A key-point based real-time tracking of lung tumor in x-ray image sequence by using difference of Gaussians filtering and optical flow.

In radiation therapy, for accurate radiation dose delivery to a target tumor and reduction of the extra exposure of normal tissues, real-time tumor tracking is typically an important technique in lung cancer treatment since lung tumors move with patients' respiration. To observe a tumor motion in real time, x-ray fluoroscopic devices can be employed, and various tracking techniques have been proposed to track tumors. However, development of a fast and accurate tracking method for clinical use is still a challenging task since the obscured image of the tumor can cause decreased tracking accuracy and can result in additional processing time for remedying the accuracy. In this study, a new key-point-based tumor tracking method, which is sufficiently fast and accurate, is presented. Given an x-ray image sequence, the proposed method employs a difference-of-Gaussians filtering technique to detect key points in the tumor region of the first frame which are robust against noise and outliers in the subsequent frames. In the subsequent frames, these key points are tracked using a fast optical flow technique, and tumor motion is estimated via their movement. To evaluate the performance, the proposed method has been tested on several clinical kV and MV x-ray image sequences. The experimental results showed that the average of the root mean square errors of tracking were [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for kV and MV x-ray image sequences, respectively. This tracking performance was more accurate than previous tracking methods. In addition, the average processing times for each frame were [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for kV and MV image sequences, respectively, and the proposed method was faster than previous methods as well as shorter than frame acquisition interval. Therefore, the proposed method has the potential for both highly accurate and fast tumor tracking in clinical applications.

Placental isoferritin levels during first trimester of normal and complete molar gestations.

Serum placental isoferritin levels (PLF) levels were measured in 33 patients admitted for routine scanning of a first trimester normal singleton pregnancy and six patients who were hospitalized for uterine evacuation of a complete molar gestation. Venous blood was obtained upon admission and before curettage, when necessary. Serum was separated into glass tubes, immediately frozen and stored at -20 degrees C until analysed. The mean serum PLF levels were 18.1 (+/- 14) U/ml and 5.5 (+/- 2) U/ml for normal and molar gestations, respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.001). Sixty-seven per cent of normal pregnancies had serum PLF levels > or = 10 U/ml, whereas none of the molar gestation group reached this threshold level. Furthermore, the molar gestation group's low serum PLF levels remained unchanged throughout the entire follow-up period and until their beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin levels were undetectable. Unlike normal pregnancies, the molar trophoblast does not seem to secrete or synthesize PLF, suggesting that the complete molar placenta has different protein-producing capabilities when compared with those found in normal pregnancies. Further studies, including serum PLF among other categories of gestational trophoblastic neoplasms, are recommended before this data can be integrated into routine clinical work.

Expression of the p53 gene and apoptosis in gestational trophoblastic disease.

In order to understand the involvement of the p53 tumour suppressor gene in the pathogenesis of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), we investigated its genetic status, protein expression and its role in apoptosis in samples of complete and partial hydatidiform mole as compared with those of normal placenta. Direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of the coding and non-coding regions of the p53 gene demonstrated no mutations in any of the studied samples. Immunohistochemical studies revealed increased expression of the p53 protein predominantly in the nuclei of villous cytotrophoblasts. This over-expression of p53 was found in all samples of complete mole, in 50 per cent of partial mole samples and in about 30 per cent of normal placenta cases, although no significant difference in the staining intensity and pattern was observed. An in situ detection of DNA nicking (TUNEL) staining, demonstrating apoptosis, was also detected predominantly in villous cytotrophoblasts and in stromal areas. The per centage of apoptotic cells in all studied samples, determined by flow cytometry, demonstrated a significant increase in apoptotic cells in samples of complete and partial hydatidiform mole compared with those of normal placenta (P< 0.0003 and P< 0.004, respectively). In conclusion, the current study may provide a possible explanation to the pathogenesis of GTD, probably associated with extensive p53-dependent apoptosis to modulate excessive trophoblastic proliferation.

Conservative surgery for tubal pregnancy.

Twenty-four conservative surgical procedures for unruptured tubal pregnancies were performed on 23 patients with poor past obstetric performance. All cases were diagnosed preoperatively by laparoscopy. Salpingotomy was performed in 20 cases and fimbrial expression of the ectopic pregnancy was performed in 4 cases. In the group of conservatively treated patients there were 15 live births in 11 women and 28 intrauterine pregnancies in 14 women. No ectopic pregnancies occurred in the operated tube. Early diagnosis and conservative surgical treatment of unruptured tubal pregnancy is appropriate for patients with poor reproductive histories.

GnRH analogue-induced uterine shrinkage enabling a vaginal hysterectomy and repair in large leiomyomatous uteri.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue was used to reduce large leiomyomas in three young women who were scheduled to have an abdominal hysterectomy and vaginal plastic repair. Significant size decrease due to the hormonal treatment enabled safe vaginal hysterectomy and repair.

Outcome of continued pregnancies after first- and second-trimester cervical dilatation by laminaria tents.

In 21 pregnant women (seven in the first trimester and 14 in the second trimester), laminaria tents inserted for induction of elective abortion were removed after dilatation had been achieved, but upon the patient's request, the abortion was not carried out. Four patients again changed their minds and had uncomplicated induced abortion after reinsertion of the laminaria tents. Seventeen patients continued their pregnancies: Fourteen had term deliveries, two had premature deliveries, and one had a spontaneous abortion at 10 weeks' gestation, 2 weeks after laminaria removal. None of the patients suffered infectious morbidity, including three untreated patients with positive cervical cultures for chlamydia, who experienced normal pregnancies and deliveries.

Abortion at 18-22 weeks by laminaria dilation and evacuation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the complications of late second-trimester abortions (18-22 weeks) by laminaria dilation and evacuation, and the obstetric outcome of subsequent pregnancies. METHODS: Dilation of the cervix was achieved by repeated laminaria tent replacement. Evacuation was carried out in the outpatient clinic using general anesthesia. After the first menstrual period, all patients were invited for examination and thereafter were asked to report the outcome of subsequent pregnancies. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-one late second-trimester abortions were performed. Cervical dilation was satisfactory in 158 women (92%). Operative sonography was required in nine (5%) women. One had uterine atony. Follow-up from 150 (88%) women indicated no infection, but one woman required repeat curettage for retained products of conception. There was no indication of cervical injury on cervical internal os measurements remote from abortion. Of the 50 patients who conceived and elected to continue the subsequent pregnancies, two had premature deliveries unrelated to cervical incompetence, and all others reached term. CONCLUSION: Late second-trimester termination by laminaria dilation and evacuation is safe and probably not associated with future adverse pregnancy outcome.

A comparison of clinical and ultrasonic estimation of fetal weight.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of routine ultrasonic and clinical birth weight estimation. METHODS: The study sample included 1717 women with singleton pregnancies, admitted in early labor with an ultrasonic estimated fetal weight (EFW) performed during the preceding week. Clinical EFW was obtained before rupture of the membranes by the attending senior resident, who was unaware of the ultrasonic EFW. Accuracy was determined by the percentage error, the absolute percentage error, and the proportion of estimates within 10% of the actual birth weight (birth weight +/- 10%). Statistical analysis was done by the paired t test, the comparison of correlated variances, the Wilcoxon sign test, and the chi2 test. Actual birth weight in the study sample averaged 3334+/-607 g (+/- standard deviation, [SD]) and ranged between 690 and 5320 g. RESULTS: The means of all error terms of the clinical EFW were significantly smaller than those of the ultrasonic EFW. However, the rates of estimates within 10% of birth weight were not significantly different (72 and 69%, respectively). In birth weights less than 2500 g, both methods overestimated the birth weight, but the mean errors of the ultrasonic EFW were significantly smaller than those of the clinical EFW. The ultrasonic EFW had significantly higher rates of birth weight +/- 10% than the clinical EFW (63 compared to 49%, respectively). In the 2500-4000 g birth weight, only the clinical EFW had no systematic error, whereas the ultrasonic EFW underestimated the birth weight. The mean errors of the clinical EFW were significantly smaller and the rate of birth weight +/- 10% significantly higher than those of the ultrasonic EFW. In the birth weight greater than 4000 g, both methods underestimated the birth weight, and the mean errors and the rate of estimates within 10% of birth weight were similar for both methods. CONCLUSION: Clinical estimation of birth weight in early labor is as accurate as routine ultrasonic estimation obtained in the preceding week. In the lower range of birth weight (less than 2500 g), ultrasonic estimation is more accurate; in the 2500-4000 g range, clinical estimation is more accurate. In the higher range of birth weight (greater than 4000 g), both methods have similar accuracy.

The value of simultaneous hysterectomy during Burch colposuspension for urinary stress incontinence.

The effect of concomitant hysterectomy during colposuspension on the cure rate of genuine stress incontinence was evaluated prospectively in 45 patients. Twenty-two women underwent a colposuspension only (no-hysterectomy group) and 23 had a concomitant abdominal hysterectomy and cul-de-sac obliteration (hysterectomy group). Twenty-five months postoperatively, no differences were found in the cure rate for urinary stress incontinence between the two groups (95.5 and 95.7% for the no-hysterectomy and the hysterectomy group, respectively). In the no-hysterectomy group, three patients (13.6%) had enterocele formation after surgery; this complication did not occur in any of the patients in the hysterectomy group.

Balloon cervical ripening with extra-amniotic infusion of saline or prostaglandin E2: a double-blind, randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare extra-amniotic infusion of diluted prostaglandin (PG) E2 solution with saline infusion in balloon cervical ripening and labor induction. METHODS: Women with pregnancy complications and Bishop scores of 3 or lower (n = 116) were assigned randomly to receive extra-amniotic infusion (1 mL/minute) of normal saline or PGE2 in saline (0.5 microg/mL) through a Foley catheter with a 30-mL inflated balloon. We induced labor using intravenous oxytocin only when labor had not developed by 6 hours after balloon expulsion. Analysis was by intent-to-treat. We assessed ripening efficiency and course of labor in women who had spontaneous balloon expulsion (n = 110) and trial of labor (n = 107), respectively. RESULTS: Ripening with PGE2 was associated with significantly shorter mean (+/- standard error of the mean [SEM]) time for balloon expulsion (4.7 +/- 0.4 versus 6.5 +/- 0.6 hours) and with significantly higher Bishop scores (P <.002), compared with ripening with saline. In the PGE2 group, rates of labor induction (15%) and oxytocin use (37%) were significantly lower than in the saline group (51% and 72%, respectively). The groups did not differ significantly in other labor abnormalities, labor duration, mode of delivery, birth weight, Apgar scores, and puerperal morbidity. CONCLUSION: Cervical ripening by extra-amniotic balloon and PGE2 infusion is faster and more effective than by balloon and saline infusion, resulting in a higher rate of spontaneous labor and a lower rate of oxytocin use.

The effect of total abdominal hysterectomy on bladder function in asymptomatic women.

The effect of total abdominal hysterectomy as treatment for benign conditions on the postoperative incidence of urinary symptoms and abnormal urodynamic findings was evaluated in 16 premenopausal women who lacked urinary symptoms preoperatively. The urodynamic evaluation was performed preoperatively, at 4 weeks, and again at 4 months after surgery. No clinical symptoms of frequency, nocturia, urgency, or urge or stress incontinence were found postoperatively. There were no significant differences from the preoperative values for cystometry, uroflometry, and urethral pressure profiles. Urinary dysfunction should not be a consequence of an uncomplicated total abdominal hysterectomy for benign conditions in women who were previously free of urinary symptoms.

The importance of periadnexal adhesions in tubal reconstructive surgery for infertility.

In only a few studies of reconstructive surgery for infertility has the importance of periadnexal adhesions been examined with regard to the pregnancy rate. In the present study, 101 patients underwent reconstructive surgery for correction of infertility. Subsequent to surgery, 38.6% of the patients conceived, and 72% of the pregnancies terminated in live births. In analyzing the results, attention was focused upon the correlation between the severity of the periadnexal adhesions and the surgical outcome. By classifying the adhesions into four grades, an inverse relationship was noted between the grade of adhesions and the pregnancy rate. This relationship was consistent regardless of tubal condition, and thus became an important prognostic parameter. In the light of these findings it is felt that, in order to improve the results, more effort should be directed to the prevention of adhesion formation, together with the use of microsurgical technique in this particular field.

Congenital anomalies of the müllerian system.

Congenital anomalies of the müllerian system, the most common of which are uterine malformations, are associated with fertility problems. Multifactorial polygenic and familial factors are involved in their formation. The result may be deficient development (agenesis, rudimentary horn, unicornuate uterus), nonfusion (didelphys or bicornuate uterus), or defective canalization of the müllerian ducts (septate uterus). The principal diagnostic procedures include HSG, laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, and US. The clinical presentation varies from symptoms of obstruction of the menstrual flow in adolescence to hypomenorrhea and fertility problems in adult life. Repeated fetal loss, after excluding other reasons, is usually the indication for surgical intervention. Uterine septa should be resected hysteroscopically. A prophylactic cerclage has been suggested by various authors, including those of this work, in cases of symmetric uterine anomalies, especially bicornuate uteri, as a simple and effective treatment to be tried before embarking on major surgery such as metroplasty.

Mifepristone (RU486) alone or in combination with a prostaglandin analogue for termination of early pregnancy: a review.

The availability of a medical mode of termination of early pregnancy by the administration of RU486, an antiprogesterone alone, or in combination with one of the PG analogues significantly reduces the maternal morbidity and mortality associated with the classical surgical abortion. RU486 given alone in early pregnancy induces complete abortion in 60% to 85% of cases, and when combined with prostaglandin analogues, gemeprost or sulprostone, reaches a success rate of 95% to 99%. RU486 may also be of potential value in the medical treatment of ectopic pregnancy. Its use as a postcoital contraception is suggested, but further research is required to determine whether RU486 can be used on a once-a-month basis for contraception.

PIP: This review of trials of RU-486 with prostaglandin for termination of early pregnancy begins with a summary of experimental and conventional early abortion techniques, introduces RU-486 with explanations of its mechanism of action, pharmacology, effects on adrenocortical receptors, the hypothalamic axis, and endometrium and ends with a discussion of its use in ectopic pregnancy and post-coital contraception. RU-486 acts by stabilizing the progesterone receptor so it cannot signal its DNA site to effect hormone action. Its peak plasma level is achieved in 2 hours, with a half life of 20 hours. RU-486 has anti-glucocorticoid effects at high doses. It also inhibits gonadotropin secretion in a dose-dependent manner, blocking ovulation. The main use of RU=-486 is in early pregnancy termination, a procedure termed contragestion, a consequence of its anti-progesterone action on the endometrium. Given alone, it is effective only 60-73% of pregnant women. Supplemented with an injection of Sulprostone, or a vaginal suppository of Gemeprost, both prostaglandin analogs, RU-486 typically will induce abortion in 96% of women up to 7 weeks pregnant. The abortion interval depends of prostaglandin dose. About 1% of women fail to abort, about 2% are incomplete, and 1% require treatment for hemorrhage, in a French trial of 2115 women. RU-486 has been used to manage ectopic pregnancy in preliminary studies. It is also being investigated as a postcoital agent, and appears to be effective from midcycle through the premenstrual phase, a wider window than current medical methods.

Improved fertility following ectopic pregnancy.

The reproductive performance subsequent to operative removal of ectopic pregnancy was examined in 154 women. They represent 64% of 242 women admitted for ectopic pregnancy between 1969 and 1979. The follow-up period averaged 4.2 years. The patients at risk had a conception rate of 81%, with a repeat ectopic pregnancy incidence of 7.8%, and 65% had at least one live birth. Postoperative infertility was significantly associated with (1) previous sterility, (2) coexistent periadnexal adhesions and/or tubual disease, (3) rupture of the ectopic pregnancy, and (4) older age. A statistically significant advantage of conservative over radical treatment, as regards future fertility, was demonstrated only in 53 patients with either history or findings suggestive of previously impaired fertility. Early, prerupture diagnosis and treatment, coupled with conservative and restorative measures, might account for the improved reproductive performance.

Investigation of the uterine cavity in recurrent aborters.

To prospectively compare the diagnostic ability of both HSG and diagnostic hysteroscopy in recurrent aborters, an HSG followed by a diagnostic hysteroscopy was performed in 106 patients during an investigation into recurrent abortions. The uterine cavity findings on HSG and at hysteroscopy were compared. Among the 60 abnormal HSG patients, intrauterine pathology was demonstrated in 37 (34.9%). Among the 46 normal HSG patients, a normal uterine cavity was found in 33 (31.3%). The sensitivity of the HSG in revealing intrauterine abnormalities was therefore 79% and its specificity 60%. In 23 pathologic HSG, no abnormalities were seen by hysteroscopy. In 13 cases, hysteroscopy demonstrated mild intrauterine findings overlooked by HSG. The false-positive rate was 38% and the false-negative rate was 28%. Hysterosalpingography showed a high false-positive rate, especially in the intrauterine adhesions group. In view of the low specificity and high false-positive and false-negative rates, we believe that hysteroscopic evaluation of the uterine cavity is superior to HSG in recurrent abortions.

Reproductive outcome after fimbrial evacuation of tubal pregnancy.

Thirty-one ectopic pregnancies were manually expressed (i.e., "milked out") by the tubal fimbria during a 13-year period. Reproductive histories and operative findings were unremarkable when compared with the general population with ectopic gestation. The subsequent reproductive performance was evaluated in 27 patients who attempted conception. Twenty-five (92%) of the 27 patients subsequently conceived, 23 (85%) had at least one successful term pregnancy, and the remaining 2 (7%) had abortions only. There was no repeat ectopic pregnancy. Average follow-up time was 38.5 months. Previous experience with this technique has been disappointing with low postoperative rates of successful term pregnancies. Favorable outcomes after fimbrial expression have been reported only in small numbers of patients. It is suggested that the procedure is appropriate for distal tubal gestations that are loosely adherent within the tubal lumen; these are usually expressed with minimal efforts. However, if the gestational mass does not yield to gentle milking of the tube or evacuation has been incomplete, the surgeon can always use a linear salpingotomy. More experience is obviously needed to verify these preliminary results, suggesting that fimbrial evacuation is simple, safe, and advantageous in properly selected cases.

The absence and effect of induced menopause by gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs on lower urinary tract symptoms and urodynamic parameters.

The clinical and urodynamic relationship between the onset of menopause and the appearance of lower urinary tract symptoms has been studied in 12 premenopausal urinary symptom-free patients in whom hypoestrogenism was induced by treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs. No urodynamic changes in the cystometric, uroflowmetry, and urethral pressure profile measurements were found after 6 months of treatment. Clinically, only one patient had diurnal frequency after treatment. We conclude that estrogen deficiency in the absence of aging and other factors leading to urinary symptoms is probably of minimal significance as a cause of lower urinary tract disability in the immediate menopausal period.

Fertility before and after surgery for primary ovarian pregnancy.

Primary ovarian pregnancy usually occurs in parous fertile women. It is an accidental event probably related to the presence of the IUD affecting implantation rather than an indicator of altered fertility. Reproductive performance postoperatively remains unmodified.

Transvaginal drainage of ascites as an alternative to abdominal paracentesis in patients with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, obesity, and generalized edema.

OBJECTIVE: To describe an alternative technique for transvaginal drainage of ascites in a case of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), generalized edema, and obesity. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: A university-based hospital IVF and Reproductive Medicine Unit. PATIENT(S): A patient hospitalized with severe OHSS after IVF-ET in whom drainage of large amounts of ascitic fluid was necessary. INTERVENTION(S): Ultrasonographic transvaginal insertion of a wire guide through a standard IVF needle into the Douglas pouch. Placement of a "peel-away" set on the wire, which was replaced with a "pigtail" indwelling catheter. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Amount of drained ascitic fluid. RESULT(S): Ascitic fluid was drained efficiently, leading to improvement of the patient's condition. CONCLUSION(S): Transvaginal ultrasonography-guided insertion of a pigtail catheter through the Douglas pouch is an efficacious procedure when the abdominal approach for decompression of ascites is difficult.