Sunita Samal

Ferric carboxymaltose: A revolution in the treatment of postpartum anemia in Indian women.

Objectives: The objective of the present study is to compare the safety and efficacy of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), intravenous (IV) iron sucrose and oral iron in the treatment of post = partum anemia (PPA). Materials and Methods: A total of 366 women admitted to SCB Medical College, Cuttack between September 2010 and August 2012 suffering from PPA hemoglobin (Hb) <10 g/dL were randomly assigned to receive either oral iron or IV FCM or iron sucrose. FCM, IV iron sucrose, and oral iron were given as per the protocol. Changes in hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin levels at 2 and 6 weeks after treatment were measured and analyzed using ANOVA. Adverse effects to drug administration were also recorded. Results: A statistically significant increase in Hb and serum ferritin level were observed in all three groups, but the increase in FCM group was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than conventional iron sucrose and oral iron group. The mean increase in Hb after 2 weeks was 0.8, 2.4, and 3.2 g/dL and 2.1, 3.4, and 4.4 g/dL at 6 weeks in oral iron, iron sucrose and FCM groups, respectively. The mean increase in serum ferritin levels after 2 weeks was 2.5, 193.1, and 307.1 and 14.2, 64, and 106.7 ng/mL after 6 weeks in oral iron, iron sucrose and FCM groups, respectively. Adverse drug reactions were significantly less (P < 0.001) in FCM group when compared with other two groups. Conclusion: Ferric carboxymaltose elevates Hb level and restores iron stores faster than IV iron sucrose and oral iron, without any severe adverse reactions. There was better overall satisfaction reported by the patients who received FCM treatment.

Measurement of cervical biometry using transvaginal ultrasonography in predicting preterm labor.

Context: Preterm delivery is associated with high perinatal mortality and morbidity. Although detection of fetal fibronectin in cervical can predict preterm labor, but it is not available in lower source setting area. So, cervical length measurement by ultrasound can be used as an alternative to fetal fibronectin for predicting preterm labor. Aims: To find out the effectiveness of assessment of cervical length by endovaginal ultrasonography in predicting preterm delivery. Settings and Design: The study was conducted in the infertility clinic of Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pondicherry from January 2010 to July 2011. Materials and Methods: A total of 130 women with singleton gestation were studied with transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) to assess the cervical changes (cervical length, dilation of internal os, presence of funneling) between 22 weeks and 24 weeks of gestation. The gestational age at delivery in women with cervical length with ≥25 mm were compared with those of <25 mm. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test. The P value is <0.001 which is statistically significant. Results: The mean cervical length in the study population was 33.16 mm. 16 women had cervical length <25 mm at mid trimesters can out of which 13 (40.62%) went for spontaneous preterm delivery. The relative risk of preterm delivery increased as the length of the cervix decreased. The P value is <0.001 which is statistically significant. A significant difference was found between multigravida at risk of preterm being 62.5% compared to primigravida which was 37.5%. Conclusions: The risk of spontaneous preterm delivery is increased in women who are found to have a short cervix by TVS during pregnancy and it is a sensitive, simple and cost effective method of assessing risk of preterm delivery.

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.

Comparison of obstetric outcome in pregnant women with and without microalbuminuria

Background: Maternal and neonatal outcome is an index of quality of health and life in human society. To predict serious outcomes in pregnancy various parameters are being researched so that pregnant women who are at risk are identified early and measures taken to ensure a good outcome of pregnancy. Studies have shown an association between microalbuminuria and adverse pregnancy outcome. This study was undertaken to compare obstetric outcome in pregnant women with and without microalbuminuria. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed on 69 pregnant women between 20 and 28 weeks of gestation. Urine tests for albuminuria and creatinine measurements were performed in all women and the albumin to creatinine ratio was calculated. The women with microalbuminuria and those without microalbuminuria were monitored until the end of their pregnancy and compared for pregnancy outcome. Results: The age distribution in the two groups was found to be similar and comparable. Preterm labor was strongly associated with microalbuminuria group (P = 0.001**)strongly significant. Incidence of maternal complications were more with microalbuminuria group (P < 0.001**). Fetal complications were significantly more in terms of intrauterine growth restriction, prematurity, low birth weight, low Apgar score and more incidence of neonatal intensive care unit admission with microalbuminuria group (P = 0.010*)moderately significant. Conclusion: It was found that fetal complications were more associated with babies of pregnant women with microalbuminuria. Though maternal complications were more associated with microalbuminuria group, individual events like premature rupture of membrane, preterm premature rupture of membrane had no statistically significant association with microalbuminuria except preterm labor. However, occurrence of pre-eclampsia was more with microalbuminuria, though it didn’t carry any statistical significance.

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.

Successful Management of Live Cervical Ectopic Pregnancy: A Case Report.

Cervical pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy with potential grave consequences occurring in approximately 1:9,000 deliveries. It is life-threatening as the pregnancy is implanted in the endocervical canal and the trophoblast can penetrate through the cervical wall and into the uterine blood supply resulting in catastrophic haemorrhage. Historically, the treatment had been hysterectomy because of the considerable risk of life-threatening haemorrhage, but in the recent past various conservative management modalities have been applied to preserve fertility. Here, we report a case of successful (both medical and surgical) management of cervical ectopic pregnancy in a young woman. A 29-year-old, gravid 2, para1 and living 1 with previous caesarean section had presented with mild bleeding per vagina for 5 days following 7 weeks of amenorrhoea. Past menstrual, medical, surgical and family history were unremarkable except the previous caesarean section. On examination vital signs were normal but pelvic examination revealed a distended cervix with bulky uterus, without anyadnexal mass or tenderness and no cervical motion tenderness. Further transvaginal sonography showed a live cervical gestation of 7 weeks and 4 days and serum beta-HCG value of 1,03,113mIU/ml. Patient received conservative approach with combination of intraamniotic potassium chloride and methotrexate and suction curettage. Due to conservative approach emergency hysterectomy and blood transfusion was avoided.

Peripheral arterial disease in a female using high-dose combined oral contraceptive pills.

The association between oral contraceptive (OC) pills and vascular diseases is well-known, although, the present generation of pills is considered to be relatively safer in this regard. Hormonal treatment for severe abnormal uterine bleeding is usually considered after ruling out malignancy, when such bleeding is resistant to all other forms of treatment. We report a case of severe peripheral arterial disease in a female, who had been on high-dose OC pills for an extended period of time for severe uterine bleeding.

Quality of labor epidural analgesia and maternal outcome with levobupivacaine and ropivacaine: A double-blinded randomized trial

Background: Quality of labor analgesia plays a vital role in the maternal outcome. Very few literature are available analyzing the quality of epidural labor analgesia. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 0.1% levobupivacaine and 0.1% ropivacaine with fentanyl as an adjuvant for epidural labor analgesia in terms of onset, duration, quality of analgesia, and degree of motor blockade. Methodology: Sixty nulliparous parturients, with singleton uncomplicated pregnancy, were recruited by continuous sampling. Parturients were randomized to receive either levobupivacaine 0.1% or ropivacaine 0.1% with 2 μg/ml fentanyl as an intermittent epidural bolus. The epidural analgesia was initiated with 12 ml of study drug solution in the active stage of labor (cervix 3 cm dilated). Demand bolus was given whenever the visual analog scale (VAS) score >3. Onset, duration, and quality of analgesia and degree of motor blockade were analyzed. Maternal outcome was evaluated in terms of mode of delivery, duration of labor, and assisted vaginal delivery. Statistical Analysis: All the data were recorded in Microsoft Office Excel. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 19.0 (IBM SPSS, USA) software with Regression Modules installed. Descriptive analyses were reported as mean and standard deviation of continuous variables. Results: The mean onset of analgesia was shorter in ropivacaine (21.43 ± 2 min) than in levobupivacaine group (23.57 ± 1.71 min) (P = 0.000). Duration of analgesia was shorter in ropivacaine (60 ± 14 min) than levobupivacaine (68 ± 11 min) (P = 0.027). Levobupivacaine produced a better quality of analgesia in terms of not perceiving pain and uterine contraction during labor analgesia but was associated with 37% incidence of instrumental delivery. Duration of labor and rate of cesarean section were comparable between the groups. Conclusion: Quality of analgesia in labor epidural was superior to levobupivacaine but was associated with higher incidence of instrumental vaginal delivery.

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.