Search

Osteopathic physicians are increasingly recognizing the importance of empathy for improving patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. This review advocates for a multidimensional perspective of empathy, encompassing both affective and cognitive empathy, and highlights situational and dispositional factors relevant to the curtailment of empathy. A review of the utility of self-report, behavioral, and physiological measures that researchers may use to quantify empathy in further research is also provided. The authors encourage members of the osteopathic medical profession to embrace a fuller understanding of empathy.

Ectopic pregnancies occur when the implantation of a fertilized ovum occurs outside of the endometrial cavity. The majority of ectopic pregnancies encountered in clinical practice are located within the fallopian tube. Abdominal pregnancies represent 1% of all ectopic pregnancies. Primary omental pregnancy, in which the extrauterine site of implantation is the greater omentum, is the least common form of abdominal pregnancy. The rarity of an ectopic pregnancy in the omentum and the absence of clinical symptoms often delays diagnosis and proper identification before rupture. The authors describe the case of a 23-year-old woman who had hemoperitoneum from a ruptured omental ectopic pregnancy that mimicked adnexal implantation. Her omental pregnancy was diagnosed through intraoperative exploration and osteopathic structural examination findings.

Background: Ectopic pregnancies occur when the implantation of a fertilized ovum occurs outside the endometrial cavity. Such pregnancies occur in approximately 1.5% to 2.0% of all pregnancies and cause 6% of maternal deaths.

Previous research has found declining dispositional empathy among American youth from 1979 to 2009. We update these trends until 2018, using three datasets. Study 1 presents a cross-temporal meta-analysis of undergraduates’ empathy (Interpersonal Reactivity Index), finding significant cubic trends over time: perspective taking (PT) and empathic concern (EC) both increased since 2009. Study 2 conceptually replicated these findings using nationally representative datasets, also showing increasing PT (Study 2a: American Freshman Survey) and EC (Study 2b: Monitoring the Future Survey) since 2009. We include economic, interpersonal, and worldview covariates to test for potential explanations, finding evidence that empathy trends may be related to recent changes in interpersonal dynamics.

The fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States is ovarian cancer. An estimated 21,980 new cases and 14,270 estimated deaths occurred nationwide in 2014. More than two-thirds of cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed at stage III or IV when the peritoneal cavity or other organs are affected. Primary appendiceal malignant neoplasms may mimic advanced-stage ovarian cancer and can be misdiagnosed because of its presentation as a palpable adnexal mass. The authors describe a 42-year-old woman who was admitted to the department of obstetrics and gynecology to receive treatment for presumed advanced-stage ovarian cancer. She subsequently received a diagnosis of primary pseudomyxoma peritonei metastatic to the ovaries, mimicking a primary ovarian cancer by osteopathic structural examination findings, serum tumor markers, surgical exploration, and histopathologic confirmation.

Of ectopic pregnancies encountered in clinical practice, more than 95% are located within the fallopian tube, and 2% to 4% are cornual. A cornual ectopic pregnancy is a serious clinical condition and poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Thus, understanding the clinical course and treatment options is essential. The authors describe the case of a 29-year-old woman who presented to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The patient was suspected of having a cornual pregnancy, and a dermoid cyst had been detected during routine ultrasonography. In the absence of maternal symptoms, the clinical scenario is potentially dangerous and must be treated promptly and efficiently to decrease morbidity and mortality.

Cancer of the uterine cervix is the third most common gynecologic cancer diagnosis and cause of death among gynecologic cancers in the United States. Cervical cancer is frequently asymptomatic until it reaches a locally advanced stage. The authors present a case of urinary retention caused by an atypical presentation of invasive cervical cancer mimicking primary urothelial tumor. The patient was evaluated by a multidisciplinary team, with osteopathic structural examination, intraoperative examination, surgical resection, and histopathologic analysis.

Cesarean scars pose a unique set of risks for women who have had previous cesarean deliveries. Between 1996 and 2007, the rate of trial of labor after previous cesarean delivery increased, along with reported rates of uterine rupture and other complications. Consequently, trial of labor after previous cesarean delivery and resultant vaginal birth after cesarean delivery have decreased and cesarean delivery has increased. With nearly one-third of women having cesarean delivery, the rate of rare complications such as cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy has also increased. An integration of osteopathic manipulative treatment techniques into the management of cesarean deliveries and cesarean scars has yet to be defined. The author presents 4 cases of cesarean delivery in which osteopathic manipulative treatment was integrated with successful outcomes.

In pregnant women, the risk of venous thromboembolism increases 4 to 5 fold over that in nonpregnant women. Deep vein thromboses in the calf occur in approximately 6% of cases, with a 20% incidence of propagation, but new imaging methods suggest a higher rate. Nevertheless, the management of isolated soleal vein thrombosis is currently one of the most debated issues in the field of venous thromboembolism, and a clear set of principles for the management of this unique clinical problem remains undefined. The authors present the case of a 37-year-old woman with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortions and cervical insufficiency who presented with a short cervix and acute right isolated soleal vein thrombosis. Long-term anticoagulantion therapy was recommended. Future studies on the risk of isolated soleal vein thrombosis propagation in the setting of pregnancy are required to identify the most effective treatment options for this clinical problem.