Potential role of increasing number of sections in frozen section diagnosis of ovarian tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of intraoperative frozen section of ovarian tumours at our institution and to identify the possible reasons for misdiagnosis. STUDY DESIGN: Between January 2002 and August 2013, a total of 684 patients were included in the study. Frozen section diagnosis was compared with the final paraffin section diagnosis as the gold standard. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of frozen-section diagnosis were calculated for benign, borderline and malignant tumours. Clinicopathological parameters influenced by misdiagnosis were evaluated performing multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The overall accuracy was detected as 96.1%. Frozen-section diagnoses of 26 patients (3.8%) showed discordance. The specificity (99.7%) and PPV (99.4%) of frozen-section diagnosis was highest in the malignant category. In BOTs, diagnostic agreement was observed in 57 of 70 (81.4%) cases. The PPV (81.4%) was lowest for these patients. Tumour diameter of ≥10 cm (OR [95% CI]= 3.0 [1.1 to 8.2]; P=0.030) and mucinous histology (OR [95% CI]= 2.5 [1.0 to 6.2]; P=0.042) were significant predictors of misdiagnosis. With the increase in the number of sections, the accuracy rate of frozen section diagnosis was decreased. While not statistically significant (p=0.361). CONCLUSION: The number of sections is increased parallel to increase in tumor diameters. On the contrary, the diagnostic accuracy was no significantly increased with an increase in the number of sections. This discrepancy may be associated with falling tumor size per frozen section. A prospective study based on a certain tumour diameter per frozen section may better demonstrate the positive effect of the number of sections.

Evaluation of predisposing factors, diagnostic and treatment methods in patients with translocation of intrauterine devices.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic methods, predisposing risk factors and surgical treatment options in patients with translocation of intrauterine devices (IUD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Diagnosis, predisposing factors and treatment of 34 patients with translocation of IUD was evaluated in this retrospective study. RESULTS: Complaints of pain during insertion and history of cesarean section were present in 70.5% and 58.8% of patients, respectively. IUD-related complications were detected in 52.8% of patients. Transvaginal ultrasonography was used to detect translocation of IUD in 55.8% of cases. Laparoscopy was performed in 55.8% of patients. CONCLUSION: There were high rates of history of cesarean section, insertion in the puerperal period and insertion by midwives in patients with translocated IUD. These may be predisposing factors for IUD translocation. The clinician who inserts the IUD should be experienced in this area and obtain sufficient information from the pelvic examination prior to insertion of the device. Gynecological examination should be conducted for a proper diagnosis of translocation of IUD. In the event that the IUD string is not visible in the gynecological examination, transvaginal ultrasonography should be performed. If the IUD is still not visible, then abdominal radiography should be performed. As soon as diagnosis of translocation of IUD has been established, surgical treatment should be planned. First treatment of choice should be laparoscopy.

CD147 expression in uterine smooth muscle tumors, and its potential role as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in patients with leiomyosarcoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of CD147 expression in uterine smooth muscle neoplasms, as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker in patients with leiomyosarcoma (LMS). STUDY DESIGN: We investigated CD147 protein expression in uterine smooth muscle tumor samples from patients diagnosed with leiomyoma (n = 22), atypical leiomyoma (BLM) (n = 5), smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP) (n = 14), and LMS (n = 22). The intensity and extensity of immunohistochemical staining were compared to determine its potential role in differential diagnosis. Spearman's rank correlation tests were performed to determine the relationship between CD147 expression and prognostic clinical and pathological criteria in the patients with LMS. RESULTS: CD147 was strongly expressed in 81.8% (n = 18) of the LMS tissue samples. In fact expression of CD147 in LMS tissues was significantly higher than that of the three other uterine smooth muscle tumor types (p = 0.000). However, high CD147 expression was found in only one BLM sample and one STUMP sample. Furthermore, CD147 percent expression positively correlated with Ki67 percent expression (r = 0.466, p<0.05) and mitotic index (r = 0.554, p<0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that immunohistochemistry may be a helpful tool in determining whether CD147 is a useful marker in the differential diagnosis of certain uterine smooth muscle tumors. CD147 may also have prognostic value for patients with LMS. Yet, in order to determine the extent of this potential marker's utility as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator, a larger randomized multicenter study must be performed.

New inflammatory markers in pre-eclampsia: echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio.

BACKGROUND: Increased epicardial fat thickness (EFT) has been proposed as a new cardiometabolic risk factor. The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has predictive and prognostic value in several cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to explore the association between EFT and NLR in patients with pre-eclampsia. METHODS: Hundred and eight pregnant patients with a mean age of 30.6 ± 6.3 years were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of pre-eclampsia. All participants underwent transthoracic echocardiography imaging, and complete blood counts were measured by an automated hematology analyzer. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, correlation and logistic regression tests, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULT: The mean EFT value of the pre-eclampsia group was significantly higher than the control group (6.9 ± 0.6 versus 5.6 ± 0.6; p < 0.001), and the NLR value of the pre-eclampsia group was also significantly higher than the control group (7.3 ± 3.5 versus 3.1 ± 1.1; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that increased levels of NLR and echocardiographic EFT are independent predictors of pre-eclampsia. In the receiver operating characteristic analysis, a level of EFT ≥ 6.2 mm and NLR ≥ 4.1 predicted the presence of pre-eclampsia with 77.8% sensitivity, 79.6% specificity and 83.3% sensitivity, 81.5% specificity, respectively. CONCLUSION: Unlike many other inflammatory markers and bioassays, NLR and echocardiographic EFT are inexpensive and readily available biomarkers that may be useful for risk stratification in patients with pre-eclampsia.

A simple method for the assessment of arterial stiffness in pre-eclamptic patients.

BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness (AS), the term describes the rigidity of arterial walls, and its hemodynamic results have been shown to be associated with increase in future cardiovascular events. Women with pre-eclampsia in their past pregnancies have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life. The goal of this study was to assess AS using a non-invasive and simple oscillometric method in pregnant women with and without pre-eclampsia. METHODS: Ninety pregnant women, forty-five of which had pre-eclampsia, were included in the study. The vascular measurements were performed with a Mobil-O-Graph 24 h PWA Monitor, an automatic oscillometric device. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square, independent sample t-test or the Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson correlation, and linear regression tests. RESULTS: All the vascular function parameters were significantly higher in the patients with pre-eclampsia. The pulse wave velocity (PWV) values found in the pre-eclampsia group were positively correlated with gestational age, maternal age, glucose level, creatinine level, augmentation index, and central blood pressure. Using linear regression analysis, the PWV values were confirmed to be positively correlated with gestational age, maternal age, and central systolic blood pressure. The women with severe pre-eclampsia had significantly higher blood pressures, PWV values, augmentation indices, and cardiac outputs when compared with the patients with mild pre-eclampsia. CONCLUSION: Oscillometric PWV measurement is already accepted as the most reproducible quick, simple, and inexpensive non-invasive method for the assessment of large artery stiffness. It can be applied to evaluate the AS and also aid in detecting future cardiovascular risk of patients with pre-eclampsia.

Immune mechanisms and the role of oxidative stress in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to investigate levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and neopterin and oxidative stress status in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) as well as their potential role in the pathophysiology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients with ICP (Group 1) and 30 healthy pregnant women (Group 2) were included in this prospective case-control study. Levels of IL-6, TNF-α and neopterin were determined in both of the groups. Total anti-oxidant status (TAS) and total oxidative stress (TOS) levels were determined by means of a fully automated Erel method. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated as the ratio of TOS to TAS. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in IL-6 and TNF-α levels (p = 0.105 and p = 0.722, respectively). The mean neopterin level was significantly higher in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (2.34 ±0.77 and 1.57 ±0.38, respectively, p = 0.001). In addition, TAS, TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher in Group 1 (p = 0.004, p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively) compared to Group 2. DISCUSSION: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is an inflammatory disorder in which maternal immune reaction may play a role. Interleukin 6 and TNF-α, which are some of the markers of humoral reaction, act as an indicator of abnormal reaction rather than acute-phase reaction in ICP. Further clinical trials and supportive placental findings are needed on the role of cytokines in cellular and humoral immune reactions during the symptomatic period and delivery to better understand the role of immune mechanisms in the aetiology of ICP.

Prolidase, matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 13 activity, oxidative-antioxidative status as a marker of preterm premature rupture of membranes and chorioamnionitis in maternal vaginal washing fluids.

OBJECTIVE: Etiology of premature preterm rupture of membranes (PPROM) is not yet completely known and chorioamnionitis is one of the most important complications of its. We aimed to evaluate whether prolidase, matrix metalloproteinases, oxidative-antioxidative status, and inflammation markers in vaginal washing fluid (VWF) were associated with etiology of PPROM and whether these markers could be used to predict chorioamnionitis in PPROM. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective case control study enrolled fifty pregnant women with PPROM and 50 healthy pregnant women. The VWF samples were taken at the time of admission in the PPROM group and patients were followed for chorioamnionitis. Prolidase, matrix metalloproteinases, oxidative-antioxidative status, and inflammation markers in VWF were assayed. RESULTS: VWF levels of prolidase, matrix metalloproteinases 1-13 (p< 0.001), oxidative stress parameters, total oxidative stress (TOS) (p < 0.001) and oxidative stress index (OSI) (p = 0.002), and hs-CRP (p = 0.045) were significantly higher in the PPROM group than in the controls. Antioxidative status parameters, levels of paroxanase (PON-1) (p < 0.001) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (p < 0.001), were significantly lower in the PPROM group than in the controls. Mean VWF levels of prolidase (p < 0.001), metalloproteinases (p<0.05), and oxidative-antioxidative status parameters (p<0.05) were significantly different in women with versus women without chorioamnionitis in the PPROM group. Prolidase, MMP-13, TOS, TAC, and PON-1 were found as important predictors for chorioamnionitis in the PPROM group by the multivariate logistic regression analysis. When the ROC curve analysis for prolidase, MMP-13, TOS, TAC, and PON-1 were performed, all of them were statistically significant for area under the curve (areas under the curve were 0.94, 0.90, 0.80, 0.25, and 0.19, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that collagen turnover mediators, especially prolidase, and increased oxidative stress are significantly associated with PPROM. Also, chorioamnionitis can be predicted with prolidase, MMP-13, TOS, TAC, and PON-1 in PPROM patients.

Evaluation of the protective effects of CoQ10 on ovarian I/R injury: an experimental study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on ovarian ischemia/reperfusion injury in an experimental rat adnexal torsion model. METHODS: 48 female adult Wistar albino rats, weighing 220-250 g, were randomly equally divided into six groups (n = 8): sham, torsion, detorsion, sham+CoQ10, torsion+CoQ10, and detorsion+CoQ10 groups. Bilateral adnexal torsion was performed for 3 h in all groups, except the sham and sham+CoQ10 groups. Bilateral adnexal detorsion was performed on the detorsion and detorsion+CoQ10 groups. CoQ10 was injected intraperitoneally 30 min before the sham operation, torsion, and detorsion. RESULTS: The torsion and detorsion groups had significantly higher histologic evaluation scores, as well as higher MDA levels, TOS values, and oxidative stress index values than the sham group. A strong correlation between total histologic evaluation scores for ischemia/reperfusion injury and the oxidative stress index was found. The mean oxidant marker levels and histopathologic scores for the ovarian tissue significantly decreased after using CoQ10, which is a potent antioxidant. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative surgery (detorsion) was found to provide inadequate protection to ovarian tissue. The results of this study suggest that CoQ10 could be useful for the protection of ovarian tissue before conservative surgery.

Effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on intra-abdominal adhesion in rats.

BACKGROUND: To determine the impact of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on abdominal adhesion formation after laparotomy. METHODS: Forty female rats were allocated into four distinct groups on which laparotomy alone; laparotomy with traumatization of the uterine horns; laparotomy, traumatization of the uterine horns and intraperitoneal irrigation with saline, and laparotomy, traumatization of the uterine horns and intraperitoneal irrigation with CAPE were performed. After sacrifying the animals on the 14th postoperative day, histopathological examination and biochemical analysis were conducted to evaluate the formation of abdominal adhesions and antioxidant status. RESULTS: In the CAPE group, total adhesion scores were significantly lower than in the control and saline groups. The CAPE group displayed less inflammation, giant cell formation, fibrosis and fibroblastic activity than the control group. On the other hand, the control group displayed higher total adhesion scores. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that the administration of CAPE may have beneficial effects for the prevention of abdominal adhesion formation after laparotomy. Further clinical studies are mandatory to explore the actual therapeutic potential of CAPE.

Misoprostol-induced termination of second-trimester pregnancy in women with a history of cesarean section: a retrospective analysis of 56 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectivity and safety of misoprostol induced termination of pregnancy in the second trimester in women with a history of previous caesarean section. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of case records from the obstetrics and gynecology department of a tertiary care center between January 2009 and February 2012 was performed. Data derived from 219 women, who underwent a second trimester termination of pregnancy, was analyzed in terms of demographics, clinical findings, laboratory and procedural data. The study group consisted of 56 women with a previous caesarean section and the control group was composed of 163 women without such a history. Termination of pregnancies was conducted by administration of misoprostol at doses of 50-600 mcg intravaginally or by surgical evacuation in cases of failure of medical measures. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of demographics such as age, menarche, number of pregnancies or live births, smoking habit and co-morbidities. Necessity for blood transfusion (p = 0.05) and additional procedure for abortion (p = 0.056) were found to be similar in both groups. However laparotomy (p = 0.004), uterine rupture (p = 0.016), hysterotomy (p < 0.001) were performed more frequently in the study group; while abortion was more likely to occur within 24 hours in the control group (p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: Medical abortion must be carefully used for the termination of second trimester pregnancies in women with a history of CS. Increased possibility of uterine rupture and requirement of interventions such as laparotomy or hysterotomy is more likely in these patients.

Alteration of peripheral blood cells in tubal ectopic pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether mean platelet volumes and leukocyte counts are altered significantly in patients with tubal ectopic pregnancy (TEP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of mean platelet volumes and leukocyte counts of 138 TEP patients, diagnosed between 2005 and 2012, and the control group consisting of 72 pregnants was performed. Patients with TEP were further subdivided into 2 subgroups composed of 72 ruptured and 66 non-ruptured cases. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis and the Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: Mean platelet volume was found to be larger in patients with TEP (whether ruptured or non-ruptured) when compared to controls (p = 0.007). However no significant difference could be observed between the ruptured or non-ruptured cases (p = 0.89). With respect to leukocytosis, the TEP group with tubal rupture had significantly higher white blood cell numbers when compared to the non-ruptured TEP and the control groups (p = 0.022 and p < 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Mean platelet volume seems to be higher in ectopic pregnancy and this finding evokes a possible role of increased platelet activity in the pathophysiology Leukocytosis may occur more apparently in EP cases with tubal rupture. However, further prospective, controlled and with a larger sample size studies must be conducted to find clues on the correlation between the clinical entities and laboratory findings.

Uterine rupture revisited: Predisposing factors, clinical features, management and outcomes from a tertiary care center in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the predisposing factors, modes of clinical presentation, management modalities and fetomaternal outcomes of uterine rupture cases at a tertiary care center in Turkey. METHODOLOGY: A 14-year retrospective analysis of 61 gravid (>20 weeks of gestation) uterine rupture cases between January 1998 to March 2012 was carried out. RESULTS: The incidence of ruptured uteri was calculated to be 0.116%. Persistence for vaginal delivery after cesarean was the most common cause of uterine rupture (31.1%). Ablatio placenta was the most common co-existent obstetric pathology (4.9%). Bleeding was the main symptom at presentation (44.3%) and complete type of uterine rupture (93.4%) was more likely to occur. Isthmus was the most vulnerable part of uterus (39.3%) for rupture. The longer the interval between rupture and surgical intervention, the longer the duration of hospitalization was. Older patients with increased number of previous pregnancies were likely to have longer hospitalization periods. CONCLUSION: Rupture of gravid uterus brings about potentially hazardous risks. Regular antenatal care, hospital deliveries and vigilance during labor with quick referral to a well-equipped center may reduce the incidence of this condition.

Relaparotomy after initial surgery in obstetric and gynecologic operations: analysis of 113 cases.

CONDENSATION: Even though relaparotomy is unavoidable in some cases, several measures such as careful surgical technique, meticulous hemostasis and aseptic conditions must be undertaken to prevent unnecessary interventions in obstetrics and gynecology OBJECTIVE: To assess the indications, procedures, risk factors and outcome for relaparotomy after obstetric and gynecological operations. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective observational study during a four-year period in a tertiary care center was performed. Demographics such as age, parity and indications for relaparotomy as well as outcome measures in terms of complications and mortality rates were assessed in 113 patients who had undergone a relaparotomy after the initial obstetric or gynecological surgery RESULTS: The overall incidence of mortality after relaparotomy was 3.5%. Leading indications for the initial operation included placental abruption in 10 cases (8.8%), followed by the HELLP syndrome and previous cesarean section both in 5 cases (4.4%), and postpartum atonia in 4 (3.5%). The most common operations performed initially were cesarean section in 78 cases (69.0%) and 31 hysterectomies (27.5%). Principal indications for relaparotomy were bleeding and hematoma in 80 cases (70.8%) and abscess in 10 cases (8.8%). The most frequently performed procedures at relaparotomy were drainage and resuturing of hematomas (n = 42, 37.1%), hypogastric artery ligation (n = 32, 28.3%), hysterectomy (n = 31, 27.5%), and drainage of abscess (n = 7, 6.2%). A second relaparotomy was performed in 4 cases (3.5%). Complications were encountered in 4 patients and 4 cases ended up with mortality CONCLUSION: Hemorrhagic and infectious complications were the main indications for relaparotomy after obstetric and gynecologic surgeries. Cases with a history of placental abruption, HELLP Syndrome and previous cesarean section were under risk for relaparotomy. Despite favourable outcome, preventive measures such as careful surgical technique, meticulous hemostasis and aseptic conditions should be undertaken.

Long-term outcomes of radical and conservative surgery for late diagnosed tubal pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate long-term postoperative outcomes of conservative and radical surgery in ectopic tubal pregnancies, and evaluate the results of these techniques. METHODS: A total of 145 patients that operated for tubal pregnancy between January 2006 and January 2009 were reviewed. Data on patient age, reproductive and surgical history history of ectopic pregnancies, serum hCG levels at the time of diagnosis and intraoperative observation were retrospectively obtained from hospital records. Telephone interviews were used to obtain information about exact postoperative time interval in which the patients were trying to get pregnant, and the time when they spontaneously became pregnant. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in cumulative spontaneous intrauterine pregnancy rate for a 2-year of conception period subsequent to conservative (64.3%) and radical (58.3%) surgery (p = 0.636). During the same time interval, the rates of development of ectopic pregnancy for the conservative and radical surgery groups were 17.9% and 4.2%, respectively (p = 0.093). The patients who developed ectopic pregnancy after conservative surgery had significantly higher levels of serum hCG levels (7413 +/- 3155 IU/L) compared with those of patients who not-developed ectopic pregnancy (3436 +/- 2668 IU/L) (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: In late-diagnosed cases with higher serum hCG levels, conservative treatment should not be the first choice. Indeed, our results suggested that the cumulative pregnancy rates are not significantly higher and the risk of ectopic pregnancy recurrence may be increased with conservative surgery in late tubal pregnancies.

Hydronephrosis during pregnancy: how to make a decision about the time of intervention?

AIM: To evaluate the role of doppler ultrasonographorin managing hydronephrosis during pregnancy. METHODS: The study included 27 pregnant patients with unilateral symptomatic persistent hydronephrosis (group 1) and 38 pregnant patients with physiological hydronephrosis of pregnancy (group 2). All pregnant patients underwent Doppler Ultrasonography to determine the Resistive Index (RI) and the difference between the RI of the corresponding and contralateral kidney (Delta Resistive Index = delta RI). RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between the two groups in terms of age, mean gestational period, or number of pregnancies. The mean renal RI of the hydronephrosis side was 0.68 ± 0.05 in group 1 and 0.60 ± 0.05 in group 2 (p less than 0.001). The mean delta RI of group 1 was significantly higher than the mean delta RI of group 2 (0.07 ± 0.03 versus 0.02 ± 0.01, respectively, p less than 0.001). The RI and delta RI were considered positive with values of more than 0.70 and more than 0.04, respectively, and the RI was sensitive in 44.4% and specific in 92.1% for intervention treatment. The corresponding values for delta RI were 88.9% and 89.5%. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value of delta RI for intervention were 85.7% and 91.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: It is much better to consider delta RI than RI when deciding on interventional treatment in hydronephrosis during pregnancy.

Effects of adnexal torsion on the Fallopian tube in rats: a histologic and immunohistochemical study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in the Fallopian tube structure following ovarian torsion. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty fertile, female, adult Wistar albino rats, weighing 200-220 g, were randomly divided into 3 equal groups (n = 10): sham, torsion, and detorsion. In the torsion and detorsion groups, bilateral adnexal torsion (3-hour ischemia) was carried out. Bilateral adnexal detorsion (3-hour reperfusion) was performed in the detorsion group. Fallopian tube sections were stained hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, Mallory-Azan and immunohistochemically-stained desmin, α smooth actin, and CD68 antibodies. RESULTS: In the sections of the ischemic group, degeneration of epithelium, loss of cilia, dilation of blood vessels, and hemorrhages were observed. Image analysis of the studied Fallopian section revealed a significant decrease in density of desmin in the torsion group. Moreover, strong positive cytoplasmic CD68 expression was observed in the torsion group. CONCLUSION: The use of effective antiinflammatory treatments may contribute to the conservative surgery in preservation of ovarian reserve and tubal structure.

Multicenter analysis of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the incidence, diagnosis and management of GTN among 28 centers in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was designed to include GTN patients attending 28 centers in the 10-year period between January 2003 and May 2013. Demographical characteristics of the patients, histopathological diagnosis, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) anatomical and prognostic scores, use of single-agent and multi-agent chemotherapy, surgical interventions and prognosis were evaluated. RESULTS: From 2003-2013, there were 1,173,235 deliveries and 456 GTN cases at the 28 centers. The incidence was calculated to be 0.38 per 1,000 deliveries. According to the evaluated data of 364 patients, the median age at diagnosis was 31 years (range, 15-59 years). A histopathological diagnosis was present for 45.1% of the patients, and invasive mole, choriocarcinoma and PSTTs were diagnosed in 22.3% (n=81), 18.1% (n=66) and 4.7% (n=17) of the patients, respectively. Regarding final prognosis, 352 (96.7%) of the patients had remission, and 7 (1.9%) had persistence, whereas the disease was mortal for 5 (1.4%) of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the differences between countries, it is important to provide national registration systems and special clinics for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of GTN.

A case of cerebral sinus venous thrombosis resulting in mortality in severe preeclamptic pregnant woman.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rarely encountered condition during pregnancy. A 21-year-old pregnant woman with labour pains was hospitalized in our clinic. Diagnosis of severe preeclampsia was made based on her clinical and laboratory findings. She suffered from convulsive episodes during postpartum period which lead to initiation of treatment for eclampsia. However neurological and radiological examinations were performed after emergence of additional neurological symptoms disclosed the diagnosis of CVST. In this paper, we aimed to present a case with CVST which diagnosis was confused with eclampsia and resulting in maternal mortality.

Increased psychological trauma and decreased desire to have children after a complicated pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: Information about fertility desire and psychological sequelae after high-risk pregnancies are scarce in the literature. The aim of the present study is to investigate the psychological effects of high-risk pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patients who had a history of severe preeclampsia, eclampsia or major hemorrhage during the peripartum period were enrolled as the study group and compared with the control subjects with respect to fear about new pregnancy, anxiety/ depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) scores. The study was carried out by submitting a questionnaire form to the participants. Numbers of planned children before and after the last delivery were evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: Fear about a new pregnancy was found to be significantly higher in the study group compared with the controls. There were no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of anxiety and depression. In terms of re-experience and avoidance in PTSD was significantly higher in the study group, however no significant difference was found for hyper-arousal. CONCLUSION: Fear regarding new pregnancy is high and planning more children is decreased after high-risk pregnancies and PTSD symptom scores were higher after high-risk pregnancies.

Human placental macrophages (Hofbauer cells) in severe preeclampsia complicated by HELLP syndrome: immunohistochemistry of chorionic villi.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate Hofbauer cells in the placentas of women diagnosed with HELLP syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: The present study compared 20 patients with HELLP syndrome and 20 control patients with respect to demographics, hematological parameters and the presence of Hofbauer cells in placental samples. CD-68 antibody was used for immunohistochemical examination. The total number and size of Hofbauer cells were measured in the placental villi, and the proportion of Hofbauer cells relative to the vascular structure was also compared between groups. RESULT: The patient and control groups were similar according to baseline obstetric characteristics. White blood cell counts in patients with HELLP syndrome and the control group were 15,139 +/- 4,169 and 10,806 +/- 2,888, respectively, and were significantly increased among patients with HELLP syndrome (p < 0.001). Hofbauer cell numbers in the placental villi of patients with HELLP syndrome were significantly elevated in comparison to normotensive controls (p = 0.046). The proportion of Hofbauer cells in the placental villi according to proximity to the vascular structure were 3.85 +/- 1.66 in the HELLP group and 1.75 +/- 1.12 in controls (p < 0.001). Sizes of the Hofbauer cells were not statistically different between groups. CONCLUSION: Increased Hofbauer cells may be associated with increased inflammation or may have an adaptive mechanism at the fetal site of the placenta in patients with HELLP syndrome.