Search

Background: The incidence rates of anterior neural tube defects, anencephaly and encephalocele appear increased among twins compared with singletons. The current study aimed to evaluate whether the etiology of this phenomenon is related to twinning, assisted reproductive technology (ART), or both., Methods: The study cohort consisted of parturient women who were referred to our ultrasonography unit between January 1998 and December 2009 due to suspicion of severe fetal abnormality. The study cohort was divided into two subgroups based on mode of conception: spontaneous and ART (including IVF and ICSI). The subgroups were further subdivided into singleton and multiple pregnancies. We also compared pregnancies diagnosed with anencephaly in the study group to all live births in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology., Results: Anencephaly was diagnosed in 43 fetuses out of 1154 (3.7%) pregnancies diagnosed with severe fetal anomaly. Anencephaly was diagnosed in 9 out of 78 twin pregnancies (11.5%); of these, 8 of 45 (17.8%) were ART conceived and 1 of 33 (3%) spontaneously conceived. A significant correlation was found between twinning and anencephaly, with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.4 [confidence interval (CI) = 1.3-8.9, P= 0.011], while no significant correlation was found between ART and anencephaly. A significant correlation was found between anencephaly and the combination of ART conception and twinning (OR of 6.6, CI = 2.8-15.3, P< 0.01). Analyzing the distribution of pregnancies diagnosed with anencephaly in the study group compared with the total number of live births in the department revealed a significant correlation between twinning and anencephaly, with an OR of 11.4 (CI = 4.9-26.5, P< 0.01), with no significant correlation between ART and anencephaly. Among all live births, a significant correlation was found between anencephaly and the combination of ART conception and twinning (OR of 24.6, CI = 11.4-53.2, P< 0.01)., Conclusions: Our data suggest that twin pregnancies conceived by ART constitute a high-risk group for anencephaly, due to a possible synergistic effect of twinning and ART.

Background: To investigate whether second trimester serum inhibin levels differ in pregnancies conceived by assisted reproduction technology (ART)., Methods: In Israel, serum samples from twin pregnancies were obtained for inhibin testing from women either referred for routine ultrasound monitoring, follow up after multi-fetal reduction or amniocentesis, largely for advanced maternal age. In the UK, inhibin had been tested prospectively in singleton and twin pregnancies of women having routine Down's syndrome (DS) screening. Results were available from 207 ART pregnancies: 170 singletons and 37 twins. This includes 15 twins from Israel, known to have been reduced from triplets to twins. Comparison was made with 4384 spontaneous pregnancies: 4334 singletons and 50 twins. Results were expressed in multiples of the gestation-specific median (MoM) for normal spontaneous pregnancies., Results: In ART singletons, the median maternal inhibin level was higher (1.11 MoM) than in spontaneous singletons (0.99 MoM, P < 0.001, two-tail Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test). In twins, there was no material difference between ART and spontaneous pregnancies with medians of 1.98 and 2.18 MoM, respectively (P = 0.62). There was no effect of multi-fetal reduction, with medians of 1.76 and 1.81 MoM in reduced and non-reduced twins, respectively (P = 0.46)., Conclusion: It appears that serum inhibin levels are increased on average in ART singletons but not in ART twin pregnancies. More data will be needed before deciding whether risk calculation parameters need to be altered when using inhibin for DS screening in pregnancy.

Background: The study aims to compare the diagnostic accuracy of sonographic evaluation versus clinical estimation in women suspected to have retained trophoblastic fragments., Methods: The study group consisted of 68 consecutive patients admitted to our department due to suspected residual trophoblastic tissue. Each woman underwent ultrasound and physical examination by expert clinicians. The clinicians performing the physical examination were not informed of the sonographic findings, and vice versa., Results: Patients were divided into three subgroups: clinical suspicion only of residual trophoblastic tissue (n = 8), sonographic suspicion only (n = 44) and combined sonographic and clinical suspicion of residual trophoblastic tissue (n = 16). In the latter group, in 14 out of 16 women (87.5%) retained trophoblastic tissue was confirmed by histological examination, a significantly higher rate compared to ultrasonographic (45.5%, P < 0.002) or clinical suspicion only (62.5%, P = 0.07). The specificity and positive predictive value of the clinical examination were significantly higher compared to ultrasonographic evaluation (P < 0.05), while the sensitivity of the ultrasonographic evaluation was higher than the clinical estimation (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the negative predictive value or in diagnostic accuracy between the two methods., Conclusions: Based on our current experience, it seems that the combination of both clinical and ultrasonographic evaluation is recommended before uterine curettage is performed, thus lowering the rate of unnecessary invasive procedures.

Background: Our aim was to supplement the mostly individual case reports on the rarely occurring and life-threatening condition of ectopic pregnancy developing in a Caesarean section scar., Methods and Results: Eight of all the patients treated in our department between 1995 and 2002 had been diagnosed for ectopic pregnancy that developed in a Caesarean section scar. They comprised this case series group. Four of them underwent methotrexate treatment; one had expectant management, one transcervical aspiration of the gestational sac and two by open surgery. All the non-surgically treated women had an uneventful outcome. One underwent a term Caesarean hysterectomy and the other first trimester hysterotomy and excision of the pregnancy located in the scarred uterus. Analysis of all these women's obstetric history revealed that five of them (63%) had been previously operated because of breech presentation, one had a cervical pregnancy and one had placenta previa. Four of them (50%) had multiple (> or = 2) Caesarean sections., Conclusions: The women at risk for pregnancy in a Caesarean section scar appear to be those with a history of placental pathology, ectopic pregnancy, multiple Caesarean sections and Caesarean breech delivery. Heightened awareness of this possibility and early diagnosis by means of transvaginal sonography can improve outcome and minimize the need for emergency extended surgery.

Background: First-trimester nuchal translucency (NT) and second-trimester triple test (TT) are common screening programmes for trisomy 21. The aim of this study was to compare disclosure and non-disclosure approaches of combining those tests., Methods: Likelihood ratios of both NT and TT tests, among 508 normal and 23 trisomy 21-affected pregnancies, were used for calculating population-adjusted risks. Disclosure approach incorporated all cases which, by either NT or TT, exhibited a risk > or = 1:250 whereas non-disclosure approach generated a new integrated figure > or = 1:250., Results: Among women aged < or = 34 years, the disclosure and non-disclosure approaches were associated with false positive rates of 4.3 and 1.1%, detection rates of 76.4 and 61.2%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 1:53 and 1:17, and false negative rate of 1:3129 and 1:1985 respectively., Conclusions: The disclosure approach resulted in considerably higher detection rates. The non-disclosure approach, however, was four times better regarding the number of invasive procedures required to detect one case of trisomy 21. However, the positive predictive value associated with the disclosure policy was still much more beneficial than that obtained in women aged > or = 37 years, who are routinely referred to fetal karyotyping.

Background: It has been reported that second-trimester serum markers may be affected by assisted reproduction, leading to a higher false-positive rate., Methods: A total of 285 naturally and 71 IVF-conceived singletons which underwent a serial disclosure Down's syndrome screening programme were compared. The study protocol included first-trimester combined [nuchal translucency (NT), free beta-HCG and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A)] testing. The second-trimester triple serum screening included alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), intact HCG and unconjugated estriol (uE3). After excluding aneuploidies, miscarriages, anatomical anomalies and cases with incomplete follow-up, the serum samples of normal cases were assessed and correlated., Results: NT measurement was not significantly changed in either group. However, the IVF group had lower PAPP-A [0.96 versus 1.05 multiples of normal median (MoM)] and higher AFP (1.13 versus 1.07 median MoM). Both groups had similar rates of first-trimester false-positive results (FPR; 7 and 9% respectively), but the IVF group had a significantly higher mid-gestation FPR rate (10 versus 5%; Pearson chi2, P = 0.029). This has contributed to amniocentesis uptake rates of 15 and 13% for the IVF and natural conception pregnancies respectively., Conclusions: The IVF group tended to have a significantly higher second-trimester FPR rate. To counterbalance this phenomenon, integrated first- and second-trimester screening tests or the use of NT alone might be a reasonable option that deserves further investigation.

Background: Nuchal translucency (NT) measurement for Down's syndrome screening or detecting various fetal anomalies is a reliable sonographic marker. This study evaluates the contribution of NT screening in spontaneously conceived and assisted conception twin pregnancies., Methods and Results: Maternal age at measurement, chorionicity, ultrasound features, karyotype results and pregnancy outcome were recorded prospectively and compared in 83 assisted reproduction treatment and 91 spontaneously conceived twins. Pregnancy outcome was evaluated according to maternal age, method of conception, NT data and chorionicity. NT measurements (> or =95 centiles of the normal range) were considered screen-positive and mid-pregnancy fetal karyotyping was advised. Complicated pregnancy outcome, which could be signalled by increased NT, was defined as either chromosomal abnormalities, severe structural defects or fetal demise. Based on NT measurements, 16 fetuses (4.6%) were found to be screen-positive. Five of them had chromosomal aneuploidy and selective termination was performed. The parents also opted for this procedure in another five fetuses because of major structural abnormality diagnosed during NT assessment. No other chromosomal or major fetal abnormality were found post-natally. Although no difference was found in NT, crown-rump length and maternal age between spontaneous and assisted reproduction technology twin pregnancies, the former group had a significantly higher rate of screen-positive results (7 versus 2%, P = 0.047), amniocentesis uptake (33 versus 22%, P = 0.014), monochorionic twining (32 versus 4%, P = 0.001) and complicated pregnancy outcome (11 versus 5%, P = 0.02)., Conclusion: The present study confirms that first trimester target scanning can improve outcome by early detection and management of cases with an anomalous co-twin. It also identifies some differences between spontaneously and artificially conceived twin pregnancies in relation to this area of testing.

The current study aimed to evaluate the contribution of transvaginal sonography (TVS) for monitoring cervical changes during the second half of triplet gestation. Forty-five pregnant women with triplets pregnancies were prospectively scanned by TVS from approximately 26 weeks gestation and were longitudinally followed-up until delivery. Based on a receiver-operating curve it was found that a cervical length of 25 mm is the most accurate parameter (94% sensitivity and 45% specificity) for predicting premature delivery < or =33 gestational weeks. Thus, a single cervical length measurement of < or =25 mm at 26 weeks gestation correlated well with premature delivery at < or =33 weeks (chi(2); P = 0.002). Using the linear regression model, a mathematical equation [(Week of delivery = 27.4 + 1.6 x cervical length; R(2) = 0.46; P = 0.01)] for predicting the gestational age of delivery (dependent variable) was determined based on mid-gestation cervical measurements (predictors). In parturient women with triplet gestation, TVS assessment of the uterine cervix offers insight into the cervical status and provides valuable information for prenatal care. This includes both monitoring the cervical changes throughout third trimester as well as predicting the likelihood of premature delivery.

The current study compared triple serum screening results and outcomes in 37 oocyte donation (OD) and 46 self oocyte IVF-conceived singletons of similarly aged women (28.8 +/- 4.4 years and 30.7 +/- 4.5 years respectively). Both groups were followed from their embryo transfer and throughout pregnancy. Although the daily pattern of first-trimester serum beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) was similar in both groups, higher mid-gestation HCG serum concentrations were found, i.e. 1.38 and 1.32 multiples of the median (median MoM) for IVF and OD respectively, in comparison with 0.99 median MoM from the same reference laboratory. Only the OD group had significantly increased alpha fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations (1.45 median MoM) (P = 0.002) compared with the reference laboratory. A total of 11% of the IVF and 13% of the OD women were found to be screen positive. In neither group were chromosomal abnormalities detected and no fetal or neonatal deaths were recorded. Seven (15%) of the OD and seven (19%) of the IVF women had an adverse obstetric outcome. Of those cases, six IVF and four OD women had serum HCG > or = 1.2 MoM and five OD women had AFP >1.2 MoM. Therefore, in those pregnancies the high serum HCG concentrations may alert for adverse obstetric outcome rather than indicating a high risk for Down's syndrome fetuses.

The numbers of fetuses with an abnormal increased first trimester nuchal translucency (NT) but a confirmed normal anatomy and karyotyping is relatively small and therefore a challenge for prenatal counselling. The aim of the current study was to assess the long-term pregnancy outcome and infancy prognosis of 78 fetuses with NT > 95th centile of the normal range for crown-rump length (CRL). The most common abnormalities in this group were aneuploidy, which affected 32 of the fetuses followed by four and three cases which were miscarried or had cardiac defects respectively. The remaining euploid fetuses with normal detailed scans were followed throughout their infancy (mean 24 months; range 12-36 months). Post-natally, except for a correctable case of ventricular septal defect and a case of posterior urethral valve, no other abnormalities were detected. After excluding all aneuploid cases and using the maternal age as a second variable, an uncomplicated pregnancy outcome could be anticipated in 17 cases (100%) when the maternal age was <30 years and NT between 95th centile and 5 mm. However, the chance of a normal outcome dropped to 50% in four cases with maternal age > or =30 years and NT > or =5 mm (Fisher's exact test; P: = 0.02). These findings suggest that the long-term prognosis of the euploid fetuses with large NT (<5 mm) is reassuring in younger women.

Nuchal translucency (NT) measurement for screening chromosomal abnormalities and detecting fetal anomalies is an effective ultrasonographic marker, originally developed for singleton pregnancies. This study sought to evaluate the feasibility of NT measurements in higher order multiple gestations. Pregnant patients who conceived following assisted reproduction and were carrying three or more fetuses were enrolled in the study. Each fetus was ultrasonographically assessed, a NT measurement was obtained, and the findings were used for counselling prior to any invasive procedure. In all, 24 pregnant patients, initially carrying 79 fetuses aged 10-14 weeks of gestation, were compared with 79 consecutively matched, singleton controls, naturally conceived, having similar crown-rump lengths (+/- 3 mm). NT measurements were feasible for both study and control fetuses, which exhibited similar NT measurements for 5th, 50th and 95th centiles. Also, mean NT thicknesses [measurements in mm or multiple of the medians (MOM)] were similar for both groups (1.41 +/- 0.41 and 1.35 +/- 0.39 mm respectively and 0.87 +/- 0.23 and 0.83 +/- 0.25 MOM respectively). Prenatally no chromosomal abnormalities were detected in either group, and, of those infants who had no karyotyping, no traits were observed that warranted chromosomal analysis. NT measurements are feasible in higher order multiple gestations. Since there is no other effective screening modality for these pregnancies, it seems reasonable to recommend NT measurement for antenatal screening services for higher order multiple gestations.

When detected in a first trimester scan, an increased thickness of nuchal translucency (NT) may be associated with chromosomal, cardiac or genetic disorders. However, less attention has been devoted to the outcome of those fetuses who have confirmed normal anatomies and karyotyping, but have abnormal first trimester scans. Thus, a challenging new issue is how to counsel such cases of transient increased NT in which the translucency rapidly vanishes with no evidence of other underlying abnormalities. Two cases of transient increased thickness of NT are reported. In both, a nuchal cord was ultrasonographically demonstrated and a thorough work-up revealed chromosomally and anatomically normal fetuses. The pathophysiological theories behind these observations and their significance are discussed. Based on these observations, we suggest that transvaginal sonography combined with Doppler flow studies should be utilized for the presize detection of cord patterns to accomplish the work-up in cases of increased NT.

In-utero assessment of the internal female genitalia is important for determination of fetal gender in fetuses with suspected genital tract anomalies. We therefore measured fetal uterine transverse width and circumference from 19 weeks of gestation until term, using transvaginal and transabdominal high-resolution ultrasound techniques in order to establish nomograms. A prospective, cross-sectional study on 180 normal singleton pregnancies was performed. Data were obtained for 140 normal fetuses. The mean +/- SD uterine width and circumference were 12.9 +/- 4.1 mm (95% confidence interval 12.1-13.7), and 40.2 +/- 12.5 mm (95% confidence interval 37.9-42.5) respectively. Uterine size as a function of gestational age was expressed by the regression equations: uterine width (mm) = 12.9 + 0.7 x gestational age (weeks), and uterine circumference (mm) = 40.2 + 2.1 x gestational age. The correlation coefficients, r = 0.885 and r = 0.888, for uterine width and circumference, by gestational age respectively, were highly statistically significant (P < 0.001). A nomogram of uterine width and circumference per gestational week, and the 95% prediction limits were defined. The present data offer baseline measurements of the fetal uterus that may allow intrauterine assessment of the female genital tract and associated fetal gender.

Splenosis is the heterotopic autotransplantation of splenic tissue that usually follows traumatic splenectomy. The clinical significance of these splenic implants and the need for surgical removal is debatable. A case of a 35 year old woman, with post-traumatic splenectomy presenting with low abdominal pain and pelvic mass is reported. Laparoscopic removal of the pelvic splenic implants dispelled all complaints.

Placental isoferritin (PLF) is present in serum at high concentrations throughout normal gestation. The current study compared PLF concentrations in first trimester maternal serum with those of amniotic and coelomic fluids in 25 healthy, pregnant women. Use of a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay indicated concentrations high (22 +/- 3 U/ml) in maternal serum, whereas significantly lower values were detected in both coelomic and amniotic fluids (5 +/- 2 and 3 +/- 2 U/ml, respectively, P < 0.005). It was further demonstrated that when pure PLF was added to amniotic and coelomic fluids, the PLF levels remained low in each compartment, suggesting that bioproducts produced inside the gestational sac may interfere with the PLF immunoassay.

We report a rare clinical case of recurrent heterotopic pregnancy in the same patient following in-vitro fertilization treatments. A 27 year old woman, who suffered from infertility for the last 4 years due to male factor, was being treated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection which resulted in two episodes of combined intrauterine and tubal pregnancy, in a 1 year period. The first ended in emergency salpingectomy by laparotomy and missed intrauterine abortion. The second was managed by laparoscopic salpingectomy and the synchronous pregnancy ended in the delivery of twins. The possibility of heterotopic pregnancy and recurrent heterotopic pregnancy, though rare, should be considered by every gynaecologist, especially those who use infertility treatment on patients.

We report a case of male infertility with low ejaculate volume and azoospermia. An infected seminal vesicle cyst that induced partial obstruction of the seminal duct system was diagnosed by transrectal ultrasound. After transrectal cystic aspiration and decompression, a normal spermogram was obtained.

Placental isoferritin (PLF) has been shown to be involved in the down-regulation of the maternal immune system during pregnancy. In a prospective study, serum PLF concentrations were measured in 33 pregnant women with singleton, normal, ongoing first trimester gestations and compared with those of 22 women with tubal gestations. Diagnoses were based on endocrinological, sonographic, intra-operative and histopathological criteria. Venous blood was obtained from both groups for PLF determination before evacuation of the pregnancy products. beta-Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), 17 beta-oestradiol and progesterone were determined at surgery for the tubal pregnancy patients. The mean +/- SD PLF concentrations were 18 +/- 14, 25.4 +/- 42.3 IU/ml among normal and tubal gestations respectively. Significant differences between normal and tubal pregnancies were found (P < 0.05). Based on PLF measurements, sensitivity (67%) and specificity (33%) values were found to be similar for the normal and ectopic pregnancies. No correlation was found between the other measured pregnancy hormones and PLF for the tubal pregnancy group. Low PLF concentrations among pathological gestations may reflect abnormal trophoblastic activity. The simultaneous assessment of PLF and beta-HCG concentrations which probably originate from different trophoblastic cells, is recommended for better diagnosis and monitoring of first trimester placental activity.

Pelvic adhesions are one of the major factors which significantly and adversely affect surgery outcome due to intra- and postoperative morbidity and reduce future female fertility. Using a rodent model, we evaluated the efficacy of aspirin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, in the prevention of adhesion formation. A total of 72 female Wistar rats received a standardized primary traumatic lesion to the right uterine horn. They were randomly divided into eight groups: group I (control) had no treatment and group II received a single pre-operative 0.70 mg aspirin. All the succeeding groups (III-VIII) received aspirin in doses of 0.35, 0.70, or 1.40 mg every 6 h for either 48 or 96 h in addition to the pre-operative aspirin (0.70 mg). All animals were killed 4 weeks later and adhesions were assessed using a modified adhesion scoring scale. The lowest adhesion score was found in the group treated with 0.35 mg of aspirin for 96 h, and the highest was found among the groups treated with either 0.70 or 1.40 mg for 48-96 h respectively (P < 0.05). These results are in line with the hypothesis that administration of a low dose of aspirin selectively inhibits the production of thromboxane A2, whereas basal prostacyclin biosynthesis is preserved. This phenomenon might contribute to reducing postoperative adhesion formation in a rat model. Thus, future studies into the prevention of adhesion formation may require the additional use of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, for which aspirin deserves further attention, before extrapolation into human therapy.

The incidence of multiple pregnancies is increasing, mainly as a consequence of the widespread use of various infertility protocols. Since such gestations present a high risk of feto-maternal morbidity and mortality, selective first trimester fetocide remains one of the few reasonable options. We reviewed the literature dealing with the outcome of 804 multiple pregnancies following the use of transcervical, transvaginal or transabdominal approaches. Questions relating to dealing with technical failure, method of fetocide and procedural improvements are examined. In a comparison of the variables: miscarriage, preterm delivery, perinatal and neonatal loss rates, the transvaginal approach fares better, but statistical significance (P < 0.001) is achieved only for preterm delivery. We speculated that this might be attributable to the very early gestational age at which the procedure is usually performed. However, the transabdominal approach offers better results when post-manipulation maternal morbidity is considered, i.e. infection and vaginal bleeding. Since each option offers different advantages and disadvantages, additional experience and larger population samples are required to further clarify this important issue.

The concentration of human decidua-associated protein (hDP) 200 was measured in 238 menstrual fluid samples obtained from normal fertile women and in 26 menstrual fluid samples obtained from infertile women who failed to conceive and menstruated following in-vitro fertilization (IVF)/embryo transfer treatment. A significant association was observed between the concentration of hDP200 and the age of the women. A maximal concentration of hDP200 was observed in women aged 28-30 years, with significantly lower concentrations in those aged 18-20 and 39-41 years. The presence of an intra-uterine device had no effect on menstrual fluid hDP200 concentrations. A significantly lower mean concentration of hDP200 (82 U/ml) was measured in menstrual fluid samples obtained from failed IVF/embryo transfer patients as compared with that in menstrual fluid samples from normal fertile women (191 U/ml). These findings support the concept that adequate endometrial function, as evaluated by menstrual fluid concentration of hDP200, is important for the success of the fertility process.

Pre-menopausal tamoxifen treatment causes hyperoestrogen production and ovarian cyst formation. Two pre-menopausal breast cancer patients who were treated with tamoxifen developed both permanent supraphysiological oestrogen concentration and ovarian cysts. Serum oestrogen decreased to post-menopausal concentrations and ovarian cysts completely resolved during and following simultaneous treatment with tamoxifen and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa). In pre-menopausal breast cancer patients, GnRHa may prevent possible side-effects of tamoxifen, such as ovarian cysts and supraphysiological oestrogen production.