Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to E Shalev.
A case of adnexal torsion in premenarchal child is presented. Prompt diagnosis was made with the use of pelvic ultrasound and laparoscopy. The later was used for establishing the diagnosis and furthermore for untwisting the adnexa. We suggest that laparoscopy should precede laparotomy and that conservative detorsion should be done more liberally in the young patient.
Umbilical artery velocimetry using pulsed Doppler technique was carried out in 49 pregnancies complicated by pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). Outcome of the pregnancies was evaluated after delivery. We found the systolic to diastolic ratio of the umbilical artery to be highly sensitive and specific in predicting abnormal outcome in pregnancies complicated by PIH. In our opinion, the pulsed Doppler technique can be a useful adjunct to other methods for evaluation of fetal well-being in patients with PIH.
In nine pregnancies, remote from term, with an abnormal Non-Stress Test (NST) and Bio-Physical Profile (BPP) of 3 or above, cordocentesis for fetal blood gas analysis was performed. In seven cases an immediate post-partum blood sample was taken from the fetal cord for a similar analysis. The two tests gave very similar results. The results showed fetal acidemia (pH 7.09-7.19 and B.E. -10-15) in 4 cases, followed by immediate delivery. In the remaining 5 cases, normal blood gases were evident (pH 7.28-7.35); despite the abnormal NST, pregnancy was allowed to continue for 2 to 7 weeks, under close supervision. At birth, 2 out of 9 newborns were deemed by the neonatologist suffering from asphyxia. Both belonged to the acidemic group of women who were managed by immediate cesarean section. The other 5 fetuses, which were managed expectantly, had normal post-partum blood gases or Apgar score; none had asphyxia. Fetal blood gas analysis, on samples obtained by cordocentesis, provides useful information that can assist in the management of premature fetuses suspected of being distressed, according to their heart traces. Normal fetal blood gases can identify those fetuses falsely identified by the NST as in distress and thereby spare them unnecessary premature birth with its known complications.
Amniocentesis was performed twice on a twin gestation, and twice there was cell growth failure in one of the twins. Therefore, funipuncture was attempted at 24 weeks. The anatomical relationship and position of the fetuses, placental cord insertion, and membranous septum dictated needle entry into the cord of the lower left fetus through the sac of the upper right fetus and the septum. The procedure was uneventful and the pregnancy was carried to 39 weeks. However, the septum between the twins had been disrupted, creating a pseudomonoamniotic pregnancy. This was noticed only after delivery of the first fetus, when it was found that the two umbilical cords were entangled. We believe that, whenever possible, puncture of the membrane between twins should be avoided. Should puncture be necessary, the possibility of pseudomonoamniotic twins must be considered.
The ratio between sonographically measured fetal femur length to abdominal circumference (F/A) was studied in 471 consecutive normal singleton pregnancies from 18 to 40 weeks' gestation. The 90th (0.2715) percentile of this ratio was evaluated as a predictor for intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in an additional 1,502 pregnant women; 146 fetuses were found to be above the 90th percentile, of which 20 were born growth retarded. A total of 69 fetuses was found post partum to be small for date; 44 were asymmetrically growth retarded and 25 were symmetrically growth retarded. Of the 20 growth-retarded fetuses, which were correctly diagnosed in utero, 19 were asymmetrically growth retarded. The additional 49 growth-retarded newborns were not detected using the F/A ratio as a diagnostic parameter. Low sensitivity (29.98%) together with low positive predictive value (13.69%) rendered the parameter unsuitable for screening IUGR. Nevertheless, the high specificity (91.20%), together with the high negative predictive value (96.38%), makes it a useful age-independent parameter in high risk pregnancies, where asymmetric IUGR is suspected.
Neonatal ovarian cysts are not rare. Most are small follicular cysts less than 2 cm in diameter; larger cysts are less common. Such cysts are usually discovered when complications occur or when they are occasionally detected on systematic clinical examination. 2 cases are presented in infants in whom the diagnosis was made antenatally by ultrasonic scan. In both the cysts regressed spontaneously during the neonatal period. The perinatal management of ovarian cysts should be conservative as complications are very rare and hasty surgery is unwarranted.
Cordocentesis for prenatal diagnosis was being performed in the seventies during the process of fetoscopy. Since then the technique has been used as a diagnostic tool for intrauterine infection, hematological and metabolic disorders and metabolic status of the fetus; and for rapid cytogenic analysis. We report our first 207 cordocenteses performed since December 1985. First puncture was successful in half the cases. The procedure resulted in termination of pregnancy in only 0.96% of cases. Though a new technique, cordocentesis is playing a major role in modern perinatology. The possibility of a direct route to fetal blood vessels early in pregnancy would lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Fetal renal size late in the first trimester of pregnancy was evaluated by transvaginal ultrasonography in 50 patients not at risk for congenital kidney disease and whose pregnancies resulted in a normal outcome. Both kidneys were reliably identified in all patients scanned at 12 weeks, 13 weeks, and 14 weeks, menstrual age. Kidney diameter measurements obtained in this study are presented for reference in evaluating patients in late first trimester whose fetuses are at risk for kidney abnormalities.
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Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an inherited disease, closely following the pattern of autosomal recessive inheritance. Amyloidosis is the most severe complication of the disease. The prevalence of pregnancy loss in women with FMF is considered to be high. There is no information to support the possibility of increase risk of late pregnancy complications or change in the natural course of the disease. Two cases are presented with complicated FMF. One case with proved amyloidosis and the second patient with ascites. Pregnancy and neonatal outcome were uneventful in both. No further deterioration in the systemic disease occurred.
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The present study was designed to test the existence of behavioral states in the fetus at term using simplified techniques. For this purpose simultaneous recording of the fetal heart activity by means of phonocardiotocography and of fetal body movements by means of real-time ultrasound was performed by using a multichannel recorded. The fetal heart activity was analyzed for two parameters: (1) long-term variability and (2) baseline accelerations. The fetal body movements were classified into three types. 880 min of recording time from 50 fetuses at 37-41 weeks of gestation were analyzed. Each segment of 1 and 3 min was classified into four distinct states, according to the combination of the above parameters. The segments that failed to fit into one of these states were labeled as 'no state'. The frequency of each parameter was also independently calculated. The results were statistically analyzed by using a computer. The significance of the difference between the observed frequencies of the various states and their expected frequencies (obtained by the frequencies of the individual parameters) was calculated by the chi 2 test. Behavioral states of a duration of 3 min were observed in 45.6% of the total periods recorded which is significantly higher (p less than 0.001) than the 4.1% expected.
The correlation between arousal state and fetal habituation was tested. Four behavioral states were determined according to fetal heart activity and movement pattern in 52 fetuses. Repeated wide low-frequency sound was used as external stimulus. Ceasing of response to 5 consecutive stimuli indicated habituation. The time from response to habituation was defined as habituation time. Although fetuses in a lower arousal state habituate more rapidly, the difference is not statistically significant.
The effect of breast stimulation on the prostaglandin secretion was tested in 13 patients at 38-40 weeks of gestation. Uterine contractions following breast stimulation were documented in all cases. There was an increase in prostaglandin metabolite levels 10 min after breast stimulation.
Aortic stenosis (AS) is an uncommon complication during pregnancy, but when it occurs it results in significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. We present a gravida with severe AS in which aortic valve replacement was performed in the 3rd trimester of her pregnancy. She had severe AS with mild aortic regurgitation and severe congestive heart failure. Fetal heart rate and uterine activity were monitored and recorded during the operation. The pregnancy was carried uneventfully to term and the patient was delivered of a healthy baby. The literature is reviewed and recommendations are made for the management of AS during pregnancy.
Prenatal real-time ultrasonographic diagnosis of exophthalmus is presented. Diagnosis was made at the 35th week of gestation in a fetus of a patient affected with Crouzon syndrome (craniofacial dysotosis). Recognition of exophthalmus as a part of Crouzon syndrome and the easy visualization of the eye balls and palpebrae in the third trimester made the diagnosis possible.