Forma necrótica de úlcera de Lipschütz / Necrotic type of Lipschütz ulcer

Resumen INTRODUCCIÓN: Las úlceras de Lipschütz son una causa infrecuente de úlcera genital, de alivio espontáneo y casi siempre benignas, aunque en algunas pacientes pueden dejar cicatrices genitales. Lo común es que aparezcan en mujeres jóvenes, antes del inicio de la vida sexual activa, en coincidencia con un cuadro catarral o pseudogripal. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente de 18 años con una úlcera vulvar dolorosa, coincidente con un episodio de amigdalitis aguda y fiebre de 38 ºC. La paciente negó haber tenido relaciones sexuales. La úlcera alcanzó 3 a 4 cm, profunda, purulenta, con apertura del labio menor derecho y con importante componente necrótico. Para el control del dolor se le indicaron: corticoides, doxiciclina oral, crema con lidocaína y antiinflamatorios. Los análisis de laboratorio descartaron que se tratara de infección de trasmisión sexual. Al término del esquema terapéutico prescrito la evolución fue favorable, con desaparición de los síntomas, pero con una secuela: apertura del labio mayor derecho. CONCLUSIONES: La úlcera de Lipschütz es una causa infrecuente de úlcera vulvar. Su tratamiento consiste en el control de los síntomas y casi siempre se cura en el transcurso de 4 a 6 semanas, sin dejar lesiones. El diagnóstico solo puede establecerse luego de excluir otras causas más frecuentes de úlcera vulvar.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Lipschütz ulcers are an infrequent cause of genital ulcer, of spontaneous relief and almost always benign, although in some patients they may leave genital scars. They usually appear in young women, before the onset of active sexual life, coinciding with a catarrhal or flu-like condition. CLINICAL CASE: 18-year-old female patient with a painful vulvar ulcer, coinciding with an episode of acute tonsillitis and fever of 38 ºC. The patient denied having had sexual intercourse. The ulcer was 3 to 4 cm, deep, purulent, with opening of the right labium minora and with a significant necrotic component. For pain control she was prescribed corticosteroids, oral doxycycline, lidocaine cream and anti-inflammatory drugs. Laboratory tests ruled out sexually transmitted infection. At the end of the prescribed therapeutic scheme the evolution was favorable, with disappearance of symptoms, but with a sequel: opening of the right labium majus. CONCLUSIONS: Lipschütz ulcer is a rare cause of vulvar ulcer. Its treatment consists of symptom control and it almost always heals within 4 to 6 weeks, leaving no lesions. The diagnosis can only be established after other more frequent causes of vulvar ulceration have been excluded.

Ecografía transvaginal en preinducción de parto: predicción de parto vaginal en gestantes con cesárea anterior / Transvaginal ultrasound in induction of labour: predicting vaginal delivery in patients with a prior cesarean section

Resumen Objetivo: Determinar qué mediciones de la ecografía transvaginal efectuada en el momento de la inducción actúan como predictoras de éxito de parto vaginal en embarazadas con cesárea anterior. La valoración cervical previa a la inducción del parto se lleva a cabo mediante tacto vaginal y estimación del índice de Bishop. Se trata de un diagnóstico subjetivo y sujeto a variabilidad interobservador, por lo que es necesario encontrar un sistema alternativo objetivo y con mínima variabilidad interindividual. Materiales y métodos: Estudio analítico, observacional y prospectivo al que se incluyeron pacientes con antecedente de cesárea, previamente inducidas con sonda de doble balón. Antes de la finalización del embarazo a todas las pacientes se les tomó una ecografía transvaginal para determinar: la longitud cervical, ángulo cervical posterior, grosor y dilatación cervical. Se obtuvieron los informes de la preinducción, parto y puerperio. Resultados: Se estudiaron 35 pacientes y la tasa de parto vaginal fue de 52%. Hubo diferencias significativas en la medición de la longitud cervical entre el grupo de parto vaginal y cesárea, en estas últimas fue más larga (26.8 vs 33.5 mm; p = 0.036). No se encontraron diferencias en el ángulo cervical posterior, dilatación o grosor cervical. Conclusiones: La longitud cervical se perfila como variable predictora de parto vaginal en la preinducción de embarazadas con cesárea anterior; existen diferencias significativas entre el grupo de embarazadas con parto vaginal luego de una cesárea previa (26.8 mm) y el grupo de pacientes con segunda cesárea (33.5 mm).

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to determine what circumstances during transvaginal ultrasound predict vaginal delivery in labour induction of patients with a previous caesarean section. Several studies have confirmed that the accuracy of the Bishop's score in predicting the outcome of induction of labour is poor, due to the subjectivity of digital examination, which is also influenced by interobserver variability. That is why it is necesary to find an alternative score which provides objectiveness and minimum interobserver differencies. Materials and methods: An observational prospective and analytic study was designed and 35 patients were included. All of them had a previous caesarean section and underwent cervical induction with a double balloon device. Transvaginal ultrasound was run in all the cases, regarding cervical length, posterior cervical angle, thickness and cervical dilation. Moreover, data from delivery and postpartum were recorded. Results: Vaginal delivery rate was 51.6%. Significative diferencies between cervical lenght in patients who delivered vaginally and those with a second cesarean section were found (26.8mm versus 33.5mm, p = 0.036). No differencies were found between posterior cervical angle measures, nor cervical dilation or cervical thickness. Conclusions: Cervical length is outlined as a predictive variable of vaginal delivery in preinduction of patients with a previous cesarean section. It has been demostrated that this measurement is significatively shorter in patients having a vaginal delivery (26.8mm) than in patients with a second cesaren section (33.5 mm).

Double-balloon catheter for induction of labour in women with a previous cesarean section, could it be the best choice?

INTRODUCTION: We analysed the efficacy and safety of double-balloon catheter for cervical ripening in women with a previous cesarean section and which were the most important variables associated with an increased risk of repeated cesarean delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed an observational retrospective study of 418 women with unfavourable cervices (Bishop Score <5), a prior cesarean delivery, and induction of labour with a double-balloon catheter. Baseline maternal data and perinatal outcomes were recorded for a descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analysis. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Most women improved their initial Bishop Score (89.5%) although only a 20.8% of them went into spontaneous active labour. Finally, 51.4% of the women achieved a vaginal delivery. Five cases of intrapartum uterine rupture (1.2%) occurred. After multivariate analysis, main risk factors for repeated cesarean section were dystocia in the previous pregnancy (OR 1.744; CI 95% 1.066-2.846), the absence of previous vaginal delivery (OR 2.590; CI 95% 1.066-6.290), suspected fetal macrosomia (OR 2.410; CI 95% 0.959-6.054), and duration of oxytocin induction period (OR 1.005; CI 95% 1.004-1.006). The area under the curve was 0.789 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Double-balloon catheter seems to be safe and effective for cervical ripening in women with a previous cesarean delivery and unfavourable cervix. In our study, most women could have a vaginal delivery in spite of their risk factors for cesarean delivery. A multivariate model based on some clinical variables has moderate predictive value for intrapartum cesarean section.

Atypical decelerations: do they matter?

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association between atypical variable decelerations and neonatal acidemia. METHOD: We conducted a one-year case-control study comparing the last thirty minutes before delivery of fetal heart rate tracings of 102 acidemic neonates (umbilical arterial cord gas pH ≤ 7.10) with 100 non-acidemic controls (umbilical arterial cord gas pH > 7.10). Incidence of atypical features and total number of decelerations, number of atypical decelerations, number of slow return decelerations and number of decelerations with loss of moderate variability during deceleration were extracted. We estimated the association between atypical features, neonatal acidemia and neonatal morbidity. RESULTS: Acidemic neonates showed a larger number of atypical decelerations (4 [0-12] vs. 3 [0-10]), "slow return" decelerations (4 [0-11] vs. 1 [0-10]) and decelerations with non-moderate variability (0[0-12] vs. 0 [0-6]) compared to non-acidemic controls. "Slow return" was significantly associated with an increased risk of acidemia at birth (OR 4.46; CI 95%: 2.18 - 9.15) "Slow return" was the most discriminating feature between groups with an AUC: 0.745. CONCLUSION: Certain atypical features, as "slow return" and loss of moderate variability within decelerations are associated with neonatal acidemia. "Slow return" could help in the gradation of acidemia risk levels, as an indicator of gravity.

Deceleration area and fetal acidemia.

AIMS: To compare the predictive ability for neonatal acidemia of individual components of intrapartum cardiotocography (CTG) described by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) system and deceleration area. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Spanish tertiary obstetrical hospital. POPULATION: CTG patterns of 102 acidemic fetus (umbilical arterial cord gas pH ≤7.10, base deficit (BD) > 8) and 102 nonacidemic controls (umbilical arterial cord gas pH > 7.10). METHODS: Two reviewers blind to clinical and outcome data analyzed the last thirty minutes before delivery of 204 fetal heart rate (FHR) tracings, extracting those features defined by NICHD and certain measures of FHR decelerations, including deceleration area, not considered by this system. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the predictive ability of NICHD features and non-NICHD deceleration measures for fetal acidemia. The secondary outcome was the impact of deceleration area in the last 30 min of labor on gasometry components (pH, BD and lactate). RESULTS: Minimal variability (area under the curve (AUC) 0.74), total number of late (AUC: 0.75) and prolonged decelerations (0.77) were the three NICHD features with the greatest predictive ability for fetal acidemia in the last thirty minutes of labor. Total deceleration area demonstrated the highest discrimination power (AUC: 0.83) of all the analyzed elements. For each cm2 the area increases in the last 30 min of labor, pH decreases 0.08 units, BD increases 0.272 mEq/L and lactate 0.183 mEq/L. CONCLUSIONS: Total deceleration area showed the greatest predictive ability for fetal acidemia and its measure could help to estimate intrapartum fetal acid-base status.

[Comparative study between pregnancies induced for premature rupture of membranes and for prolonged pregnancy]. / Estudio comparativo entre gestaciones finalizadas electivamente por rotura prematura de membranas y por gestación cronológicamente prolongada.

BACKGROUND: To decrease maternal and fetal morbidity oftem is indicated the elective termination of pregnancy; when the cervix is unfavourable, it is possible to try to artificially reproduce these changes with exogenous prostaglandins. OBJECTIVES: Comparative evaluation of maternal and fetal results between patients in which cervical ripening is practiced with indication of premature rupture of membranes and those with prolonged pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Historic cohorts study about pregnancies requiring cervical ripening, either for premature rupture of membranes or for gestational age > or = 41 weeks, in the "Miguel Servet" Hospital (Zaragoza, Spain), from 15/11/2005 to 15/05/2008. In all the cases dinoprostone (slow release vaginal system) was employed and the initial Bishop score was < 7. The main analysed outcomes were: intrapartum fetal heart monitoring characteristics, type of delivery, umbilical artery pH, Apgar score, hospitalization in neonatal unit requirement and time from cervical ripening start to delivery. RESULTS: Neonatal hospitalization was significantly more frequent in the ruptured membranes cohort (11.70% vs 2.33%); p = 0.001. This difference could be justified by gestational age (OR: 2,623. IC: 0.515-13.353. P = 0.246). It was observed more time cervical ripening - delivery in prolonged pregnancies cohort (25.96h vs 20.11h); p < 0.001. Umbilical cord medium pH was significantly superior in ruptured membranes group (7.25 vs 7.23); p = 0.017. No significant differences were observed in the rest of analyzed outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancies electively ended for premature rupture of membranes are associated with a shorter time to delivery and a slightly superior umbilical cord pH than induced prolonged pregnancies. Neonatal hospitalization requirement is determined by gestational age but not by the rupture of the membranes. Cervical ripening in those patients has been demonstrated to be secure and effective.

Repercusión en los resultados neonatales del intervalo de tiempo de nacimiento entre gemelos / Effect of twin-to-twin delivery time interval on neonatal outcome

Objetivo. Evaluar los factores que pueden influir sobre el intervalo de tiempo de nacimiento entre gemelos y sobre el resultado neonatal a corto plazo del segundo gemelo. Material y métodos. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo a través de la base de datos informatizada y la revisión de las historias clínicas de las pacientes atendidas en el Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet desde enero de 2005 hasta diciembre de 2007. Se ha realizado un análisis estadístico para determinar los factores que potencialmente pueden afectar el intervalo de tiempo de nacimiento entre gemelos incluyendo: características maternas, edad gestacional, tipo de parto, discordancia de pesos fetales, pH de arteria umbilical y puntuaciones en el test de Apgar. Resultados. De los 13.340 partos registrados durante el periodo de estudio, 206 gestaciones gemelares se ajustaron a los criterios de inclusión. La mayoría de los segundos gemelos (79,6%) nacieron en los 5 min siguientes al parto del primer gemelo. Las características maternas como la edad, la paridad, la obesidad y el tabaquismo no se relacionaron con el incremento del intervalo al nacimiento. Un mayor intervalo se asoció a un aumento de riesgo de puntuaciones bajas en el test de Apgar y a un descenso de los valores de pH de arteria umbilical. El parto instrumental se asoció a un incremento del intervalo de tiempo. Conclusión. Basándonos en nuestros datos y los reflejados por estudios previos podemos decir que el intervalo de tiempo al nacimiento entre gemelos parece ser un factor de riesgo independiente para un resultado neonatal adverso (AU)

Objective. To evaluate the factors influencing twin-to-twin delivery time interval and the short-term outcome of the second twin. Material and methods. We performed a retrospective, descriptive study by reviewing a computerized database and the medical records of pregnant women attending the Miguel Servet University Hospital from January 2005 to December 2007. A statistical analysis was performed to determine the factors potentially affecting twin-to-twin delivery time interval, including maternal characteristics, gestational age, mode of delivery, fetal weight discordance, umbilical artery pH and Apgar score. Results. Of the 13,430 deliveries registered during the study period, 206 twin pregnancies met the inclusion criteria. Most (79.6%) of the second twins were born within 5min of delivery of the first twin. Maternal characteristics such as age, parity, obesity and smoking were not related to twin-to-twin delivery time interval. A longer time interval was associated with an increased risk of low Apgar scores and a decline in umbilical artery pH in the second twin. Vaginal operative delivery was associated with an increased time interval. Conclusion. Based on our data and the results of previous studies, twin-to-twin delivery time interval seems to be an independent risk factor for adverse neonatal outcome (AU)

Complicaciones obstétricas y perinatales de la amniocentesis genética del segundo trimestre en las gestaciones gemelares / Obstetrical and perinatal complications of mid-trimester genetic amniocentesis in twin pregnancies

Objetivo: Evaluar el resultado de la amniocentesis del segundo trimestre en las gestaciones gemelares. Diseño: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo. Institución: Unidad de Diagnóstico Prenatal, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud, Zaragoza, España. Participantes: Mujeres con gestaciones gemelares. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio mediante la base de datos informatizada y la revisión de las historias clínicas de las pacientes atendidas entre enero de 2004 y febrero de 2008. Las gestaciones gemelares sometidas a amniocentesis fueron comparadas con las gestaciones simples también sometidas a la técnica y con las gestaciones gemelares no sometidas a amniocentesis. Principales medidas de resultados: Complicaciones obstétricas y perinatales. Resultados: Durante los cuatro años del estudio se realizaron 4 263 amniocentesis, de las cuales 112 casos correspondieron a gestaciones gemelares y 4 151 a gestaciones simples. La edad materna avanzada y la ansiedad fueron las indicaciones más frecuentes de amniocentesis. La pérdida fetal durantelas 4 semanas posteriores al procedimiento fue de 1,78% para las gestaciones gemelares y 0,40% para las gestaciones únicas. Las gestaciones gemelares que se sometieron a una amniocentesis genética no presentaron otras complicaciones obstétricas ni peores resultados perinatales. Conclusiones: Basándonos en nuestros datos y los reflejados por estudios previos podemos decir que las gestaciones gemelares sometidas a una amniocentesis del segundo trimestre tienen un riesgo de pérdida fetal ligeramente superior a las gestaciones simples. No obstante, en manos de operadores experimentados, la amniocentesis es una técnica segura y efectiva para el diagnóstico prenatal en las gestaciones gemelares.

Objectives: To determine genetic mid-trimester amniocentesis outcomes in twin gestations. Design: Descriptive retrospective study. Setting: Prenatal Diagnosis Unit, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Instituto Aragones de Ciencias de la Salud, Zaragoza, España. Patients: Women with twin gestations. Methods: Computerized database and medical records of pregnant women attended from January 2004 to February 2008 were reviewed. Twin pregnancies undergoing amniocentesis were compared with singleton pregnancies also exposed to amniocentesis and with unexposed twin pregnancies. Main outcome measures: Obstetrical and perinatal complications. Results: During the four years study 4 263 amniocentesis were performed, 112 in twin gestations and 4 151 in singleton gestations. Advanced maternal age and anxiety were the most common indications for amniocentesis. Fetal loss within four weeks after the procedure was 1,78% for twin pregnancies and 0,40% for singleton pregnancies.Twin gestations exposed to amniocentesis did not present other obstetrical complications or worse neonatal results. Conclusions: Based on our data and previous studies, we can advise patients undergoing mid-trimester twin amniocentesis that fetal loss rate may be slightly higher than for singleton amniocentesis. Although in hands of experienced operators amniocentesis is a safe and effective technique for prenatal diagnosis in twin gestations.

Postabortal haemorrhage and disseminated intravascular coagulation due to placenta accreta.

We describe the case of a second trimester placenta accreta presenting as postabortal haemorrhage complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation, requiring hysterectomy.

Hemorragia intracraneal secundaria a rotura de malformación arteriovenosa cerebral en la gestación: caso clínico / Intracranial hemorrhage due to cerebral arteriovenous malformation during pregnancy

Las hemorragias intracraneales secundarias a un aneurisma arterial o malformación arteriovenosa son infrecuentes, pero grave complicación del embarazo. Exponemos a continuación el caso clínico de una primigesta, controlada en nuestro servicio, que sufrió una hemorragia subaracnoidea en la semana 15 de embarazo; fue tratada de modo conservador. La extracción fetal se realizó en la semana 37 mediante cesárea. Unos meses después se procedió al tratamiento del nido de la malformación con radiocirugía