Evaluation of the success of hemodilution therapy for fetal growth retardation by Doppler sonography.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the success of a hemodilution therapy in patients with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) using Doppler sonography. Therefore, 22 patients with IUGR were subjected to hemodilution therapy using infusions of 500 ml hydroxyethylstarch in combination with 500 ml Ringer solution on 14 successive days. The 22 patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the actual birth weight, whereas 13 patients gave birth to an eutrophic infant (AGA group) while 9 infants remained dystrophic (SGA group). The following parameters were determined: hematocrit, prolongation of gestation, pulsatility and resistance index of the umbilical artery, the fetal aorta, the uterine arteries and the middle cerebral artery as well as the fetal outcome. Although the hematocrit decreases in both groups were almost identical, the Doppler sonographic examinations in the AGA group revealed in all cases more favorable improvements in perfusion under therapy in comparison with the SGA group. Considering the fetal aorta we could determine a worsening of perfusion in the SGA group. In the course of our investigations we have found that hemodilution therapy with hydroxyethylstarch represents a promising approach to counteract retarded fetal growth. Doppler sonography progress monitoring appears to be highly suitable for evaluating the response to therapy, especially since it can be assumed that the absence of an improvement in flow indicates only a slight advantage for the child.

[Gastroschisis recognized sub partu--a case report]. / Sub partu erkannte Gastroschisis--ein Fallbericht.

We report on a 21 year-old woman in the 39th week of gestation, by whom inspite of four prenatal ultrasonographic examinations, a fetal gastroschisis was not detected but rather the diagnosis of Gastroschisis was incidentally made during an ultrasonographic examination under labour. The diagnostic-therapeutic aspects of the gastroschisis is discussed here in terms of this case history and the literature review and recommendations for the obstetric management are given. This case report stresses the diagnostic value of subpartal ultrasonographic examination.

[Loss of a 10 mm optic trocar tip in the abdominal cavity during introduction into the subumbilical groove while performing ambulatory laparoscopy--a rare complication]. / Verlust einer 10 mm-Optiktrokarspitze in der Bauchhöhle beim Einführen in der Subumbilikalgrube während einer ambulanten Laparoskopie--eine seltene Komplikation.

We report on a 26-year-old patient with primary infertility since 3 years, when whilst undergoing an office laparoscopy to find out the causes of her infertility, the tip of a 10-year-old 10 mm optictrocar broke and fell in the abdomen. The patient was referred to our clinic to remove this foreign body after discovery of the breakage and loss of the trocartip in the abdomen. We discuss in this case report and literature review on the loss of parts of instruments in the abdomen during laparoscopy as well as the management of such complication and measures to their careful prevention. This case report shows and stresses the importance of security tests and proof of instruments before laparoscopy by the laparoscopic and operation theatre nurse, more especially when reusable instruments are used.

[Vaginal delivery after two previous cesarean sections]. / Vaginale Entbindung bei Zustand nach zweimaliger Sectio caesarea.

We report on a patient, who, after two previous caesarean sections, normally delivered vaginally without complications. The obstetric approach to, or better, the management of a vaginal delivery after caesarean section, our experience in other vaginal deliveries after previous caesarean section is discussed. This case report shows that, after two previous caesarean sections, the next child can normally be delivered vaginally without complications.

Anti-neoplastic activity of topotecan versus cisplatin, etoposide and paclitaxel in four squamous cell cancer cell lines of the female genital tract using an ATP-Tumor Chemosensitivity Assay.

We evaluated the in vitro cytotoxicity of topotecan (TPT), versus cisplatin, etoposide (VP-16) and paclitaxel (PTX) in four squamous cell cancer cell lines of the cervix uteri and vulva. Four established human squamous cancer cell lines from the cervix uteri (A-431, Ca Ski and C-33) and vulva (CAL-39) were used. The cytotoxic effects of the agents were examined using the ATP-Tumor Chemosensitivity Assay (ATP-TCA). In addition to the single agents, the following combinations were tested: TPT+cisplatin, TPT+VP-16 and TPT+PTX. Three cell lines (C-33, Ca Ski and CAL-39) were highly sensitive to TPT, but one cell line (A-431) was less sensitive. Furthermore, the cytotoxic activity of TPT was superior to that of cisplatin in Ca Ski and C-33 cells, but inferior in CAL-39 and A-431. TPT was also more active than VP-16 in CAL-39 and Ca Ski. On the other hand, the cytotoxic activity of TPT was weaker than PTX in C-33, CAL-39 and A-431. TPT increased the cytotoxic activity of cisplatin and VP-16 in C-33, Ca Ski and A-431. However, synergistic features were observed only in A-431 cells. TPT also enhanced the cytotoxic activity of PTX in A-431 and Ca Ski. In CAL-39 and C-33, however, increased cytotoxic activity occurred only at higher drug concentrations, whereas antagonism was observed at lower drug concentrations. In conclusion, our results suggest that TPT has a significant cytotoxic effect on most squamous cell cancer cell lines which may be superior to cisplatin, VP-16 and PTX in some instances. Furthermore, TPT is likely to potentiate the cytotoxic activity of these agents in individual cell lines tested.

Detection of aberrations of chromosome 17 and p53 gene expression and their correlation to histologic grading and prognosis in primary invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

We analyzed tumor tissues from 14 patients with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix for aberrations of chromosome 17 and p53 expression. All but 3 patients were negative for p53 protein expression, the protein being detected in 2 International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology stage IIa cancers and 1 stage Ib G3 carcinoma. Significant cytogenetic aberrations in the form of losses and gains of chromosome 17 were diagnosed in 9 and 7 patients, respectively. There was no correlation with tumor prognosis, clinical stage or histologic grade. According to most reports, almost all cervical carcinomas contain integrated human papilloma virus (HPV) and express E6 oncoproteins. Increasing evidence suggests that E6 protein interaction leads to p53 mutation in HPV-infected cervical epithelium. Since most cervical tumors are infected with HPV, and the tumors originate through p53 gene mutation caused by the said interaction, which leads subsequently to the overexpression of p53 oncoprotein, lack of the latter in the remaining 11 cervical tumors may either be the result of technical shortcomings, or the tumor may arise in such circumstances through a p53-independent pathway. On the other hand, 2 of 3 stage IIa cancers and 1 Ib G3 carcinoma were found to be p53 positive, thus supporting the notion that p53 inactivation is a relatively late event in the progression of cervical cancer.

[Chronic abdominal pains caused by peritoneal tuberculosis - two case reports]. / Peritonealtuberkulosebedingte chronische unklare Unterbauchschmerzen - zwei Fallberichte und Literaturübersicht.

Chronic abdominal pains caused by peritoneal tuberculosis - two case reports. The diagnosis of a peritoneal tuberculosis could be a demanding task for even an experienced Physician, because of the unspecific symptoms. We report on two patients, who as a result of therapy refractory chronic abdominal pains, weight loss and ascites were admitted to our hospital. The excisional biopsy taken from the peritoneum and the omentum major during an exploratory laparotomy resulted in the histopathologic diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis being made. Both patients were given tuberculostatic therapy with isoniazid, rifampicin, pyracinamide and streptomycin and both have since recovered. The symptoms, the difficulties encountered in making the diagnosis and the therapy of the peritoneal tuberculosis are discussed using these two case reports.

[Rupture of two intact tubal pregnancies]. / Ruptur zweier intakter Tubargraviditäten.

We report on a 24 years old patient with an acute abdominal pain and an unknown intact tubal pregnancy in the 8th gestation week. The sonographic examination confirmed an intact tubal pregnancy. Shortly after the diagnosis, it ruptured with a massive intraabdominal bleeding. Thereafter, the patient collapsed. We carried out a laparoscopy and performed salpingotomy. Because of the persistent bleeding a salpingectomy was performed. We also report on a second patient 34 years old, who was referred to our Department on suspicion of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy with acute abdominal pains and a positive pregnancy test. The transvaginal sonography revealed massive intraabdominal fluid, adnexal tumor and endometriumhyperplasia without a sign of a gestational sac or an embryo.We carried out a laparoscopy, which revealed a ruptured tubal pregnancy with a life, fetus lying in the abdominal cavity. As a result of the massive and persistent intraabdominal bleeding, we carried out laparotomy and performed salpingectomy. Using these two case reports, the etiology, symptoms, clinical course, diagnosis, as well as surgical and drug therapy are discussed.