Wet Mount Microscopy of the Vaginal Milieu Does Not Predict the Outcome of Fertility Treatments: A Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether vaginal dysbiosis (bacterial vaginosis [BV] or moderate/severe aerobic vaginitis [AV]/desquamative inflammatory vaginitis) in women subjected to intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection influences the rates of pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study involving 392 women who underwent IUI or in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection at a fertility clinic. All had a slide collected for phase contrast wet mount microscopy (WMM), which was classified according to the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease recommendations. Correlation between flora patterns and the rate of pregnancy were evaluated. RESULTS: There were no differences in any of the groups in terms of pregnancy rate (biochemical, clinical, at first trimester ultrasound, or live birth) after stratifying for the presence of BV, moderate or severe (ms) AV, BV and/or moderate or severe AV, cytolysis, or abnormal vaginal flora (lactobacillary grade ≥ IIb). The presence of Candida species, cocci, or bacilli morphotypes other than lactobacilli also showed no differences. CONCLUSIONS: The vaginal flora assessment by WMM at the time of IUI or oocyte retrieval was not predictive of the success of fertility treatments.The absence of differences may be due to intrinsic limitations of WMM (i.e., identifying only bacterial morphotypes), a positive impact of the treatments in the vaginal flora or because the sperm and embryo transfer is made directly into the uterine cavity, thus overcoming any cervical or vaginal dysbiosis disadvantage. Future studies should focus on the endometrial milieu, rather than in the vaginal and/or cervical one.

Erosive Vulvar Lichen Planus and Risk of Vulvar Neoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the risk of vulvar cancer and precursors in a cohort of women with vulvar lichen planus (LP) and the clinical and therapeutic features of these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study, including all the women with the diagnosis of vulvar LP, followed in one institution during a period of 11 years, was performed. Demographic and clinical data, as well as treatment, follow-up, and histology results, were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 127 women were diagnosed with vulvar LP. The mean follow-up time was 3.9 ± 0.5 years (range = 1-11 years). Ultrapotent topical corticosteroids were first-line treatment in 91.8% (n = 112), with 32 cases (25.2%) needing an alternative treatment. Overall, 30 biopsies were performed in 19 women (15%). Vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion was diagnosed in 3 women (2.4%), 2 (1.6%) of whom were later diagnosed with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. No cases of differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Premalignant/malignant transformation in women with vulvar LP under surveillance and compliant with treatment is low. A close follow-up seems to be crucial to prevent future malignancy. Biopsies should be performed whenever a suspicious lesion seems during follow-up.

Cervical pessary for the prevention of preterm birth: is it of any use?

Preterm birth (PTB) represents a heavy burden in modern obstetrics as it is a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. After the introduction of transvaginal sonography (TVS) screening, secondary prevention of PTB has been re-evaluated on the basis of pre-existing cervical length (CL) and meanwhile the cervical pessary has become an object of increasing interest. This device consists of a silicone cone acting mechanically, that can be easily placed or removed, but whose efficacy is still controversial. Therefore, this study aims to review the most recent evidence regarding its efficacy for prevention of PTB, together with the correct position, the evidence regarding the mechanism of action, the exclusion criteria for pessary placement and the reasons for precocious removal. Overall, it is well tolerated and there are no reports on severe associated side effects. Finally, we discuss published data regarding cervical pessary efficacy. Although results are still conflicting, it seems however to be an effective method for preventing PTB, both in singleton and multiple pregnancies, but further evidence is needed.

Forensic evaluation in alleged sibling incest against children.

Sibling incest is a serious form of intrafamilial sexual abuse with health, social, and legal relevance. A retrospective study was conducted through the analysis of forensic medical reports of the alleged sibling incest of victims under 18 years old (n = 68) from 2004 to 2011 as well as the respective judicial outcomes. Results demonstrated that sibling's sexual abuse is associated with several circumstances that might exacerbate its severity such as vaginal, anal, and/or oral penetration. Moreover, the victim's young age, the proximity between victim and abuser, and the fact that it is committed at the victim's and/or abuser's home and by using physical violence and verbal threats justify a late detection of these cases.

Predictive Factors of Tolerance in Office Hysteroscopy - a 3-Year Analysis from a Tertiary Center.

OBJECTIVE: Pain is the primary limitation to performing hysteroscopy. We aimed to evaluate the predictive factors of low tolerance to office hysteroscopic procedures. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of the patients who underwent office hysteroscopy from January 2018 to December 2020 at a tertiary care center. Pain tolerance to office-based hysteroscopy was subjectively assessed by the operator as terrible, poor, moderate, good, or excellent. Categorical variables were compared with the use of the Chi-squared test; an independent-samples t-test was conducted to compare continuous variables. Logistic regression was performed to determine the main factors associated with low procedure tolerance. RESULTS: A total of 1,418 office hysteroscopies were performed. The mean age of the patients was 53 ± 13.8 years; 50.8% of women were menopausal, 17.8% were nulliparous, and 68.7% had a previous vaginal delivery. A total of 42.6% of women were submitted to an operative hysteroscopy. Tolerance was categorized as terrible or poor in 14.9% of hysteroscopies and moderate, good, or excellent in 85.1%. A terrible or poor tolerance was more frequently reported in menopausal women (18.1% vs. 11.7% in premenopausal women, p = 0.001) and women with no previous vaginal delivery (18.8% vs. 12.9% in women with at least one vaginal birth, p = 0.007). Low tolerance led more often to scheduling a second hysteroscopic procedure under anesthesia (56.4% vs. 17.5% in reasonable-to-excellent tolerance, p < 0.0005). CONCLUSION: Office hysteroscopy was a well-tolerated procedure in our experience, but menopause and lack of previous vaginal delivery were associated with low tolerance. These patients are more likely to benefit from pain relief measures during office hysteroscopy.

Hyperandrogenism, oligomenorrhea, and erythrocytosis caused by an ovarian Leydig cell tumor: A case report.

Leydig cell tumors are rare ovarian neoplasms. Affected individuals typically present with amenorrhea/oligomenorrhea and rapidly progressive features of virilization. Erythrocytosis can also occur as a result of high testosterone levels.

Peripheral facial paralysis as presenting symptom of COVID-19 in a pregnant woman.

Acute facial nerve disease leading to peripheral facial paralysis is commonly associated with viral infections. COVID-19 may be a potential cause of peripheral facial paralysis and neurological symptoms could be the first and only manifestation of the disease. We report a case of a term pregnancy diagnosed with COVID-19 after presenting with isolated peripheral facial palsy.

Predictive Factors of Tolerance in Office Hysteroscopy - a 3-Year Analysis from a Tertiary Center

Abstract Objective Pain is the primary limitation to performing hysteroscopy. We aimed to evaluate the predictive factors of low tolerance to office hysteroscopic procedures. Methods Retrospective cohort study of the patients who underwent office hysteroscopy from January 2018 to December 2020 at a tertiary care center. Pain tolerance to office-based hysteroscopy was subjectively assessed by the operator as terrible, poor, moderate, good, or excellent. Categorical variables were compared with the use of the Chi-squared test; an independent-samples t-test was conducted to compare continuous variables. Logistic regression was performed to determine the main factors associated with low procedure tolerance. Results A total of 1,418 office hysteroscopies were performed. The mean age of the patients was 53 ± 13.8 years; 50.8% of women were menopausal, 17.8% were nulliparous, and 68.7% had a previous vaginal delivery. A total of 42.6% of women were submitted to an operative hysteroscopy. Tolerance was categorized as terrible or poor in 14.9% of hysteroscopies and moderate, good, or excellent in 85.1%. A terrible or poor tolerance was more frequently reported in menopausal women (18.1% vs. 11.7% in premenopausal women, p = 0.001) and women with no previous vaginal delivery (18.8% vs. 12.9% in women with at least one vaginal birth, p = 0.007). Low tolerance led more often to scheduling a second hysteroscopic procedure under anesthesia (56.4% vs. 17.5% in reasonable-to-excellent tolerance, p < 0.0005). Conclusion Office hysteroscopy was a well-tolerated procedure in our experience, but menopause and lack of previous vaginal delivery were associated with low tolerance. These patients are more likely to benefit from pain relief measures during office hysteroscopy.