Jo T. Van Winter

Uterine Incarceration During the Third Trimester: A Rare Complication of Pregnancy

Uterine incarceration that manifests during the third trimester or at term is a serious and rare complication of pregnancy. The pregnant patient may complain of low-abdominal pain, low-back pain, urinary retention, and constipation, or the patient may be asymptomatic until labor begins. The diagnosis is difficult, and physical findings can be misleading. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging can be helpful if the anteriorly displaced cervix is clearly depicted. If incarceration of the retroverted uterus persists until term, a cesarean section is necessary. Recurrent uterine incarceration has been reported; therefore, the patient should be monitored closely during subsequent pregnancies. Herein we describe three cases of uterine incarceration during the third trimester and review the literature with respect to incidence, differential diagnosis, management, and complications of this condition.

Panic attack syndrome

Panic attack syndrome in four generations of a family and in six additional pediatric patients is reported. The syndrome appears to have an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Diagnosis of panic attack syndrome in children has not been reported previously, but the existence of this disorder has been noted for at least 100 years under various synonyms. There is substantial evidence that the syndrome has an endogenous origin and is therefore a biochemical illness. The triggering effect of sodium lactate infusion and the alleviation of symptoms by use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors or beta-blocking agents support this view. Imipramine hydrochloride, propranolol hydrochloride, phenelzine sulfate, and alprazolam are often useful in the treatment of panic attacks, and except for propranolol, any of them may be effective against depression also.

Management of Spontaneous Pneumothorax During Pregnancy: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Spontaneous pneumothorax rarely occurs during pregnancy. Only 22 nonmalignancy-related cases have been previously published. Herein we report a case of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax during the third trimester of pregnancy that necessitated surgical intervention. At thoracotomy, a large bulla was excised from the lower lobe of the right lung; abrasive pleurodesis was subsequently done. Postoperatively, the patient had regular contractions, which were successfully stopped with intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate. Indications, procedures, and pre-cautions for operative intervention during pregnancy are discussed.

Lung cancer complicating pregnancy: case report and review of literature.

Lung cancer during pregnancy is rare. Herein we describe a case of metastatic cancer of the lung in a 36-year-old pregnant patient whose initial complaint was pain in the left thigh. Management of this neoplasm during pregnancy depends on the gestational age of the fetus and the potential operability of the tumor. Surgical, chemotherapeutic, and radiation management considerations are discussed.

Epidural abscess associated with intravenous drug abuse in a pregnant patient

The association between intravenous drug abuse and epidural abscess is well known; however, this association has not previously been reported in a pregnant patient. The classic manifestation of epidural abscess is a febrile patient with back pain that progresses rapidly to radicular pain, spinal cord dysfunction, weakness, and then complete paralysis. Although this condition is rare during pregnancy, these serious complications necessitate prompt diagnosis and intervention. If spinal infection is suspected, magnetic resonance imaging should be performed immediately. After epidural abscess is diagnosed, emergent decompressive laminectomy and appropriate antibiotic coverage are necessary. Herein we describe a 27-year-old pregnant patient with epidural abscess probably related to use of contaminated needles for intravenous administration of drugs and subsequent hematologic spread of staphylococci to the epidural space. The differential diagnosis of epidural abscess can be difficult, and management options must consider the well-being of both the mother and the fetus.

Spontaneous Renal Rupture During Pregnancy

Spontaneous rupture of the renal parenchyma or renal pelvis during pregnancy has been previously reported in 16 cases. In the case we describe in this report, the patient initially had right flank pain and nausea for 48 hours, which progressed to severe abdominal symptoms that necessitated exploratory laparotomy. Cystoscopic placement of a ureteral stent relieved the obstruction and allowed spontaneous healing of the renal pelvis. Dilatation of the urinary collecting system commonly occurs during pregnancy. Spontaneous rupture of the renal parenchyma or renal pelvis, however, is unusual and often associated with diseased kidneys. Our case is the 8th one of spontaneous rupture of the renal collecting system with no identifiable underlying pathologic condition and the 17th case of spontaneous renal rupture overall.

Levonorgestrel Contraceptive Implants in Female Patients 14 to 21 Years Old

OBJECTIVE To determine which factors are associated with duration of use of a levonorgestrel implant (Norplant) for contraception in adolescents and young adults. DESIGN We retrospectively studied 144 young women (14 to 21 years of age) who chose a levonorgestrel contraceptive implant at Mayo Clinic Rochester between April 1990 and December 1993. MATERIAL AND METHODS The following information was obtained at the time of insertion of the implant and from any follow-up visits: demographics, prior contraceptive experiences, frequency and management of complications, complications noted at removal of the implant, and subsequent contraceptive choice. The duration of use was examined. RESULTS Of the 144 young women who underwent insertion of a Norplant system, 75 telephoned or made a medical appointment because of implant-related side effects. During the follow-up period, 64 patients had the Norplant system removed. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the probability of the Norplant system remaining in place for at least 12 months was 83 % and for at least 24 months was 63 %. Duration of Norplant use was not found to differ with respect to age, prior contraceptive use, or timing of insertion, but it was significantly shorter among those with a prior pregnancy than in those who had never been pregnant. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that a group of young women who are likely to continue use of a contraceptive implant (with or without treatment for side effects) are those who have never been pregnant.

A Proposal for Obstetric and Pediatric Management of Adolescent Pregnancy

Of the 1 million pregnancies among adolescents in the United States each year, approximately 500,000 result in live births. These pregnancies are at high risk but are amenable to obstetric and pediatric intervention. Medical, social, and economic risks for both the adolescent mother and her infant are substantially decreased by early and comprehensive prenatal care. A combined obstetric and pediatric protocol for the management of adolescent pregnancy can improve both the perinatal and the long-term outcome.

Identification of Acute Transplacental Hemorrhage in a Low-Risk Patient as a Result of Daily Counting of Fetal Movements

In this report, we describe a case of acute, massive fetomaternal hemorrhage that was detected during the 32nd week of pregnancy by maternal perception of decreased fetal movement and suggestion of a sinusoidal heart rate pattern. Additional evaluation revealed an abnormal biophysical profile (2 of 10) and intermittent late decelerations. Because of the substantially decreased fetal reserve, cesarean section was emergently performed. A 1,880-g female infant was delivered. She had an initial hemoglobin concentration of 1.9 g/dl and a hematocrit of 5.7% but did well after appropriate transfusion therapy. This case confirms the importance of daily counting of fetal movements in low-risk patients. In addition, it emphasizes that early diagnosis and treatment of massive fetomaternal hemorrhage can improve infant survival.

Pregnancy After Pancreatic-Renal Transplantation Because of Diabetes

In this article, we describe two pregnancies in the same patient after pancreatic-renal transplantation. Severe, labile hypertension necessitated delivery at 35 weeks during the patients first pregnancy and at 30 weeks (associated with renal graft obstruction) during her second pregnancy. Women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus who undergo pancreatic-renal transplantation can have a successful pregnancy if adequate multidisciplinary, specialized medical care is rendered.