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Aim The aim of study is to compare maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancies in which cerclage was placed following the loss of first fetus with those without cerclage placement in multiple pregnancies for delayed interval delivery. Methods Records of pregnancies in which the first fetus was lost between 13–26 weeks and delayed delivery experienced for retained fetus(es), were collected retrospectively. A total of 20 patients including 11 twins, seven triplets and two quadruplets were evaluated. Cases with cervical cerclage placed after the first delivery were evaluated as the cerclage group (n = 11) and the cases without cerclage placement were evaluated as the non-cerclage group (n = 9). Results Median duration of delay was 22 days (range, 3–121) for both groups; 40 days (range, 5–121) in cerclage group and 12 days (range, 3–46) in the non-cerclage group (P = 0.003). Average birthweight of retained fetus(es) in the cerclage group was 850 ± 153.6 g (mean ± standard error [SE]) and 549.5 ± 149.1 g (mean ± SE) in the non-cerclage group (P = 0.04). Delivery week of retained fetus(es), live birth rate, take-home baby rate and chorioamnionitis ratio were not different in between the groups. Conclusion Cervical cerclage after the first delivery is associated with a longer delivery interval and higher birthweight of retained fetus.

Aim: To determine whether serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels are increased in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the possibility of PSA to be used as a diagnostic marker of hyperandrogenism in females. Methods: A total of 43 women with PCOS and 43 age-matched healthy females were recruited in this prospective case-control study. The subjects were compared by means of demographic parameters, hormonal and metabolic measures and serum PSA levels. The correlations between this marker and a wide variety of hormonal, biochemical, anthropometric measures were evaluated. Student's t-test, χ2-test and Spearman's correlation analysis were used for the statistical analysis where appropriate. Statistical significance was assumed with a value of P

Purpose. To determine whether spectral Doppler measurements obtained from bilateral uterine, arcuate, radial, and spiral arteries in early gestation correlate with adverse pregnancy outcome. Methods. One hundred five pregnant women underwent transvaginal Doppler sonographic examination of uteroplacental circulation at 6–12 weeks' gestation. Resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of bilateral uterine, arcuate, radial, and spiral arteries were measured. Diameters of gestational sac (GS) and yolk sac, crown–rump length (CRL), GS–CRL difference, and GS/CRL ratio were also recorded. Correlation was made with pregnancy outcome. Results. Sixteen women developed adverse pregnancy outcome. In these women, right uterine artery PI and RI were significantly higher than in women with normal obstetrical outcome. Spiral artery PI and RI values were also higher, but the difference was not statistically significant. GS–CRL difference, GS/CRL ratio, and yolk sac diameters were significantly lower in this group. Conclusion. Transvaginal Doppler examination can detect hemodynamic changes in uteroplacental circulation associated with subsequent adverse pregnancy outcome. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2007

Purpose. To study the blood flow patterns of utero-ovarian circulation in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to assess their relationship with clinical, metabolic, and hormonal data. Methods. Forty-three women with PCOS and 43 age-matched healthy controls underwent Doppler examination of the utero-ovarian circulation in the follicular phase. Demographic, hormonal, and metabolic parameters were determined. Student's t-test, χ2-test, and Spearman correlation test were used for statistical analysis. Results. The ovarian artery pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), and SD ratios were significantly lower in PCOS than in controls on the right side (p < 0.001, p = 0.02, p = 0.001, respectively) as well as on the left side (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). The uterine artery systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratio was higher on both sides (p = 0.01) and the PI was higher on the left side (p = 0.02) in PCOS than in controls. The right uterine artery PI was positively correlated with luteinizing hormone and hemoglobin (r = 0.417, p = 0.043; r = 0.427, p = 0.033, respectively), the right uterine artery S/D was positively correlated with body mass index (r = 0.479, p = 0.015), and the left uterine artery PI was positively correlated with insulin (r = 0.458, p = 0.021). Conclusion. Doppler sonography of the utero-ovarian circulation may contribute to the evaluation of PCOS patients and a better understanding of the pathophysiology of this syndrome. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2007