Halis Özdemir

Transvaginal ultrasound-guided local methotrexate administration as the first-line treatment for cesarean scar pregnancy: Follow-up of 18 cases

Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy, which occurs in previous cesarean section scar tissue, with an incidence of 1 in 1800–3000 pregnancies. Transvaginal ultrasound‐guided local methotrexate (MTX) administration presents as a non‐systemic option with possible better penetration to the pregnancy site. We present the management of 18 patients with CSP solely by transvaginal ultrasound‐guided local MTX administration. All patients were treated with local MTX with a dose of 50 mg/m2. Eleven (61.1%) of the patients did not need any further intervention. Four patients (22.2%) were treated with additional single‐dose systemic MTX due to inadequate alteration in blood β‐human chorionic gonadotrophin levels. Three patients (16.7%) required hysteroscopy and/or laparotomy. We suggest that transvaginal ultrasound‐guided local MTX treatment may be considered as a first‐line treatment for CSP.

Maternal and fetal blood levels of S100 and ischaemia modified albumin in term intrauterine growth restricted fetuses with abnormal umbilical artery Doppler values.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate whether levels of fetal hypoxia markers, S100 and ischaemia modified albumin (IMA) change in cases of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This case–control study included 15 intrauterine growth restricted fetuses and 20 age-matched controls. During delivery of the fetuses, cord blood and maternal blood S100 and IMA levels were studied. The fetal weight and umbilical cord pH values of IUGR fetuses were significantly lower than the control group. The mean maternal and umbilical cord blood values of S100 and IMA were similar in the two groups. IMA levels in cord blood of the IUGR group were significantly higher than maternal levels, whereas umbilical and maternal levels of IMA did not differ among control cases. In cases without brain sparing effect in Doppler ultrasonography, umbilical cord S100 and IMA levels do not change significantly in IUGR when compared with appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) fetuses.

Management of endometrial ossification with office hysteroscopy

Endometrial ossification can appear as immature bony fragments or well-formed bones. Several aetiological hypotheses are suggested for formation of endometrial ossification such as retention of fetal bones; osseous metaplasia from multipotential stromal cells; heteroplasia of embryonally displaced mesodermal cell nests and dystrophic calcification of retained and necrotic tissue. The retention of the fetal bones is associated with direct implantation of fetal parts into the endometrium especially in second trimester abortions in which the fetus has formed bony parts. However this theory does not explain the cases with early abortions in which the embryo has no calcified bones as yet. In these situations osseous metaplasia or heteroplasia of embryonally displaced mesodermal cell nests can explain the formation of endometrial ossification. (excerpt)

Ischaemia-modified albumin in preeclampsia: A critical view

Abstract The aim of the study was to compare ischaemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels, both original and corrected, in healthy pregnancies and pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia. Maternal and cord blood samples from study (n = 16) and control (n = 17) groups were collected at the time of delivery. IMA levels were given in absorbance units (ABSU). IMA levels, both original and corrected, were compared between study and control groups. No significant difference was found between maternal and cord blood IMA levels between the study and control groups [1.0 (0.3–3.5) vs 1.2 (0.2–1.4) ABSU, p = .053 and 1.0 (0.1–2.2) vs 0.9 (0.4–3.6) ABSU, p = .382, respectively]. The results were similar for maternal IMA levels, after correction of IMA levels [1.1 (0.3–5.1) vs 1.2 (0.2–1.6) ABSU, p = .292]. IMA is a novel marker for ischaemia, without precise conclusions about its value in preeclampsia. An absolute correction formula, considering all possible intervening factors, is required for more accurate results.

Is primiparity a risk factor for advanced maternal age pregnancies

Abstract Objective: Currently, more women are delaying childbearing until their 40s.This study compared the pregnancy and maternal features, pregnancy and foetal outcomes between multiparous and primiparous patients. We compared the same factors between assisted reproductive technology (ART) and non-ART primiparous patients because of the high proportion of ART used in the primiparous patients. Methods: The study retrospectively examined 1680 patients, 35 years of age and older, between March 2008 and February 2015. Results: Comparing the features of these two groups, there was an increased incidence of employment and the use of ART in primiparous patients, while birthweight tended to be higher in the multiparous group. There were no significant differences in pregnancy complications other than hypertension disorders, such as pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome, which were significantly more frequent in primiparous patients. The rates of foetal growth retardation and perinatal death were significantly higher in primiparous women. Comparison of the data between ART and non-ART primiparous patients indicated that the ART group had a higher initial body mass index and a lower smoking rate. No significant differences in pregnancy complications or foetal outcome were observed between these two groups. Conclusion: Primiparity is associated with increased pregnancy and foetal complications in advanced age pregnancies. However, the use of ART in this age group does not seem to be an additional risk factor.

The effect of preserving prepared sperm samples at room temperature or at 37 °C before intrauterine insemination (IUI) on clinical pregnancy rate

Objective: The comparison of the effect of preserving prepared sperm samples at room temperature or at 37 °C before intrauterine insemination (IUI) on clinical pregnancy rate. Materials and Methods: Retrospective clinical research. University hospital, infertility clinic. Patients with one or two follicles, between the ages of 20 and 40, whose infertility period was less than 6 years and the injected total motile sperm count was more than 10 million. Preserving sperm samples prepared for IUI at 37 ºC or at room temperature before IUI. The clinical pregnancy rate of IUI cycles between 1st of January 2004 and 1st of December 2011 in which prepared sperm samples were preserved at 37 ºC and the clinical pregnancy rate of IUI cycles between 1st of December 2011 and 31st of May 2014 in which prepared sperm samples preserved at room temperature. Results: Clinical pregnancy rates were similar in IUI cycles in which prepared sperm samples were preserved at 37 ºC and at room temperature (9.3% vs. 8.9%). Clinical pregnancy rates in IUI cycles with 2 follicles were higher than IUI cycles with 1 follicle (10.8% vs. 7.6%) (p=0.002). Further statistical analysis after splitting data according to the number of the follicles revealed that there was no statistical difference between clinical pregnancy rates after IUI cycles in which prepared sperm samples were preserved at 37 ºC or at room temperature in both one follicle (7.6% vs. 7.6%), and two follicle cycles (11.5% vs. 10.1%). Conclusions: Preserving prepared sperm samples at room temperature had no negative effect on clinical pregnancy rates when compared with reserving prepared sperm samples at 37 ºC during IUI cycles.

The nomogram of prenasal thickness and nasal bone ratio and its relationship with nuchal fold in second‐trimester fetal ultrasound

We aimed to define the normal values of second‐trimester fetal prenasal thickness and nasal bone length ratio (PNT/NBL) in a low‐risk Turkish population and investigate the relationship between the increased PNT and nuchal fold (NF).

Is the presence of corpus callosum predictable in the first trimester

Abstract Corpus callosum agenesis (CCA) is a clinical condition accompanied by various aneuploidy and genetic syndromes. We identified the development of the corpus callosum (CC) in 278 patients before 18 weeks of gestational age by visualising the pericallosal artery (PCA) in the callosal sulcus and changes in the lengths and ratios of the midbrain (MB) and falx (F), which suggested elevation of the third ventricle and thalamus due to CCA in the first trimester. We succeeded in visualising the path of the PCA in 273 patients. As expected, we observed an increase in the lengths of the MB and F throughout the pregnancies. The MB:F ratio was 0.5–0.6, and it was independent of gestational age. In all 278 patients, the MB:F ratio was <0.6 (95th percentile = 0.79). We observed the presence of the CC during anatomical screening at gestational weeks 18–24. Visualisation of the PCA path (98% sensitivity) and calculation of the MB:F ratio <95th percentile (0.79–100% sensitivity) had very high sensitivity that indirectly confirmed the presence of the CC in the first trimester of pregnancy. Impact statement What is already known on this subject: After reading the articles for detecting the absence of corpus callosum (CC) at first trimester with midbrain (MB) and falx (F) measurement by Lachmann et al. (2013) and visualising pericallosal artery (PCA) as an indirect sign of CC agenesis by Pati et al. (2012), we aimed to have a look for our records visualising PCA in callosal sulcus and measure MB–F, as well as their ratios for an indirect sign of ‘presence’ of CC at first trimester. What the results of this study add: In recent literature, it is not possible to find many articles suggesting the presence of CC between 11 and 13 weeks of gestation. Díaz-Guerrero et al. (2013) and Pati et al. (2012) has researched visualising PCA path. Lachmann et al. (2013) reported an article for MB and F measurements in early suspicion of CC agenesis. Our study will be the first article in visualising PCA path and measuring MB–F lengths as well as their ratios for ‘presence’ of CC with high sensitivity rates (98% and 100%). What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research: This study encourages clinicians visualising PCA path and measure MB–F lengths when they will try to visualise repetitive times and see how it is an easy procedure when you get used to it.

Outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection after preinstillation of a gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist in the uterine cavity just before embryo transfer

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) injection prior to embryo transfer on implantation and pregnancy rate. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) therapy with and without GnRHa preinstallation into the uterine cavity just before embryo transfer between January 2012 and March 2013 in a single IVF center of a university hospital. Patients were evaluated based upon implantation, pregnancy, live birth, and miscarriage rates. Results: GnRHa was injected into the uterine cavity of 108 patients prior to embryo transfer which were regarded as study group. One thousand forty-seven patients who were not injected GnRHa were regarded as the control group. Pregnancy rates were 44.4% and 41.7% in the GnRHa and control groups, respectively. Live birth rates were 27.8% and 26.1%, miscarriage rates were 15.7% and 15.7%, and implantation rates were 31% and 30%, respectively and there were no difference between groups statistically (p>0.05). Conclusion: No statistically significant differences in implantation, pregnancy, live birth, or miscarriage rates were observed in patients treated with GnRHa prior to embryo transfer, relative to the controls. Therefore, GnRHa injection into the uterine cavity prior to embryo transfer is not recommended as a means of increasing implantation or pregnancy rates in IVF. However, prospective randomized controlled studies are needed to clarify the effect of GnRHa instillation in the uterine cavity for embryo implantation in IVF.

Concordance hypoplastic left heart syndrome in dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy: A rare case report

Abstract Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital birth defect, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a relatively common form of CHD, with an estimated incidence of 0.1–0.25 per 1,000 live births. However, twin pregnancies in which both fetuses are affected by HLHS are very rare. Herein, we present the first reported case of dichorionic dizygotic twins concordant for this condition.