Diagnostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio to predict recurrent pregnancy loss and abortion; a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in women with a history of abortion (missed and threatened) and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in comparison with healthy pregnancies. METHODS: Electronic databases including MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for NLR and PLR in women who experienced early pregnancy loss up to January 1, 2023 with a combination of proper keywords. Meta-analysis was done for comparison with three or more studies and summary estimates were measured. RESULTS: A total of 390 citations were retrieved initially, and after screening, 16 articles were deemed eligible for the final review. Among these, 14 studies underwent meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that the standard mean of the NLR was significantly higher in abortion cases compared to the control group. However, there was no significant difference in the PLR between the pregnancy loss group and the control group. CONCLUSION: NLR was significantly higher among RPL patients compared to the control group, according to these data, NLR may be capable of being used in the diagnosis of RPL as an easy, cheap, and accessible modality. Further studies, which take these variables into account, will need to be undertaken to determine the diagnostic value of NLR and PLR in early pregnancy loss.

A rare case of carotid artery injury during maggot debridement therapy for locally advanced parotid gland carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) is a treatment for chronic ulcers that involves using live larvae to debride the wound. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of serious arterial bleeding in the cervical region in a 52-year-old woman who was hospitalized in Iran for a malignant ulcer of the retro-auricular area. The patient was brought to the hospital by Emergency medical service due to severe hemorrhagic shock. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Debridement is a commonly used method for wound management, aimed at reducing the risk of infection and removing ulcer debridement. Several techniques are available for debridement of chronic wounds, including mechanical, surgical, autolytic, and enzymatic methods, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. CONCLUSION: Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) is one of these methods that seem to be relatively safer. In this method, some larvae are used for debriding wounds in patients. It is usually used as a last resort treatment but in this case, it was used as a third line after surgery and chemoradiotherapy.