Diagnostic significance of IL-6 and IL-8 in tubal ectopic pregnancy.

As there are no specific non-invasive markers for the diagnosis of tubal ectopic pregnancy, our objective in the present study was to explore the role of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 in the diagnosis of ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy. Twenty-eight women with tubal ectopic pregnancy, 31 patients with intrauterine abortion and 29 gestational age matched women having normal intrauterine pregnancy were included in the study. Five millilitre of blood was collected at the time of admission, serum was separated and stored at -70 °C for subsequent analysis of ß hCG, IL-6 and IL-8 levels. The level of IL-6 was a significant increase in the women with tubal ectopic pregnancy compared to intrauterine abortion and normal pregnancy. IL-8 levels decrease significantly in the tubal ectopic pregnancy and in intrauterine abortion patients when compared with the normal pregnancy group. At the cutoff of 26.48 pg/ml IL-6 level predicted the tubal ectopic pregnancy with moderate accuracy. Therefore, it can be concluded that measurement of IL-6 may have relevance in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy as a novel inflammatory serum biomarkers.

Serum activin B concentration as predictive biomarker for ectopic pregnancy.

We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of activin B in discriminating tubal ectopic pregnancy (tEP) from intrauterine miscarriages (IUM), and normal viable intrauterine pregnancy (IUP). We included 28 women with tEP, 31 women with IUM, and 29 normal IUP, confirmed both by clinical examination and ultrasonography. Serum activin B concentration was measured at the time of admission using the ELISA kit. The median serum activin B concentration was found to be significantly decreased in both tEP (p=0.004) and IUM (p=0.022) compared to normal IUP. When compared between tEP and IUM, activin B concentrations did not differ significantly. ROC analysis of activin B and free ß-hCG demonstrated AUC of 0.722 and 0.805, respectively to discriminate tEP from viable IUP. The model including both activin B and free ß-hCG improved the discriminating potential with greater AUC (0.824), and specificity (93%) than individual one. To discriminate tEP from IUM, activin B, free ß-hCG and combination of both performed poorly. We conclude that serum activin B concentration is lower in tubal ectopic pregnancy, and can discriminate it from normal pregnancy with moderate accuracy. It also shows improved diagnostic potential along with free ß-hCG, but cannot distinguish tEP from IUM reliably.

Mediastinal dysgerminoma complicating pregnancy.

Malignancy complicating pregnancy represents one of the most challenging clinical situations. Lack of evidence and the presence of the dependent fetus contribute to the management dilemma. A 26-year-old primigravida presented at 23 weeks of gestation with a bulging substernal mass. Fine-needle aspiration was reported as mediastinal dysgerminoma. She was treated with weekly bleomycin and three weekly cisplatin and etoposide (BEP). Maternal neutropenia after 11 weeks of bleomycin required colony stimulator factor. Fetal growth restriction necessitated delivery at 31 weeks. Significant clinical and radiological tumour regression was noted after chemotherapy. Postnatally mother received external beam radiotherapy but the disease worsened two weeks after the completion of radiotherapy. Mediastinal dysgerminoma differs from the ovarian counterpart and therefore therapeutic success reports on ovarian germ cell tumours complicating pregnancy cannot be extrapolated. The safety of the BEP regimen for the fetus is yet to be established.

Single-stage correction of urinary incontinence and vaginoplasty in a case of urethral coitus with vaginal agenesis.

Urethral coitus is a very rare entity which usually presents as urethral incontinence during intercourse and is most commonly seen with intact vagina. Only about 24 cases have been reported in the literature. A presentation in vaginal agenesis is exceedingly rare and poses the surgical challenge of restoring continence without interfering with sex life. Here we report a case of urethral intercourse with vaginal agenesis presenting with incontinence that we treated with McIndoe's vaginoplasty and urethral plication in a single stage, with satisfactory result. To the best of our knowledge, this method of reconstruction has not yet been reported for this condition.

Endometriosis in abdominal scars--review of 27 cases.

Twenty-seven cases of endometriosis in abdominal scars seen over a 10-year period have been reviewed. Multiparous women within the age group of 25-35 years were affected more frequently. Hysterotomy for termination of midterm pregnancy was the most common surgical procedure done prior to the occurrence of scar endometriosis. Associated pelvic endometriosis was present in 25.9% of the cases. Treatment of choice is complete surgical excision. Progestogen therapy appears to be less effective. Good technique and proper care during surgery may help in preventing this complication.