Conservative surgical management of multiple myometrial abscesses; an unusual case with review of the literature.

Myometrial abscess, especially with multiple foci, is quite rare and previous literature prevalently discusses unique locus of intramyometrial abscesses, usually treated with hysterectomy accompanied with or without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The presented case, to the authors' knowledge, is the first multiple myometrial abscess case treated with conservative surgical approach.

Long-term effects of low-dose 17beta-estradiol plus dydrogesterone on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure in healthy postmenopausal women: a 1-year, randomized, prospective study.

The aim of the present 12-month, randomized, prospective controlled study was to investigate the long-term effects of low-dose oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on 24-h blood pressure in healthy, normotensive postmenopausal women. A total of 80 postmenopausal women received either 1 mg micronized 17beta-estradiol daily, sequentially combined with 10 mg dydrogesterone for 14 days of each 28-day cycle (n = 44), or no treatment (n = 36). Ambulatory blood pressure was recorded for a 24-h period at baseline and after 12 months. After 12 months, mean 24-h systolic ambulatory blood pressure fell significantly in the HRT group (-5.4 mmHg; p < 0.01). The difference between the values in the HRT and control groups after 12 months was significant (p < 0.01). Mean 24-h heart rate also fell significantly with HRT (-4.9 beats/min; p < 0.05), and the value was significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.05). Mean daytime systolic blood pressure fell significantly in the HRT group (-6.6 mmHg; p < 0.001), and the value was significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in blood pressure in the control group. In conclusion, sequential low-dose oral HRT with 17beta-estradiol/dydrogesterone caused a significant decrease in 24-h and daytime systolic ambulatory blood pressure in normotensive postmenopausal women.

Advanced oxidation protein products are increased in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: relationship with traditional and nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether or not plasma advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) are associated with known cardiovascular risk factors or carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: A prospective, controlled study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Forty-six women with PCOS and 46 age- and body mass index-matched healthy women. INTERVENTION(S): Carotid IMT was evaluated for both common carotid arteries. We measured serum levels of AOPP, homocysteine (Hcy), C-reactive protein (CRP), malonyldialdehyde (MDA), vitamin B(12), folate, lipid, and hormone profiles. The presence of insulin resistance was investigated by means of homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Serum AOPP, fasting insulin, HOMA index, Hcy, MDA, CRP, and carotid IMT. RESULT(S): The women with PCOS had significantly higher serum AOPP than control women. High AOPP was defined as equaling or exceeding the mean + 2 SD of the plasma AOPP in control subjects (56.2 pg/mLl). Carotid IMT, fasting insulin, HOMA index, Hcy, MDA, and CRP were significantly higher in PCOS patients with high AOPP than in those with normal AOPP. Fasting insulin, insulin resistance, and Hcy were independent determinants of plasma AOPP. CONCLUSION(S): Increased AOPP may contribute to the increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in women with PCOS.