Shalini Gainder

Adenosarcoma of the uterine cervix with heterologous elements: a case report and review of literature

IntroductionAdenosarcoma of the uterus is a rare tumor composed of benign epithelial and malignant stromal components, usually encountered in young women. Till date, more than 100 cases of mullerian adenosarcoma of the cervix with homologous elements have been reported. However, only 15 cases of mullerian adenosarcoma of the cervix with heterologous elements are reported.Materials and methodsWe describe a case of mullerian adenosarcoma with heterologous elements of rhabdomyosarcoma and benign cartilage presenting as a cervical polyp in a young girl. The clinicopathological features and management of this rare entity is reviewed.ConclusionCervical adenosarcomas are rare tumors that may appear in reproductive age. Optimal therapy is still unclear, and a long-term follow-up is essential. Such cases need to be reported as accumulation of individual cases will be able to provide knowledge about its optimal therapy and prognosis.

Juvenile granulosa cell tumor of the ovary presenting with pleural effusion and ascites

Juvenile granulosa cell tumor (GCT) is a rare tumor, and the majority (90%) are reported in the prepubertal or under-30-year age group, in contrast to the adult type, which is more common in the fifth decade. On histopathological examination, juvenile GCTs are distinct from the adult type of GCT, and have a lower risk for late recurrences than the latter. Being solid tumors, they may be associated with ascites and pleural effusion (Meigs’ syndrome), which resolve after surgical removal of the tumor. Tumor markers for GCT are still investigational (inhibin) and of not much use in making a preoperative diagnosis, unlike in the case of germ cell tumors. In most of the reports about the initial surgical management of GCT, retroperitoneal lymph node sampling was not performed, and it was not done in the patient we report here. However, lymph node sampling is advocated for complete staging of these tumors, as a significant number of recurrences are reported in the retroperitoneum, as well as in incompletely staged patients. In the present patient, because of the association of Meigs’ syndrome, a preoperative diagnosis of benign tumors such as fibroma/thecoma was also considered. We report this rare tumor with an aim of reviewing the diagnosis and management from the reported literature.

Prenatal diagnosis of thoracopagus fetus: a case report with brief review of literature.

Conjoined twins are uncommon and refer to monozygotic, monoamniotic and monochorionic twins with varying degree and sites of fusion between the twins. In this report, we illustrate a case of thoracopagus twins highlighting the prenatal sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging appearance. Emphasis is laid on the role of appropriate imaging strategy in prognostic assessment and postnatal surgical treatment planning of these cases.

Phaeochromocytoma in pregnancy can mimic severe hypertensive disorders

Introduction Phaeochromocytoma is oft en overlooked in pregnancy due to its rarity and because the clinical picture can resemble that of preeclampsia. An unrecognised phaeochromocytoma is particularly dangerous as a fatal hypertensive crisis can be precipitated by anaesthesia, vaginal delivery, mechanical eff ects on the growing gravid uterus, abdominal palpation, uterine contractions and by vigorous fetal movements. We report two cases of phaeochromocytoma complicating the index pregnancy and recurrent pre-eclampsia in subsequent pregnancies.

Advanced germ cell malignancies of the ovary: should neo-adjuvant chemotherapy be the first line of treatment?

Malignant germ cell tumours of the ovary, though classically known for ‘young age’ and ‘early stage’ at presentation, are not uncommonly identified at advanced stages. Little is available in literature on the role of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in this group of tumours. Two patients with advanced stage ovarian germ cell tumours, including one with 45XO/46XY chromosomal mosaicism, were treated at our Institute with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy with Bleomycin, Etoposide and Cisplatin followed by surgery. Besides marked clinical improvement, intraoperatively both the patients presented no difficulty otherwise expected with widespread tumours, and histopathology report revealed no evidence of viable tumour. The article discusses the experience and suggested course of management of these tumours with NACT, which could be offered to patients with advanced malignancy in whom high surgical morbidity is anticipated or in whom only an operative biopsy was performed at laparatomy. Behaviour and management guidelines of dysgenetic gonads with XY mosaicism have also been discussed.

Acute pancreatitis with eclampsia-preeclampsia syndrome and poor maternal outcome: two case reports and review of literature

Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy is a rare entity and has been reported to be associated with preeclampsia in the literature. Fulminant pancreatitis may have a guarded prognosis despite intensive multidisciplinary management. Two cases of maternal mortality in women with acute pancreatitis noted in the setting of preeclampsia-eclampsia syndrome are reported here.

Leptospirosis as a cause of intrauterine fetal demise: short report of rare presentation

We present a rare severe leptospirosis in a patient who presented with fever, jaundice, coagulopathy and intrauterine fetal demise. Possibility of leptospirosis should be kept in an obstetric patient with such clinical profile particularly in endemic areas or if there is recent outbreak of disease.

Comparison of the efficacy of letrozole and low-dose gonadotropin combination with clomiphene and low-dose gonadotropin combination as a controlled ovarian stimulation regime prior to intrauterine insemination in patients with unexplained infertility

Objective: To evaluate and compare the effects of letrozole and low-dose gonadotropin combination with clomiphene citrate (CC) and low-dose gonadotropin combination prior to intrauterine insemination (IUI) in patients with unexplained infertility. Design: Prospective, randomized, clinical study. Setting: Academic tertiary institute. Patient(s): A total of 94 patients in the age group of 21-37 years with unexplained infertility were randomized using computer-generated random number table to receive follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) injection and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) injection, along with either letrozole or CC. Intervention(s): All the patients received 150 IU of purified urinary FSH on day 2 of the cycle and from day 3 to day 7 of the cycle 5.0 mg/d of letrozole or 100 mg/d of CC were administered; this was followed by administration of 150 IU of hMG on day 9. Ovulation was triggered with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection (5,000 IU) when the dominant follicle(s) reached 18 mm in diameter. A single IUI was performed 36 h later. The luteal phase was supplemented with micronized progesterone vaginally. Main Outcome Measure(s): Pregnancy rates and the incidence of multiple pregnancies were our primary outcome. The secondary outcome included the number of dominant follicles, grade of perifollicular blood flow, endometrial thickness, endometrial blood flow pattern, side effects, and complications. Result(s): There were no differences in demographic characteristics between the two groups. Pregnancy occurred in four out of 47 patients (120 cycles) in the letrozole group (pregnancy rate: 8.5% per patient and 3.3% per cycle) and eight out of 47 patients (121 cycles) (pregnancy rate: 17% per patient and 6.6% per cycle) in the CC group; the differences were not statistically significant. None of the regimes resulted in a multiple gestation gestation. The number of follicles per cycle was significantly higher in the CC + gonadotropin group as compared to the letrozole + gonadotropin group (1.77 ± 0.99 vs. 1.39 ± 0.617, P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in perifollicular blood flow, endometrial thickness, and endometrial blood flow pattern between the two groups. No side effects were observed in either group. There was one case of ectopic gestation in the CC group. Conclusion(s): The use of lower dose of gonadotropins and oral agents together resulted in decreased medication costs, lesser monitoring [ultrasound (USG) visits], and good primary and secondary outcomes. However, more randomized controlled trials are needed to prove the efficacy of one regime over the other.

Renal hematoma: an unusual cause of acute abdomen and fetal demise in severe pre-eclampsia.

Retroperitoneal hematoma occurs rarely in an obstetric patient. Renal hematoma may present with signs and symptoms, which may mimic the clinical presentation of abruptio placentae or rupture uterus. Although renal hematoma is sometimes a surgical emergency due to hypovolemic shock, conservative management by angiographic embolization may be done. Timely diagnosis and management is required to decrease the maternal mortality and morbidity. We hereby report a case of spontaneous renal hematoma in a patient with severe pre-eclampsia who presented with acute abdomen and intrauterine fetal death.

Rare Presentation of Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome with Myocarditis in Post-partum Period: Case Report and Review of Literature

Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a disorder characterized by multi-organ failure caused due to multiple small vessel thrombosis associated with thrombotic microangiopathy. In more than half the cases, CAPS is triggered by an identifiable factor like infection, trauma, surgery, anticoagulation withdrawal, lupus flares or pregnancy [1]. It is suggested that APS is not only a thrombotic disease but is also associated with microangiopathic features which can explain the greater incidence of HELLP (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count) syndrome in pregnant women developing this dreaded complication [2]. Dr. Bhavana Girish, Senior Resident, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012 India, presently working as Senior Resident at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India; Dr. Shalini Gainder, Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012 India; Dr. S. C. Saha, Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012 India; Dr. Darshan Krishnappa, Senior Resident, Department of Cardiology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012 India.