[Demographic and Professional Characteristics of Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology Registered in Portugal: Needs, Resources and Challenges]. / Características Demográficas e Profissionais dos Especialistas em Ginecologia-Obstetrícia Registados em Portugal: Necessidades, Recursos e Desafios.

INTRODUCTION: The demographic and professional characteristics of specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology registered in Portugal are presented and current and future needs assessed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An analysis of the data from Instituto Nacional de Estatística, Ordem dos Médicos and a survey sent to the directors of the departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Portuguese hospitals was perfomed. In order to calculate the necessary number of specialists, established indicators of the activity of the specialty were used. RESULTS: In 2018, there were 1 437 441 consultations of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 89 110 major gynecologic surgeries and 85 604 deliveries. For that, 1065 Obstetrics and Gynecology physicians, working 40 hours per week, with no more than 40% aged 55 years of age and older or including 30 residents per year, are deemed necessary. According to the National Institute of Statistics, in the same year there were 1143 specialists in Portuguese hospitals, of which 234 worked in private hospitals. On the other hand, 1772 specialists were registered with the Ordem dos Médicos: 1163 (66%) were aged 55 years old or above and 84% of specialists under the age of 40 were females. In 2020, there were 864 specialists, 46% of which aged years of age and older working in 39 out of the 41 public or public-private departments that answered the survey. In 2035, an increase of 7% in the required number of specialists is expected. CONCLUSION: In Portugal, there is not lack of Obstetrics and Gynecology specialists in absolute numbers, but the large number of specialists aged 55 years of age and older, who are exempt from shifts in emergency department work, and the existence of regional asymmetries contribute to the perpetuation of some shortages of these healthcare professionals in several departments, namely in public hospitals.

Introdução: Apresentam-se as caraterísticas demográficas e profissionais dos especialistas de Ginecologia-Obstetrícia registados em Portugal e avaliam-se necessidades atuais e futuras.Material e Métodos: Analisaram-se dados do Instituto Nacional de Estatística, da Ordem dos Médicos e de resposta a questionário enviado a diretores de serviços hospitalares portugueses de Ginecologia-Obstetrícia. Calcularam-se as necessidades de especialistas com base em indicadores estabelecidos de atividade médica da especialidade.Resultados: Em 2018, registaram-se, em Portugal, 1 437 441 consultas da especialidade, 89 110 grandes cirurgias e 85 604 partos. Para essa atividade calcula-se serem necessários 1065 médicos da especialidade, em regime de 40 horas semanais, dos quais não mais do que 40% com idade igual ou superior a 55 anos; para manter este número são necessários 30 internos por ano. Segundo o Instituto Nacional de Estatística, nesse ano existiam 1143 especialistas nos hospitais portugueses, 234 dos quais em hospitais privados. Por outro lado, estavam inscritos 1772 especialistas na Ordem dos Médicos, dos quais 1163 (66%) apresentavam uma idade igual ou superior a 55 anos, sendo 84% dos especialistas com menos de 40 anos do sexo feminino. Em 2020, nos 39 dos 41 serviços públicos e público-privados que responderam ao questionário, existiam 864 especialistas, dos quais 395 (46%) com idade igual ou superior a 55 anos. Para 2035 prevê-se um aumento de 7% nas necessidades de especialistas desta área.Conclusão: Em Portugal não há falta de especialistas de Ginecologia-Obstetrícia em número absoluto, mas a existência de um elevado número de especialistas com idade igual ou superior a 55 anos, que tem direito a deixar de prestar atividade nos Serviços de Urgência, e de assimetrias regionais, contribuem para que continuem a existir algumas carências destes profissionais em vários serviços, nomeadamente em hospitais públicos.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in Adolescence: When Menarche Reveals other Surprises.

INTRODUCTION: Abnormal uterine bleeding is more frequent in adolescence. Although, most commonly, it has a non-structural etiology, it may be due to any cause described. CLINICAL CASE: A 12-year-old adolescent, with no relevant personal history, menarche 1 month before, was observed in the emergency department for severe menstrual bleeding with progressive worsening, and hemodynamic repercussion in need of transfusion support. Physiological ovulatory dysfunction associated with possible previously unknown coagulopathy was considered to be the most likely diagnosis and medical treatment was initiated. Without response, the patient was submitted to sedated observation and uterine aspiration, which ultimately led to the diagnosis of a Burkitt Lymphoma. DISCUSSION: Although structural causes, and particularly malignancy, whether gynecological or not, are a rare cause of abnormal uterine bleeding in this age group, they must be considered, thus enhancing the fastest and most appropriate treatment.

INTRODUçãO: A hemorragia uterina anormal é mais frequente na adolescência. Apesar de maioritariamente de etiologia não estrutural, pode dever-se a qualquer causa descrita. CASO CLíNICO: Adolescente de 12 anos, sem antecedentes pessoais relevantes, com menarca há 1 mês, observada no serviço de urgência por hemorragia menstrual grave com agravamento progressivo e repercussão hemodinâmica com necessidade de suporte transfusional. Foi colocada a hipótese de disfunção ovulatória fisiológica associada a eventual coagulopatia desconhecida previamente e foi instituído tratamento médico. Por ausência de resposta a tratamento médico, foi submetida a observação sob sedação e aspiração uterina que evidenciou tratar-se de um Linfoma de Burkitt. DISCUSSãO: Apesar de as causas estruturais, e particularmente as neoplasias, do foro ginecológico ou não, serem uma causa rara de hemorragia uterina anormal nesta faixa etária, elas devem ser levadas em consideração potenciando assim um tratamento mais célere e adequado.

Conservative management of a pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia and postpartum spontaneous hepatic rupture: A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Most spontaneous hepatic rupture cases are associated with a pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorder like preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. Although it is a rare complication, it is still associated with high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality rates. With this study, we aim to present a case report and review the available literature on hepatic rupture associated with hypertensive disorders of the pregnancy. METHODS: We present a case report and a review of the literature of the last 20 years on hepatic rupture associated with pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders. The selected cases were reviewed to collect information on maternal characteristics, clinical presentation, diagnostic studies, therapeutic modalities and maternal and fetal outcomes. RESULTS: Our review has found 57 publications describing a total of 93 cases of hepatic hemorrhage with capsule rupture associated with pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders. Most of the patients were less than 35 years old and primiparous and the first symptoms of hepatic rupture included epigastric and right upper abdominal pain. Most of the diagnoses were made during surgery without previous diagnosis and, in the majority of cases, a surgical approach was necessary to achieve hemostasis. Perihepatic packing was the most used surgical method. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Our clinical case and literature review reinforces the importance of closely monitoring all pregnancies complicated with hypertensive disorders, including in the postpartum period. Although hepatic rupture accounts for high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality rates, it is possible to keep a conservative approach with good maternal and fetal outcomes, with a high index of suspicious, an early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in Adolescence: When Menarche Reveals other Surprises / Hemorragia uterina anormal na adolescência: Quando a menarca revela outras surpresas

Abstract Introduction Abnormal uterine bleeding is more frequent in adolescence. Although, most commonly, it has a non-structural etiology, it may be due to any cause described. Clinical case A 12-year-old adolescent, with no relevant personal history, menarche 1 month before, was observed in the emergency department for severemenstrual bleeding with progressive worsening, and hemodynamic repercussion in need of transfusion support. Physiological ovulatory dysfunction associated with possible previously unknown coagulopathy was considered to be the most likely diagnosis and medical treatment was initiated. Without response, the patient was submitted to sedated observation and uterine aspiration, which ultimately led to the diagnosis of a Burkitt Lymphoma. Discussion Although structural causes, and particularly malignancy, whether gynecological or not, are a rare cause of abnormal uterine bleeding in this age group, they must be considered, thus enhancing the fastest and most appropriate treatment.

Resumo Introdução A hemorragia uterina anormal é mais frequente na adolescência. Apesar de maioritariamente de etiologia não estrutural, pode dever-se a qualquer causa descrita. Caso clínico Adolescente de 12 anos, sem antecedentes pessoais relevantes, com menarca há 1 mês, observada no serviço de urgência por hemorragia menstrual grave com agravamento progressivo e repercussão hemodinâmica com necessidade de suporte transfusional. Foi colocada a hipótese de disfunção ovulatória fisiológica associada a eventual coagulopatia desconhecida previamente e foi instituído tratamento médico. Por ausência de resposta a tratamento médico, foi submetida a observação sob sedação e aspiração uterina que evidenciou tratar-se de um Linfoma de Burkitt. Discussão Apesar de as causas estruturais, e particularmente as neoplasias, do foro ginecológico ou não, serem uma causa rara de hemorragia uterina anormal nesta faixa etária, elas devem ser levadas em consideração potenciando assim um tratamento mais célere e adequado.

Endometrial cancer: Preoperative versus intraoperative staging.

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in preoperative staging of endometrial cancer in comparison to frozen section (FS) for the assessment of myometrial invasion, considering permanent section as the gold standard. METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal study of all endometrial carcinomas diagnosed in our institution between March 2012 and October 2018 was conducted. Women with histologically confirmed endometrial malignancy, planned for surgery as primary treatment and submitted either to TVS, MRI and/or intraoperative FS followed by comprehensive surgical staging were eligible. RESULTS: From a total of 187 endometrial carcinomas, 156 were eligible for the study. The most frequent histology was endometrioid carcinoma (n=115), followed by serous carcinoma (n=25); the majority presented a FIGO stage IA (n=85) or IB (n=21). TVS, MRI and FS presented a sensitivity 56 %, 71 % and 67 % [95 %CI 0.35-0.75; 0.49-0.87; 0.45-0.84] and a specificity of 90 %, 78 % and 94 % [95 %CI 0.79-0.97; 0.58-0.91; 0.84-0.98], respectively. FS was the method with the lowest overestimation rate (6.5 %, 95 %CI 0.02-0.16), whereas MRI showed the lowest underestimation rate (29.2 %, 95 %CI 0.13-0.51). Agreement was superior between MRI and FS (Pa=0.79, K=0.56) and secondly between MRI and TVS (Pa=0.78, K=0.47). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative FS presents the higher specificity and the lowest overestimation rate, while MRI seems to be the exam with the highest sensitivity in the evaluation of myometrial invasion. Agreement between the different methods is reasonable, suggesting that the best alternative will be highly dependent on the availability and experience of each institution.

[Recommendations About Multiple Sclerosis Management During Pregnancy, Partum and Post-Partum: Consensus Position of The Portuguese Multiple Sclerosis Study Group and The Portuguese Society of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine]. / Recomendações Sobre a Abordagem da Esclerose Múltipla na Gravidez, Parto e Pós-Parto: Posição de Consenso do Grupo de Estudos de Esclerose Múltipla e da Sociedade Portuguesa de Obstetrícia e Medicina Materno-Fetal.

Multiple sclerosis typically affects young women of reproductive age. Therefore, all healthcare providers involved in the follow-up of multiple sclerosis patients must be prepared to discuss pregnancy and breastfeeding issues, and provide the best possible counselling. However, there are still many doubts and heterogeneous clinical approaches partly due to the lack of consensus and guidelines. Concerning the handling of disease modifying therapies during pregnancy and the postpartum period, uncertainties have been complicated by the increase in recent years of the number of available treatments. This article aims to present the state-of-the-art and provide guidance based on the best level of available evidence and expert opinion regarding the management of multiple sclerosis patients at different stages: pregnancy planning, pregnancy, partum, and the postpartum period.

A esclerose múltipla afeta tipicamente mulheres jovens em idade reprodutiva. Desta forma, todo os profissionais de saúde envolvidos no seguimento destes doentes deverão estar preparados para abordar as questões relacionadas com a gravidez e amamentação e fornecer o melhor aconselhamento possível. No entanto, existem ainda muitas dúvidas e abordagens clínicas heterogéneas em parte devido à ausência de consensos e normas orientadoras. No que concerne ao manuseamento das terapêuticas modificadoras de doença durante os períodos de gravidez e pós-parto, as incertezas têm sido agravadas devido ao aumento do número de fármacos disponíveis nos últimos anos. Este artigo visa apresentar a informação mais atual e fornecer orientações baseadas no melhor nível de evidência disponível e na opinião de peritos relativamente ao seguimento das doentes com esclerose múltipla em diferentes etapas: planificação da gravidez, gravidez, parto e período pós-parto.

Vaginal Endosalpingiosis Case Report: A Rare Entity Presenting as Intermenstrual Bleeding.

Endosalpingiosis is a benign and rare entity whose pathophysiology remains unknown. It has been described in pelvic organs, the abdomen, or axillar lymph nodes. Its underrecognition has occasionally led to its misinterpretation for an adenocarcinoma. This case reports the treatment and follow-up of vaginal endosalpingiosis, presenting as a vaginal polyp in a premenopausal women with intermenstrual bleeding. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of vaginal endosalpingiosis and the second mucosal localization after bladder endosalpingiosis.

[Postpartum portal venous system thrombosis in a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome]. / Trombose do sistema venoso porta após o parto numa doente com síndrome de anticorpos antifosfolípidos.

INTRODUCTION: Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) is an immune thrombophylia of unknown etiology which leads to vascular thrombosis and gestational complications. CLINICAL REPORT: A 27-year old woman who had been diagnosed APS four years before was admitted in the Emergency Room five days after a spontaneous delivery due to [corrected] pain in the upper right abdominal quadrant. Blood analysis revealed AST and ALT rise and thrombocytopenia. CT scan was suggestive of liver infarction due to venous ischemia. Abdominal eco-doppler diagnosed vena porta left branch thrombosis and compensatory arterial circulation. Treatment included low molecular weight heparin and corticosteroids which led to progressive clinical, laboratory and imagiological recovery. DISCUSSION: Portal venous system thrombosis is extremely rare in the absence of local risk factors and the most common and catastrophic complication is intestinal necrosis.

[Intima-media thickness and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a prospective study]. / Complexo íntima-média e patologia hipertensiva associada à gravidez: um estudo prospectivo.

PURPOSE: To evaluate intima-media thickness (IMT) in hypertensive pregnant women and to ascertain if an increased IMTcorrelates with the development of preeclampsia. METHODS: A controlled, descriptive and prospective study was conducted in the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit (MFMU) of a level II hospital with perinatal assistance. Throughout six months randomly selected pregnant women were allocated in three branches (A - control group, n = 17; B - gestational hypertension group, n = 17; C - pregestational hypertension group, n = 14(. All of them were subjected to clinical interview, physical exam, obstetric ultrasound, laboratory and CTG evaluation and IMT measurement in the distal wall of both common carotid arteries at 1 cm. from bifurcation by the same operator from whom group classification was concealed. High resolution ultrasound and a linear 7.5 MHz transducer were used. Follow-up included obstetric and neonatal outcomes. RESULTS: Mean IMT was 0.43 mm with a standard deviation (sd) of 0.09 mm in group A; 0.52 (sd=0.11), p=0.034 in group B; 0.58 (sd=0.11), p=2,3×10-4 in group C. RESULTS were not significantly different in hypertensive women with or without preeclampsia (0.52 (sd=0.11) vs 0.57 (sd=0.11), p=0.20). CONCLUSIONS: Carotid IMT, a validated endothelial dysfunction surrogate endpoint, was increased in both groups B and C although there were no differences between hypertensive women with or without preeclampsia.