Y. M. Mala

Three-dimensional power Doppler imaging in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome

To determine the role of three‐dimensional (3D) power Doppler imaging in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Screening for gestational diabetes mellitus: A prospective study in a tertiary care institution of North India

Aim:  The aim of this study was to determine the relevance of universal screening for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the patients attending the antenatal clinic of a tertiary institute of North India.

Comparison of scar thickness measurements using trans-vaginal sonography and MRI in cases of pregnancy with previous caesarean section. Do they correlate with actual scar thickness?

The aim of this study was to evaluate scar thickness in cases of pregnancy with previous caesarean section, by trans-vaginal sonography (TVS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to correlate precision of radiologically-measured scar thickness with actual measurement of scar thickness. A total of 35 pregnant patients with previous caesarean section planned for elective caesarean section, were evaluated prospectively. Their scar thickness was measured by TVS and MRI on the day of elective repeat caesarean section. These measurements were correlated with each other and with scar thickness measured during elective repeat caesarean section by using a caliper. The correlation coefficients between scar thickness measured by TVS and MRI with peroperative evaluation with a caliper, were +0.72 and +0.59, respectively. The study concluded that as MRI is a costlier modality and TVS has better correlation coefficient with actual scar thickness, TVS can be considered to be the better modality for antenatal scar thickness measurement.

Comparison of rapid bedside tests for phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 and fetal fibronectin to predict preterm birth.

To compare the accuracy of rapid bedside tests for phosphorylated insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein 1 (phIGFBP‐1) and fetal fibronectin (fFN) to predict preterm delivery among women with threatened preterm labor.

Maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women with Takayasu aortoarteritis: Does optimally timed intervention in women with renal artery involvement improve pregnancy outcome?

OBJECTIVE Takayasu aortoarteritis (TA) is common in the Southeast Asian and Indian subcontinent regions with a female-to-male ratio of 8:1. Age at diagnosis is < 30 years in 90% of the cases. Because the disease is common in women of child-bearing age, management of pregnancy in these patients becomes an important issue. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnancies with TA and also to evaluate whether early intervention for renal artery involvement is associated with improved outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS We collected data of 12 patients with 18 pregnancies prospectively from 2006 to 2012. The patients were divided into three groups and their outcomes were noted: (1) without renal artery involvement; (2) with renal artery involvement without intervention; and (3) with renal artery involvement for which intervention has been done. RESULTS Body mass index of patients was between 18.5 kg/m(2) and 23.2 kg/m(2). Renal artery involvement and hypertension were seen in four patients. One patient had percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty and another had renal artery stenting. In patients without renal artery involvement, gestational hypertension was seen in 50%, pre-eclampsia in 10%, abortion in 10%, and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in 40% of pregnancies. In patients with renal artery involvement without intervention, gestational hypertension was seen in 90%, pre-eclampsia in 20%, abortion in 60%, preterm in 20%, IUGR in 20%, fetal demise in 20%, and neonatal death in 20% of pregnancies. In patients with renal artery involvement for which intervention has been carried out, gestational hypertension was seen in 66%, and abortion and IUGR were seen in 33% of pregnancies. CONCLUSION Patients with renovascular involvement without intervention are at high risk of having maternal and fetal complications. Early intervention prior to conception in these women is recommended to prevent pregnancy complications.

Varied presentation of uterine arteriovenous malformations and their management by uterine artery embolisation

Uterine arteriovenous malformations are rare lesions which have a varied presentation that may range from the patient being asymptomatic to varying degrees of menorrhagia. It can be diagnosed by Doppler sonography but a strong index of suspicion is necessary. Management of this condition depends on presentation and available resources. In asymptomatic patients, we can leave the patients on regular follow-up as many lesions regress spontaneously. In patients with excessive haemorrhage not responding to embolisation or when facilities of embolisation are not available, hysterectomy needs to be done. Uterine artery embolisation should be considered the optimum treatment, as it has a high success rate coupled with few complications and also has fertility-preserving potential. Clinical follow-up usually suffices but sonography may occasionally be required.

Breast Stimulation in Low-Risk Primigravidas at Term: Does It Aid in Spontaneous Onset of Labour and Vaginal Delivery? A Pilot Study

Aims. The aim of the study was to elicit the safety and efficacy of breast stimulation as an intervention to prevent postdatism and as an aid in spontaneous onset of labour. Methods. Primigravidas with cephalic presentation, without any high-risk factor, were recruited between 36 to 38 weeks of gestation. 200 patients were recruited and randomized into two groups (n = 100). Breast stimulation was advised to one group but not to the other group. Bishops scoring was done at 38 weeks and repeated at 39 weeks of gestation. Maternal and fetal outcomes were compared in two groups. Result. Bishops score changed from 3.12 (±1.01) to 3.9 (±1.08) in control group and from 3.02 (±0.82) to 6.08 (±1.29) in breast stimulation group after one week (P value < 0.0001). The period of gestation at delivery was 39.5 (±2.3) weeks in control group and 39.2 (±2.8) weeks in intervention group (P value: 0.044). There were increased chances of vaginal delivery in intervention group (P value: 0.046). Duration of labor, hyperstimulation, presence of meconium stained liquor, postpartum hemorrhage, and neonatal outcomes were similar in both groups. Conclusion. Breast stimulation in low-risk primigravidas helps in cervical ripening and increases chances of vaginal delivery.

Clinical evaluation of severe anemia in pregnancy with special reference to macrocytic anemia

Aims:  Anemia in pregnancy has been almost synonymous with iron‐deficiency anemia but there appears to be a changing trend with emerging evidence of macrocytic anemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical profile of patients having severe anemia in pregnancy.

Can Preterm Labour Be Predicted in Low Risk Pregnancies? Role of Clinical, Sonographic, and Biochemical Markers

Background and Objectives. This is a prospective nested cohort study conducted over a period of 3 years. 2644 women were recruited, out of which final analysis was done for 1884 women. Methods. Cervicovaginal and blood samples were collected for all recruited women. Out of these, 137 women who delivered before 35 weeks were treated as cases and equal number of matched controls were chosen. Analysis of samples for serum G-CSF, AFP, ferritin, and cervicovaginal interleukin-6 and IGFBP-1 was done. Results. Poor orodental hygiene, which can be a social marker, was significantly more common in women who delivered preterm (P = 0.008). Serum alkaline phosphatase and serum ferritin were found to be significantly associated with preterm deliveries. The 90th percentile value of these parameters was considered as cut-off as there is no specific cut-off. Conclusions. Our study did not prove usefulness of any predictive marker. Serum ferritin and alkaline phosphatase were found to have correlation but their values are affected in many conditions and need to be elucidated with caution. Larger studies are needed for predicting preterm labour in asymptomatic women.

Granulocytic Sarcoma of the Female Genital Tract: Report of a Case with an Unusual Presentation

Granulocytic sarcoma of the female genital tract is a rare occurrence. A case of a perimenopausal female is presented who reported with a history of menorrhagia with a lump in the abdomen. A diagnosis of fibroid uterus was made but laparotomy findings were suggestive of inoperable ovarian malignancy with metastases. Postoperatively the patient suddenly became very anemic. Hematological investigations and histopathological reports from ovaries, myometrium, endometrium and intraperitoneal deposits all revealed acute myeloid leukemia. The patient received two cycles of chemotherapy but later succumbed to her disease. Extrauterine causes of menorrhagia should be considered before instituting definitive treatment. Preoperative induction chemotherapy may be more successful in cases of granulocytic sarcoma who tend to have a poor prognosis.