Early Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis in the Second Trimester of Pregnancy Based on Non-typical Clinical Findings: Report of a Rare Case and a Mini-Review of the Literature.

Acute appendicitis is the most common non-obstetric reason for exploratory laparotomy during pregnancy. This case report involves a primigravida patient who presented to the emergency department of the General Hospital of Trikala at 15 weeks of gestation due to diffuse abdominal pain, primarily in the epigastric region. She also reported watery bowel movements. The ongoing atypical clinical symptoms, along with elevated inflammatory markers, strongly indicated a diagnosis of acute appendicitis. An immediate exploratory laparotomy was performed, during which acute localized inflammation of the appendix was found, leading to an appendectomy. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The patient reported pain relief immediately after the surgery. On the fourth postoperative day, she was discharged without any signs of a threatened second-trimester miscarriage. At 39 gestational weeks, she delivered by elective cesarean section due to breech presentation. This paper discusses the case and highlights the significant challenges in the early diagnosis and management of acute appendicitis during pregnancy, emphasizing the importance of preventing potentially life-threatening complications for both the mother and the fetus.

A Case of Bilateral Transient Pregnancy-Related Osteoporosis of the Hip Diagnosed Late During the Lactation Period: A Rare Clinical Presentation and a Mini Review of the Literature.

Transient pregnancy-related osteoporosis of the hip is a rare, idiopathic, benign, and usually self-limiting condition caused by edema of the bone marrow, which can be visualized on magnetic resonance imaging. Bilateral localization of the disease is even less common. Our case concerns a 31-year-old primigravida who, during the 35th week of pregnancy, was hospitalized at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of the General Hospital of Trikala with lumbar and hip pain. The pain gradually increased in intensity and was accompanied by severe movement limitation. No history of falls or injury was reported. Her personal history was unremarkable, and the course of the pregnancy was uneventful. A clinical examination by a team of orthopedic surgeons established a diagnosis of acute hip and back pain. Rest and administration of paracetamol did not improve her clinical condition. During the postpartum and lactation period, the lack of symptom relief led to the decision to further evaluate the patient. The diagnosis of pregnancy-related transient osteoporosis of both hips was established by magnetic resonance imaging. Immediate treatment with bisphosphonate medication after the discontinuation of breastfeeding led to a definitive remission of the symptoms three months later. In this study, after the case description, a brief literature review of this rare clinical entity is presented. Proper knowledge of this condition helps to provide the best possible short- and long-term prognostic outcomes for the mother, fetus, and newborn.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Vasa Previa in the Second Trimester of Pregnancy Based on Non-typical Ultrasound Findings: A Case Report and Mini-Review of the Literature.

Vasa previa is a rare disorder of the placenta. The absence of a prenatal diagnosis is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. In our patient, ultrasound findings, although atypical, successfully established the prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa in the second trimester of pregnancy. Despite the fact that the placenta was not low-lying, that it was not possible to visualize the site of umbilical cord insertion into the placental tissue, and that vasa previa was not directly visualized, the presence of blood flow near and around the internal cervical os, as seen on transvaginal Doppler ultrasound in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, raised serious suspicion of their presence. With the completion of the 36th gestational week, it was decided to proceed with a scheduled cesarean section. One week earlier, a course of corticosteroids was administered. The cesarean section was performed without complications. After placental delivery, the presence of velamentous umbilical cord insertion was noted, with umbilical vessels coursing unprotected by the placental tissue or umbilical cord within the fetal membranes. The puerperant and the newborn were discharged from the obstetrics clinic of the General Hospital of Trikala in excellent condition. This paper highlights the importance of transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound in the prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa, which, while posing little risk to the mother, can often be fatal to the fetus.

Abdominal Wall Endometriosis: Early Diagnosis of a Rare Iatrogenic Complication Following Cesarean Section.

Abdominal wall endometriosis is a rare form of extrapelvic endometriosis, frequently diagnosed with delay in most cases. It is typically iatrogenic and primarily associated with procedures such as cesarean sections or other gynecological surgeries. In our patient, endometriosis at the laparotomy scar was diagnosed relatively early, approximately two months after the onset of symptoms, which manifested 10 months after the last cesarean section. The patient, who had an obstetric history of three cesarean sections, presented at the Gynecology outpatient clinic of the General Hospital of Trikala, complaining of pain associated with menstruation located in the lower abdomen, near the surgical scar. Based on clinical and imaging findings, abdominal wall endometriosis was suspected, leading to a decision for wide excision of the endometriotic lesion. Histological examination of the surgical specimen confirmed the diagnosis. The postoperative course was uneventful, and three months after the surgery, the patient reported complete resolution of symptoms. This case report emphasizes the importance of integrating advanced diagnostic methods alongside classic clinical findings for the accurate diagnosis of abdominal wall endometriosis. It also highlights the contribution of surgical treatment through wide excision of the endometriotic lesion, in facilitating early diagnosis, achieving cure, and minimizing the risk of disease recurrence in the future.

Fibroepithelial Polyp of the Vagina With Torsion: A Difficult Diagnosis Based on Clinical and Morphological Findings of the Vaginal Lesion.

Vaginal fibroepithelial polyps are rare benign tumors of the mucosa of the anterior vaginal wall. In extremely rare cases, they may originate from the posterior vaginal wall or be complicated by torsion. Our case concerns a 63-year-old patient who presented to the gynecology outpatient clinic of the General Hospital of Trikala with minor vaginal bleeding. On vaginal examination, a large pedunculated painless hemorrhagic polypoid mass was noticed, originating from the posterior vaginal wall. A torsion of the pedunculated vaginal tumor was suspected, leading to its surgical excision with clear resection margins. Due to extensive tissue necrosis, accurate histological identification of the vaginal neoplasm was not possible. Histological examination excluded vaginal malignancy. Based predominantly on the clinical and morphological features of the vaginal lesion, a diagnosis of vaginal fibroepithelial polyp with torsion was made, acknowledging its limitations. The patient was discharged from the clinic the same afternoon following the surgery. Three months later, no recurrence of the lesion in the vaginal wall was noted. Following the case presentation, this paper provides a brief literature review of this rare entity, focusing on the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Interstitial Ectopic Pregnancy Associated With Painless and Severe Vaginal Bleeding: A Rare, Atypical Clinical Presentation.

Interstitial ectopic pregnancy is rare (2%-4% of ectopic pregnancies). The atypical clinical presentation of interstitial ectopic pregnancy associated with massive vaginal bleeding is extremely rare and makes early preoperative diagnosis even more difficult. The presentation of our case concerns the early diagnosis and surgical treatment of a patient with an interstitial ectopic pregnancy without rupture, which presented atypically with painless, severe vaginal bleeding. A 27-year-old fourth-term pregnant woman presented with massive painless vaginal bleeding. Secondary amenorrhea was calculated at eight weeks and four days. Transvaginal ultrasound and transvaginal Doppler ultrasound combined with the quantification of beta-chorionic gonadotropin hormone raised the suspicion of interstitial ectopic pregnancy. Intraoperatively, the presence of a large swelling of the right horn of the uterus was established, and a wedge resection was performed with the removal of the corresponding fallopian tube. Three weeks after surgery, the serum beta-chorionic gonadotropin hormone value was zero. In this paper, the rarity of interstitial ectopic pregnancy, the difficulties related to early and correct preoperative diagnosis, and the selection of the appropriate available therapeutic procedures are emphasized, the correct application of which can significantly contribute to reducing the morbidity and mortality of these patients.

Surgical treatment of a very rare case of a huge intraligamental leiomyoma of the uterus: A case report and mini­review of the literature.

Intraligamental leiomyomas of the uterus are rare. Extremely rare are the huge intraligamental fibroids (>20 cm), whose pre-operative diagnosis and surgical management poses a challenge to everyday clinical practice. The present study describes the case of patient who was subjected to surgical treatment for a huge intraligamental leiomyoma of the uterus, which weighed 3,370 g. A 48-year-old patient, without menstrual disorders and with a medical history of atypical symptoms from the digestive tract, was referred for a gynecological examination. Upon a physical examination, the abdomen was found to be bloated and distended, with no signs of peritoneal irritation. An intra-abdominal mass was suspected, the upper margin of which was palpable at about the level of the xiphoid process. The findings of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of a huge intra-abdominal mass, which probably originated from the internal genital organs. Following consultation with the patient, surgical treatment with laparotomy was decided. Intraoperatively, a large pedunculated subserosal leiomyoma was found, arising from the right lateral wall of the uterus with retroperitoneal extension within the leaves of broad ligament. Following the resection of the intraligamental leiomyoma, which had significant surgical challenges, a total hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy was performed. The post-operative course was smooth. In addition, in the present study, a brief review of intraligamental leiomyomas of the uterus is presented, emphasizing the significant diagnostic and surgical challenges and potential intraoperative complications that may arise in the management of patients with this condition.

Large Extracervical Posterior Pedunculated Leiomyoma of the Uterus With the Only Symptom of Chronic Low Back Pain From Radiculopathy: A Case Report.

Large extra cervical-type posterior subserosal leiomyomas originating from the cervix are extremely rare. Our case concerns the surgical treatment of a large posterior pedunculated subserosal extracervical leiomyoma of the uterus with extension to the retroperitoneal space, which was associated with chronic low back pain. A 45-year-old patient, without menstrual disorders and with a medical history of chronic low back pain with sciatica, was referred for gynecological evaluation. The gynecological examination revealed the presence of a large pelvic mass, which occupied the pouch of Douglas. Preoperative imaging confirmed the presence of a solid pelvic mass, but its origin could not be clarified. Neither transvaginal ultrasound nor MRI could establish the diagnosis of extracervical leiomyoma of the uterus. Based on the clinical and imaging findings, surgical management of the patient was decided with laparotomy. Intraoperatively, a large extracervical pedunculated leiomyoma was found, which originated from the posterior wall of the cervix and extended into the retroperitoneal space. An abdominal total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed. The procedure had significant surgical difficulties. The postoperative course was uneventful. Three months after surgery, the patient reported relief of symptoms. This paper highlights a brief review of cervical leiomyomas, highlighting the important difficulties regarding the preoperative diagnosis and surgical management of these patients.

Primary Large Broad Ligament Fibroid: A Challenge in Surgical Practice.

Primary broad ligament fibroids, whose surgical treatment is challenging, are extremely rare. Our case concerns the surgical treatment of a large broad ligament fibroid. A 48-year-old patient, asymptomatic and with a medical history of uterine leiomyomas, came to the gynecology outpatient clinic to undergo a routine gynecological examination. On bimanual pelvic examination, the presence of a painless palpable pelvic mass was found, without being able to clinically demarcate it. Computed tomography imaging confirmed the clinical suspicion of a pelvic mass. The pelvic mass was more consistent with the subserosal pedunculated fibroid of the uterine corpus, but the preoperative diagnosis of adnexal mass cannot be excluded. It was decided to surgical treatment of the patient with a total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy-oophorectomy. Intraoperatively, the presence of a large intraligamental mass was detected. The uterus, cervix, and ovaries were normal but displaced by the tumor. After resection of the leiomyoma from the broad ligament, where it was not found to be connected to a vascular pedicle from the lateral wall of the uterine corpus or the cervix, total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy-oophorectomy were performed, due to the necessary resection of the right fallopian tube and ovary and the extensive injuries in the area. The postoperative course was uneventful. In this paper, following the case presentation, a brief review of primary broad ligament fibroids is presented, emphasizing the significance of comprehensive preoperative planning in the challenging intraoperative management of these patients, who have an increased risk of intraoperative complications.

Surgical Treatment of a Large Post-cesarean Hematoma in the Retzius Space Accompanied by a Blood Coagulation Disorder: A Rare Case Report.

Hematoma in the Retzius space after a cesarean section is a rare complication. The Retzius space, also referred to as the prevesical or retropubic space, represents an extraperitoneal artificial cavity situated between the pubic symphysis and the bladder. In instances where conservative treatment involving vigilant monitoring along with analgesics and antibiotics or ultrasound-guided percutaneous puncture proves unsuccessful, re-operation becomes imperative. Our case report concerns a second-parity pregnant patient who underwent a cesarean section in the 39th gestational week. A decrease in hemoglobin level on the third postoperative day, combined with the onset of febrile infection, an increase in inflammatory markers, and the manifestation of lower abdominal pain, prompted a thorough investigation of the puerperant. Imaging revealed the existence of a hematoma in the Retzius space associated with a mild blood coagulation disorder. Subsequently, the unsuccessful outcome of the ultrasound-guided percutaneous puncture of the hematoma, combined with the persistence of clinico-laboratory findings, led to the decision to perform a re-laparotomy on the 10th postoperative day after the cesarean section. During the surgery, a large hematoma was identified in the Retzius space, extending below the rectus abdominis muscles. The procedure involved surgical drainage of the hematoma, meticulous hemostasis, and the placement of negative pressure drainage in the Retzius space. The patient was discharged from the clinic on the fifth postoperative day after re-operation. Ten days later, both blood tests and ultrasounds were without abnormal findings. In this paper, following the case presentation, a brief review is provided regarding the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of patients with hematoma in the Retzius space after cesarean section.