[A case of uterine rupture discovered in the postpartum period]. / Un cas de rupture utérine découvert en post-partum.

Because of the increasing number of cicatricial uteruses, uterine ruptures are likely to become more frequent. However, few cases discovered in the postpartum period are described in literature. Our case report describes a uterine rupture, which occurred during a quick vaginal delivery, in a patient with previous cesarian section. The diagnosis has been made few days after delivery, the patient presenting pelvic pain and fever. We do not disagree with the principle to check uterine scar only when suspicion of rupture, but we should keep in mind that in case of endometritis in the postpartum period, with cicatricial uterus, it would be necessary to research uterine rupture by fitted imaging.

[A rare complication of vomiting in pregnancy: Wernicke's encephalopathy]. / Une complication rare des vomissements gravidiques: l'encéphalopathie de Gayet-Wernicke.

Gayet-Wernicke syndrome is a rare neurological pathology due to a deficit in vitamin B1. It occurs in alcoholics but several reports have been published of cases in a context of intractable vomiting. The frequency is probably under-estimated because there have been many cases described at autopsy. The diagnosis is clinical with the triad (found in 60% of cases) of mental confusion, oculomotor disorders and ataxia. MRI can confirm the diagnosis by hyper signal images most frequently in a peri-acqueductal location, the thalamus and mamillary bodies. We report 3 observations of Gayet-Wernicke encephalopathy discovered in a context of hyperemesis gravidarum. These 3 cases, which occurred within the past two years in the West of France, give us the opportunity to assess 3 different outcomes for this pathology. In a second section we review the main publications in the literature. Hyperemesis gravidarum is a frequent pathology and can be the cause of serious neurological complications. Early vitamin supplementation should be instituted in case of severe vomiting in order to ensure the pregnancy can continue together with the mother's well-being.

[Breastfeeding and vegan diet]. / Allaitement maternel et végétalisme.

Vegan diet in lactating women can induce vitamin B12 deficiency for their children with risk of an impaired neurological development. A 9.5-month-old girl presented with impaired growth and severe hypotonia. She had a macrocytic anemia secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency. MRI showed cerebral atrophy. She was exclusively breastfed. Her mother was also vitamin B12 deficient, secondary to a vegan diet. She had a macrocytic anemia when discharged from the maternity. Vegan diet is a totally inadequate regimen for pregnant and lactating women, especially for their children. Prevention is based on screening, information and vitamin supplementation.

Value of peritoneal cytology after hysteroscopy in surgical stage I adenocarcinoma of the endometrium.

Nineteen clinical stage I adenocarcinoma of the uterus with favourable histological prognosis factors (low grade, no myometrial extension, and no pelvic node involvement) were diagnosed using a pre-operative hysteroscopy. During the laparotomy, peritoneal cytology was performed systematically. The frequency of positive peritoneal washings was abnormally high (7 cases) with cytologic findings showing grouped cells in large clusters. However, these patients have not experienced peritoneal recurrences. The endoscopic procedures may have facilitated the transtubal malignant cell dissemination and are questionable in endometrial carcinoma.

Benefits of complete polyamine deprivation in hormone responsive and hormone resistant MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma in vivo.

Polyamines are ubiquitous cellular compounds which are required for estradiol induced proliferation in breast cancer. Complete polyamine deprivation, using 2 alpha-difluoromethyl-ornithine (DFMO, Eflornithine), a specific inactivator of ornithine decarboxylase (key-enzyme of the polyamine biosynthesis) combined with inhibition of the bacterial production of gastrointestinal polyamine and a polyamine free regimen, was demonstrated to exhibit a cytostatic effect and a decrease of the three tumoral polyamine concentrations in a MCF-7 tumor model. In this experiment, complete polyamine deprivation has been tested on a standard MCF-7 tumor and on a variant MCF-7 tumor (i.e. with a tamoxifen acquired resistance). Polyamine deprivation was effective on the tumor growth, both on standard and variant sub-types. The polyamine contents of two types of tumor were similar, and identically, polyamine deprivation has caused a decrease of putrescine, spermidine and also spermine tumoral concentrations measured by the HPLC method in standard and variant MCF-7 tumors. Acquired tamoxifen resistance is common in patients undergoing hormonal therapy for advanced breast cancer. It has been hypothesized that the direct stimulation of polyamine pathway without estradiol involvement could be one of the mechanisms responsible for the tamoxifen resistance. The ability of polyamine deprivation to inhibit the growth of tumors becoming tamoxifen resistant could offer a therapeutic advantage in case of tumor with acquired tamoxifen resistance and could be tested to prevent or delay the hormonal responsiveness to breast cancer.

Polyamines in human breast cancer and its relations to classical prognostic features: clinical implications.

Experimental evidence suggest an important role of polyamines in breast cancer development. Polyamines have been determined in tissue and erythrocyte samples from 100 patients with primary invasive breast cancer and 30 patients with fibroadenomas. Statistical analysis was performed in order to determine the prognostic value of the polyamine patterns of tumor tissues and erythrocytes in comparison with clinical and histological prognostic factors. In malignant tissues, polyamine levels were significantly higher than in benign tissues. They correlated with markers of tumor aggressivity (axillary node involvement and especially with markers of high mitotic rate as Ki-67 staining, histological grade). No correlation was found between estrogen and progesterone status, tumor size and polyamine concentrations. Erythrocyte polyamines levels were identical between cancer patients and controls. The knowledge of the polyamine pattern in breast cancer could become useful in clinical practice particularly if polyamine metabolism is targeted as a therapeutic approach.

Prognostic factors of the uterine cervix adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Prognosis factors for adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix after primary treatment are poorly established. METHODS: A retrospective study of 45 cases of adenocarcinoma of the cervix with a follow-up of 96 months on average was performed. The primary treatment consisted in combined radical surgery and radiotherapy for stage I-II patients while patients with advanced disease were treated by radiotherapy. In case of poor prognosis factors, they were given chemotherapy. Survival rates were established and prognosis factors influencing survival and recurrences were studied. RESULTS: Fifteen women remained alive without evolutive disease. FIGO stage and pelvic node involvement were the most important parameters influencing overall survival. Local failures (27%, average period of 30 months) were unpredictable and led to a dramatic outcome. Histological grade and pelvic node status were significant predictive factors for metastatic recurrence (40%, average period of 29 months). CONCLUSIONS: Local recurrence and metastatic dissemination of cervical adenocarcinoma after primary treatment prove to be rapidly fatal although life expectancy can be prolonged with adjuvant treatment of the recurrence. In the event of aggressive tumors with high histological grade and pelvic node involvement, an attempt to assess adjuvant systemic chemotherapy could be useful.

Breast feeding after reduction mammaplasty performed during adolescence.

UNLABELLED: Reduction mammaplasty (RM) can be performed during adolescence if the functional capacity of the breast is preserved. Future breast feeding must be carefully considered in the therapeutic decision making process. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Breast feeding after reduction mammaplasty performed during adolescence was assessed to determine surgical factors influencing outcome and patient reception of information concerning breast feeding. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 109 women who had undergone reduction mammaplasty between 1981 and 1997 when they were 15-17 years old to ascertain their reasons for having surgery, their satisfaction, and their attitude towards breast feeding. RESULTS: Sixty-five questionnaires (60%) could be analyzed. Mean delay since surgery was 8.1 years. Seventeen women (26%) had delivered 25 infants (mean 1.5). Mean delay after surgery to first delivery was 7.68 years. Five women (29%) nursed their first infant for a mean 11.3 days. None of the women interrupted breast feeding for a reason related to a nipple anomaly or difficult sucking. Twelve women (71%) did not nurse their first infant, because of the prior breast surgery for six of them. Among the 48 nulliparous women, 24 (50%) stated they would nurse their future infant. Although information on breast feeding was systematically delivered, 41 women (63%) stated they had not been informed. There was no statistical relationship between breast feeding and degree of satisfaction, patient-assessed scar quality, or nipple disorders. CONCLUSION: Adolescents who undergo reduction mammaplasty can nurse their future infants with a complication rate similar to that in the general population. Special attention must be given to delivery of information on breast feeding.

Three cases of sarcoma occurring after radiation therapy of breast cancers.

We report 3 cases of sarcomas following irradiation for breast carcinoma. Median latent period ranged from 7 to 17 years. Histologic types were 1 malignant fibrous histiocytoma, 1 osteochondrosarcoma, 1 chondrosarcoma. Diagnosis was often delayed because of non-specific clinical features. The prognosis of these postirradiation sarcomas was poor with the median survival ranging from 10 to 70 months. One patient had a complete resection and is alive at 70 months. In the other 2 non-resectable patients, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy did not induce an objective response. The poor prognosis when these tumors are diagnosed late emphasizes the need for increased awareness, which should lead to earlier diagnosis and, it is hoped, permit radical surgical treatment.

Immediate breast reconstruction with deepidermalized transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap after skin-sparing mastectomy.

Use of the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap for breast reconstruction is widely accepted and indications have been well-defined over the past years. More recently, the moratorium prohibiting pre-filled silicone gel implants both in esthetic surgery and in reconstruction breast surgery, has incited more and more patients to refuse prostheses, even saline filled implants. Total mastectomy with skin-sparing technique, beyond the limitations dictated by oncology factors which must be taken into account because of the risk of local recurrence, raises the question of immediate breast reconstruction since implants, when possible, may give unsatisfactory results either more or less short-term. The deepidermalized TRAM flap is an interesting alternative for selected patients, especially those with an adapted abdominal morphology, allowing stable and natural autologous breast reconstruction.

Malignant cystosarcomas phyllodes of the breast in adolescent females.

The authors report a case of cystosarcoma phyllodes occurring in an adolescent female, thus raising to 19 the number of reported cases. The prognosis of those composite fibro-epithelial tumours is ruled by the malignancy of the connective component: the diagnosis shows no distinctive feature compared with what can be observed in adults. The prognosis (classically better) appears in fact totally similar, justifying the same therapeutic rigour, particularly in the surgical field. A multidisciplinary approach should ensure complete recovery while limiting the harmful effects of the therapy in very young women.

Absent end diastolic flow of umbilical artery Doppler: pregnancy outcome in 62 cases.

We retrospectively studied the outcome of pregnancy in 62 cases of absent end diastolic flow (AEDF) of umbilical artery Doppler flow velocity waveform. The history of pregnancies revealed that nearly all were of high risk. Many cases presented cerebral (65%) or uterine (55.5%) Doppler flow abnormalities, or both (38%). We noted 10 fetal deaths and decided 7 pregnancy terminations. Malformation and chromosomal defect rate was 16%. We noted 44 (71%) live-births, a very high rate of cesarean section (86%), prematurity (75%), small for gestational age (39%). Forty-five percent of the neonates had a 1-min Apgar score under 7, which dropped to 27% at 5 min. Neonate mortality rate was 6.9% and the total mortality rate was 34% (21/62). Morbidity was significant (7 cases with severe morbidity, 2 cases with chromosomal abnormality of poor prognosis). We compared different sub-groups with a view to looking for some prenatal factors which predict poor neonatal outcome in case of AEDF.

Remarks about the prognosis in case of antenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis.

We report our experience of 15 cases of gastroschisis which occurred between 1981 and 1993. All but one were diagnosed antenatally by ultrasound between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. We made a termination of the pregnancy in 3 cases, for multiple malformations in 2 cases and one case of very early premature rupture of the membranes (PROM). When checked (11 cases), the karyotype was normal. We made a cesarean section in 11 cases: the indication was a complication for 6 (fetal distress, PROM, polyhydramnios, large dilatation of the gut). We noted growth retardation in 7 newborns and prematurity in 5/12 (mean gestational age of 36.8 weeks). The preoperative study of the gut noted 5 cases with intestinal damage and one case of complete necrosis of the gut. The global prognosis is not as good as usual, with a perinatal mortality of 41.6% (5/12). We discuss this latter point and examine the literature.

[Electrophysiological effects of intravenous magnesium sulfate in man]. / Effets électrophysiologiques du sulfate de magnésium intraveineux chez l'homme.

Magnesium salts have been used for many years to correct a wide variety of arrhythmias. A few experimental studies have been devoted to their electrophysiological effects, but these remain poorly documented in man, hence this study. An electrophysiological investigation was conducted in 24 patients before, and immediately after a bolus intravenous injection of magnesium sulphate in doses of 1.5 g to 12 patients (group I) and 3 g to 12 other patients (group II), followed by a continuous infusion at the rate of 1 mg/min. The drug had no influence on heart rate, duration of QRS, QT and QTc intervals and ventricular refractory period. A small, but statistically significant prolongation of HV (from 57 to 59 ms, p less than 0.05) was observed in group II. Analysis of the results in group I revealed a moderate but significant prolongation of the PR and AH intervals. The electrophysiological effects were distinctly more pronounced in group II patients, with significant prolongation of: PR and AH intervals, effective refractory period of the right atrium and AV node, Wenckebach's point, corrected sinus node recovery time and sinoatrial conduction time. These results demonstrate that magnesium sulphate principally acts on the sinus node, the AV node and the atrium, suggesting a blocking effect on calcium channels.

[Myocardiopathies during pregnancy. Possible role of beta-mimetics]. / Myocardiopathies en cours de grossesse. Rôle possible des bêta-mimétiques.

The authors report two cases of severe non-obstructive cardiomyopathy presenting at the end of pregnancy in young women treated for long periods and at high dosage with beta 2-adrenoceptor stimulants, prescribed for threatened abortion or premature labour. The circumstances of the presentation, the clinical prescribed for threatened abortion or premature labour. The circumstances of the presentation, the clinical picture and the course towards complete recovery suggest that this might be a pathological process different from "cardiomyopathy of pregnancy" and be an "adrenergic myocarditis" induced or made worse by these drugs. The authors deduce some simple preventive measures.

[Problems raised by the gynaecologic management of women with BRCA 1 & 2 mutations]. / Problèmes posés par la prise en charge gynécologique des femmes porteuses d'une mutation germinale des gènes BRCA 1 & 2.

Breast and ovarian cancer occur more frequently in young women with BRCA 1 &2 mutations (respective cumulative risks from 37 to 85% and 10 to 20%), and raise specific gynaecologic problems as prophylactic surgery and hormonal treatments. Two medical files from 2 sisters with BRCA 1 mutation (exon 11) are presented and the authors discuss the therapeutic options chosen. BRCA 1 & 2 tumour suppressor genes seem to play a major role in the repair of cellular damages inducing by the estrogenic proliferative signal. The prophylactic mastectomy is effective for the breast cancer prevention but its acceptance is low. The oophorectomydecreases the ovarian risk (knowing the occurrence of peritoneal carcinomatosis in 1.8% of cases) and currently the breast cancer risk (RR = 0.47) by the hormonal privation: the hormone replacement therapy does not seem to increase the breast cancer risk in the small series published. The HRT is possible in women with BRCA mutation under medical supervision and if the doses of hormones are light. The first results concerning the chemoprevention by Tamoxifen are encouraging (RR = 0.38) in these patients, but more studies are needed. The oral contraception exerts an uncertain effect against ovarian cancer, but possibly enhances the breast cancer risk in this group of women (RR = 3.3). The management of women with BRCA mutation is varying according to their own priorities, which can change during their life.

[Factors associated with the choice of breast or bottle-feeding for hospitalized newborns]. / Facteurs associés au choix du mode d'alimentation pour un nouveau-né hospitalisé.

UNLABELLED: This study was carried out in Rennes's maternity hospitals (France), to determine the breastfeeding rate for newborns hospitalized after birth, as well as the factors associated with the choice to breastfeed or not in these conditions. METHODS: Three hundred and twenty mothers delivered in Rennes Teaching Hospital, whose neonates were transferred in neonatal care unit, were questioned about their choice for neonate feeding. RESULTS: Three hundred and eight of the 320 mothers concerned by the study answered our interview. Fifty one percent of them chose to breast feed, which is near the breastfeeding rate of the general population of Rennes' maternity hospitals (52%). A high sociocultural level, a mother previously breastfed herself, and a previous breast feeding (RR = 5.2; P < 10(-8)) were associated with the choice of breastfeeding. Factors concerning the information of the mothers were also associated with the choice of breastfeeding information during the preparation to birth sessions (RR = 1.7; P < 10(-5)), individual information on the breastfeeding of an ill newborn (RR = 1.5; P < 0.01), and the simple advice to breastfeed given by a health care professional (RR = 2; P < 10(-8)). Of the four qualities named, the more breast-milk qualities a mother knew, the higher breastfeeding rate was (10% for none, 27% for one, 54% for two, and 76% for three or four). Concerning the postnatal factors, gestational age below 31 weeks multiplied breast feeding by 1.5 (P < 0.05), and an early contact mother-child (first day) by 1.3 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study pointed out the populations at risk of no breastfeeding. Informations on the properties of breastfeeding given to mothers by health care professionals may influence them in their choice of breast feeding or not their ill newborn.

[A complication of epidural anesthesia: cerebral pneumatocele. A case report]. / Une complication de l'anesthésie péridurale: la pneumatocèle cérébrale. A propos d'une observation.

Having had a case themselves the authors report a rare complication of epidural anaesthetic, namely pneumocephaly. When it occurs it is usually after a difficult puncture; and usually thought of if headaches are unusually severe of there is a picture of intracranial rise in pressure. Then a tomodensitometry will lead to the diagnosis. Literature shows that it can be a serious condition, sometimes fatal, which means that the case has to be followed up very carefully and tomodensitometry has to be repeated until complete cure has been obtained.

[The place of oral contraceptives and pregnancy in the aetiology of amenorrhoea, a study of 188 cases of secondary amenorrhoea lasting more than one year (author's transl)]. / Place de la contraception orale et de la grossesse dans les étiologies des aménorrhées (á propos de 188 aménorrhées secondaires de plus d'un an)

188 patients who had secondary amenorrhoea lasting more than a year were investigated in the same way, in a continuous series, and were classified: - under 6 diagnostic headings: 22 cases of hyperprolactinaemia, 40 cases of primary amenorrhoea, 51 cases of anorexia nervosa, 52 cases of psychogenic amenorrhoea, 9 cases of premature menopause and 5 pregnancies. - and in 3 groups: Group I : 28 cases of amenorrhoea which have been diagnosed as due to the stopping of oral contraception. Group II : 25 cases of amenorrhoea which were found immediately post-partum. Group III : 135 cases of amenorrhoea which did not come into these categories. The authors noted that hyperprolactinaemia was more common and anorexia nervosa was less common in Group I and II as compared with Group III. The results have been interpreted against the age of the patient at the time of diagnosis, at the time of their last period and the relationship to the interval between the amenorrhoea starting and the consultation. A review of the literature demonstrates the methodological problems that are shown up in interpreting these results.

[Mass screening of gestational diabetes using O'Sullivan's test in a hospital consultation. Experience in Rennes]. / Dépistage du diabète gestationnel par le test de O'Sullivan dans une consultation hospitalière. Expérience rennaise.

The aim of this work was to study the predictive value of 50 gram glucose O'Sullivan test for systematic screening of gestational diabetes. To confirm the diagnostic the test positivity was controlled by a 100 g, 3 hours oral glucose tolerance test. During a 12-month period, 751 women were included in the 7th month pregnancy consultation. The O'Sullivan test was positive in 18% of cases. The oral glucose tolerance test confirmed the diagnostic in 14% of these positive tests. The frequency of gestational diabetes was about 2.5% in this population. We compared then the results of the test with the other available screening modes. For this purpose, we analysed retrospectively 50 gestational diabetes diagnosed during the same time in the entire pregnant population of the clinic. In our experience, the O'Sullivan's test is a reliable and useful test. It is easy to perform. Less women are selected than in analysis of risk factors (18% versus > 30%), and with better sensitivity.