Correlation of sonographic with intraoperative findings in laparoscopic managed ectopic pregnancies, a 10-year synopsis: a restrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Ectopic pregnancies (EP) are a common pregnancy complication that's associated with significant morbidity and rarely mortality if not managed properly. Ultrasound examination forms the cornerstone of diagnosis of EP with some sonographic features occasionally not correlating with intraoperative findings. We set out to conduct an audit of EP managed surgically at our hospital for a 10-year period and discern the correlation and prediction of sonographic findings to intraoperative findings. METHODS: This study was designed as a Retrospective Observational Study based at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). Study population was all women admitted to AKUH with a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy that was surgically managed between the period of January 1st 2011 to December 31st 2020. Analysis of data was done against a pre-set checklist. Descriptive statistics for continuous variables was calculated and tabulated in graphs and tables. SPSS version 22 was used for analysis of data. RESULTS: A total of 337 patients in this study had ultrasound findings. 99.7% (n = 336) of these patients had an intraoperatively confirmed EP. The commonest ultrasound finding was an adnexal mass in 97.1% (n = 309) of patients. These were confirmed surgically in 290 patients at the following locations: 76.6% (n = 222) were ampullary in location; 10.7% (n = 31) were fimbrial in location; 8.6%(n = 25) were isthmic in location; 2.4%(n = 7) were interstitial in location; 1%(n = 3) were abdominal in location; while 0.3% were located in the ovary(n = 1) or round ligament(n = 1) each. Interstitial EP on ultrasound were all (100%) confirmed in the same location intraoperatively, with ampullary EP also correlating fairly well with intraoperative location (75%). The distribution of location in the minor hemoperitoneum (HP) versus major HP groups were similar except for interstitial EP that increased from 1.4% in the minor HP group to 9.5% in the major HP group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, ultrasonography still represents the best imaging modality for EP. The most common finding is usually an adnexal mass with no specific location. Most (99.7%) of the patients with this sonographic finding usually have a confirmed EP. Interstitial EP are the most well localized with ultrasound followed by ampullary EP. Furthermore, the presence of major (> 500mls) hemoperitoneum may act as an adjunct for diagnosis of an interstitial EP.

Uterine rupture in the first trimester: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Uterine rupture is a rare complication that can occur in the first trimester of pregnancy. It can lead to serious maternal morbidity or mortality, which is mostly due to catastrophic bleeding. First trimester uterine rupture is rare; hence, diagnosis can be challenging as it may be confused with other causes of early pregnancy bleeding such as an ectopic pregnancy. We present a case of first trimester scar dehiscence and conduct a literature review of this rare condition. CASE PRESENTATION: A 39-year-old African patient with four previous hysterotomy scars presented with severe lower abdominal pain at 11 weeks of gestation. She had two previous histories of third trimester uterine rupture in previous pregnancies with subsequent hysterotomies and repair. She underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy that confirmed the diagnosis of a 10 cm anterior wall uterine rupture. A laparotomy and repair of the rupture was subsequently done. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the case presented adds to the body of evidence of uterine scar dehiscence in the first trimester. The risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, and management outlined may help in early identification and management of this rare but life threatening condition.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in pregnancy: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is rare in pregnancy and is characterized by left ventricular dysfunction with apical ballooning. This transient cardiac dysfunction may affect women of childbearing age in the antepartum, intrapartum or postpartum period. Most patients respond well to medical management with resolution of cardiac dysfunction within weeks. CASE PRESENTATION: A 35-year-old female in her second pregnancy presented with severe preeclampsia at 31 weeks of gestation. She subsequently developed severe substernal chest pain and workup showed a stress induced cardiomyopathy prior to her delivery via caesarean section. She had full recovery of her cardiac function by 12 weeks postpartum after medical management. CONCLUSIONS: Stress induced cardiomyopathy, though rare, should be considered after acute myocardial infarction has been ruled out in gravid females presenting with acute chest pain. Management should involve a multidisciplinary team. Cardiac function recovery is common within 4 weeks although some patients may require long term heart failure management.

Factors associated with a positive depression screen after a miscarriage.

INTRODUCTION: Miscarriages are a common pregnancy complication and positive depression screen after a miscarriage has been shown to be high in our population. Various factors are associated with an increased risk of developing depression after a miscarriage. However, these factors vary across populations studied with no studies existing in our region. We set out to determine the factors associated with a positive depression screen among post-miscarriage women at the Aga Khan University hospital, Nairobi. METHODS: Patients were recruited at the 2 weeks clinic review after a miscarriage in the gynaecological clinics. They were screened using the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale for depression after a miscarriage. Analysis was done using Univariate and multivariate analysis to compare clinical variables between the screen - positive and screen - negative women in order to delineate the potential pattern of association between the two among the study subjects. RESULTS: Positive depression screen was detected in 34.1% of the patients recruited. Univariate analysis revealed that education level (p = 0.039) and mode of conception (p = 0.005) impacted on the outcome of the depression screen. In multivariate analysis, multiple factors impacted on the depression screen and these included: age (p = 0.009), education level (p = 0.001), gestation at miscarriage (p = 0.04), marital status (p = 0.043), prior miscarriage (p = 0.011) and mode of conception (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Factors that seem to impact on the positive depression screen include a younger age, low education level, an older gestational age at miscarriage, being single, an assisted mode of conception and prior miscarriage. These factors may be used to triage women after a miscarriage in order to pick up those who may screen positive for depression after a miscarriage.

Port site parasitic leiomyoma after laparoscopic myomectomy: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Uterine fibroids are the commonest benign gynecological tumors. Laparoscopic myomectomy is becoming increasingly popular as one of the surgical treatment options for symptomatic cases. Large tissues such as leiomyomas or even the uterus need to be morcellated in order to be retrieved from the abdominal cavity. Some of the morcellated fragments or small fibroids may be accidentally left in the abdominal cavity during the retrieval process. These may subsequently become implanted in the abdominal cavity, develop blood supply from the surrounding structures, and grow to form parasitic myomas with varied clinical presentation, depending on the location and size. CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old African woman presented to our hospital 6 years after laparoscopic myomectomy with a lower abdominal mass. Her work-up revealed an anterior abdominal wall mass consistent with uterine leiomyoma. She was scheduled for excision of the mass, which was subsequently histologically confirmed to be a uterine fibroid. CONCLUSIONS: Parasitic leiomyomas are a rare late complication of power morcellation following laparoscopic myomectomy or hysterectomy. Most patients present with an abdominal/pelvic mass and may need surgical excision to relieve the symptoms. Care should be taken during power morcellation to prevent excessive fragmentation of the tissues, some of which may become implanted and persist to form parasitic myomas. Moreover, effort should be made to retrieve all myoma fragments by carefully checking the abdominal cavity. Whenever possible, the morcellation should be done in a containment bag.

Uterine Necrosis after Uterine Artery Embolization for Symptomatic Fibroids.

INTRODUCTION: Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a minimally invasive intervention that is used in the treatment of fibroids. UAE can lead to complications including postembolization syndrome, postprocedure pain, infection, endometrial atrophy leading to secondary amenorrhea, and uterine necrosis. Uterine necrosis after UAE is very rare and hence poses a clinical dilemma for any clinician in its identification and management. We document a case of uterine necrosis after UAE and conduct a literature review on its causation, clinical features, and management principles. CASE: A patient presented one month after UAE with abdominal pain and abdominal vaginal discharge. Her work-up revealed features of possible uterine necrosis with sepsis and she was scheduled for a laparotomy and a subtotal hysterectomy was performed. She was subsequently managed with broad spectrum antibiotic and recovered well. CONCLUSION: Uterine necrosis after UAE is a rare occurrence and we hope the documentation of this case will add to the body of knowledge around it. Theories that explain its occurrence include the use of small particles at embolization, the use of Contour-SE a spherical poly-vinyl alcohol, and lack of collateral supply to the uterus. Its symptoms may be nonspecific but unremitting abdominal pain is invariably present. Finally although conservative management may be successful at times, surgical management with hysterectomy will be required in some cases. The prognosis is good after diagnosis and surgical management.

Prevalence of positive depression screen among post miscarriage women- A cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Miscarriages are a common pregnancy complication affecting about 10-15% of pregnancies. Miscarriages may be associated with a myriad of psychiatric morbidity at various timelines after the event. Depression has been shown to affect about 10-20% of all women following a miscarriage. However, no data exists in the local setting informing on the prevalence of post-miscarriage depression. We set out to determine the prevalence of positive depression screen among women who have experienced a miscarriage at the Aga Khan University hospital, Nairobi. METHODS: The study was cross-sectional in design. Patients who had a miscarriage were recruited at the post-miscarriage clinic review at the gynecology clinics at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. The Edinburgh postpartum depression scale was used to screen for depression in the patients. Prevalence was calculated from the percentage of patients achieving the cut -off score of 13 over the total number of patients. RESULTS: A total of 182 patients were recruited for the study. The prevalence of positive depression screen was 34.1% since 62 of the 182 patients had a positive depression screen. Moreover, of the patients who had a positive depression screen, 21(33.1%) had thoughts of self-harm. CONCLUSION: A positive depression screen is present in 34.1% of women in our population two weeks after a miscarriage. Thoughts of self-harm are present in about a third of these women (33.1%) hence pointing out the importance of screening these women using the EPDS after a miscarriage.

Relationship between anthropometric measures and early electrocardiographic changes in obese rats.

BACKGROUND: The degree of cardiovascular function impairment parallels the degree of obesity and obese subjects have abnormal changes on the electrocardiogram (ECG). Early ECG changes in obesity have not been previously studied. The objective of the present study was to determine the early ECG changes in obese rats and their relationship with anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: At seven weeks all rats in the experiment were obese and in sinus rhythm. In the experiment resting heart rate was increased (364±13 vs. 313±12 bpm, P<0.01). In contrast, the following parameters were shortened: QRS duration (77±3.6 vs. 65±2.6 ms, P<0.01); QT interval (102±5.2 vs. 88±3.7 ms, P<0.05); Q wave amplitude (-12.8±1.0 vs. -5.1±0.9 µv, P<0.01); and T wave amplitude (18.8±1.4 vs. 5.8±0.6, P<0.01). All other ECG parameters remained unchanged. With increased weight the resting heart rate (r=0.46, P<0.01) and R wave amplitude (r=0.60, P<0.01) increased. CONCLUSION: Early in obesity there are no rhythm disturbances, but resting heart rate is increased. The QRS duration is shortened and Q and T-wave amplitudes reduced signifying ventricular changes related to impaired myocardial depolarization and repolarization. Furthermore, weight gain is correlated with an increase in heart rate and accentuation of the R wave amplitude.