Modifications in uterine and intraovarian artery impedance in cycles of treatment with exogenous gonadotropins: effects of luteal phase support.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of induction of multiple ovulation and of luteal P supplementation on the impedance to blood flow in the uterine and intraovarian arteries during the luteal phase. DESIGN: A prospective study using transvaginal color flow Doppler imaging. SETTING: A university-based infertility center. PATIENTS: Fifty-six women with unexplained or male factor-related infertility undergoing IUI. INTERVENTIONS: The patients were studied either during spontaneous cycles (n = 16) or in cycles of induction of multiple follicular development with purified FSH (n = 40). In 18 treated cycles, the luteal phase was supplemented with natural P. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The pulsatility index was recorded from uterine and intraovarian arteries on the day of E2 peak and 5 and 10 days thereafter. On the same days, E2 and P plasma levels were measured by RIA. RESULTS: The intraovarian pulsatility index was significantly lower in FSH-treated than in spontaneous cycles on the day of E2 peak. Also, the uterine pulsatility index was significantly lower in treated cycles than in spontaneous cycles on the day of E2 peak and 5 days thereafter. In the late luteal phase, P supplementation was correlated with a significant decrease in uterine pulsatility index as compared with both spontaneous cycles and FSH-treated cycles without luteal support. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple follicular development is associated with a significant reduction in the impedance to perifollicular blood flow. Progesterone, as well as E2, seems able to decrease the impedance to blood flow in uterine arteries in women.

[Fractures of the temporomandibular joints in childhood from indirect trauma to the chin. A report of 4 cases]. / Fratture delle articolazioni temporo-mandibolari nell'infanzia da traumi indiretti sul mento. Presentazione di 4 casi.

We observed four cases of temporomandibular joint fractures in children; all from indirect chin traumas. Traditional X-ray is not enough for a correct radiological diagnosis. CT, in particular with the axial scans, electronics coronal reconstructions, and where is possible direct sagittal scans, is able to give us a correct diagnosis about the nature and the site of the fractures.

[High-resolution computed tomography in the diagnosis of branchial otodysplasias. A report on 10 cases (15 ears)]. / La tomografia computerizzata ad alta risoluzione nella diagnostica delle otodisplasie branchiali. Rapporto su 10 casi (15 orecchi).

Computed Tomography (CT) is not yet widely employed in the evaluation of temporal bone diseases in pediatric patients. Our experience is reported in the study of branchial otodysplasias (10 cases, 15 ears) by means of a high-resolution program. Indications, advantages, limitations and risks of this technique are discussed. Some technical details are reported, such as number and type of scans, length of data acquisition, thickness and feed of slices, electronic image reconstruction, and radiation doses given to the lens. The method employed to immobilize younger patients is also described. CT findings in the single cases are summarized in the tables. The most significant images of 5 cases are also reproduced. A careful analysis of the cases in our series highlights the advantages provided by the use of high-resolution CT in the evaluation of the temporal bone in pediatric patients, especially as far as dysplasias are concerned.

[A new (?) multiple abnormality complex similar to the Poland syndrome]. / Nuovo (?) complesso malformativo multiplo simile alla sindrome di Poland.

The report describes a case Poland's Syndrome - like in which the hypoplasia of the left major pectoralis muscle was associated with: subtotal aplasia of sternal body, severe hypoplasia of the ipsilateral scapula, humerus and forearm bones, tetradactyly in the ipsilateral hand, partial defect of the diaphragm with thoracic migration of the left hepatic lobe and secondary dextrocardia (false dextrocardia). Syndactyly was absent. The contribution is aimed to join out the radiological characteristics of the syndrome as well as the specific contribution provided in the case by Ultrasounds and aortography. Furthermore, the analysis of the case seems to indicate a strict relationship between the abnormalities of diaphragm, pectoralis muscle and homolateral upper limb.