Role of Platelet Activating Factor as a Mediator of Inflammatory Diseases and Preterm Delivery.

Nearly 70% of preterm deliveries occur spontaneously, and the clinical pathways involved include preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of membranes. Prediction of preterm delivery is considered crucial due to the significant effects of preterm birth on health and the economy at both the personal and community levels. Although similar inflammatory processes occur in both term and preterm delivery, the premature activation of these processes or exaggerated inflammatory response triggered by infection or sterile factors leads to preterm delivery. Platelet activating factor (PAF) is a phosphoglycerylether lipid mediator of inflammation that is implicated in infections, cancers, and various chronic diseases and disorders including cardiovascular, renal, cerebrovascular, and central nervous system diseases. In gestational tissues, PAF mediates the inflammatory pathways that stimulate the effector mechanisms of labor, including myometrial contraction, cervical dilation, and fetal membrane rupture. Women with preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of membranes have increased levels of PAF in their amniotic fluid. In mice, the intrauterine or intraperitoneal administration of carbamyl PAF activates inflammation in gestational tissues, thereby eliciting preterm delivery. This review summarizes recent research on PAF as an important inflammatory mediator in preterm delivery and in other inflammatory disorders, highlighting its potential value for prediction, intervention, and prevention of these diseases.

Comparison of 3 Grading Systems (House-Brackmann, Sunnybrook, Sydney) for the Assessment of Facial Nerve Paralysis and Prediction of Neural Recovery.

Objective: Currently, multiple classification systems exist for the assessment of facial nerve paralysis. This study was designed to choose the most practical system for use in a clinical setting depending on the clinician need. We compared the responsiveness of the 3 facial nerve grading systems, i.e., House-Brackmann, Sydney, and Sunnybrook, as the subjective method and compared the outcomes with the objective method, i.e., the nerve conduction study. The correlation between the subjective and objective assessments was determined. Methods: A total of 22 consented participants with facial palsy was assessed with photos and videography recordings where they performed 10 standard facial expressions. The severity of facial paralysis was evaluated with the House-Brackmann, Sydney, and Sunnybrook grading scales subjectively and with the facial nerve conduction study objectively. The assessments were repeated after 3 months. Results: A Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed that there were statistically significant change in all three gradings after 3-month of assessment. The responsiveness of the nerve conduction study was significant for the nasalis and orbicularis oris muscles. It was not significant for the orbicularis oculi muscle. The nasalis and orbicularis oculi showed statistically significant correlation with the three classification systems except for the orbicularis oculi muscle. Conclusions: All three grading systems, House-Brackmann, Sydney, and Sunnybrook, showed statistically significant responsiveness after 3 months of evaluation. The nasalis and orbicularis oculi muscle can be used to predict facial palsy recovery because they showed strong positive and negative correlations with the extent of facial nerve degeneration from the nerve conduction study.

Is portable three-dimensional ultrasound a valid technique for measurement of postpartum urinary bladder volume?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of bladder volume (BV) measurement and to identify factors that influenced the ultrasound bladder scanner (UBS) measurement of BV in postpartum women compared with transurethral catheterization. MATERIALS, METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 190 paired measurements were performed on 190 women aged between 16 and 47 years. Majority of the women (36.9%) were in their first parity (range: 1-9). The mean BV was 159.46 mL [standard deviation (SD) = 99.78; range: 17-593 mL] on three-dimensional (3D) UBS and 143.76 mL (SD = 104.89; range: 2-588 mL) on catheterization. The mean difference between the two values was 15.70 mL (SD = 69.31, p < 0.001). The Foley's catheter was clamped for a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum of 260 minutes. The UBS measurements were highly correlated with the BV obtained by catheterization (r = 0.819; p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between UBS and catheterized volume in a different volume subgroup. There were 35 cases (18.2%) with the difference in measurement of more than 25%. Twenty-five cases were associated with a catheterized volume less than 50 mL. There were a total of 33 cases with true BV of less than 50 mL, and only eight cases (24.24%) had an accurate measurement. The UBS tends to overestimate BV between 2 and 270 mL in this group. There was a significant linear relationship between the difference in measurement and body weight and duration of clamping. CONCLUSION: Measurement of BV in immediate postpartum period using UBS is comparable with urethral catheterization. The accuracy of measurement is affected by body weight and increasing amount of BV.

Second-trimester uterine rupture: lessons learnt.

UNLABELLED: Uterine rupture is a rare life-threatening complication. It mainly occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy and is rarely seen during the first or second trimesters. Our centre experienced three important cases of uterine rupture. FIRST CASE: spontaneous uterine rupture at 14 weeks of pregnancy, which was diagnosed at autopsy. It was misled by the ultrasound finding of an intrauterine pregnancy, and searching for other non-gynaecological causes delayed the urgent obstetric surgical management. SECOND CASE: ruptured uterus at 24 weeks following medical termination due to foetal anomaly. It was diagnosed only at laparotomy indicated for failed medical termination and chorioamnionitis. Third case: uterine rupture at 21 weeks of pregnancy in a patient with gastroenterology symptoms. In these reports, we have discussed the various risk factors, presentations, course of events and difficulties in diagnosing uterine rupture. The study concludes that the clinical presentation of uterine ruptures varies. It occurs regardless of gestational age. Ultrasound findings of intrauterine pregnancy with free fluid do not exclude uterine rupture or ectopic pregnancy. Searching for non-gynaecological causes in such clinical presentations might delay crucial surgical intervention, which leads to unnecessary morbidity, mortality or loss of obstetrics function.

Fetal Intra-Abdominal Umbilical Vein Varix in Monochorionic Twins: Is it Significant?

A 30-years-old Taiwanese female in her second pregnancy spontaneously conceived a monochorionic twin pregnancy. A routine ultrasound at 27 weeks of gestation revealed a selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR) fetus and an appropriate gestational age (AGA) fetus. The AGA fetus was found to have a fetal intra-abdominal umbilical vein (FIUV) varix. Serial ultrasounds showed no changes in the FIUV varix. 2 weeks later, the pregnancy progressed to twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Repeated amnioreductions were required at 29 and 30 weeks gestation. The babies were delivered by caesarean section at 31 weeks due to fetal distress in the sIUGR fetus. Both fetuses survived the neonatal period with problems of prematurity. The FIUV varix disappeared a few days after delivery.

Temporary cross-clamping of the infrarenal abdominal aorta during cesarean hysterectomy to control operative blood loss in placenta previa increta/percreta.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of temporary cross-clamping of the infrarenal abdominal aorta for controlling operative blood loss during cesarean hysterectomy in severe invasive placentation. CASE REPORT: A 35-year-old woman with a significant risk factor of four previous cesarean sections and placenta previa was referred to Taichung Veterans General Hospital with suspected abnormal placentation at 37 weeks of gestation. Obstetric ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a bulky inhomogeneous placenta with extensive uterine serosa-bladder interface hypervascularity and suspicious focal bladder invasion. Cesarean hysterectomy was performed with the use of temporary cross-clamping of the infrarenal abdominal aorta. The duration of aortic cross-clamping was 1 hour, and the estimated blood loss was 2,000 mL. The patient was discharged home on postoperative day 11 with no postoperative sequelae. CONCLUSION: With this limited experience, we are encouraged by the apparent reduction in operative blood loss after the use of temporary cross-clamping of the infrarenal abdominal aorta during cesarean hysterectomy. Further investigation is needed to determine the efficacy and safety of this procedure.