Jasmina Begum

Screening and Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Where Do We Stand.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is defined as any glucose intolerance with the onset or first recognition during pregnancy. This definition helps for diagnosis of unrecognized pre-existing Diabetes also. Hyperglycemia in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and prenatal outcome. It is important to screen, diagnose and treat Hyperglycemia in pregnancy to prevent an adverse outcome. There is no international consensus regarding timing of screening method and the optimal cut-off points for diagnosis and intervention of GDM. DIPSI recommends non-fasting Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) with 75g of glucose with a cut-off of ≥ 140 mg/dl after 2-hours, whereas WHO (1999) recommends a fasting OGTT after 75g glucose with a cut-off plasma glucose of ≥ 140 mg/dl after 2-hour. The recommendations by ADA/IADPSG for screening women at risk of diabetes is as follows, for first and subsequent trimester at 24-28 weeks a criteria of diagnosis of GDM is made by 75 g OGTT and fasting 5.1mmol/l, 1 hour 10.0mmol/l, 2 hour 8.5mmol/l by universal glucose tolerance testing. Critics of these criteria state that it causes over diagnosis of GDM and unnecessary interventions, the controversy however continues. The ACOG still prefer a 2 step procedure, GCT with 50g glucose non-fasting if value > 7.8mmol/l followed by 3-hour OGTT for confirmation of diagnosis. In conclusion based on Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) study as mild degree of dysglycemia are associated with adverse outcome and high prevalence of Type II DM to have international consensus It recommends IADPSG criteria, though controversy exists. The IADPSG criteria is the only outcome based criteria, it has the ability to diagnose and treat GDM earlier, thereby reducing the fetal and maternal complications associated with GDM. This one step method has an advantage of simplicity in execution, more patient friendly, accurate in diagnosis and close to international consensus. Keeping in the mind the diversity and variability of Indian population, judging international criteria may not be conclusive, thus further comparative studies are required on different diagnostic criteria in relation to adverse pregnancy outcomes.

B-Lynch: A Technique for Uterine Conservation or Deformation? A Case Report with Literature Review

Postpartum haemorrhage is a leading cause of global maternal mortality and morbidity, accounting for 25-30% of all maternal deaths, and 75-90% of these casualties result from uterine atony. Uterine compressive sutures are a well established measure for control of haemorrhage following atonic postpartum haemorrhage, when medical and nonmedical interventions fail. Here, we are reporting a case of secondary infertility in a 24-year-old lady who had undergone an elective caesarean section for central placenta previa in her first pregnancy. She had massive postpartum haemorrhage, for which B-Lynch suture and vessel ligation were done. Subsequently, she failed to conceive for 4 years. This was because of severe pelvic adhesions and uterine deformation which were found intraoperatively, as a consequence of previous use of B-Lynch suture. As no definitive treatment could be offered to her, we suggested her to go for adoption.

Fibroid after Hysterectomy: A Diagnostic Dilemma

Broad ligament fibroids are rare and often pose clinical diagnostic difficulties. We report a case of broad ligament fibroid in a woman after hysterectomy. The lady presented to us with continuous lower abdominal pain of seven months duration. Bimanual examination revealed a firm mass on the right side of the vaginal vault. Transvaginal sonogram and computed tomography scan was suggestive of possible parasitic leiomyoma or a broad ligament fibroid. Exploratory laparotomy and removal of the mass, followed by histological examination confirmed leiomyoma. Extra-uterine fibroid should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pelvic masses even in the post-hysterectomy state.

Foetal fibular hemimelia with focal femoral deficiency following prenatal misoprostol use: A case report

Misoprostol is a well known abortifacient. It can cause teratogenicity like Mobius sequence and terminal transverse limb defects. We report a rare case of proximal focal femoral deficiency with fibular hemimelia in a woman who had attempted abortion with self-administered misoprostol and later continued the pregnancy. Though the absolute risk of congenital malformations with its use is low ∼1%, this should be clearly communicated to the women requesting abortion to help them make fully informed reproductive health decisions.

Complete molar pregnancy in postmenopausal women

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is an abnormal proliferation of trophoblastic tissue during pregnancy. It is a disease of reproductive age, and a few cases have also been seen in women with advanced age, although it is extremely rare in postmenopausal women. Here, we describe an uncommon case of complete hydatidiform mole (CHM) in a postmenopausal woman, who has presented to us with complaints of bleeding per vagina, vomiting with 22 weeks size gravid uterus. Ultrasound finding along with raised serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (α -HCG) 400,000 mIU/ml suggested the diagnosis of CHM. In view of postmenopausal status and future risk of postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, we performed a total abdominal hysterectomy . Uterus was 20 cm × 15 cm × 15 cm filled with cystic, grapes such as vesicles. Microscopic examination demonstrated generalized trophoblastic proliferation with hydropic degenerated villi suggested of benign CHM. Follow-up showed steady fall in serum α -HCG level and no evidence of any residual disease. A suspicion of GTD should be kept in mind while evaluating a patient with peri- or post-menopausal bleeding so that it will prevent a delay in diagnosis and treatment.

Misdiagnosis of abdominal pain in pregnancy: acute pancreatitis.

We report a case of acute pancreatitis in a pregnant woman who presented to our emergency department with complaints of severe abdominal pain, was misdiagnosed as scar dehiscence and underwent emergency repeat caesarean section at 33 wks for fetal distress. The preterm baby developed severe respiratory distress and succumbed on the second postnatal day. Persistent severe pain in the postoperative period in the mother prompted further evaluation which led to a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Conservative and supportive management was instituted leading to an eventual favourable maternal outcome.

Diagnostic Dilemma in Ovarian Pregnancy: A Case Series

Ovarian pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy but it is the most common type of nontubal ectopic pregnancy. Many times it is operated with a misdiagnosis of ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy or hemorrhagic corpus luteum. The high resolution transvaginal ultrasonography is a valuable tool for diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy but ovarian pregnancy still remains a diagnostic problem and a continuous challenge to the gynecologist. The correct diagnosis is made at the time of surgery and confirmation is by histopathological report. Here we report three cases of primary ovarian ectopic pregnancies, consistent with the Spiegelbergs criteria. Out of this, two cases have corroboration of ovarian ectopic pregnancy with use of intrauterine contraceptive device and one case by chance without any preexisting risk factors, probably due to interference in the release of ovum from the follicle. In all the three cases, emergency laparotomy was done for ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy and the diagnosis of ruptured primary ovarian pregnancy was made at the time of surgery, this was subsequently confirmed by histopathology report. In the era where wider usage of intrauterine devices, ovulatory drugs and assisted reproductive techniques are rife, there is a possibility of an increase in the incidence of this rare entity, so ovarian ectopic pregnancy should be kept in mind as a possibility. Thereby early diagnosis by high resolution transvaginal ultrasound and laparoscopy can decrease the risk of complications like rupture, secondary implantation, hemorrhagic shock and maternal mortality.

Cervical tuberculosis: A diagnostic dilemma

Case Report A 27-year-old nulligravida married for seven months presented with the complaints of intermittent pain abdomen and secondary amenorrhoea for the past seven months. She had no history of fever, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, post-coital bleed, abnormal discharge per vaginum or any other systemic symptoms. Her previous menstrual cycles were normal and there was no history of usage of contraceptive methods. Th ere was no history of tuberculosis and no history of contact. On examination, she was a healthy looking lady with no systemic abnormality. Systemic examination did not reveal any respiratory pathology and cardiac status was normal. Per abdomen examination was normal. Gynaecological examination revealed a hypertrophic friable looking lesion encompassing the whole of ectocervix which bled on touch (Figure 1a). Transvaginal sonogram showed a normal-sized uterus with hypoechoic endometrium of thickness 1.6 cm, dilated fallopian tubes and free fl uid in pelvis. Colposcopic examination revealed no acetowhite areas but the presence of iodine-negative areas. Biopsy of cervix and endometrium was done and revealed proliferation of ectocervical epithelium with dense lymphoplasmacytic infi ltrate and presence of ill-defi ned granulomas with Langhans-type giant cells in endometrium. Smear for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) was reported as negative. Biopsy specimen sent for liquid culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for tubercle bacilli at an intermediate reference laboratory for tuberculosis was also inconclusive. Blood investigations revealed an elevated ESR with a strong positive Mantoux reaction of 24 mm. Chest X-ray was normal. Sputum and urine for AFB was negative. A strong clinical suspicion of genital tuberculosis led us to do diagnostic laparoscopy to get additional supportive evidence for tuberculosis. It revealed dilated fallopian tubes, pelvic and perihepatic adhesions, and presence of psuedocysts and tubercles on the surface of tubes. Based on a high index of clinical suspicion and inputs from the various tests, patient was started on anti-tubercular therapy (ATT). Treatment given to her included multidrug therapy beginning with isoniazid 300 mg, rifampin 450 mg, ethambutol 800 mg and pyrazinamide 750 mg orally once daily for 2 months, followed by isoniazid and rifampin at the same dosages for 6 months, along with vitamin B6 40 mg orally once daily for preventing isoniazid-induced peripheral neuropathy. Patient came for follow-up 12 days later with remarkable improvement of the cervical lesion. Aft er 2 months of completion of intensive phase of the ATT regimen her cervix looked almost normal (Figure 1b). At present patient is continuing her medications and is under surveillance. Partner was unwilling for any investigations.

Unusual Complication of Surgical Abortion with Pelvic Extrusion of Fetal Head: A Case Report.

Unsafe abortion is one of the causes of maternal mortality and morbidity in developing countries. The complications mostly results following unsafe abortion procedure done by unskilled provider with or without minimal medical knowledge in rural part of developing countries. These complications can endanger the life of mother if proper medical or surgical interventions are not offered in time. A majority of these complications remains confidential. The uterine perforation is one of the serious but preventable complications of surgical abortion. A 21-year-old woman G4P2L2A1, presented in the emergency ward with complaints of lower abdominal pain for four days after attempting twice surgical termination of pregnancy at 19 weeks of gestation for an unwanted pregnancy. Transabdominal sonography and MRI revealed uterine rent with pelvic extrusion of fetal head. Emergency laparotomy with removal of fetal head and uterine rent repair was done. This case illustrates the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion by the gynaecologist for uterine perforation in patient presenting with abdominal pain a few days after undergoing surgical abortion, also shows the complementary role of sonography and MRI in evaluation of the similar patient and this case also highlights the rampant illegal unsafe abortion procedure in rural India despite of legalization of abortion act.