Amniotic fluid cells in the second trimester of pregnancy.

The cell types of amniotic fluid in the second trimester of normal pregnancy are described and compared with the findings in the literature. Two hundred cell samples obtained by amniocentesis in pregnancies without known fetal neural tube or skin defects were studied. Anucleated and nucleated squamous epithelial cells of superficial and intermediate layers were found, as were macroforms of superficial cells. Parabasal cells were infrequent. Parabasallike cells were of amniotic origin. Other amniotic cell types, such as "balloon," or "goblet," cells, umbilical cord cells and hyperchromatic placental amniotic cells, were observed. Urothelial cells and nonepithelial cells, such as histiocytes and macrophages, were found. In several cases, "minicells" were seen; their different sites of origin are discussed.

[Possible effects of infusion pumps on the registration of cardiotocograms (author's transl)]. / Mögliche Auswirkungen von Infusionspumpen auf die Registrierung von Kardiotokogrammen.

Artifacts in cardiotachographic tracings caused by infusion pumps have been recorded and are presented. Registration of the artifacts occurs in ultrasonic or abdominal EKG-tracings when the fetal signals are weak or absent. The cause of these misregistrations which can lead to faulty interpretations are an interference of the infusion pump through the general circuit. Interference from the infusion pump is registered when grounding is insufficient or when the infusion pump is in close proximity to the abdominal electrode. In the abdominal EKG technique the instruments have to be in closer proximity than in the ultrasonic technique.

[The electrophoresis mobility (em) test in cervical-intra-epithelial neoplasia (c.i.n.) (author's transl)]. / Der Elektrophorese-Mobilitäts-(EM-)Test bei präinvasiven dysplastischen Epithelveränderungen an der Portio vaginalis uteri.

The electrophoresis mobility test (EM) is credited with an accuracy of 70-90% for the diagnosis of gynaecological malignancies. The test was done in 21 patients with dysplasia of carcinoma in situ of the uterine cervix, 34 patients without malignant or pre-malignant gynaecological findings and 27 women who were not in medical care at the time of the test. The correlation between the EM test and cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia was thus tested. In patients with dysplasia or carcinoma in situ of the cervix the test was positive in over 80%. False positive tests were found in 35% of the patients with non-malignant or pre-malignant gynaecological findings and in 11% of the 27 patients not in medical care. Despite the possibility of regression of the cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia an identical precentage of patients to those with invasive carcinomas of the cervix showed a positive EM test. The density of lymphocytic cells in the dysplastic epithelium of the cervix was also investigated. A correlation between the migration and inhibition in the EM test and the number of lymphocytic cells in the dysplastic epithelium was not found.

[Electrophoretic mobility test in the early diagnosis of malignant tumors; findings in the prestages of cervical and breast cancers]. / Der Elektrophorese-Mobilitäts-(EM-)Test in der Frühdiagnostik maligner Tumoren; Befunde bei Vorstufen des Zervixkarzinoms und Mammakarzinoms.

A double-blind pilot study of 130 female patients was carried out to determine the feasibility and significance of the EM test in the early diagnosis of carcinoma of the female genital organs and breast. Early stages of cervical carcinoma (carcinoma in situ) as well as fibroid adenoma, mastopathy and breast tumors were tested and compared with the results of their manifest forms. Positive results were recorded in 87.5% of the cases of middle-grade to severe epithelial dysplasia (Papanicolaou III and IV) (n = 10) and in 90% of the cases of carcinoma in situ (n = 16). A positive result in 90% of the cases of carcinoma in situ (n = 16). A positive result in 90% of the cases of genital carcinoma was also recorded. In the case of fibroid adenoma (n = 10) and breast tumor (Prechtel I and II) (n = 16), negative results were recorded in 80.8%, whereas in the manifest forms of carcinoma of the breast a positive result of over 95% was shown. As a result of this pilot study, it can be seen that immunological in vitro screening has clinical significance in the early diagnosis of tumors as well as for confirmation of their manifest forms.

[A new disposable, self-retaining, single-bladed vaginal speculum (author's transl)]. / Ein neues selbsthaltendes Einblatt-Vaginalspekulum zum Eimmalgebrauch.

A new, disposable vaginal speculum has been tested clinically. It consists of a thin, elastic plastic sheet which, rolled into the shape of a narrow tube, can be introduced into the vagina. Due to its inherent elasticity, it unfolds and allows examination of the cervix uteri. Of 507 patients investigated using this disposable speculum, cervical examination could be performed in 96%. In a comparative group of 138 patients using the usual metal speculum of Cusco, cervical examination was possible in 100%. The plastic speculum, developed for use in cancer screening tests, is suitable for routine vaginal examination after a little practice in the introduction technique.

[Experiences in the assessment of the subpartal cardiotocogram (author's transl)]. / Erfahrungen bei der Bewertung des subpartalen Kardiotokogramms.

750 cardiotocographic curves of the last 30 minutes prior to vaginal delivery were assessed retrospectively according to the CTG score after Hammacher et al. (6). The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic value of the CTG score with regard to the foetal acid-base stains. The results obtained showed a distinct interdependence between the CTG score and the risk of foetal acidosis. Correct interpretation of the CTG can be ensured only if all three different CTG parameters are considered. The most frequent and reliable pointers to the existence of foetal acidosis are the occurrence of severe variable or late decelerations which can be detected from an examination of the floating-line pattern.