Nurith Samuel

Pregnancy outcome in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with preconceptional diabetic control: A comparative study

Forty-four of 75 pregnant women with juvenile-onset insulin-dependent diabetes, who attended a preconceptional clinic, were seen regularly by a diabetologic team. Glycemic control was obtained by intensified insulin therapy and monitored by blood glucose self-monitoring. When these patients were compared with a group of 31 nonattenders of the preconceptional clinic, in the former normoglycemia and normal hemoglobin A1 values were achieved before conception, whereas in the latter good control was reached by the second trimester. This group had also more maternal complications, such as preeclampsia, and higher cesarean section rates. Congenital anomalies were 9.6% among offspring of nonattenders, while none occurred in those with preconceptional counseling. We confirm the evidence accumulated in the recent literature that congenital malformations in pregnancy complicated by diabetes may be linked to disturbances in maternal metabolism during the period of embryogenesis. Consequently we concur with the recommendation that tight diabetic control is required before the patient attempts to conceive.

Preconceptional diabetes control in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy

Preconceptional diabetes management is an important prerequisite for pregnancy planning and its value has been well-documented. Glucose control and the outcome of pregnancy, managed in the preconceptional period, with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy to those receiving insulin injections are compared. Fifty-two juvenile onset insulin dependent diabetic women contemplating pregnancy were regularly consulted by a diabetology team starting at least two months before conception. Glucose control was achieved by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pumps (CSIIP) in 18 patients, and 34 women received intensive insulin therapy (IIT). In both groups, normal glucose levels and normal HbA1 were achieved at conception, maintained during the period of organogenesis and throughout pregnancy. In view of the fact that perinatal results, such as the occurrence of malformations, mean gestational age, mean birth weight and neonatal complications were not significantly different in both groups, we believe that both methods are equally effective. Consequently, the less costly and yet effective IIT may be the method of choice, while the more expensive pump should be used mainly in selected cases.

The antenatal diagnosis of Potter syndrome (Potter sequence). A lethal and not-so-rare malformation

Bilateral renal agenesis (BRA) or Potter syndrome is a relatively rare congenital defect in which agenesis of the kidneys is associated with oligohydramnios, pulmonary hypoplasia, characteristic facial features and other abnormalities. The etiology is unknown. While the possibility of autosomal recessive inheritance has been suggested in familial cases, the syndrome most probably develops as a pattern of multiple anomalies derived from one single, mechanical factor. The initiating event of this syndrome is oligohydramnios. This condition in the neonate is incompatible with life. Unfortunately, these infants are often delivered by caesarean section, as it is usually associated with premature delivery, and breech presentation is a frequent finding. Consequently the prenatal diagnosis of BRA is important in order to avoid unnecessary operations. The antepartum diagnosis is possible in most cases by means of ultrasound scanning, and should be made in the second trimester, when therapeutic abortion is still possible. We have reviewed the obstetric course of 10 women who delivered such babies in recent years in our department. In 4 out of 6 cases of premature labor and breech presentation the diagnosis was made predelivery, and caesarean section was avoided.

Acute urinary retention as presenting symptom of torsion of a wandering spleen

A case has been reported of acute torsion of a wandering spleen in a young woman. The presenting symptom was acute urinary retention, most probably due to pressure of the enlarged, ptotic spleen on the bladder. Acute abdomen with signs of peritonitis made laparotomy with resection of a necrotic spleen imperative, with complete recovery of the patient.

Holoacardius: radiologic investigation

A case of holoacardius is presented from a monozygotic twin pregnancy of 20 weeks, in which the other twin was normal. The classification is reviewed. While the physiology and anatomy of these malformations are known, the etiology remains obscure. Theories of etiology may be divided in two groups: that the primary deficiency is a failure of the parts to develop; and the belief that the acardius is due to an abnormal vascular communication with secondary atrophy of the formed parts. The abnormal twin in the case studied was diagnosed by ultrasound prenatally and investigated radiologically post-mortem.

Infected ectopic pregnancy presenting as unilateral tubo-ovarian abscess.

Ectopic pregnancy may be a dramatic occurrence, such as in the acutely ruptured extrauterine entity, or diagnosis may be delayed in the chronic ectopic gestation. Eight cases of infected ectopic pregnancy simulating tubo-ovarian abscess are reported; the diagnosis may be difficult and misleading. Symptoms and signs include abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding following a period of amenorrhea, usually accompanied by fever. All patients in our series presented with a picture of tubo-ovarian or pelvic abscess; however, the diagnosis of infected ectopic pregnancy was made preoperatively in all due to a positive beta-hCG test. Surgery in our cases included unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in 7, and salpingectomy in one. Attention was drawn to the fact that, in the case of unilateral tubo-ovarian abscess, infected ectopic pregnancy should be suspected whenever preoperative beta-hCG is positive.

Femoral Neuropathy Subsequent to Abdominal Hysterectomy. A Comparative Study

In a prospective study of two 5-yr periods two groups of patients undergoing pelvic operative procedures were compared. Iatrogenic femoral neuropathy occurred in 282 patients who underwent pelvic abdominal surgery in the first group of women, an overall incidence of 7.45%. The neuropathy was associated with the use of self-retaining retractors during surgery. Femoral nerve neuropathy occurred only in two patients in the second group in whom no retractors were used during operation. No other contributing factors were found. The duration of complaints ranged from 3 to 90 days. Spontaneous recovery occurred in 265 patients, while in 17 there were residual mild symptoms for up to 116 days. No serious sequelae have been observed. Prevention of this mostly mild yet annoying syndrome may be achieved if no retractors are used in gynecological operations, or, if they are necessary, due to difficult conditions at surgery or if the operation is long, they should be used with care and loosened from time to time. It is estimated that the incidence of iatrogenic femoral nerve neuropathy is higher than reported, since in very mild cases the patient fails to mention her complaints. The prognosis is usually rather good.