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Background and Clinical Significance: Retrorectal cystic hamartomas ("Tailgut cysts") are rare developmental cysts that appear in the retrorectal space, arising from aberrant remnants of the post-anal primitive gut in case of an incomplete embryogenetic involution. Case Presentation: We present the case of a 30-year-old woman with a history of chronic lower abdominal pain. Other digestive symptoms, like rectal fullness, constipation, pain on defecation, rectal bleeding or genitourinary obstruction symptoms, were not associated. During a period of 3 years, she underwent several surgical procedures for ovarian cysts, without relieving the symptomatology. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed a presacral tumor with a right pararectal development. A surgical resection of the lesion using an anterior approach was performed, with the final pathological diagnosis of a retrorectal cystic hamartoma ("tailgut cyst"). Conclusions: This case underlines the fact that retrorectal masses can be challenging to diagnose, and tailgut cysts must be taken into consideration in cases of perirectal tumors in patients with a history of multiple failed procedures and surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometriosis, a chronic hormone-dependent condition affecting 10% of women globally, impacts pelvic organs and occasionally distant sites, causing pain, infertility, and sexual dysfunction. Biomarkers such as IL-8, IL-10, and BDNF influence inflammation, nerve sensitization, and pain. This study investigates their relationship with sexual quality of life, focusing on dyspareunia and related dysfunctions, as assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Dyspareunia, a prominent symptom of endometriosis, is linked to lower FSFI scores in domains such as desire (mean 3.38), satisfaction (mean 3.28), and pain (mean 3.07). Elevated IL-8 tissue levels negatively correlated with desire (r = −0.649, p < 0.05) and satisfaction (r = −0.813, p < 0.01). Similarly, higher BDNF tissue levels were associated with increased pain (r = −0.435, p < 0.01) and reduced satisfaction (r = −0.252, p < 0.05). Patient factors such as higher endometriosis severity scores (mean 26.3, p < 0.05) and surgical history correlated with lower desire and satisfaction. Conversely, physical activity improved pain scores (p < 0.01) and enhanced desire and lubrication (p < 0.05), likely through reduced inflammation and better circulation. These findings highlight the complex interplay between biomarkers, individual factors, and sexual dysfunction in endometriosis, underscoring the need for personalized therapeutic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection is the cause of erythema infectiosum, or the "fifth disease", a widespread infection, potentially affecting 1–5% of pregnant women, in most cases without significant damage to the pregnancy or fetus. It follows a seasonal variation, with a higher prevalence in temperate climates, mainly in late winter and early spring. Women at increased risk include mothers of preschool and school-age children, and those working in nurseries, kindergartens, and schools. Vertical transmission occurs in 33% to 51% of cases of maternal infection. Parvovirus infection is an important cause of fetal perinatal infection resulting in increased morbidity through the development of fetal anemia, heart failure, and non-immune hydrops. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, focusing on publications from the last 10 years and prioritizing studies related to parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy. We summarized the existing data in the literature on the effects of parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy and weighed if there is a need for screening in pregnant patients. Routine screening for parvovirus B19 infection can be considered in communities where infection is common, there is occupational exposure, or during endemic periods, with the reason being that accurate identification and treatment of fetuses affected by congenital B19V infection have been shown to improve perinatal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smooth Muscle Tumor of Uncertain Malignant Potential (STUMP) is a rare uterine tumor primarily affecting perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, typically aged between 45 and 55 years. Characterized by ambiguous histological features, STUMPs present diagnostic challenges as they cannot be definitively classified as benign or malignant based on morphology alone. This systematic review aims to elucidate the clinical, pathological, immunohistochemical, and treatment-related characteristics of STUMPs through an analysis of the literature from the past 20 years. The study follows PRISMA guidelines, utilizing comprehensive searches of PubMed and Scopus databases, yielding 32 studies that meet the inclusion criteria. From the analysis of these studies, it was revealed that the clinical presentations vary from common symptoms such as abnormal uterine bleeding and pelvic pain to incidental detection of uterine mass. Histologically, STUMPs demonstrate features overlapping with both leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas, including mild nuclear atypia, low mitotic indices, and focal necrosis. Immunohistochemical markers such as p16 and p53 have been investigated for prognostic significance. Elevated p16 expression, often associated with aggressive behavior, was observed in a subset of STUMPs. Surgical management, typically involving hysterectomy or tumorectomy, is the primary treatment, though the extent of resection is variable. Adjuvant therapies are not routinely recommended, but long-term surveillance is advised, especially for high-risk patients. Recurrence rates for STUMPs are approximately 12%, with factors such as high mitotic counts and coagulative necrosis indicating higher risk. This review highlights the complexity of STUMP diagnosis and management, emphasizing the need for more precise diagnostic criteria and individualized treatment strategies. Understanding the morphological, immunohistochemical, and clinical behavior of STUMPs can improve patient outcomes and guide future research in this diagnostically challenging area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometriosis is known to be a chronic, debilitating disease. The pathophysiological mechanisms of endometriosis development include local chronic inflammation and a certain degree of local immune deficit. We investigated the relationship between the endometriosis severity, IL-8, IL-10, BDNF, VEGF-A serum and tissue levels, patient-related pain, and physical activity in a cohort of 46 patients diagnosed with endometriosis who underwent surgery. The same panel of biomarkers was investigated in a control group of 44 reproductive-aged patients with non-endometriotic gynecological pathology who underwent surgical intervention. Our data show a high statistical significance between tissue expression of IL-8, IL-10, patient-related pain, and the severity of endometriosis. No relationship was identified between serum or tissue levels of VEGF-A and BDNF and the severity of endometriosis. These results validate the presence of local chronic inflammation and immune deficit, thereby creating, alongside other studies in the field, an opportunity for the development of innovative and personalized treatment approaches in endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis (DPL) is a rare condition marked by multiple leiomyomas in the peritoneal cavity, predominantly affecting women of reproductive age. Although typically benign, DPL can present significant diagnostic challenges and, in rare cases, may progress to malignancy. A primary contributing factor to DPL is iatrogenic, particularly due to surgical interventions such as morcellation during myomectomy. This scoping review explores the pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of DPL, highlighting the crucial role of hormonal influences and iatrogenic factors. Diagnostic methods include computed tomography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and histopathological evaluation, which are essential for assessing disease extent and guiding treatment. Management strategies encompass surgical intervention—with a focus on minimizing iatrogenic risks—conservative approaches for asymptomatic patients, and advancements in hormonal treatments. Emphasis is placed on preventing iatrogenic dissemination through refined surgical techniques and patient education. Despite its rarity, with fewer than 200 cases reported globally, understanding DPL's clinical presentation and iatrogenic origins is vital for optimal patient outcomes. This review underscores the importance of early diagnosis, personalized treatment plans, and ongoing research to address the challenges associated with DPL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abdominal cystic masses are diagnosed during the intrauterine period and have a relatively low incidence. Fetal ovarian cysts are the most common form diagnosed prenatally or immediately after birth. The pathophysiology of the development of these types of tumors is not fully elucidated, with ovarian hyperstimulation caused by maternal and placental hormones being the most accepted hypothesis. During intrauterine development, the diagnosis of fetal ovarian cysts is most often made accidentally during usual check-up ultrasounds corresponding to the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy. We conducted a scoping review with the aim to map the current knowledge regarding the treatment of fetal ovarian cysts diagnosed in the intrauterine period. Focusing on the articles published in the last 10 years in the specialized literature, we tried to identify a conceptualization regarding the surveillance and treatment of these anomalies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fetus identified to be at risk for chromosomal abnormalities may benefit from identification of genetic defects through amniocentesis. Although the risks associated with amniocentesis are considered to be minimal, being an invasive procedure it is not completely without complications. Background and Objectives: The current study aims to identify correlations between blood contamination of samples collected during amniocentesis and certain factors dependent on the instruments used (thickness of the needle used to aspirate the fluid), the location of the placenta, and uterine vascularity (more pronounced in multiparous patients). Materials and Methods: The study included 190 patients in the second trimester of pregnancy who met one of the criteria for invasive prenatal diagnosis (age over 35 years, high risk in first trimester screening, history of pregnancies with genetic abnormalities, etc.). The amniotic fluid samples collected from these patients were analyzed in terms of blood contamination of the amniotic fluid aspirated with maternal cells Results: Of the patients in whom the procedure was performed using 21 G size needles, 16 samples (13.33% of the total) were contaminated. None of the samples collected from patients where a 20 G needle was used were contaminated. There was a statistically significant association between the lack of contamination and the use of Doppler ultrasound in multiparous patients with anterior placenta in whom a 21-gauge needle was used for amniocentesis. Conclusions: There is an increased rate of sample contamination (statistically significant) when using 21 G needle sizes and a significant difference in contamination between primiparous and multiparous patients, with contamination being more frequent in multiparous patients. The use of Doppler ultrasonography may benefit the procedure, as the contamination rate was significantly reduced when used during amniocentesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women in terms of prevalence and mortality. Cervical cancer has some particularities that distinguish it from any other oncologic pathology: first, it is completely preventable by prompt detection of its precursor, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN); second, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a known etiological agent; third, the mean age at diagnosis is much lower than in other oncologic conditions, as a consequence of the sexually-transmitted HPV. Methods: We evaluated the expression level of several long noncoding RNAs and a microRNA in samples from 30 patients with CIN, 9 with cervical cancer and 38 normal samples using qRT-PCR technology. Results: We observed higher expression levels for MEG3, DAPK1, MLH1 and MALAT1 in CIN samples than in normal samples, whereas TIMP3 and SOX1 had lower expression levels. For cancer samples, DAPK1, MLH1 and MALAT1 had higher expression, and MEG3, TIMP3 and SOX1 had lower expression when compared to normal samples. In the case of CIN versus cancer samples, only MEG3 gene showed a statistically significant difference. The expression of miR-205-5p was lower in both CIN and cancer samples compared to normal samples. Conclusion: Decreased MEG3 expression could be considered an alarm signal in the transition from a premalignant cervical lesion to invasive cancer, while altered expression levels of TIMP3, SOX1, MLH1, MALAT1 and miR-205-5p could serve as early biomarkers in the diagnosis of premalignant cervical lesions. Future studies, including a larger number of patients with CIN, will be of particular importance in validating these observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]