The concordance between colposcopic biopsy and loop electrosurgical excision procedures in patients with known smear cytology and human papillomavirus results.

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the concordance between colposcopic biopsy and loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) methods to diagnose cervical pre-invasive lesions and cervical cancer, and to calculate the low and high prediction rates of lesions for both methods. Methods: A total of 241 patients who underwent LEEP after colposcopic biopsy for different indications and also known cervical cytology and human papillomavirus test results were included in the study. Clinical variables such as age, gravida, parity, menopausal status, smoking, endocervical curettage results, and surgical margins were recorded. Results: The total concordance between colposcopic biopsy and LEEP was 41.9%. The rates of finding a more serious lesion than in colposcopic biopsy with LEEP (underestimation) for negative, Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) 1, CIN 2, and CIN 3 were calculated as 100%, 12.8%, 14.8%, and 3.9%, respectively. Rates of finding a less serious lesion than detected in colposcopic biopsy with LEEP (overestimation) for CIN 1, CIN 2, and CIN 3, cervical carcinoma were calculated as 56.4%, 33.3%, 3.9%, and 0%, respectively. Underestimation was seen in a total of 28 patients, and overestimation was present in 113 patients. Parity was found to be the only associated factor that affected the final diagnosis for high-grade lesions in univariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio=1.234, 95% confidence interval: 1.005-1.514). Conclusion: Discrepancies between colposcopically directed punch biopsy and subsequent histopathologic LEEP findings are common. New methods to reduce the inconsistency between colposcopic biopsy and LEEP are necessary to prevent patients from being under or over treated.

Application of thrombin gel matrix for the prevention of lymphocele in patients with endometrial cancer: A prospective randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a thrombin gel matrix (TGM), Floseal, for the prevention of lymphocele in patients with endometrial cancer who underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy. METHODS: A total of 79 consecutive patients with endometrial cancer were randomly allocated to one of two groups: the TGM group and control group. After completion of the lymphadenectomy, 5 mL of Floseal was applied to the bilateral pelvic sidewalls, especially the femoral canal, obturator, and common iliac vessels areas. Computed tomography scans were obtained for lymphocele evaluation 2 months after the surgery. RESULTS: Three patients from the TGM group, and four patients from the control group were lost during follow-up, and data from 36 participants from each group were analyzed. As the primary outcome, lymphocele developed in 12 patients in both groups (33 %). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of lymphocele and symptomatic lymphocele development. Lymphocele localization was also not different between the two groups, but the diameter of the lymphoceles detected in the TGM group was significantly greater (p = 0.021). The mean drainage days was significantly shorter in the TGM group (p = 0.015). The amount of drainage was also less in the TGM group, but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Thrombin gel matrix applied to the pelvic sidewalls does not reduce the incidence of symptomatic or asymptomatic lymphoceles after pelvic lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer. However, it can reduce the amount of drainage and the number of drainage days so it can help to shorten hospitalization.

Cervical versus endometrial injection for sentinel lymph node detection in endometrial cancer: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between pelvic/para-aortic sentinel lymph node status and two different injection sites of 99m-technetium (99mTc)-labeled phytate in patients with endometrial cancer. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial involving 81 patients with endometrial cancer. In the cervical group (n=40), injections of 99mTc were performed at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions of the uterine cervix. In the endometrial group (n=41), 99mTc was injected into the fundal endometrium using a transcervical catheter. Sentinel lymph nodes were detected through pre-operative lymphoscintigraphy and intra-operatively using a handheld gamma probe. All patients underwent complete pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy procedures. Pathologic ultra-staging was performed with immunostaining for cytokeratin in sentinel lymph nodes after routine hematoxylin and eosin histological examinations. The primary endpoint was the estimation of detection rates, sensitivity, false-negative rates, negative predictive value, and analysis of the distribution of pelvic and para-aortic sentinel lymph nodes. RESULTS: The rate of detection of at least one sentinel lymph node, sensitivity, and the negative predictive value was 80%, 66.6%, 96.6% for the cervical group and 85%, 66.6%, 96.9% for the endometrial group, respectively. False-negative sentinel lymph nodes were detected in one patient from each group . There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of total sentinel lymph node count, sentinel pelvic lymph node count, and pelvic bilaterality, but the para-aortic sentinel lymph node count was significantly higher in the endometrial group (p<0.001). Ultra-staging examination of the pelvic sentinel lymph nodes revealed isolated tumor cells in one patient from each group. CONCLUSION: Transcervical endometrial tracer injection in endometrial cancer revealed similar pelvic but significantly higher para-aortic sentinel lymph node detection.

Three-dimensional volumetric study with VOCAL in normal and abnormal posterior fossa fetuses.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare volumetric parameters in the abnormal and normal posterior fossa using the Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis (VOCAL™) technique to determine whether fetuses with an abnormal posterior fossa have different volumes.Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 17 fetuses with an abnormal posterior fossa including, Dandy Walker malformation (DWM) (n = 6), vermian hypoplasia (VH) (n = 3), mega cisterna magna (MCM) (n = 8), and 99 healthy control fetuses from 20 to 34 weeks' gestation. Measurement of the fetal cisterna magna and cerebellar volume was performed in the standard transcerebellar plane through the VOCAL™ method. To establish the correlation of volumes with gestational age, polynomial regression analysis was performed. For comparison between groups, univariate ANCOVA was performed using gestational age as a covariate. The reliability was analyzed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).Results: Cerebellar volume and cisterna magna volume were correlated with gestational age. Posterior fossa volume was significantly larger in DWM (p < .0001) and MCM (p < .0001) in comparison to the control group. In VH group, cisterna magna volume does not seem to expand (p = .298). Cerebellar volume does not seem to change in subgroups when the influence of gestational age is discarded (p = .09). The ratio of cerebellar volume to the cisterna magna volume decreases significantly in abnormal fetuses (p < .0001). Good intraobserver and interobserver reliabilities were found for both cerebellum and cisterna magna measurements.Conclusions: Volume analysis may have a role in discrimination of different posterior fossa pathologies.

Proteomic analysis in endometrial cancer and endometrial hyperplasia tissues by 2D-DIGE technique.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the protein expression of complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial carcinoma and healthy endometrial tissues, and by this way, to identify proteins that can be used for diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic targets. METHODS: Histopathological examination of the D&C material had reported "benign endometrial changes", "complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia" and "endometrioid adenocarcinoma" and 30 patients ,who underwent surgery with these diagnosis, were studied. Protein profiles of the study groups were detected using 2D-DIGE technique and compared to the control group. Protein spots which showing different expression, were defined by MALDI TOF/TOF-MS method. RESULTS: In the present study, significant elevations were observed in the levels of K2C8, UAP56, ENOA, ACTB, GRP78, GSTP1, PSME1, CALR, PPIA, PDIA3 and IDHc proteins when comparisons were made among the cancer cases and the healthy and complex atypical hyperplasia cases. We determined that the induction of CALR activity may be a factor that progresses apoptosis, thus, may be a hope for postoperative new chemotherapy treatment methods. Moreover, when the expressions of the CAH1 and PPIB proteins are compared to complex atypical hyperplasia and endometrial adenocarcinoma stages, we determined that the CAH1 and PPIB levels increased in more advanced stages. Among these indicators, the proteins that had the closest relation to advanced stage cancer were determined as K2C8, UAP56 and GRP78. CONCLUSION: We think that it would be useful to determine the diagnosis, prediction of prognosis and identifying therapeutic targets of the highlighted proteins of our study that are K2C8, UAP56, GRP78 and CALR in endometrial cancer.

Povidone-iodine vs chlorhexidine alcohol for skin preparation in malignant and premalignant gynaecologic diseases: A randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare povidone-iodine with chlorhexidine alcohol solutions for the prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) in malignant and premalignant gynaecologic diseases, and to evaluate the effects of temperature on SSI at 25 °C and 37 °C. STUDY DESIGN: This was a randomized controlled trial of a cohort of 220 patients undergoing surgery for malignant or premalignant conditions. Preoperative skin preparations were performed with 10% povidone-iodine at 25 °C (PI), 10% povidone-iodine at 37 °C (warm PI), 4% chlorhexidine gluconate with alcohol at 25 °C (CH) and 4% chlorhexidine gluconate with alcohol at 37 °C (warm CH) for each group. All women included in the study received 1 g intravenous cefazolin antibioprophylaxis 30 min before skin incision. The primary outcome was SSI within 30 days of surgery, and secondary outcomes were identification of the causative organism and clinical factors that may be associated with SSI. RESULTS: SSIs were detected in 24 (10.9%) patients. Except for two organ/space-specific SSIs, all were superficial SSIs. The frequency of SSI was significantly lower in the warm PI group than in the PI group (p = 0.032). There were no significant differences in the frequency of SSI between the groups in other binary comparisons. In addition, there was no significant difference between both povidone-iodine groups compared with both chlorhexidine alcohol groups in terms of the development of SSI (10.9% vs 11%, p = 1.00). SSI caused by micro-organisms was found in 18 patients, and Enterococcus faecalis was the most common reproducing organism in wound culture. Patients with SSI were significantly older (58.9 ± 11.4 vs 52.8 ± 12.3 years) and more likely to be readmitted to hospital [15 (62.5%) vs 9 (37.5%)] than patients without SSI. CONCLUSIONS: SSI rates can be reduced by warming povidone-iodine, but this effect could not be demonstrated with chlorhexidine solutions. When both groups of povidone-iodine were compared with both groups of chlorhexidine alcohol, no significant difference was found in the prevention of SSI in malignant and premalignant gynaecologic operations.

Perineural invasion is a valuable prognostic factor in advanced stage and/or Node (+) cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: Perineural invasion (PNI) is correlated with adverse survival in several malignancies, but its significance cervical cancer remains to be clearly defined. The objective of this study was to determine the association between PNI status and clinical outcomes in clinically localized surgically treated cervical cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed clinical records and pathology slides of 111 patients with cervical cancer treated with surgery at a single academic center. PNI was evaluated for presence, number of foci per slide, involved largest nerve size, and topographically (intratumoral vs. extratumoral). Association with these parameters, clinicopathologic characteristics and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: The analysis demonstrated that PNI in cervical cancer was significantly correlated with parametrial invasion, tumor size, resection margin involvement, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node (LN) metastasis, depth of stromal invasion, necrosis, and higher stage disease (P < 0.005). Similarly, PNI density and mean size of the nerve involved were also associated with advanced stage (P < 0.005). In the multivariate analysis, PNI was not an independent prognostic factor for disease-free and overall survival. However, in the advanced stage cases and LN (+) cases, PNI is significantly associated with lower overall survival (43 vs. 58 months and 36 vs. 60 months, respectively, P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of PNI is accompanied by high-risk factors for recurrence. Overall survival rate is significantly reduced in PNI (+) patients. Although PNI itself is not an independent prognostic factor, PNI has a significant prognostic impact on overall survival in patients with advanced stage and/or Node (+) cervical cancer.

Chromosome aberrations [dup(1q)] in endometrial cancer: Gene analysis of 54 surgical specimens in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the frequency of chromosomal aberrations and mutations in the k-ras or Her-2/neu genes in surgical specimens of endometrial carcinoma and their association with clinicopathological findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients who were treated for endometrial cancer between April 2010 and May 2011 at the Kocaeli University Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Kocaeli, Turkey were enrolled in a prospective study. Clinical and histopathological findings were recorded. Genetic analysis, which included the detection of chromosomal deletions and duplications, as well as k-ras and Her-2/neu mutations, was performed on endometrial samples from surgical specimens. RESULTS: In 70% of cases, tumor size was >2 cm or covered the entire uterine cavity, affecting mostly corpus (76%) and invading less than half of the myometrium (80%). Forty-six cases (86%) had endometrioid-type carcinoma, and early stage (Stage I, 65%) and higher grade (Grade II-III, 66%) tumors were predominant. Lymph node and lymphovascular involvement was positive in 11% and 28% of the patients, respectively. Chromosomal aberrations (deletion or duplication) and Her-2/neu and k-ras mutations were encountered in 44%, 15%, and 13% of surgical specimens, respectively. The most common chromosomal aberration was dup(1q) (n = 16). Oncogenic mutations in Her-2/neu or k-ras had no association with the severity of endometrial cancer, but the presence of chromosomal aberrations, as a whole or dup(1q) alone, were associated with higher tumor size, deeper myometrial invasion, advanced stage or grade, lymphovascular invasion, and lymph node involvement (p < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Chromosomal aberrations, particularly dup(1q), are related to advanced disease in endometrial cancer. Genetic analysis of cancer tissues may provide important insights in determining disease prognosis.

Giant leiomyosarcoma: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Uterine leiomyosarcoma is a rare uterine malignancy. Most of the patients lack symptoms or present with a rapidly enlarging pelvic mass. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report on a very large leiomyosarcoma in a woman presenting with a 3 months history of rapidly growing adominal mass and fatigue. Laparotomy was performed and diagnosis was confirmed by pathologic and histologic analysis. Patient refused chemotherapy after surgery and died from recurrence at 4th postoperative month. DISCUSSION: Uterine leiomyosarcomas may follow a rapid clinical course with a doubling time of four weeks. There is no reliable method to distinguish uterine sarcoma from benign leiomyomas preoperatively. CONCLUSION: This case represents the largest leiomyosarcoma reported in the literature.

Mullerian adenosarcoma of the uterus associated with tamoxifen treatment for breast cancer.

Mullerian adenosarcoma following tamoxifen therapy is a rare condition. Our aim was to report the youngest patient in the literature with uterine mullerian adenosarcoma who was undergoing tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer. A premenopausal woman aged 38 years who was undergoing tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer, was admitted with symptoms of lower abdominal pain and irregular vaginal bleeding and malodorous vaginal discharge that had continued for at least 6 months. A pelvic examination revealed a large and malodorous polypoid mass protruding through the cervix and an enlarged uterus. A biopsy from the protruding polypoid mass was reported as a large area of necrosis with neoplastic mesenchymal cells. The patient underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy, pelvic-paraaortic lymph node dissection, and omentectomie. The histologic diagnosis was Mullerian adenosarcoma. As a result, she was discharged to the oncology department. The woman is alive and her chemoradiotherapy treatment is ongoing. The role of tamoxifen therapy in the development of endometrial neoplasms remains unclear, but all cases of endometrial thickening and vaginal bleeding must be investigated for Mullerian adenosarcoma in tamoxifen users.

Five cases of non-hodgkin B-cell lymphoma of the ovary.

The involvement of the ovary in lymphomatous process is rare. Such an involvement may occur in 2 ways, primary or secondary. We report 5 cases of ovarian non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, with 3 of which primarily arising in the ovaries. Ovarian lymphoma can mimic more frequently occurring tumors including advanced epithelial carcinoma and radical surgery may be performed instead of a biopsy. The immunophenotypic and clinicopathologic features exhibited in this small series are described to call attention to early diagnosis and treatment of ovarian lymphoma. All patients were diagnosed as having DLBCL after ovary biopsy. Different treatment modalities were used and prognosis of the patients was reported.

The effect of first chromosome long arm duplication on survival of endometrial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of first chromosome long arm duplication (dup(1q)) in cases with endometrial carcinoma detected with array based comperative genomic hybridization (aCGH) on survival from the cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 53 patients with the diagnosis of endometrial carcinom due to endometrial biopsy and who have been operated for this reason have been allocated in the study. Frozen section biopsy and staging surgery have been performed for all the cases. Samples obtained from the tumoral mass have been investigated for chromosomal aberrations with aCGH method. Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression analysis have been performed for survival analysis. RESULTS: Among 53 cases with endometrial carcinomas, dup(1q) was diagnosed in 14 (26.4%) of the cases. For the patient group that has been followed-up for 24 months (3-33 months), dup(1q) (p=.01), optimal cytoreduction (p<.001), lymph node positivity (p=.006), tumor stage >1 (p=.006) and presence of high risk tumor were the factors that were associated with survival. Cox-regression analysis has revealed that optimal cytoreduction was the most important prognostic factor (p=.02). CONCLUSION: Presence of 1q duplication can be used as a prognostic factor in the preoperative period.

Prediction of tumor grade and stage in endometrial carcinoma by preoperative assessment of sonographic endometrial thickness: Is it possible?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate preopertive accuracy of endometrial thickness for assesment of histologic grade and stage of endometrial carcinoma and also determining a cut-off value for the determination of grade of endometrial carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical data of 105 patients who underwent surgical staging with endometrial carcinoma were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperatively endometrial thickness were recorded and correlated with pathologic information. RESULTS: A statistically significant correlation was found in between endometrial thickness and grade of the disease (r=0.746, p=0.001). Besides, no correlation was found between endometrial thickness and stage (r=0.153, p=0.119). The endometrial thickness at 9 mm revealed the optimal sensitivity and specificity (93.33 and 26.2, respectively) for turning through grade1 to grade 2 with 68.2% positive predictive value and 66.7% negative predictive value. We indicated the endometrial thickness at 27 mm as the optimal value with sensitivity and specificity (27.27 and 95.65, respectively) for turning through grade 2 to grade 3 with 66.7% positive predictive value and 77.5% negative predictive value. CONCLUSION: In conlusion, sonographic evaluation of the endometrial thickness is economical, simple and can be used as a prognostic tool for endometrial cancer grading. The operating team may have the chance to get prepared before the operation and may have the chance to inform the patient about the operation.

Menstrual pattern and intrauterine adhesions after transuterine suture for postpartum hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To describe menstrual abnormalities and intrauterine adhesions within 5 years after a transuterine compression suture and uterine devascularization with hypogastric ligation. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical follow-up was conducted on 56 patients who underwent uterine devascularization with hypogastric ligation and transuterine suture. The main outcomes were to investigate intrauterine adhesions, menstrual pattern, and desire for subsequent pregnancy and fertility. RESULTS: Among 56 cases, abnormal placental implantation was diagnosed in 30 (53.6%) (Group 1), and uterine atony was diagnosed in 26 (46.4%) (Group 2). Before pregnancy, while 2/24 patients in Group 1 and 2/23 patients in Group 2 had menstrual irregularities, after pregnancy 8/24 patients in Group 1 and 9/23 patients in Group 2 had menstrual irregularities (p = 0.03 and 0.01, respectively). Hysteroscopic examination revealed normal findings in 16 patients in Group 1 (66.6%) and 20 patients in Group 2 (86.9%) (p > or = 0.05). Among patients who had desired a future pregnancy, 2 of 4 patients (50%) in Group 1 and 4 of 5 patients (80%) in Group 2 subsequently had achieved successful pregnancies. CONCLUSION: Transuterine compression suture and uterine devascularization with hypogastric ligation in managing postpartum hemorrhage appear to have achieved preserved fertility and, in most cases, menstrual regularity.

Preoperative evaluation of myometrial invasion in endometrial carcinoma: diagnostic performance of 3T MRI.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 3T MRI in preoperative staging of myometrial invasion. METHODS: Twenty-eight women with histological diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma were included in this prospective study. After T2-W SS-TSE and DWI, dynamic series of T1-W THRIVE images were obtained (0-180 s) followed by a T1-W THRIVE sequence in the late phase (5th min). For detection of deep myometrial infiltration: sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were calculated on T2-W, postcontrast early arterial and late phase T1-W, and DWI. For the quantitative analysis of DWI, ADC values of the tumor were calculated and correlated with histologic grade. For the quantitative evaluation of dynamic series, SI-time curves were obtained and the maximum relative enhancement, wash-in rate, time-to-peak, and wash-out rate of masses and myometrium were compared. RESULTS: T2-W and early phase contrast-enhanced sequences obtained sensitivity 100 %, specificity 76 %, PPV 58 %, NPV 100 %, and accuracy 82 %; late-phase contrast-enhanced images obtained sensitivity 100 %, specificity 81 %, PPV 64 %, NPV 100 %, and accuracy 86 %; DWI obtained lower accuracy [sensitivity 71 %, specificity 62 %, PPV 38 %, NPV 87 %, and accuary 57 %] than T2-W and postcontrast images. The MRE of carcinomas were significantly lower than those of the myometrium. This analysis showed a significant improvement in tumor versus myometrium contrast during the late phase. On DWI, the mean ADC value of tumor was 1.02 ± 0.48 × 10(-3). There was no statistically significant correlation between tumor grades and ADCs. CONCLUSIONS: As the 3T MRI scanner allows high-resolution images, accurate assessment of myometrial infiltration can be done especially with postcontrast late phase images.

Malignant struma ovarii: a case report.

We present a case of a 40-yr-old woman diagnosed with a primary malignant struma ovarii. The patient was admitted with the complaint of pelvic pain and a large pelvic mass in the mid-portion of lower abdomen on gynecological examination. Pre-operative tumor markers and routine biochemistry were unremarkable. She was treated with total abdominal hysterectomy and right salpingo-oopherectomy. Post-operatively, she was diagnosed with a malignant struma ovarii through the usage of histopathological criteria similar to the guidelines for primary thyroid gland disease. The patient was subsequently performed left salpingo-oopherectomy and retroperitoneal pelvic lympadenectomy for re-staging. Although, left ovary and lymph nodes were histopathologically normal, she was offered thyroidectomy but she refused to accept the offer. Thyroglobulin level was monitored in the post-operative period. She is free of the disease for 18 months.

Sublingual misoprostol 100 microgram versus 200 microgram for second trimester abortion: a randomised trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of repeated doses of 100 microg vs. 200 microg misoprostol given sublingually for induction of second trimester abortion. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-two women at 15-22 weeks' gestation were randomized to receive every 2 h either 100 microg (group 1; n = 81) or 200 microg (group 2; n = 81) misoprostol sublingually. The primary outcome measure was the abortion rate within 24 h. The secondary outcome measures were the induction-abortion interval, the total misoprostol dose required, and side effects of the regimen. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to the abortion rates within 12 h (43.2% in group 1 vs. 48.1% in group 2; p = 0.52; relative risk [RR]: 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.4-1.5) and 24 h (92.6% in group 1 vs. 91.4% in group 2; p = 0.77; RR: 1.11; 95% CI: 0.37-3.6). The induction-abortion intervals in the two groups were of similar length (885 minutes in group 1 vs. 912 minutes in group 2; p = 0.72). When the total dose of misoprostol was compared between the two groups, women belonging to group 2 on average had received significantly more misoprostol than those in group 1 (1274 +/- 592 microg [7 +/- 3 doses] vs. 614 +/- 432 microg [6 +/- 4 doses], respectively; p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Sublingual administration of repeated doses of 100 microg misoprostol for abortion induction appears to be equally effective to that of repeated doses of 200 microg.

Comparative efficacy and safety of vaginal misoprostol versus dinoprostone vaginal insert in labor induction at term: a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare efficacy and safety of vaginal misoprostol (PGE(1) analog) with dinoprostone (PGE(2) analog) vaginal insert for labor induction in term pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 112 women with singleton pregnancies of > or =37 weeks of gestation, and low Bishop scores underwent labor induction. The subjects were randomized to receive either 50 mug misoprostol intravaginally every 4 h to a maximum of five doses or a 10 mg dinoprostone vaginal insert for a maximum of 12 h. Time interval from induction to vaginal delivery, vaginal delivery rates within 12 and 24 h, requirement of oxytocin augmentation, incidence of tachysystole and uterine hyperstimulation, mode of delivery, rate of cesarean section due to fetal distress and neonatal outcome were outcome measures. Student's t test, Chi square test, Fischer's exact test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Time interval from induction to vaginal delivery was found to be significantly shorter in misoprostol group when compared to dinoprostone subjects (680 +/- 329 min vs. 1070 +/- 435 min, P < 0.001). Vaginal delivery rates within 12 h were found to be significantly higher with misoprostol induction [n = 37 (66%) vs. n = 25 (44.6%); P = 0.02], whereas vaginal delivery rates in 24 h did not differ significantly between groups [n = 41 (73.2%) vs. n = 36 (64.2%); P = 0.3]. More subjects required oxytocin augmentation in dinoprostone group [n = 35 (62.5%) vs. n = 20 (35.7%), P = 0.005] and cardiotocography tracings revealed early decelerations occurring more frequently with misoprostol induction (10.7 vs. 0%, P = 0.03). Tachysystole and uterine hyperstimulation, mode of delivery, rate of cesarean sections due to fetal distress and adverse neonatal outcome were not demonstrated to be significantly different between groups (P = 1, P = 0.5, P = 0.4, P = 0.22, P = 0.5). CONCLUSION: Using vaginal misoprostol is an effective way of labor induction in term pregnant women with unfavorable cervices, since it is associated with a shorter duration of labor induction and higher rates of vaginal delivery within 12 h. Misoprostol and dinoprostone are equally safe, since misoprostol did not result in a rise in maternal and neonatal morbidity, namely, tachysystole, uterine hyperstimulation, cesarean section rates and admission to neonatal intensive care units as reported previously in literature.

Primary malignant melanoma of the cervix: report of a case.

BACKGROUND: To present a case of primary malignant melanoma of the cervix. CASE: The patient was admitted with the complaint of vaginal bleeding. Gynecological examination revealed a dark, papillary mass on the posterior lip of the cervix. Histopathology showed a malignant neoplasm with increased vascularity, indicating the possibility of a primary uterine cervical melanoma. Diagnosis of malignant melanoma was confirmed with immunohistochemistry, which showed diffuse positive reactions for S-100 protein and HBM-45, with no reaction for epithelial markers, namely cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and epithelial membrane antigen. An extensive search for a melanotic lesion in skin and in uveal tract was performed to verify the distinct site of melanoma. The tumor was stage IB1 according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics classification.The patient underwent radical Wertheim-Meigs hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy, and retroperitoneal pelvic lympadenectomy. Radiotherapy or chemotherapy was not performed in the postoperative period. She is now free of the disease 10 months after the operation. CONCLUSION: Primary malignant melanoma of the cervix is a rare cervical malignancy.