Flow mediated dilatation of Taiwanese women with normal singleton pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the normal values of flow mediated dilatation (FMD) in Taiwanese women with normal singleton pregnancies for the early detection of preeclampsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of women with normal singleton pregnancies seen at the Tri-Service General Hospital and Taiji Clinic between January 2014 and December 2015 were collected and analyzed. FMD was measured using high-resolution ultrasonography of the brachial artery for the assessment of endothelial function at the first and second trimester. The relationship between the FMD values and maternal gestational age was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 122 pregnant women were included in the study. Systole FMD values first and second trimester were 9.05 ± 3.72 and 10.93 ± 3.74, respectively; and the diastole were 9.24 ± 3.64 and 11.18 ± 3.93, respectively. FMD and gestational age were positively correlated (systole, p = 0.0175; diastole, p = 0.0149). CONCLUSION: The normal values of FMD in Taiwanese women with normal singleton pregnancies were established, and data suggests that both systolic and diastolic FMD increase with gestational age. Because of the high failure rate, measurement of FMD may not be suitable as a routine clinical examination.

Pregnancy in a noncommunicating rudimentary horn of a unicornuate uterus: Prerupture diagnosis and management.

OBJECTIVE: The estimated incidence of rudimentary horn pregnancy is one in 76,000. It is a life-threatening entity with a 50% risk of uterine rupture. With advances in prenatal ultrasound in recent decades, there may be an opportunity to detect rudimentary horn pregnancy earlier, resulting in a lower incidence of maternal morbidity and mortality. Management is typically resection of the rudimentary horn and the ipsilateral fallopian tube by either laparotomy or laparoscopy. CASE REPORT: Here, we present the case of a 22-year-old woman with a suspected ectopic pregnancy of 12 weeks' gestation. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging were performed as preoperative evaluations. A definitive diagnosis was made during laparotomy, and resection of the rudimentary horn pregnancy was performed. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis and management of rudimentary horn pregnancy remain a challenge. We should be alert to prenatal ultrasound with the intention of making an earlier diagnosis, thereby resulting in decreased maternal morbidity and mortality.

Gestational choriocarcinoma with renal and pulmonary metastases lacking a primary uterine origin.

OBJECTIVE: We describe a case of gestational choriocarcinoma metastasized to the kidney and lung, which presented initially as refractory hematuria after a term pregnancy 5 years earlier. CASE REPORT: A 35-year-old woman, G2P1, with a previous history of full-term pregnancy in 2009, presented to the emergency department complaining of intermittent gross hematuria for 2 months. Abdominal computed tomography showed a suspicious arteriovenous malformation in the right kidney and a thrombus within the right renal vein. Transarterial embolization was performed twice to treat the refractory hematuria but was unsuccessful, and radical nephrectomy of the right kidney was performed. The diagnosis was gestational metastatic choriocarcinoma of the kidney based on morphological, immunohistochemical, and DNA studies. Lung metastases were found by computed tomography of the chest. Pelvic ultrasound was performed but showed no primary tumor in the uterine cavity. After surgical intervention, adjuvant chemotherapy involving first single-agent chemotherapy with methotrexate followed by multiagent chemotherapy (EMACO regimen) failed. CONCLUSION: In women of reproductive age, unexplained hematuria should raise concerns about possible choriocarcinoma, either metastatic gestational or primary nongestational choriocarcinoma of the kidney.

Prenatal diagnosis of a de novo 9p terminal chromosomal deletion in a fetus with major congenital anomalies.

OBJECTIVE: We describe a prenatal ultrasonography diagnosis of omphalocele and symbrachydactyly in a fetus and review the literature on prenatal diagnosis of 9p terminal chromosomal deletions. CASE REPORT: A 31-year-old woman (gravida 3, para 1) was referred for genetic counseling because a fetal omphalocele had been detected. Prenatal ultrasonography at 17+ weeks of gestational age revealed a singleton female fetus with biometry equivalent to 18 weeks with an omphalocele. In addition, symbrachydactyly was also noted in the right arm; the wrist bones as well as the metacarpals were missing. A chromosomal study was arranged for a congenital anomaly involving omphalocele. We obtained Giemsa-banded chromosomes from fetal tissue cells, and an abnormal male karyotype with a terminal deletion of the short arm of chromosome 9 at band 9p13 was noted. After delivery, the fetus showed omphalocele, symbrachydactyly, trigonocephaly, sex reversal, a long philtrum, low-set ears, telecanthus, and a frontal prominence. CONCLUSION: Prenatal diagnosis of abnormal ultrasound findings with omphalocele and symbrachydactyly should include the differential diagnosis of a chromosome 9p deletion.