Human chorionic gonadotropin expression in endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma: could it be a new marker?

OBJECTIVE: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone expressed in a variety of tumors and is correlated with advanced stage disease and poor prognosis. This study aimed to determine hCG expression immunohistochemically in endometrial specimens obtained from patients with normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia, and endometrial carcinoma, and to determine if there is a correlation between invasiveness and hCG positivity. METHODS: The histologic materials and medical records for patients diagnosed with normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia with/without atypia, and endometrial carcinoma between September 2017 and September 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Immunohistochemical staining for hCG was performed and analyzed semi-quantitatively. RESULTS: A total of 96 patients were included: normal endometrium (27.1%) (n=26); endometrial hyperplasia without atypia (25%) (n=24); atypical endometrial hyperplasia (22.9%) (n=22); endometrioid endometrial cancer (25%) (n=24). Median age of the patients was 48 (range 28-81) years. hCG was positive in 8.3% of patients with endometrial hyperplasia without atypia, 18.2% in those with atypical endometrial hyperplasia, and 41.7% in those with endometrial cancer (p<0.001). None of the patients with normal endometrium had a positive hCG. The rate of endometrial cancer was 62.5% in the hCG-positive group and 17.5% in the hCG-negative group. CONCLUSION: hCG is expressed to a significantly greater degree in patients with atypical endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma and it may be potentially used as a marker for these lesions.

Is local methotrexate therapy effective in the treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy? A retrospective cohort study.

AIM: To evaluate the success of local methotrexate (MTX) treatment, the side-effect profile and its fertility effect in patients diagnosed with cesarean scar pregnancy. MATERIALS: This retrospective cohort study included 56 cesarean scar pregnancy patients who applied to Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology between January 2012 and January 2022 and were treated with ultrasound-guided local MTX. The results of 56 patients with cesarean scar pregnancy who underwent transvaginal ultrasound-guided single-dose local MTX treatment were evaluated. First, the contents of the sac were aspirated, and then 50 mg of MTX was injected into the gestational sac. RESULTS: The median gestational age at diagnosis was 7 weeks 2 days. The mean beta human chorionic gonadotrophin level was 31 345 ± 37 838 (range: 113-233 835 mIU/mL). Fifty-four patients were successfully treated with local MTX therapy. The interval between the first MTX injection and the normalization of beta human chorionic gonadotrophin was 55.2 ± 41.0 days. None of our patients required surgical treatment. Beta human chorionic gonadotrophin values did not decrease in one patient and she was treated with systemic MTX. Local MTX therapy could not be applied to one patient for technical reasons. Only one patient needed blood transfusion after local MTX. Thirteen patients become pregnant after treatment (76%). No systemic side effects related to MTX were observed in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: Transvaginal ultrasound-guided single-dose local MTX treatment is an effective, safe, and fertility-preserving treatment method for cesarean scar pregnancy.

High-risk human papillomavirus in Turkish patients with clinically suspicious cervical lesions analyzed by multiplex-PCR.

Background & objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is known to be the main cause of cervical cancer. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of high-risk HPV genotypes in smear specimens taken from women who had normal or abnormal cytology using a multiplex PCR method. Methods: The study included 270 women aged between 19 and 69 yr with or without suspicious cervical abnormalities. A Pap smear sample from each patient was cytologically examined, and HPV typing was performed using a multiplex fluorescent PCR method. Those who were high-risk HPV positive and had a normal or abnormal cytology were further evaluated by colposcopy and biopsy. Results: The total HPV positivity was 43 per cent (116/270). HPV positivity in the patients with an abnormal cytology was 77 per cent (33/43), whereas it was only 37 per cent (83/227) in women with normal cytology, which showed a significant difference (P<0.05). HPV positivity was also related to the age group when all the subjects were considered (P<0.05), and the highest prevalence of HPV infection was in the 30-39 yr age group. High-risk HPV types 16, 18, 31, 35, 51 and 56 were more common in the normal cytology patients, whereas high-risk HPV types 16, 31, 35, 45, 58 and 68 were commonly found in the abnormal cytology patients. Interpretation & conclusions: The determination of high-risk HPV genotypes in women with clinically suspicious cervical lesions should be conducted during an annual follow-up, irrespective of a normal or abnormal cytology by the age of 30 years or above.

Can alanine aminotransferase measured in early pregnancy predict macrosomia?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a part of the metabolic syndrome and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine whether unexplained elevated ALT in early pregnancy has any effect in the prediction of large for gestational age (LGA) infants. In this study, the relationship between birth weights of LGA babies and babies with normal weight for gestational age (AGA) and ALT values measured in early pregnancy was evaluated. While a positive, moderately strong, statistically significant correlation was found between infant birth weight and ALT levels in LGA babies this correlation was continued when GDM was not detected and ALT levels were below 36 U/L. Foetal macrosomia, which can develop in advanced gestational weeks, can be predicted with this cheap, easy and simple method that can be checked in the first trimester and pregnancy follow-up can be shaped accordingly.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? It is suggested that asymptomatic high ALT values measured in the first trimester can predict a macrosomic foetus.What do the results of this study add? Asymptomatic elevated ALT values measured in the first trimester can predict a macrosomic foetus.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Macrosomic foetus development can be predicted with abnormal results obtained with this simple, cheap and easy measurement method measured in the first trimester and pregnancy follow-up can be managed accordingly.

Does endometrial thickness affect pregnancy outcomes in isolated male infertility IVF cycles? A retrospective cohort study.

In our retrospective cohort study, we aimed to determine the role of endometrial thickness (ET) in isolated male factor infertile women in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) fresh embryo cycles. The patients were classified as having an endometrial thickness of <7 mm (n: 80), 7-9.9 mm (n: 335), 10-14 mm (n: 579) and >14 mm (n: 50) according to their ETs on the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) day. The overall clinical pregnancy rate was 37.4%, and no significant difference was found between the groups (p = .262). There was no significant difference between live birth rates (p = .094), but the highest pregnancy (46%) and live birth (34%) rates were found in the group with >14 mm ET. The increase in ET in IVF cycles increases pregnancy rates, albeit partially. When it is desired to determine a cut-off value, it can be said that pregnancy rates increase significantly in thicknesses of 14 mm and above.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? When the literature is examined, many studies conclude that clinical pregnancy rates increase with the increase in endometrial thickness (ET) in IVF cycles, but there are also studies that argue the opposite. There is no study in the literature investigating the effect of ET on clinical pregnancy rates in patients with isolated male factor infertility.What do the results of this study add? In support of the literature, an increase in ET was found to be associated with an increase in clinical pregnancy rates, regardless of male and female factors. Although pregnancy occurs in thin endometriums, abortion rates are undesirably high.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Although the risk of abortion is high in thin endometriums, live birth rates are satisfactory. As a result, thin endometrium does not require cycle cancellation.

Relationship between fetal peak systolic velocity in Middle cerebral artery and umbilical blood gas values and hemoglobin levels in diabetic pregnant women.

PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between peak systolic velocity in the middle cerebral artery (MCA-PSV) and fetal hypoxia in diabetic pregnant women requiring insulin therapy. METHODS: The data of diabetic pregnant women using insulin who were followed in our departments were reviewed retrospectively. The relationships between MCA-PSV and umbilical cord pO2, pCO2, base deficit, hemoglobin, and birth weight were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 120 cases were included in the final analysis. The median (Q1 - Q3 ) gestational age at Doppler evaluation was 37 weeks 3 days (37-38 weeks and 2 days), and the mean ± SD gestational age at delivery was 38 weeks 4 days ± 3days. The mean ± SD hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level was 5.7% ± 1.0% and, median (Q1 -Q3 ) daily total insulin dose was 25 U (10U-48U). There was no statistically significant correlation between MCA-PSV and pH, PO2, PCO2, base deficit, Hb, and birth weight (Spearman correlation, r:-.001[P = .99], r:-.011[P = .90], r:-.052 [P = .51], r: .049[P = .59], r: .049 [P = .59], r: .030 [P = .75], respectively). Using binary logistic regression analysis, no independent factor for the prediction of fetal acidosis (venous pH < 7.23), and metabolic acidosis (base deficit >6.3 mmol/L) was detected. CONCLUSION: MCA-PSV is not a good indicator of fetal polycythemia or chronic hypoxia in fetuses of diabetic pregnant women. Fetal well-being should be monitored with other tools in these circumstances.

Conservative management of interstitial pregnancies: experience of a single centre.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of local intracavitary methotrexate (MTX) injection and laparoscopic (L/S) cornuostomy in the treatment of interstitial pregnancy (IP) in terms of clinical and reproductive outcome. The data of patients with IP (n:10) who were treated between September 2011 and December 2016 with either an intra-amniotic MTX injection (n:7) or L/S cornuostomy (n:3) were retrospectively evaluated. All cases (7/7) in the local injection group and two (2/3) in the L/S group were successfully treated with the initial treatment. One case (1/3, 33%) in L/S group needed systemic MTX due to an elevated ß-hCG. No serious complication or secondary surgical intervention was observed in the study group. Five (71.4%) women in MTX group and two (66%) women in the L/S group had pregnancy after index case (p > .05). Post-treatment (hysterosalpingography) HSG results revealed that tubal patency was significantly higher in the MTX group (7/7 (100%) vs. 0/3 (0%) p < .05). Conservative treatment of IP with both methods was generally successful with regard to maternal morbidity and reproductive function. However, local MTX was superior for tubal patency compared to L/S cornuostomy. Since this is a retrospective study including a small study population, our results should be confirmed with larger prospective studies. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Earlier diagnosis of an interstitial pregnancy (IP) enables clinicians to pursue more conservative treatment modalities that can prevent morbidity (severe bleeding, rupture and massive transfusion, etc.) and loss of fertility. MTX treatment and conservative laparoscopic surgical procedures are gaining importance. High serum ß-hCG levels and positive foetal cardiac activity are known as unfavourable pre-treatment prognostic predictors for systemic MTX treatment in patients with an ectopic pregnancy. Local MTX treatment is widely used for caeserean scar pregnancies or cervical pregnancies. L/S cornuostomy is an attractive alternative to L/S cornual resection, because it preserves the normal uterine myometrium. What the results of this study add? In the present study, we showed that the local MTX and laparoscopic cornuostomy were successful methods in IP patients and did not impair the fertility potential of the patients. We also demonstrated that local MTX application is superior to L/S cornuostomy in terms of the post-treatment tubal patency and this fact should be kept in mind when tailoring the treatment in patients desiring pregnancy. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The value of local MTX injection in cases with IP and high ß-hCG levels should be further clarified.

Primary Ovarian Monochorionic Twin Ectopic Pregnancy. A Case Report.

BACKROUND: Primary ovarian pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic gestation and one that is often diagnosed only at the time of surgery. CASE: A 17-year-old primi- gravid woman presented to our clinic with lower abdom- inal pain, vaginal bleeding, and missed period. Trans- vaginal sonography revealed an empty uterus, normal- looking right fallopian tubes, and the presence of a gestational sac containing 2 yolk sacs and 2 embryos with cardiac activity on the right ovary. Methotrexate therapy failed and the patient was successfully treated with laparoscopic enucleation of the ectopic pregnancy mass. CONCLUSION: Surgery is the primary treatment modality of choice in twin ovarian pregnancy. Therefore, the differential diagnosis of ovarian pregnancy is of great importance in order to plan immediate surgery and save the patient from unnecessary medical treatment, and thus preserving future fertility.

F-18 fluoro-D-glucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in planning of surgery and sentinel lymph node screening in vulvar cancers.

PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of FDG-PET/CT in the assessment of inguinofemoral lymph node (IFLN) in patients with vulvar cancer by comparing FDG-PET/CT results, sentinel lymph node (SLN) screening with gamma probe, and the results of frozen section and definitive pathology in these lymph nodes. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective study included eight patients, who were diagnosed with vulvar cancer at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department of Erciyes University, Turkey. All patients underwent FDG-PET/CT before surgery. Local excision and IFLN dissection were planned by assessing IFLN involvement with SLN screening with Tc-99m nanocolloid plus frozen section. Intraoperatively, SLN screening was performed by using a gamma probe, and these lymph nodes were excised and then evaluated by frozen section. Regardless of the frozen section results, the IFLNs were totally excised. The FDG-PET/CT scan results, SLN plus frozen section results and definitive pathology results of the inguinal lymph nodes were compared. RESULTS: The mean age was 64.50 ± 13.25 years (min-max 43-79 years). All tumors were squamous cell carcinomas. FDG-PET/CT scan determined vulvar lesions accurately in all patients (8/8; 100 %). When inguinal lymph nodes were assessed by FDG uptake and SUVmax values, lymph nodes were interpreted as reactive in four patients (4/8; 50 %) and metastatic in the others (4/8; 50 %). In all patients frozen section confirmed the FDG-PET-CT results and definitive histopathology results confirmed the frozen section and FDG-PET-CT results (8/8; 100 %). CONCLUSIONS: In light of these data, FDG-PET/CT scanning is an effective method for the detection of primary tumor in vulvar cancer. Although it seems to be an effective method for the detection of IFLN metastasis, these findings must be supported by further studies with larger sample size for use in the planning of primary surgery and inguinal lymph node dissection without SLN dissection and frozen section, as a minimal invasive method.

Laparoscopically-assisted vaginal hysterectomy for enlarged uterus: operative outcomes and the learning curve.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of uterine size and surgeon experience on the surgical out-comes of laparoscopically-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) for benign gynecological conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 184 LAVH cases. All hysterectomies were performed by the same surgeon and divided into two groups, with uterine weight of < 280 g (group 1) and uterine weight of > 280 g (group 2). The groups were compared in terms of the effects of the uterine size and surgeon experience vs. the operative outcomes (operative time, change in hemoglobin levels, hospital stay, and perioperative complications). RESULTS: No significant differences in mean age, parity, history of chronic systemic diseases and previous surgery history were observed between the two groups. However, operative time was significantly greater in group 2 as compared to group 1 (132.1 ± 42.7 minutes vs. 111.5 ± 30.4 minutes, p < 0.05). There were no differences in the hospital stay and perioperative complications between the two groups. One case of bladder injury occurred in each group and one patient underwent a second laparoscopic surgery for postoperative bleeding in group 2. Greater surgeon experience was demonstrated to be associated with decreased operative bleeding and, consequently, smaller differences between preoperative and postop-erative hemoglobin levels. Operative time was also reduced as the surgeon was getting more experienced but the effect did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports the thesis that LAVH is a safe and effective procedure for managing benign gynecologi-cal conditions. Despite increased operative time, LAVH can be safely performed for enlarged uterus in conjunction with increased surgeon experience.

Concurrent endometrial carcinoma in hysterectomy specimens in patients with histopathological diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia in curettage specimens.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to appraise the presence of Endometrial Carcinoma (EC) sequence in patients undergoing hysterectomy for Endometrial Hyperplasia (EH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-two patients undergoing hysterectomy with the indication of EH based on endometrial curettage between January 2009 and December 2013 were analyzed respectively All patients with a diagnosis of EH were investigated for age, parity history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The histopathology of the hysterectomy specimens were compared with their curettage specimens. RESULTS: A total number of 82 women; 48 (58.5%) postmenopausal and 34 (41.5%) premenopausal were determined to have EH on histopathological evaluation of endometrial tissues obtained by endometrial curettage performed for evaluation of various bleeding abnormalities. Mean-age of patients was 54.6?8.7. Among 82 patients found to have EH on curettage specimens 39 had EC on hysterectomy specimens (39/82. 47.5%). Consequently we determined well differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma in 66% (35/53) of the patients with hyperplasia with atypia (17/35. 48.5% Grade 1 and 18/35.51.4% Grade 2) and 13.7% (4/29) hyperplasia without atypia (4/4.100% Grade 1). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative diagnosis of endometrial pathology might be different from that of preoperative especially in cases with complex EH with atypia. Our study indicated that most of women diagnosed preoperatively with Atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH) may have a cancer at final examination of hysterectomy specimens. It may be useful to operate patients with AEH in specific centers because of invasive endometrial cancer risk in final histopathological evaluation.

Is there relation between COL4A1/A2 mutations and antenatally detected fetal intraventricular hemorrhage?

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the role of COL4A1/A2 mutations in the etiology of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) detected in-utero. METHODS: The data of four cases with fetal IVH were analyzed retrospectively. Antenatal risk factors, clinical features, postnatal outcome, and the presence of COL4A1/A2 mutations were evaluated. RESULTS: Eight cases of fetal IVH were diagnosed between 2005 and 2012 in Erciyes University. Of these, four were eligible for genetic analysis. Mean gestational age at diagnosis was 30 weeks 5 day (min-max: 28-34 weeks); two cases had grade III hemorrhage and two cases had grade IV hemorrhage according to fetal magnetic resonance imaging. Three cases had severe neurodevelopmental delay and one case had mild deficit. In all cases, postnatal evaluation revealed no underlying cause, and no retinal hemorrhagia and hematuria were detected. The mean postnatal follow-up was 19 months, and no recurrent hemorrhages and porencephalic cyst formation were observed. The whole exome sequencing showed no pathological mutations of COL4A1 and COL4A2 in the four patients. CONCLUSION: Our data showed that fetal intraventricular hemorrhage is not associated with COL4A1 and COL4A2 mutations in the absence of porencephaly, recurrent hemorrhage, and other organ bleeding.

Prenatal diagnosis and postnatal outcome of fetal intracranial hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to present our experience with six cases of fetal intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in terms of prenatal diagnostic features, and postnatal outcome. METHODS: The database of prenatal diagnosis unit was searched for antenatally diagnosed ICH cases. Maternal characteristics, ultrasound (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, clinical course, and postnatal outcome were noted. RESULTS: We evaluated six consecutive cases of fetal ICH. One case was terminated at 24 weeks, and remaining five cases were delivered between 34 and 38 weeks. Five cases (5/6) had intraventricular, and one (1/6) had intraparenchymal hemorrhage. Hemorrhages were right sided in five cases (5/6), left sided in one case (1/6). Dilated and echogenic ventricular wall were the common US findings. No predisposing factor was detected in four of the cases, and intrauterine growth restriction was an underlying factor in two fetuses. Intrauterine progression of the hydrocephaly, and parenchymal thinning was seen in four cases (4/6). In three of four cases (3/4) with progressive grade 3-4 hemorrhage and hydrocephaly, postnatal outcome were dismal, and one case had mild neurological impairment at three months. In one case which had non-progressive mild ventriculomegaly, the lesion regressed after 4 weeks, and had normal short-term outcome CONCLUSION: Fetal ICH can be accurately identified and categorized by antenatal sonography, and fetal MRI. Although intrauterine regression or normal short-term postnatal outcome is possible, the outcome is usually poor for fetuses with high grade and/or progressive lesions. Therefore, further studies assessing long-term postnatal outcome are needed.

Successful medical treatment of cesarean scar ectopic pregnancies with systemic multidose methotrexate: single-center experience.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy, and the safety of systemic multidose methotrexate (MTX) for the treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was performed using records from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erciyes University, between 2010 and 2012. The data were analyzed with respect to obstetric characteristic, course of treatment, clinical, and reproductive outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 13 patients were evaluated. The median gestational age at diagnosis was 5 weeks 5 days (range: 4-9 weeks). The mean beta human chorionic gonadotrophin level was 11,240.31 ± 9812.68 IU/L (range: 2565-36,111 IU/L). All patients were successfully treated with systemic multidose MTX therapy. The average MTX dose was 5.7 (range: 2-9). The interval between the first MTX injection and the normalization of beta human chorionic gonadotrophin was 8 ± 2.27 weeks (range: 4-12 weeks). One patient showed mild leucopenia that reversed after the treatment. Three patients had successful uncomplicated intrauterine pregnancy after the treatment, which resulted in term infants. CONCLUSION: Systemic multidose MTX therapy is an effective and safe treatment method for CSP. However, further studies are needed to compare the safety, effectiveness and reproductive outcome of different treatment modalities in CSP.

Sonographic findings and perinatal outcome of multiple pregnancies associating a complete hydatiform mole and a live fetus: a case series.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this case series was to present the ultrasonographic findings, clinical features, management, and outcome of multiple pregnancies with complete hydatidiform mole and coexisting fetus (CHMCF). METHODS: Sonographic features and obstetrical and perinatal outcomes of seven cases with CHMCF were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of seven cases was included in the analysis. Six cases were twins and one case was quadruplet. The mean ± SD maternal age was 25.3 ± 1.9 years (median: 25; range: 23-29). The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 16.1 ± 4.6 weeks (median: 17; range: 11-23). Two pregnancies were achieved by ovulation induction. Two couples opted for pregnancy termination. Four pregnancies resulted in fetal loss between the 11th and 23th week of gestation. One pregnancy ended with the preterm delivery of a live-born neonate at 34 weeks due to pre-eclampsia. One patient developed persistent trophoblastic disease, which was treated by hysterectomy. The mean ± SD time for ß-human chorionic gonadotropin clearance was 3.7 ± 0.5 weeks (median: 4; range: 3-4) in the six patients without persistent trophoblastic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous fetal loss is the most likely outcome for CHMCF. However, on the basis of our experience, we recommend carefully monitored continuation of pregnancy as long as maternal complications are not present or are controllable.

Postnatal outcome of isolated, nonprogressive, mild borderline fetal ventriculomegaly.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate postnatal outcome of fetuses affected by nonprogressive, isolated, mild (≥10 and ≤12 mm) borderline ventriculomegaly (BVM). METHODS: We studied 25 consecutive fetuses with BMV and evaluated patients' characteristic, ultrasonographic findings, and the neurodevelopmental outcome at age ≥24 months. RESULTS: The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 23.84 ± 5.02 weeks (min-max; 17-34 weeks). In 16 cases, BVM was bilateral (16/25, 64 %), 4 left sided (4/25, 16 %), and 5 right sided (5/25, 20 %). Fourteen cases were males (14/25, 56 %), and 11 cases were females (11/25, 44 %). In two cases, ventriculomegaly was regressed 4 weeks after the initial diagnosis (2/25, 8 %), and in the remaining cases, ventriculomegaly persisted between initial measurement and 12 mm. The mean age of the infant at the time of the neurodevelopmental evaluation was 45.9 months (24-77 months). The neurodevelopmental outcome at the mean age of 45.9 months was completely normal in 16 infants (16/25, 64 %). The remaining nine infants (9/25, 36 %) had mild degree of neuromotor developmental delay. CONCLUSION: Prenatal counseling for isolated, nonprogressive, mild BVM should be mainly reassurance since it is not associated with severe neurodevelopmental delay. However, parents should be educated about the developmental milestone of children to observe and detect mild neurodevelopmental delay which can be associated with mild BVM.

An evaluation of the effects on the ovaries of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a rat model of premature ovarian failure created with cyclophosphamide.

Objective: To evaluate hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) based on ovarian histology, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), in the ovarian insufiency (POI) model created with cyclophosphamide (CYP). Materials and Methods: The rats were separated into 3 groups of the control group (n=6), the CYP group (n=6), and the CYP+HBO group (n=6). The rats in the CYP group and the CYP+HBO group were injected intraperitoneally with 200 mg/kg CYP on day 1, followed by 8 mg/kg/day for 14 days to create POI. From the 15th day onwards, the rats in the CYP+HBO group were placed in a hyperbaric cabin and exposed to 100% oxygen at 2.4 atm pressure for one h, and were then returned to their cages at the end of the hour. Results: A statistically significant decrease was determined in the primordial and primary follicle counts in the CYP group compared with the control group (p<0.05). In the CYP+HBO group, a statistically significant increase was determined in the primordial and primary follicle counts (p<0.05). The serum AMH levels were seen to be significantly decreased in the CYP group compared with both the control group and the CYP+HBO groups. The HBO was seen to decrease TOS and increase TAS. Conclusion: HBO could be an alternative treatment to minimize the effect of ovarian follicle loss caused by CYP, which is used for treating tumors that commonly occur in young females of reproductive age.

Exercise and outcomes in macrosomic pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy is generally known to be a period when physical activity is partially or totally restricted to avoid negative outcomes such as miscarriage or premature birth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on maternal and fetal outcomes of exercise in pregnancies complicated by macrosomia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this retrospective study, the data were retrospectively screened of women who gave birth at ≥38 weeks with infant birthweight of ≥4000 gr. The patients were separated into two groups as those who followed an exercise program of walking regularly for 30-60 mins at least 1 day a week throughout pregnancy and those who did not. The maternal and fetal complications were compared between the groups. A total of 252 patients were included in the study as 84 women who exercised during pregnancy and 168 women selected at random in the ratio of 2:1 who did not exercise. RESULTS: When the gestational week at birth was examined, a statistically significantly higher rate of patients in the non-exercise group gave birth at ≥40 gestational weeks. Although not at a statistically significant level, maternal and fetal complications were observed more in the non-exercise group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that excessive maternal weight gain was statistically significantly reduced, and although not at a statistically significant level, maternal and fetal trauma were reduced in macrosomic pregnancies with regular exercise. As recommended by ACOG, for pregnant women at risk of macrosomic fetus, exercise of walking for 30-60 mins several days a week will have positive effects on both the mother and infant.

Selective ovarian vein sampling can be crucial to localize a Leydig cell tumor: an unusual case in a postmenopausal woman.

Leydig cell tumors of the ovary are very rare, frequently associated with symptoms of virilization in postmenopausal patients. It is sometimes difficult to localize the tumor precisely even with modern imaging techniques. A 62-year-old patient presented with recent onset of rapidly progressive virilization including increased hirsutism, progressive balding, deepening voice and enlargement of the clitoris. Initial laboratory examination revealed a total serum testosterone level of 1330 ng/dL. Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione and 17 hydroxyprogesterone levels were all within normal limits. Extensive pre-operative evaluations included transvaginal ultrasound, abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging failed to localize the tumor. Therefore, selective ovarian venous hormonal sampling (SOVHS) was performed and they revealed that the total serum testosterone level was significantly higher in the left than in the right ovarian vein (7000 ng/dL vs. 225 ng/dL). A total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. Microscopic examination of the left ovary revealed a Leydig cell tumor. In conclusion, when the precise location of the tumor is not determined pre-operatively, SOVHS may be valuable to make accurate diagnosis.