Dopamine enhances signal-to-noise ratio in cortical-brainstem encoding of aversive stimuli.

Dopamine modulates medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) activity to mediate diverse behavioural functions1,2; however, the precise circuit computations remain unknown. One potentially unifying model by which dopamine may underlie a diversity of functions is by modulating the signal-to-noise ratio in subpopulations of mPFC neurons3-6, where neural activity conveying sensory information (signal) is amplified relative to spontaneous firing (noise). Here we demonstrate that dopamine increases the signal-to-noise ratio of responses to aversive stimuli in mPFC neurons projecting to the dorsal periaqueductal grey (dPAG). Using an electrochemical approach, we reveal the precise time course of pinch-evoked dopamine release in the mPFC, and show that mPFC dopamine biases behavioural responses to aversive stimuli. Activation of mPFC-dPAG neurons is sufficient to drive place avoidance and defensive behaviours. mPFC-dPAG neurons display robust shock-induced excitations, as visualized by single-cell, projection-defined microendoscopic calcium imaging. Finally, photostimulation of dopamine terminals in the mPFC reveals an increase in the signal-to-noise ratio in mPFC-dPAG responses to aversive stimuli. Together, these data highlight how dopamine in the mPFC can selectively route sensory information to specific downstream circuits, representing a potential circuit mechanism for valence processing.

Intra-obturator bupivacaine injection and post-operative pain following the trans-obturator tension-free vaginal tape procedure: randomized study.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of a long-acting anesthetic injection into the obturator membrane for pain relief in women undergoing trans-obturator tension-free vaginal tape. METHODS: A total of 22 women were randomized for the intra-operative injection of bupivacaine into one of their obturator membranes: the left or right side. All the participants were asked to define their groin pain on a visual analog scale (scored 0-10 cm) at 1, 6, 12, and 24 h post-operative. For each woman, pain scores were compared between the local anesthetic-injected side and the opposite side. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were not observed in groin pain scores between the bupivacaine injection side and the no injection side at 1 h (p = 0.76), 6 h (p = 1), 12 h (p = 0.95), and 24 h (p = 0.82) post-operative. CONCLUSION: In women who undergo trans-obturator tension-free vaginal tape procedures, intra-operative intra-obturator injection of local anesthetics is not effective in alleviating the characteristic post-operative groin pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03479996).

Fetal Inguinal Hernia: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Fetal inguinal hernia (FIH) is a rare event and only few cases were published in the medical literature. In the present study, we aimed to characterize the sonographic features, clinical presentation, management, outcomes, and differential diagnoses of FIH. Accordingly, we reviewed all 17 cases of FIH published in the medical literature, including one new case evaluated by our group. All 17 cases (100%) were male, and FIH is presented as a scrotal mass with a mean diameter of 38 ± 9.5 mm. The right side was dominant (62%). Peristalsis was reported in 80% of the cases, and blood flow was reported in two-thirds. Most cases were diagnosed in the third trimester (88%) at a mean gestational age (GA) of 33.1 ± 5.2 weeks. 60% of the cases had isolated FIH, and 40% had another sonographic or genetic abnormality. Three cases (18%) were syndromic with multiple malformations: trisomy 18, skeletal anomalies due to Jarcho-Levin syndrome, and undefined multiple joint contractures. Two cases (12%) had copathologies in the gastrointestinal tract: one had an echogenic bowel due to homozygosity for cystic fibrosis, and the other had low anorectal malformation. Bowel loop dilatation was observed prenatally in both cases and in another one isolated case (18%). GA at delivery was 38 ± 1.8 weeks, and the median time between diagnosis and delivery was 3 weeks. All three cases of neonatal death occurred in syndromic fetuses. All patients with nonsyndromic inguinal hernias underwent definitive surgical repair at a median of 13 days postpartum. No signs of strangulation and only one case of edematous bowel without necrosis have been reported. In conclusion, FIH should be suspected in male fetuses when an intrascrotal mass with peristalsis is diagnosed during the third trimester. Close follow-up until term in the absence of signs of bowel obstruction is reasonable, and in isolated FIH, the prognosis is favorable.

Learned Motor Patterns Are Replayed in Human Motor Cortex during Sleep.

Consolidation of memory is believed to involve offline replay of neural activity. While amply demonstrated in rodents, evidence for replay in humans, particularly regarding motor memory, is less compelling. To determine whether replay occurs after motor learning, we sought to record from motor cortex during a novel motor task and subsequent overnight sleep. A 36-year-old man with tetraplegia secondary to cervical spinal cord injury enrolled in the ongoing BrainGate brain-computer interface pilot clinical trial had two 96-channel intracortical microelectrode arrays placed chronically into left precentral gyrus. Single- and multi-unit activity was recorded while he played a color/sound sequence matching memory game. Intended movements were decoded from motor cortical neuronal activity by a real-time steady-state Kalman filter that allowed the participant to control a neurally driven cursor on the screen. Intracortical neural activity from precentral gyrus and 2-lead scalp EEG were recorded overnight as he slept. When decoded using the same steady-state Kalman filter parameters, intracortical neural signals recorded overnight replayed the target sequence from the memory game at intervals throughout at a frequency significantly greater than expected by chance. Replay events occurred at speeds ranging from 1 to 4 times as fast as initial task execution and were most frequently observed during slow-wave sleep. These results demonstrate that recent visuomotor skill acquisition in humans may be accompanied by replay of the corresponding motor cortex neural activity during sleep.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Within cortex, the acquisition of information is often followed by the offline recapitulation of specific sequences of neural firing. Replay of recent activity is enriched during sleep and may support the consolidation of learning and memory. Using an intracortical brain-computer interface, we recorded and decoded activity from motor cortex as a human research participant performed a novel motor task. By decoding neural activity throughout subsequent sleep, we find that neural sequences underlying the recently practiced motor task are repeated throughout the night, providing direct evidence of replay in human motor cortex during sleep. This approach, using an optimized brain-computer interface decoder to characterize neural activity during sleep, provides a framework for future studies exploring replay, learning, and memory.

Associations between early in-hospital medications and the development of delirium in patients with stroke.

OBJECTIVES: Patients hospitalized with stroke develop delirium at higher rates than general hospitalized patients. While several medications are associated with existing delirium, it is unknown whether early medication exposures are associated with subsequent delirium in patients with stroke. Additionally, it is unknown whether delirium identification is associated with changes in the prescription of these medications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to a comprehensive stroke center, who were assessed for delirium by trained nursing staff during clinical care. We analyzed exposures to multiple medication classes in the first 48 h of admission, and compared them between patients who developed delirium >48 hours after admission and those who never developed delirium. Statistical analysis was performed using univariate testing. Multivariable logistic regression was used further to evaluate the significance of univariately significant medications, while controlling for clinical confounders. RESULTS: 1671 unique patients were included in the cohort, of whom 464 (27.8%) developed delirium >48 hours after admission. Delirium was associated with prior exposure to antipsychotics, sedatives, opiates, and antimicrobials. Antipsychotics, sedatives, and antimicrobials remained significantly associated with delirium even after accounting for several clinical covariates. Usage of these medications decreased in the 48 hours following delirium identification, except for atypical antipsychotics, whose use increased. Other medication classes such as steroids, benzodiazepines, and sleep aids were not initially associated with subsequent delirium, but prescription patterns still changed after delirium identification. CONCLUSIONS: Early exposure to multiple medication classes is associated with the subsequent development of delirium in patients with stroke. Additionally, prescription patterns changed following delirium identification, suggesting that some of the associated medication classes may represent modifiable targets for future delirium prevention strategies, although future study is needed.

Physiological Assessment of Delirium Severity: The Electroencephalographic Confusion Assessment Method Severity Score (E-CAM-S).

OBJECTIVES: Delirium is a common and frequently underdiagnosed complication in acutely hospitalized patients, and its severity is associated with worse clinical outcomes. We propose a physiologically based method to quantify delirium severity as a tool that can help close this diagnostic gap: the Electroencephalographic Confusion Assessment Method Severity Score (E-CAM-S). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Single-center tertiary academic medical center. PATIENTS: Three-hundred seventy-three adult patients undergoing electroencephalography to evaluate altered mental status between August 2015 and December 2019. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We developed the E-CAM-S based on a learning-to-rank machine learning model of forehead electroencephalography signals. Clinical delirium severity was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method Severity (CAM-S). We compared associations of E-CAM-S and CAM-S with hospital length of stay and inhospital mortality. E-CAM-S correlated with clinical CAM-S (R = 0.67; p < 0.0001). For the overall cohort, E-CAM-S and CAM-S were similar in their strength of association with hospital length of stay (correlation = 0.31 vs 0.41, respectively; p = 0.082) and inhospital mortality (area under the curve = 0.77 vs 0.81; p = 0.310). Even when restricted to noncomatose patients, E-CAM-S remained statistically similar to CAM-S in its association with length of stay (correlation = 0.37 vs 0.42, respectively; p = 0.188) and inhospital mortality (area under the curve = 0.83 vs 0.74; p = 0.112). In addition to previously appreciated spectral features, the machine learning framework identified variability in multiple measures over time as important features in electroencephalography-based prediction of delirium severity. CONCLUSIONS: The E-CAM-S is an automated, physiologic measure of delirium severity that predicts clinical outcomes with a level of performance comparable to conventional interview-based clinical assessment.

Electroencephalographic Abnormalities are Common in COVID-19 and are Associated with Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for electrographic seizures and other electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns in patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) undergoing clinically indicated continuous electroencephalogram (cEEG) monitoring and to assess whether EEG findings are associated with outcomes. METHODS: We identified 197 patients with COVID-19 referred for cEEG at 9 participating centers. Medical records and EEG reports were reviewed retrospectively to determine the incidence of and clinical risk factors for seizures and other epileptiform patterns. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis assessed the relationship between EEG patterns and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Electrographic seizures were detected in 19 (9.6%) patients, including nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) in 11 (5.6%). Epileptiform abnormalities (either ictal or interictal) were present in 96 (48.7%). Preceding clinical seizures during hospitalization were associated with both electrographic seizures (36.4% in those with vs 8.1% in those without prior clinical seizures, odds ratio [OR] 6.51, p = 0.01) and NCSE (27.3% vs 4.3%, OR 8.34, p = 0.01). A pre-existing intracranial lesion on neuroimaging was associated with NCSE (14.3% vs 3.7%; OR 4.33, p = 0.02). In multivariate analysis of outcomes, electrographic seizures were an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 4.07 [1.44-11.51], p < 0.01). In competing risks analysis, hospital length of stay increased in the presence of NCSE (30 day proportion discharged with vs without NCSE: HR 0.21 [0.03-0.33] vs 0.43 [0.36-0.49]). INTERPRETATION: This multicenter retrospective cohort study demonstrates that seizures and other epileptiform abnormalities are common in patients with COVID-19 undergoing clinically indicated cEEG and are associated with adverse clinical outcomes. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:872-883.

Maternal iodine deficiency: a newborns' overweight risk factor? A prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Childhood obesity and iodine deficiency are global public health concerns. Whether maternal iodine status mediates overweight in infancy has yet to be explored. We aimed to assess the relationship between maternal iodine status and infant birth weight, including small and large for gestational age (SGA and LGA, respectively). METHODS: A prospective study was carried out among 134 mother-infant pairs from Israel. Maternal iodine intake and status were estimated via questionnaire and serum thyroglobulin (Tg), respectively. Estimated iodine intake below the Recommended Daily Allowance for iodine sufficiency in pregnancy (220 µg/d) considered Inadequate. Maternal and neonatal thyroid function and anthropometric measurements, as well as maternal thyroid antibodies were also tested. RESULTS: After screening, 118 participants met the inclusion criteria (distributed trimesters I, II and III: n = 3, n = 21, and n = 94, respectively). There was a negative association of iodine intake with Tg values among the study population. Maternal median Tg value was higher than the sufficiency cutoff (16.5 vs 13 µg/L), indicating insufficient iodine status. No SGA cases were found. Inadequate iodine intake was associated with maternal isolated hypothyroxinemia (OR = 3.4; 95% CI 1.2, 9.9) and higher birthweight (including macrosomia and LGA) rates. A suggestive association of elevated Tg with a greater risk of LGA was observed. Offsprings' birth weight percentiles were associated with Tg values in pregnant women with suggestive sufficient iodine status (n = 62, R2 = 0.11, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Iodine status during pregnancy can be associated with newborn anthropometric index. Maternal inadequate iodine intake may alter fetal growth and might increase the risk of LGA among newborns. These initial findings support the need to further study the impact of iodine deficiency on newborns overweight in Israel and elsewhere.

Associations Between Stroke Localization and Delirium: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Delirium is common among patients with acute stroke and associated with worse outcomes. However, it is unclear which stroke locations or types are most associated with delirium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically reviewed studies of patients with acute stroke that reported stroke locations and types by delirium status. We included papers in any language, through a combined search from January 2010 to June 2021. Case studies with less than 20 patients, case-control studies, and randomized controlled trials were excluded. MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Alois databases were searched. Pooled relative risks were calculated using bivariate random effects models or network meta-analysis. Methodological quality was assessed across 8 factors. RESULTS: 31 patient samples representing 8329 patients were included. Delirium was more common in patients with supratentorial lesions than infratentorial (RR [Relative Risk] 2.01, CI [Confidence Interval] 1.49-2.72); anterior circulation lesions than posterior (RR 1.41, CI 1.13-1.78); and cortical lesions than subcortical (RR 1.54, CI 1.25-1.89). Stroke side was not associated with delirium (right vs. left: RR 0.99, CI 0.77-1.28). Delirium was more common in patients with hemorrhagic strokes than ischemic (RR 1.74, CI 1.42-2.11) and patients with preexisting qualitative atrophy (RR 1.66, CI 1.21-2.27). CONCLUSION: Several brain localizations and types of strokes were associated with delirium. Conclusions were in part limited by the heterogeneity of studies and broad or qualitative lesion descriptions. These results may assist in anticipating the risk of delirium in acute stroke and highlight brain networks and pathologies that may be involved in the pathophysiology of delirium.

Evaluation and Management of Delirium.

Delirium, sometimes referred to as encephalopathy, is an acute confusional state that is both common in hospitalized patients and associated with poor outcomes. For patients, families, and caregivers, delirium can be a traumatic experience. While delirium is one of the most common diagnoses encountered by the consulting neurologist, the majority of the time it will have been previously unrecognized as such by the care team. Neurologic syndromes such as dementia or aphasia can either be misdiagnosed as delirium or may coexist with it, necessitating careful neurologic assessment. Once the diagnosis of delirium has been established, a careful evaluation for predisposing and precipitating factors can help uncover modifiable contributors, which should be addressed as part of a multicomponent, primarily nonpharmacologic intervention. Importantly, delirium management, which begins with comprehensive prevention, should emphasize the humanity of the delirious patient and the challenges of caring for this vulnerable population. When considered, delirium represents an important opportunity for the neurologist to substantially enhance patient care.

Adnexal torsion recurrence-is the adnexal twist degree a risk factor? A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the adnexal twist degree is related to torsion recurrence and whether there is a dose-dependent correlation. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Single tertiary medical centre. POPULATION: The study includes non-pregnant patients operated, for the first time, for adnexal torsion, between 2011 and 2018. METHODS: Information regarding the degree of adnexal twist was collected from surgical reports. Recurrence was identified using a computerised database and ascertained via telephone with a response rate of 87.2% (253/290). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adnexal torsion recurrence rate. RESULTS: A total of 182 women who had undergone laparoscopic detorsion met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-two had torsion recurrence (12.1%). Adnexal twist degree in the primary event was associated with a higher recurrence risk: 4.3% of women with twist degree ≤360 (n = 3/70), 14.5% of women with twist degree of 361-720 (n = 9/62) and 20% of women with twist degree >720 (n = 10/50) (P = 0.03). The median twist degree was 540 (interquartile range [IQR] 360-855) and 720 (IQR 675-1080) degrees in the control and study groups, respectively (P = 0.005). Additional possibly associated factors for recurrence were evaluated. Age emerged as a possible risk factor, with a median age of 19 years in the recurrence group (IQR 14-27 years) versus 28.5 (IQR 19-36 years) in the non-recurrence group (P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis revealed that together with age, adnexal twist degree remained significantly associated with torsion recurrence (odds ratio [OR] 1.98, 95% CI 1.09-3.61; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Adnexal twist degree was found to be positively associated with the risk of torsion recurrence. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Adnexal twist degree was found to be positively associated with the risk of torsion recurrence.

The Relation between Head Circumference and Mid-Pelvic Circumference: A Simple Index for Cephalopelvic Disproportion Evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) is one of the most common obstetric complications. Since CPD is the disproportion between the fetal head and maternal bony pelvis, evaluation of the head circumference (HC) relative to the maternal bony pelvis may be a useful adjunct to pre-labor CPD evaluation. The aim of the present study was a proof-of-concept evaluation of the ratio between HC and pelvic circumference (PC) as a predictor of CPD. METHODS: Of 11,822 deliveries, 104 cases that underwent an abdominopelvic CT for any medical indication and who underwent normal vaginal deliveries (NVDs) (n = 84) or cesarean deliveries (CD) due to CPD (n = 20) were included retrospectively. Maternal pelvis dimensions were reconstructed and neonatal HC, as a proxy for fetal HC, was measured. The correlation between cases of CPD and cephalopelvic circumference index (CPCI), which represents the ratio between the HC and PC in percentage (HC/PC × 100), was evaluated. RESULTS: The mid-pelvis CPCI (MP-CPCI) was larger in CD groups as compared to the NVD group: 103 ± 11 versus 97 ± 8%, respectively (p = 0.0003). In logistic regression analysis, the MP-CPCI was found to be independently associated with CD due to CPD: each 1% increase in MP-CPCI increased the likelihood of CD for CPD by 11% (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.11, 95% CI, 1.03-1.19, p = 0.004). The aOR for CD due to CPD increased incrementally as the MP-CPCI increased, from 3.56 (95% CI, 1.01-12.6) at MP-CPCI of 100 to 5.6 (95% CI, 1.63-19.45) at 105, 21.44 (95% CI, 3.05-150.84) at 110, and 28.88 (95% CI, 2.3-362.27) at MP-CPCI of 115. CONCLUSIONS: The MP-CPCI, representing the relative dimensions of the fetal HC and maternal PC, is a simple tool that can potentially distinguish between parturients at lower and higher risk of CPD. Prospective randomized studies are required to evaluate the feasibility of prenatal pelvimetry and MP-CPCI to predict the risk of CPD during labor.

Accurate detection of spontaneous seizures using a generalized linear model with external validation.

OBJECTIVE: Seizure detection is a major facet of electroencephalography (EEG) analysis in neurocritical care, epilepsy diagnosis and management, and the instantiation of novel therapies such as closed-loop stimulation or optogenetic control of seizures. It is also of increased importance in high-throughput, robust, and reproducible pre-clinical research. However, seizure detectors are not widely relied upon in either clinical or research settings due to limited validation. In this study, we create a high-performance seizure-detection approach, validated in multiple data sets, with the intention that such a system could be available to users for multiple purposes. METHODS: We introduce a generalized linear model trained on 141 EEG signal features for classification of seizures in continuous EEG for two data sets. In the first (Focal Epilepsy) data set consisting of 16 rats with focal epilepsy, we collected 1012 spontaneous seizures over 3 months of 24/7 recording. We trained a generalized linear model on the 141 features representing 20 feature classes, including univariate and multivariate, linear and nonlinear, time, and frequency domains. We tested performance on multiple hold-out test data sets. We then used the trained model in a second (Multifocal Epilepsy) data set consisting of 96 rats with 2883 spontaneous multifocal seizures. RESULTS: From the Focal Epilepsy data set, we built a pooled classifier with an Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUROC) of 0.995 and leave-one-out classifiers with an AUROC of 0.962. We validated our method within the independently constructed Multifocal Epilepsy data set, resulting in a pooled AUROC of 0.963. We separately validated a model trained exclusively on the Focal Epilepsy data set and tested on the held-out Multifocal Epilepsy data set with an AUROC of 0.890. Latency to detection was under 5 seconds for over 80% of seizures and under 12 seconds for over 99% of seizures. SIGNIFICANCE: This method achieves the highest performance published for seizure detection on multiple independent data sets. This method of seizure detection can be applied to automated EEG analysis pipelines as well as closed loop interventional approaches, and can be especially useful in the setting of research using animals in which there is an increased need for standardization and high-throughput analysis of large number of seizures.

Routine ultrasonographic and hysteroscopic evaluations of women undergoing postpartum manual removal of placenta: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the rates of retained products of conception (RPOC) after routine postpartum evaluation of patients who underwent post-delivery manual uterine revision due to retained placenta. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of 599 consecutive women who underwent manual removal of placenta during 2010-2018. Group A comprised 465 women who underwent postpartum symptom-based evaluation (2010-2016). Group B comprised 134 women who were routinely evaluated by ultrasound and subsequently by hysteroscopic examination 6 weeks after delivery (2016-2018). RESULTS: The rates of abnormal postpartum bleeding were similar between groups A and B (12% and 13%, respectively, p = 0.72%). A significantly smaller proportion of women underwent hysteroscopy in group A than group B (12% vs. 37%, p < 0.05). The rate of persistent RPOC confirmed by hysteroscopy was significantly lower in group A than group B (9.7% vs. 23%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Among patients who underwent post-delivery manual removal of placenta, a threefold higher rate of RPOC was discovered by routine elective evaluation than by evaluating only symptomatic patients. Future studies may show whether this approach translates to an effect on fertility.

Barbed Versus Conventional Suture for Uterine Repair During Caesarean Section: A Randomized Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to compare the short-term outcome of uterine incision repair during a Caesarean section (CS) using a bidirectional knotless barbed suture versus polyglactin suture. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at a university hospital. Participants undergoing a CS were randomly assigned to uterine incision closure by bidirectional knotless barbed suture (group A) or polyglactin (group B). The primary outcome was the time needed to repair the uterine incision. The analysis was by intent to treat. A sample size of 35 per group (n = 70) was planned to detect a 30% reduction in uterine repair time (Canadian Task Force Classification I). RESULTS: From July 2016 through October 2017, 150 women were screened, and 70 were statistically analyzed: group A (n = 35) and group B (n = 35). Time to complete uterine incision repair was 308 ± 57 seconds for group A and 411 ± 74 seconds for group B (P < 0.001). Total surgery time (33.4 ± 8.8 minutes vs. 33.2 ± 7.5 minutes; P = 0.64) was not significantly different between groups A and B, respectively. CONCLUSION: Repair of the CS uterine incision with barbed suture compared with polyglactin suture reduces suturing time.

Sentinel Nodes Detection with Near-infrared Imaging in Gynecological Cancer Patients: Ushering in an Era of Precision Medicine.

BACKGROUND: The sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy procedure is a well-known method for identifying solid tumors such as breast cancer, vulvar cancer, and melanoma. In endometrial and cervical cancer, SLN has recently gained acceptance. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the detection rate of SLN with an indocyanine green and near-infrared fluorescent imaging (ICG/NIR) integrated laparoscopic system in clinically uterine-confined endometrial or cervical cancer. METHODS: Patients with clinically early-stage endometrial or cervical cancer were included in this retrospective study. ICG was injected into the uterine cervix and an ICG/NIR integrated laparoscopic system was used during the surgeries. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) protocol was followed. SLN and/or suspicious lymph nodes were resected. Side-specific lymphadenectomy was performed when mapping was unsuccessful. Systematic lymphadenectomy was completed in patients with high-grade histology or deep myometrial invasion. Enhanced pathology using ultra-staging and immunohistochemistry were performed in all cases. RESULTS: We analyzed 46 eligible patients: 39 endometrial and 7 cervical cancers. Of these, 44 had at least one SLN (93.6%). In 41 patients (89%) we detected bilateral SLN, in 3 (7%) only unilateral, and in 2 (4%) none were detected. Seven patients presented with lymph node metastasis. All were detected by NCCN/SLN protocol. Of these cases, two were detected with only pathological ultra-staging. CONCLUSIONS: SLN mapping in endometrial and cervical cancer can easily be performed with a high detection rate by integrating ICG/NIR into a conventional laparoscopic system. Precision medicine in patients evaluated by SLN biopsy changes the way patients with endometrial or cervical cancer are managed.

Safety of nifedipine in threatened preterm labor: Investigation by three-dimensional echocardiography.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate atrial and ventricular parameters using real time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (RT3DTTE) in women treated with nifedipine in the early third trimester (III-T) of pregnancy. METHODS: A prospective single-subject design study in a university-affiliated hospital, where each participant served as her own control. We studied 25 pregnant women at a gestational age of 25-33 weeks with TPTL prior to vs 48 hours postnifedipine treatment. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2DTTE) and RT3DTTE were used to study 3D left atrial (LA) volumes and indexes, emptying fraction, left ventricular and LA cavities, and total vascular resistance (TVR). RESULTS: Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography showed a significant increase in LA area (from 15.2 ± 2.62 to 16.16 ± 2.21 mm2 , P = .02) before vs after nifedipine; RT3DTTE showed a significant change in LA end-diastolic volume index (from 23.7 ± 4.2 to 26.75 ± 3.8 mL/m2 , P = .008). LA end-systolic volume and index were not significantly different before vs after nifedipine (from 24.56 ± 8 to 25.3 ± 5.5 mL, from 13.6 ± 5.3 to 14.8 ± 3.4 mL/m2 ); P > .05, respectively. E/a ratio, E-tdi, and E/E-tdi did not change significantly ([from 2.54 ± 4.46 to 2.54 ± 4.1], [from 11.9 ± 1.9 to 11.9 ± 2], [from 7.8 ± 1.4 to 7.6 ± 1.1], respectively, P > .05). Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) did not change significantly from 23.77 ± 4.2 to 23.9 ± 3.3, P = .1. There was a significant decrease in pulmonary pressure (from 25.4 ± 4.2 to 23 ± 2.5 mm Hg, P = .02), in mean arterial pressure (from 80 ± 4 to 76 ± 3 mm Hg, P < .001) and in TVR (from 1160 ± 260 to 1050 ± 206 dyne s/cm-5 , P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: According to RT3DTTE measurements, in pregnant women treated with nifedipine for tocolysis, there were no detrimental cardiovascular effects detected 48 hours postnifedipine treatment. RT3DTTE could show accurately the compensatory response of the left heart to the cardiovascular changes induced by treatment with nifedipine.

Is intrauterine device a risk factor for failure of conservative management in patients with tubo-ovarian abscess? An observational retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). TOA formation may be an uncommon, but serious complication associated with the use of an intrauterine device (IUD). While the majority of TOA respond to antibiotic therapy, in approximately 25% of cases surgery or drainage is indicated. In the present study, we compared the failure rate of conservative management in patients with and without IUD, who were admitted with a diagnosis of TOA. METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study, 78 women were diagnosed with TOA. All patients were treated initially by broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics. The failure of conservative management after 72 h was followed by surgical intervention. RESULTS: The patients were divided into two groups: 24 patients were IUD-carriers, and 54 did not use IUD. There was no significant difference in surgical intervention rate between IUD group (50%) and no-IUD group (43%), p = 0.32. The WBC count was significantly higher in IUD-carriers diagnosed with TOA than in patients without IUD (16.5 ± 6.6 vs. 13.1 ± 4.6, p = 0.001). The patients with IUD had significantly larger abscesses as revealed by ultrasound than patients without IUD (61.6 ± 21.4 vs. 49.6 ± 20.6 mm, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The surgical intervention rate in TOA patients with and without IUD was similar.

Are Ultrasonographic Findings Suggestive of Ovarian Stromal Edema Associated with Ischemic Adnexal Torsion?

OBJECTIVE: To study whether sonographic findings suggestive of ovarian stromal edema are associated with tissue ischemia in patients with adnexal torsion. METHODS: A study of 79 patients with adnexal torsion was performed. Patients were divided into an ischemic group, in which the twisted adnexa were seen as blue or black, and a non-ischemic group, in which the adnexa retained normal color and appeared viable. Clinical and ultrasonographic findings, specifically the presence of ultrasonographic signs suggestive of ovarian stromal edema, were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 79 patients with torsion, in 44 (55.7%) the adnexa appeared ischemic at surgery. The presence of ischemia was not associated with age, pregnancy, duration of pain, vomiting or findings at physical examination. There was no significant difference between the ischemic and the non-ischemic group in the proportion of patients with signs of ovarian stromal edema (59 vs. 40%, p = 0.11), in the proportion of patients with absent/diminished stromal Doppler flow (36 vs. 28%, p = 0.12%) or in the proportion of patients with both signs of stroma edema and absent/diminished stromal Doppler flow (20 vs. 12%, p = 0.36). CONCLUSION: Ultrasonographic signs of ovarian stromal edema do not assist in differentiating between ischemic and non-ischemic adnexal torsion.

Misoprostol treatment for early pregnancy failure does not impair future fertility.

AIMS: To examine whether misoprostol treatment for first trimester missed abortion affects future fertility. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a historical prospective approach, we analyzed our database for patients treated with misoprostol. All eligible patients underwent an interview according to a questionnaire, which includes their demographic characteristics, obstetric, gynecologic and infertility history. They were asked about the side effects, intention and subsequent ability to conceive. Their future pregnancy rates were calculated and compared to the acceptable figures in the literature. RESULTS: The infertility rates among our patients were similar to those reported in the general population. Pregnancy rates 2 years after treatment were similar to the previously published reports, except for lower rates during the first three months post-treatment. Although no between-group differences were observed in the subsequent pregnancy rates, 2 years following misoprostol treatment in ≤35 versus >35 years old patients, primi- versus multigravida and nulli- versus parous women, higher pregnancy rates were observed in patients ≤35 versus >35 years old, primi- versus multigravida and nulli- versus, parous, during the first 3 months following misoprostol treatment. CONCLUSION: Misoprostol treatment, for women with first trimester missed abortion and favorable reproductive history, is an acceptable treatment with no detrimental effect on future fertility.