RESUMEN
Objective: To evaluate the role of placental vascularisation indices using 3D-Power Doppler and placental elasticity using Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) in Fetal Growth Restricted (FGR) pregnancies and to assess their correlation with perinatal outcomes. Methods: This prospective case-control study was conducted from June 2018-2020. Thirty women with FGR and thirty controls (24-36 weeks) underwent grayscale and Doppler ultrasonography followed by measurement of vascularisation indices and SWE from the central and peripheral parts of fetal and maternal surfaces of the placenta. Participants were followed till delivery and perinatal outcomes were noted. Results: Vascularisation indices were significantly reduced among FGR vs. controls: Vascularisation Index (VI): 20.90 ± 5.46 vs. 31.49 ± 3.89, Flow Index (FI): 26.29 ± 1.70 vs. 30.85 ± 2.02, Vascularisation- Flow Index (VFI): 7.06 ± 2.42 vs. 12.37 ± 2.43, p < 0.001. The mean placental SWE (17.36 ± 1.50 kPa) in FGR pregnancies was significantly higher as compared to controls (4.14 ± 1.14 kPa), p < 0.001. Neonatal polycythaemia and hyperbilirubinemia were significantly increased in FGR pregnancies with higher SWE value. Receiver operating characteristic curve-based cut-off of VI for intensive care requirement was 23.0 (sensitivity: 75%, specificity: 71%) and for tachypnea was 22.8 (73% sensitivity and specificity). The cut-off of FI for low birth weight was 25.7 (sensitivity: 69.6%, specificity: 71.4%). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that increased placental stiffness and reduced vascularisation in FGR indicate possible placental pathology. Both modalities help in predicting perinatal complications. Hence, vascularisation indices and SWE reflect the extent of placental insufficiency and can be useful adjuncts in diagnosis.
RESUMEN
Objective: To analyse the outcome of patients with symptomatic arterio-venous malformation (AVM), formed following pregnancy and managed by uterine artery embolization (UAE). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted after ethical approval and included 15 patients presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding following pregnancy, who were suspected to have an AVM which later was confirmed by angiography and managed with UAE. Presenting symptoms, post-UAE complications and subsequent fertility outcomes were noted. Follow-up period ranged from 6 months to 2.5 years. Results: The mean age was 28.4±3.82 years and mean parity was 1.3. Out of 15 cases, 9 (60%) presented after abortion, 4 (26.6%) after normal vaginal delivery and 2 (13.3%) after cesarean delivery; of these 10/15 (66.7%) patients had a history of curettage. The most common presenting symptom was continuous bleeding per-vaginum since the antecedent pregnancy in 9/15 (60%) patients and 6/15 (40%) patients had irregular bleeding. The mean duration of symptoms was 91±85.7 (30-360) days. For UAE, embolic agents used were polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles (300-500 µm) in 2 (13.3%), 30% glue injection in 3 (20%), the combination of PVA with glue injection in 4 (26.6%) and PVA with gelfoam in 6 (40%) patients. After UAE, bleeding responded within 3.6±0.97 (3-6) days in all but one patient who required repeat UAE one month later. All women resumed their normal menstrual cycle in 31.3±5.2 (24-42) days. Ten patients desired conception, of whom 5 (50%) conceived within 13.2±5.1 (6-19) months after UAE. Two women carried pregnancy to term, one underwent preterm cesarean for growth restriction with oligohydramnios. One patient had postpartum hemorrhage, which was managed medically. One had spontaneous abortion at 6 weeks gestation and the other is 13 weeks pregnant at present. Conclusion: UAE is an effective treatment modality for the management of symptomatic post-pregnancy AVMs.
RESUMEN
Episiotomy site hematoma, though uncommon, can be associated with serious maternal morbidity. It arises mostly due to tissue trauma or injury to blood vessels, leading to the formation of a pseudoaneurysm. Sometimes, when surgical management fails, embolization of the bleeding vessel is a lifesaving option. Here, we report two cases of episiotomy site hematoma that required selective arterial embolization for management, following the failure of surgical management. A 28-year-old G6A5 woman underwent forceps delivery following which she developed a 6*6-cm right-sided vulvovaginal hematoma at the episiotomy site. After failed surgical management, arterial embolization was performed and hemostasis was achieved. A 26-year-old P2L2 woman with a history of surgical exploration for episiotomy site hematoma, presented postdelivery on postpartum day seven with profuse vaginal bleeding. Her computed tomography angiogram revealed a pseudoaneurysm of around 2.1*1 cm in length with a vaginal hematoma of 4*5 cm. Selective artery embolization performed and complete hemostasis was achieved with no complications. Selective arterial embolization is a safe therapeutic option for episiotomy site hematoma, especially if surgical management fails.
RESUMEN
Chronic ectopic pregnancy is a variant of ectopic pregnancy presenting as chronic lower abdominal pain, menstrual irregularity and pelvic mass. Often, chronic ectopic may pose diagnostic conundrum due to unusual presentations. We are presenting an unusual case of chronic ectopic with negative urine pregnancy test, who presented with pain in right hypochondrium. The patient had bilateral adnexal mass with omental deposit on imaging masquerading adnexal malignancy, leading to decision for surgical management. Intraoperatively blood clots were present in supramesocolic compartment along with bilateral adnexal masses. Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with clots evacuation was done and postoperatively, patient had complete relief of her symptoms. Final histopathology came out as ectopic gestation. Culminating point is to keep ectopic pregnancy as differential in all reproductive age group women presenting with pain in abdomen regardless of other symptom particularly with pelvic mass.