Rapid assay--possible application in the diagnosis of premature rupture of the membranes.

Premature rupture of the membranes frequently presents a diagnostic dilemma to the clinician. The presence of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in amniotic fluid suggests a possible solution. A rapid, easy-to-use latex agglutination test for AFP was evaluated on 99 amniotic fluid samples of known AFP concentration. Body fluids (maternal serum, urine, vaginal secretions, and seminal fluid) that commonly interfere with other tests were also studied. The sensitivity for amniotic fluids from gestations less than 39 weeks was 93%, and specificity was 94%. The test is most accurate under 35 weeks, when diagnosis is critical. Equivocal results may be resolved by using radioimmunoassay. The results suggest that a rapid assay for AFP may be useful in the diagnosis of ruptured membranes. It has few interfering factors, is safe, and requires no elaborate equipment or training.

A rapid colorimetric AFP monoclonal antibody test for the diagnosis of preterm rupture of the membranes.

Premature rupture of the membranes is a common and serious complication of pregnancy. Despite the prevalence and severity of sequelae, current diagnostic techniques are less than ideal. We studied 48 women with preterm rupture of the membranes with a rapid, colorimetric monoclonal alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) antibody test. Sensitivity was 98% for AFP testing compared to 77% for nitrazine and 62% for ferning. The differences in sensitivity were greater when membranes were ruptured for longer than 12 hours. In all 31 patients without rupture of the membranes, AFP testing was negative. Neither urine nor semen affected AFP testing, whereas blood did. Alpha-fetoprotein testing may be a significant addition to current methods in the diagnosis of preterm rupture of the membranes.

Ovarian torsion in a premenopausal woman treated with tamoxifen for breast cancer.

Tamoxifen therapy in premenopausal women with breast cancer may be associated with the development of ovarian cysts. In this report, a case of ovarian torsion associated with TAM therapy is described.

Umbilical waveform variations in the acutely distressed fetus: an experimental model in the fetal sheep.

In previous experimental studies on the pregnant ewe, umbilical arterial and venous waveform variations, produced by maternal aortic and umbilical cord occlusions of different degrees, were investigated in healthy fetuses (pH > 7.30). In our study, the fetal pH in 10 pregnant ewes was first brought down to below 7.20 with a preliminary series of maternal aortic and umbilical cord occlusions; then the 10 ewes were again submitted to a similar series of maternal aortic and umbilical cord occlusion. There were 24 experimental sessions with series of umbilical occlusions and 27 sessions with maternal aorta occlusions. The differences in waveform responses between these two types of fetuses are characteristic. The acidotic fetus produces more protracted drops in S, D, and venous velocity and, at the end of occlusion, the return to normal is slower with no reactive overflow waveform. In addition, there is a typical venous undulating pattern and no reappearance of blood flow velocity during the umbilical cord occlusion (always observed in healthy fetuses). Another important observation is that the fetal heart rate responses (bradycardia or tachycardia or no fetal heart rate variations) are more erratic in the acidotic fetus and do not relate to the intensity of the occlusion or to the fetal pH. The possible clinical implications of these experimental findings are discussed.

The cephalopelvic disproportion index. Combined fetal sonography and x-ray pelvimetry for early detection of cephalopelvic disproportion.

The smallest pelvic diameter (either the anteroposterior of the inlet or the bispinal of the midpelvis) was determined with x-ray pelvimetry and compared to the biparietal diameter of the fetal head at term as determined with sonography. The difference between the two indicates how much wider the smallest diameter of the bony pelvis is than the fetal skull and was termed the cephalopelvic disproportion index. Vaginal delivery was impossible when the index was less than 9 mm and impossible or very difficult when between 9 and 12 mm. When it was greater than or equal to 13 mm, 26% needed a cesarean section, 19% had a difficult vaginal delivery, and the rest delivered vaginally with minimal or no difficulty. This technique clearly indicates when a vaginal delivery is impossible (index less than 9 mm) or very difficult (index less than 13 mm). The specificity was 100%. The index therefore can recognize, before labor, the cases of obvious cephalopelvic disproportion that contraindicate a trial of labor. It does not indicate, however, if a vaginal delivery is possible in the setting of a high index (sensitivity, 51%) because of the interference of other factors besides the cephalic and pelvic bony dimensions considered here. The index may prove most important in determining if a vaginal birth should occur after a cesarean section because it can clearly identify some patients who need a repeat cesarean section.

Use of male and female professional patient teams in teaching physical examination of the genitalia.

The use of the gynecologic teaching associate, or professional patient, for teaching pelvic examination to medical students is well established in the United States. The genitorectal examination of the man, however, has received scant attention. Most U.S. medical schools continue to use either male medical students or real patients for this part of the physical diagnosis course. We offer a course that uses male and female professional patient teams. All the students rated the course highly. Male students appreciated the teaching of the examination on women more than did their female colleagues. Female students rated the male patients higher than the female patients in all the categories. The female students found the male patients to be more helpful in discussing their anxieties than did the male students. Examination of the female pelvis and the genitorectal examination of the male may be threatening to both student and patient. The use of male and female professional patient teams built confidence in the examination technique and alleviated student anxiety. The use of a professional patient was particularly appreciated by students of the opposite sex. In this era of gender equality in medical school and in society at large, equal attention to the genital examinations of both men and women is clearly mandated.

The use of a rapid in situ technique for third-trimester diagnosis of trisomy 18.

A rapid in situ coverslip technique was used to diagnose trisomy 18 within 1 week of amniocentesis in the third trimester. Two cases are presented. The clinical significance and advantages over umbilical vein aspiration are discussed.

Failure of ibuprofen in treatment of herpes genitalis.

Motrin (ibuprofen), a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin synthetase, was tested in women and men for treatment of recurrences of genital herpes. In a double-blind trial, no statistically significant differences were observed between treated and placebo groups in any of the measured parameters.

Sonographic differentiation of a large fetal cystic hygroma from the amniotic band syndrome.

An 18-year-old gravida 1, para 0 woman had an uncomplicated pregnancy until 22 weeks' gestation. Ultrasound examination revealed an abnormally shaped fetal head fixed against the placenta, minimal movement of the extremities, multiple bandlike projections traversing the uterine cavity, and bilateral pleural effusions. A diagnosis of amniotic band syndrome was suggested with subsequent termination of the pregnancy. Fetal examination revealed a large cystic hydroma, generalized edema with pericardial and pleural effusions, and Turner's syndrome. Illustrated is the difficulty in making the prenatal diagnosis of cystic hydroma and its confusion with amniotic band syndrome.

Asymptomatic perforation of the small intestine by a copper-7 intrauterine device.

PIP: The case of a 32-year old woman (gravida 3 para 2) in whom a Copper-7 IUD perforated the uterus, lodging both within the myometrium and the lumen of the small intestine is described. The patient presented in the emergency room 18 months after IUD insertion with heavy vaginal bleeding and passage of tissue. A diagnosis of spontaneous abortion was made. In this case, the small bowel had to be resected and side-to-side anastomosis was performed. This patient was asymptomatic until 3 weeks prior to admission. Other cases demonstrate acute symptoms of peritonitis and intestinal obstruction or more chronic complaints of vague abdominal pain and diarrhea. An IUD string that is not visible at the external os of the cervix generally reflects upward retraction of the string or unnoted spontaneous expulsion of the IUD. However, on occasion it can be associated with uterine or even intestinal perforation, as occurred in this case. Pain on insertion, also noted in this case, can serve as a warning sign of perforation. In this patient, the device was inserted 5 weeks after delivery, lending support to the recommendation that puerperal insertion be avoided. It is important to know the exact location of an ectopic IUD to prevent dangerous attempts at removal through the vagina. Laparoscopy and ultrasound are generally helpful in localizing the IUD and preparing the patient for laparotomy and possible bowel resection.^ieng

Vaginal birth after cesarean section: the patient's point of view.

Advocacy of vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) is the current standard of care. We interviewed patients in our program about their attitudes toward VBAC and cesarean section. The success rate in our VBAC program is similar to rates reported in the literature (65 percent). However, interviews with our patients revealed that 40 percent had no desire to participate in the VBAC program, although they fulfilled the criteria for eligibility. The main reasons given for declining a trial of VBAC were the convenience of an elective cesarean section and fear of another prolonged, painful and potentially dangerous labor. Thirty-two percent of patients in whom VBAC was successful were dissatisfied with the experience and would have preferred an elective cesarean section. The reasons patients gave for attempting VBAC were different from the medical reasons proposed to them. The main reasons given were a desire to deliver "naturally," a fear of surgery and the concern that cesarean section might harm them or their baby.

The clinical significance of Doppler umbilical artery velocimetry in the small for gestational age fetus.

Fifty-four women who were delivered of small for gestational age infants were studied antenatally by serially continuous-wave Doppler velocimetry. Outcomes were compared in the normal and abnormal systolic/diastolic ratio groups. Seventy-eight percent had an abnormal systolic/diastolic ratio. The group with an elevated systolic/diastolic ratio had a significantly higher incidence of abnormal fetal heart rate, pregnancy-induced hypertension, oligohydramnios, cesarean section for fetal distress, and admission into the neonatal intensive care unit. One third of the newborns required intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Average birth weight and gestational age at delivery were significantly lower and there were six perinatal deaths in the group with an elevated systolic/diastolic ratio and none in the group with a normal systolic/diastolic ratio. These data suggest that the small for gestational age fetus with normal umbilical artery velocimetry is at significantly lower risk than are those with abnormal ratios. This implies that management of the small for gestational age fetus may now be aided by a functional classification based on the umbilical artery velocity waveform.

The use of an indwelling Doppler probe to study acute changes in umbilical artery waveforms in the fetal sheep.

A chronic sheep model for Doppler umbilical vascular analysis was developed, in which indwelling Doppler probes were used. These were designed with a fixed angle of insonation and implanted directly on the umbilical cord to register umbilical artery velocity waveforms. The fetuses in eight pregnant ewes underwent maternal aortic and umbilical cord constrictions producing serial blood flow reductions. Occlusion of the umbilical cord and maternal aorta caused distinctly different waveforms. Cord occlusion produced an immediate response with an elevated systolic/diastolic ratio and disappearance of diastolic velocity. Maternal aortic occlusion produced a delayed response with drops in both systolic and diastolic velocity; diastolic velocity never reached zero. Although systolic/diastolic ratios are believed to reflect placental resistance, the maintenance of the systolic/diastolic ratio with diminution of systolic velocity suggests declining fetal cardiac output as an additional factor. It is possible to differentiate uteroplacental from umbilicoplacental insufficiency by Doppler methods. With technologic improvements Doppler ultrasonography may allow better analysis of acute stressful conditions during human labor.

Use of an indwelling Doppler probe to study acute changes in umbilical vein waveforms in the fetal sheep.

A chronic sheep model for Doppler umbilical vascular analysis with indwelling probes was used for the investigation of umbilical vein velocity waveforms. Maternal aortic occlusions produced a delayed drop but never eliminated umbilical vein velocity. With umbilical cord occlusion, there was immediate umbilical vein waveform response. Sudden cord occlusion and release showed reactive venous overflow velocity at the beginning and end of occlusion. Total cord occlusion produced zero velocity, but within seconds, the flow velocity was seen despite persistent occlusion in 65% of the cases. A characteristic undulating venous waveform pattern synchronous with fetal heart rate in over half of the cases was often observed. Reduction of blood flow by uteroplacental insufficiency may be differentiated from umbilical cord occlusion.