CIN 2 to 3. The low positive predictive value of HPV testing with ASCUS smears suggests that HPV positivity could be not used for predicting the presence of CIN 2 to 3.

Jarcho-Levin Syndrome Presenting as Neural Tube Defect: Report of Four Cases and Pitfalls of Diagnosis

Jarcho-Levin syndrome (JLS) causes severe vertebral and thoracic deformity and has an autosomal-recessive mode of inheritance. Prenatal diagnosis may be difficult in some cases without the history of an affected baby. We present 4 cases of JLS with neural tube defects as the prominent finding. In 2 of them the deformity of the thorax was minimal and was not detected by ultrasonography. Rib anomalies were revealed with radiological and pathological examinations after the termination. The location of the vertebral defect may be the determinant factor for the severity of the thoracic deformity. The real recurrence risk could only be found out after postnatal examinations in cases with neural tube defects.

A single horn endometrial carcinoma of a uterus bicornis unicollis.

In this report, we describe a case of endometrial carcinoma arising in one horn of a bicornuate uterus. The diagnosis of this rare combination can be missed unless an unrecognized postmenopausal bleeding alerts the gynecologist to make a careful search for both endometrial cavities that may be curetted. Physicians should remember the possible existence of a separate uterine cavity when endometrial cancer is clinically suspected but histology fails to confirm the diagnosis.