Efficacy of ferric carboxy maltose in treatment of iron deficiency/iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy.

Introduction: To evaluate the efficacy of ferric carboxy maltose (FCM) in the treatment of iron deficiency/iron deficiency anaemia (ID/IDA) during pregnancy. Material and methods: Pregnant women ≥ 20 years old diagnosed with ID (serum ferritin < 15 µg/l) and moderate IDA were included in this study for correction of their ID/IDA. The participants received an FCM infusion for correction of their ID/IDA. The pre-treatment ferritin, haemoglobin (Hb), and red blood cell (RBC) indices were compared with the 6- and 12-week post-treatment values to evaluate the efficacy of FCM in the treatment of ID/IDA during pregnancy. Results: The pre-treatment ferritin and Hb significantly increased from 10.3 ±2.3 µg/l and 7.99 ±0.6 g/dl, respectively, to 139.5 ±1.9 and 14.04 ±0.45, respectively, 6-weeks after FCM infusion (p = 0.02 and 0.001, respectively), and to 128.9 ±1.7 and 13.02 ±0.5, respectively, 12-weeks after FCM infusion (p = 0.0008 and 0.02, respectively). In addition, the pre-treatment RBCs mean corpuscular volume and RBCs mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) significantly increased from 72.02 ±3.5 fl and 23.9 ±1.9 pg, respectively, to 90.6 ± 2.8 fl and 29.98 ±1.5 pg, respectively, 6 weeks after FCM infusion (p = 0.01 and p = 0.007, respectively), and to 89.5 ±2.9 fl and 30.2 ±1.5 pg, respectively, 12 weeks after FCM infusion (p = 0.02 and 0.007 respectively). Conclusions: The ferric carboxy maltose was safe and effective for the treatment of ID/IDA during pregnancy within 6 weeks. The serum ferritin and Hb levels and the RBC indices remained significantly high 12 weeks after FCM infusion compared to the pre-treatment values.

Pfannenstiel incision for surgical excision of a huge pelvi-abdominal cystadenoma: a case report.

A 56-year-old post-menopausal woman, with 3 previous caesarean sections (CSs), presented to the emergency department with abdominal distension, without abdominal pain, tenderness, and/or rigidity. The abdominal examination of the studied woman showed a mobile, pelvi-abdominal mass 4 fingers breadth above the umbilicus. Magnetic resonance imaging study of the mass showed a large, well-defined, multi-locular cystic mass measuring 25.5 x 21 cm, which was most probably a right ovarian cystadenoma. The studied woman signed a written consent form for total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, after the normal tumour markers, and pre-operative investigations. Under general anaesthesia, an elliptical Pfannenstiel skin incision was done to remove the old CSs scars, followed by opening of the patient's anterior abdominal wall in layers. Total abdominal hysterectomy and unilateral left SO were done first, to deliver the ovarian mass easily and intact outside the abdomen after the uterus. Due to failure to deliver the mass outside the abdomen after removal of the uterus, the right infundibulopelvic ligament was ligated behind the mass, while the mass was still inside the abdomen. A longitudinal midline incision in the upper flap of the rectus sheath (not involving the skin) was added to deliver the excised right ovarian mass outside the abdomen. Successfully, the right ovarian mass delivered intact outside the abdomen after the added longitudinal midline incision. This report highlights that the midline vertical incision is not the standard abdominal incision. Moreover, the transverse Pfannenstiel incision is cosmetically better, and should be routinely used to avoid unnecessary vertical abdominal incision.

Severe adenomyosis with unexpectedly high CA-125: report of a rare case.

A 46-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and abnormal uterine bleeding over the last year. She had a history of failed cyclic progesterone with tranexamic acid over the last 3 months to control her bleeding attacks. She had a tender pelvi-abdominal mass of 28 weeks' gestation size. Therapeutic curettage was performed, followed by correction of her iron deficiency anemia with intravenous iron. The trans-abdominal ultrasound of the pelvi-abdominal mass showed asymmetrical myometrial thickening, predominantly its anterior wall, with myometrial hyperechoic regions surrounded by hypoechoic areas suggestive of adenomyosis uterus for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation. The MRI evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of adenomyosis uterus and showed diffuse asymmetrical uterine adenomyosis, predominantly its anterior myometrial wall, with an ill-defined endo-myometrial junction. Total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy and bilateral ovarian conservation was performed after departmental approval and the patient's consent. The routine pre-operative investigations were completely normal except the cancer antigen (CA-125) which was unexpectedly high (1658 and 1046 IU/ml repeated twice two days apart). The histological examination of the surgical removed uterus confirmed the diagnosis of adenomyosis uterus and the pre-operative high CA-125 decreased to 22 IU/ml (normal range 0-35 IU/ml) one week after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Unexpectedly high CA-125 over 1000 IU/ml can be seen in benign gynecologic conditions such as severe adenomyosis. The high CA-125 level is positively correlated to the uterine size in severe adenomyosis.

Postmenopausal adnexal torsion: rare case report.

Most ovarian and/or adnexal torsions occur in reproductive age and are less common in postmenopausal age. A 49-year-old menopausal woman presented to the Emergency Department with abdominal pain. She had a palpable pelvi-abdominal mass and abdominal tenderness on examination. Departmental ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a large multilocular right adnexal cyst (15 × 12 cm) containing fluid with variable signal intensities on both T1 and T2 sequences (stained glass appearance) - most probably mucinous cystadenoma. The studied woman signed an informed consent form and agreed to exploratory laparotomy and adnexectomy. After the pre-operative investigations, which were done according to the hospital protocol, including CA-125 (26 IU/ml) and anaesthesia consultation, she was scheduled for laparotomy. At laparotomy an ovarian cyst originating from the right ovary was found with evidence of torsion of the infundibulopelvic and utero-ovarian ligaments (adnexal torsion). The right adnexa including the right ovary containing the ovarian cyst and the right fallopian tube was excised (adnexectomy). The histological examination of the excised adnexa confirmed the diagnosis of mucinous cystadenoma of the ovary. This report represents a rare case of an adnexal torsion in postmenopausal woman, to highlight that adnexal torsion can occur at any age and that the presence of ovarian mass or cyst predispose to adnexal torsion at any age.

Elevated and diagnostic androgens of polycystic ovary syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: A genetic variation at the level of aromatase enzyme and/or androgen receptors was suggested in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the androgens elevated and diagnostic for PCOS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 120 PCOS women were compared to non-PCOS controls in this study. The studied women were evaluated thoroughly, including: day 2-3 hormonal profile and any hormonal change confirmed by two laboratory results eight weeks apart. Collected data were analysed to determine the androgens elevated and diagnostic for PCOS. RESULTS: The luteinising hormone (LH) and LH/follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio were significantly high in the studied PCOS group compared to controls (p = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). In addition, total and free testosterone and androstenedione were significantly high in the studied PCOS group compared to controls (p = 0.001, 0.003, and 0.02, respectively).The studied PCOS group had higher relative risk (RR) and odds ratio (OR) of elevated total testosterone (2.4 and 5.7, respectively), elevated free testosterone (2.9 and 4.9, respectively), and elevated androstenedione (3.0 and 4.8, respectively), compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Testosterone (both total and free testosterone) and androstenedione were the main elevated androgens and were diagnostic for excess ovarian androgens in the studied PCOS women, whereas dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was not elevated and/or diagnostic for excess ovarian androgens in the studied PCOS women.

Is transvaginal ultrasound an appropriate screening tool for endometrial cancer in asymptomatic postmenopausal women? A case report.

A 55-years-old woman menopausal for the last 6 years discovered to have an endometrial thickness (ET) > 12 mm (suspected endometrial polyp) during routine evaluation in the gynaecology clinic using the transvaginal ultrasound (TVS). Departmental ultrasound confirmed the same TVS findings and suggested the presence of endometrial polyp as the main cause of the ET. Based upon the patient's risk factors (diabetic, hypertensive, obese with family history of endometrial cancer), a departmental decision was taken to proceed for diagnostic hysteroscopy and polypectomy after informed written consent. Large endometrial polyp and submucosal fibroid were found and excised during hysteroscopy. The histopathological results confirmed the intraoperative diagnosis of the endometrial polyp and submucosal fibroid. This report supports the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommendations and highlights that the TVS is not an appropriate screening tool for asymptomatic postmenopausal women. In addition, the ET > 4 mm in asymptomatic postmenopausal women does not need evaluation.

Abdelazim and AbuFaza technique for temporary bilateral uterine occlusion to decrease the blood loss during myomectomy: Case reports.

The standard treatment of symptomatic fibroids is hysterectomy for women completed their childbearing and myomectomy for women desire future fertility. Myomectomy associated with life-threatening bleeding and emergency blood transfusion. The two studied cases were unmarried presented with multiple fibroid uterus of 28 and 24 weeks' gestation. Both the studied women refused hysterectomy because of their fertility potential. Myomectomy was done with removal of two big myomas (10×12 cm and 7×8 cm), three moderate size myomas (5×5 cm, 4×4 cm and 3×4 cm) and four small size myomas for the first case and removal of one big myoma (8×6 cm), four small size myomas for the second case. The hemoglobin difference was 0.6 and 0.4 gms% for the first and the second case; respectively and no blood transfusion was required for them. This report represents the outcome of Abdelazim and AbuFaza technique for temporary bilateral uterine occlusion to decrease the blood loss during myomectomy.

Abdelazim and AbuFaza ELLP syndrome as a variant of HELLP syndrome: Case reports.

BACKGROUND: The hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome is a serious complication in pregnancy occurring in 0.5-0.9% of all pregnancies and in 10-20% of cases with severe pre-eclampsia. Previous studies described HELLP syndrome without hemolysis without any further details. OBJECTIVES: This report represents the criteria for the diagnosis of Abdelazim and AbuFaza elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count (ELLP) syndrome as a variant of HELLP syndrome. CASE REPORTS: A 39-year-old woman, pregnant 32 weeks' gestation, previous five cesarean sections, admitted with severe pre-eclampsia (blood pressure 160/110 mmHg, proteinuria +3, 700 mg proteins/24 h urine, and protein/creatinine ratio ≥0.9 in spot urine sample). Laboratory investigation showed elevated liver enzymes, low platelet (PLT) count, and no evidence of hemolysis. A 31-year-old woman, pregnant 33+4 weeks' gestation, previous one cesarean section, admitted with severe pre-eclampsia (blood pressure 170/120 mmHg, proteinuria +2, 1200 mg proteins/24 h urine, and protein/creatinine ratio 1.1 in spot urine sample). Laboratory investigations showed elevated liver enzymes, low PLT count, and no evidence of hemolysis. Both patients delivered by cesarean section after stabilization of their blood pressure and dexamethasone for induction of fetal lung maturity and MgSO4 for prevention of eclampsia. Both patients had uneventful intraoperative and postoperative stay in the hospital. The liver enzymes and the PLT count were completely normal on the 5th postoperative day, and they were discharged from the hospital in good general condition. CONCLUSION: Abdelazim and AbuFaza ELLP syndrome is variant of HELLP syndrome without hemolysis in women with severe pre-eclampsia. Abdelazim and AbuFaza ELLP syndrome diagnostic criteria are as follows: (1) Elevated liver enzymes; (2) Low PLT count; and (3) Absence of hemolysis (normal total and unconjugated bilirubin, absence of schizocytes, and polychromatic red cells in peripheral blood smear, and normal reticulocyte count).

Ovarian parameters and ovarian blood flow of women living in the area of environmental crisis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Exposure to environmental hazards will destroy a number of ovarian primordial follicles, reduce ovarian reserve and subsequent reproductive ability. This study designed to evaluate ovarian parameters and ovarian blood flow of women living in the area of environmental crisis Shalkar city (Kazakhstan) compared to women living in Aktobe city (Kazakhstan). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 220 women in their reproductive age studied and classified into two groups; study (Shalkar) group and control (Aktobe) group. Blood sample taken from studied women during follicular phase (day 3) for hormonal level evaluation including; follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH). Studied women evaluated using trans-vaginal ultrasound (TVS) to detect antral follicle count (AFC) during follicular scan and ovarian volume (OV), ovarian blood flow (OBF) using pulsatility index (PI) during follicular scan and luteal scan. RESULTS: Both ovaries AFC was significantly less in study (Shalkar) group compared to and control (Aktobe) group (p=0.0001). Mean ovarian volume was significantly less in Shalkar group in both follicular phase and luteal phase (5.86±0.23 and 6.19±0.22Cm(3); respectively) compared to Aktobe group (6.85±0.19 and 6.92±0.18Cm(3); respectively). In addition, mean ovarian pulsatility index was significantly high with subsequent decrease in ovarian blood flow in Shalkar group in both follicular phase and luteal phase (3.36±0.20 and 3.45±0.19Cm/s; respectively) compared to Aktobe group (2.96±0.16 and 2.92±0.15Cm/s; respectively). CONCLUSION: This study suggests definite environmental effect on ovarian parameters as indicated by decreased AFC, decreased both follicular and luteal OV and OBF in women living in environmental crisis Shalkar group compared to Aktobe group.