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Biomedical subjects

I Zalud

Publications and source records attributed to I Zalud.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Association of sex of the fetus in isolated fetal choroid plexus cysts.

We sought to determine if an association exists between sex of the fetus and the finding of isolated fetal choroid plexus cysts. Of 131 fetuses, 62 were male (47.3%) and 69 were female (52.7%). No statistically significant differences were found in the maternal demographic parameters studied (age, race, gravidity, parity, sonogram timing) or descriptive cyst information obtained (location, number, dimensions, resolution), although bilaterality was more common in male fetuses. The determination that isolated choroid plexus cysts are seen equally frequently in male and female fetuses adds to basic information about such a common sonographic finding.

Brain Diseases↗

Fetal retinoblastoma.

Fetal tumors are sporadic entities and in some cases can be diagnosed prenatally. A team approach, incorporating the skills of obstetricians, radiation therapists, pediatric medical oncologists and hematologists, neonatal surgeons, rehabilitation specialists, and social workers, is imperative to ensure that the patient receives the best treatment. Retinoblastoma is a relatively uncommon tumor of childhood that arises in the retina. The estimated annual incidence is between 1 in 15,000 and 1 in 34,000. Although it may occur at any age, it most often arises in younger children, with 80% of cases diagnosed before the age of 5 years. We report a case of prenatally diagnosed fetal retinoblastoma.

Adult↗

Simple cyst in the postmenopausal patient: detection and management.

The aims of our study were to determine the prevalence of simple ovarian cysts in asymptomatic postmenopausal patients and to investigate the natural history of these cysts by ultrasonographic follow-up examinations. Three thousand five hundred and eighty-five women participated in the volunteer pelvic cancer screening program. Entry criteria were as follows: postmenopausal, no clinical symptoms, and no previous gynecologic pathology. An anechoic, small cyst less than 5 cm in greatest diameter was classified as a simple ovarian cyst. A scoring system to determine malignant potential had been established previously. All simple cysts had a score of 2 or less and had a morphology typical of benign lesions. In the case of a positive finding, the patient would be seen at 3 to 6 month intervals. The decision for surgical intervention was made by a private gynecologist or patient or if an interval change was noted. One thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine postmenopausal women (49.34% of all patients from the screening program) participated in this study. One hundred and sixteen simple cysts were found, with a prevalence of 6.6% in our population. Among those patients, 27 (23.28%) simple cysts resolved spontaneously, 69 (59.48%) have persisted, and 20 (17.24%) have been lost to follow-up study. Eighteen women (26.09%) with persistent simple ovarian cyst underwent surgery. No malignant ovarian conditions were identified. In conclusion, simple ovarian cysts are more common in postmenopausal women than previously was thought. This condition is very unlikely to be malignant and can be followed conservatively.

Adult↗

Heterotopic triplet pregnancy. Report of a case with successful twin intrauterine gestation.

BACKGROUND: Reports of coexisting multiple intrauterine pregnancies and ectopic pregnancy are extremely rare. We present one case with early sonographic diagnosis of heterotopic pregnancy, successful laparoscopic treatment and a subsequent normal pregnancy course and outcome of the intrauterine twin gestation. CASE: A 29-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 0, presented for her first prenatal visit at 5 weeks of gestation with pelvic pain. She had conceived with 75 IU leutinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone and homologous intrauterine insemination. The sonogram confirmed a dichorionic twin intrauterine pregnancy and left tubal pregnancy at 7 weeks of gestation. The patient underwent a laparoscopic left salpingostomy and removal of the ectopic pregnancy. Level II sonogram showed a grossly unremarkable twin gestation at 20 weeks. Labor was induced at 37 weeks of gestation due to mild preeclampsia and underwent vaginal delivery without difficulties. The first twin was a girl, weighing 2,722 g, with Apgar scores of 9/9. The second twin, a boy, was delivered 10 minutes later, weighing 2,863 g, with Apgar scores of 9/9. CONCLUSION: Early sonography is essential for the diagnosis of heterotopic pregnancy, and timely surgical intervention can save the intrauterine twin gestation, with a subsequent normal pregnancy course and outcome.

Adult↗

Transvaginal color doppler ultrasound in the conservative treatment and surveillance of three ectopic pregnancies.

We evaluated the role of transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound in the treatment and follow-up after transvaginal instillation of methotrexate in ectopic pregnancy. Three patients diagnosed with ectopic pregnancies were treated with a single 50 mg dose of methotrexate, transvaginally instilled, under direct color sonographic guidance. Inclusion criteria required a gestational age of less than 8 weeks, non-ruptured ectopic pregnancy, gestational sac of less than 4 cm, and compliant patient. b-hCG titers, gestational sac sizes, and Doppler flow waveform analyses were followed at regular intervals. All three patients had falling b-hCG titers, shrinkage of the gestational sacs, and normalization of Doppler flow waveform indices. Transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound appears to be an effective adjunct in the treatment and follow-up of ectopic pregnancies treated with transvaginal instillation of methotrexate.

Abortifacient Agents↗

Transvaginal color and pulsed Doppler study of uterine blood flow in the first and early second trimesters of pregnancy: normal versus abnormal.

Transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonography was used to study 131 normal early pregnancies, 30 molar pregnancies, 20 threatened abortions, two blighted ova, and five pregnancies with intramural myoma. Four separate parts of the maternal circulation were studied: uterine, arcuate, radial, and spiral arteries. There was statistical difference in the RI and PI among uterine, arcuate, radial, and spiral arteries (P < 0.001) in all observed groups of patients except those with intramural myoma. When the same part of the maternal circulation was compared among different groups of patients, the following results reached statistical significance: uterine artery in normal and molar pregnancy (P < 0.001); arcuate artery in normal and molar pregnancy (P < 0.001); radial artery in normal and molar pregnancy (P < 0.001) and in normal pregnancy and threatened abortion (P < 0.01); spiral artery in normal and molar pregnancy (P < 0.001), in normal pregnancy and threatened abortion (P < 0.01), and in molar pregnancy and threatened abortion (P < 0.01). The standard values of blood flow are different in normal and in some cases of abnormal early pregnancy (molar pregnancy, threatened abortion).

Abortion, Threatened↗

Fetal choroid plexus vascularization assessed by color flow ultrasonography.

We investigated the development of intracranial vascularization in the human fetus, with particular emphasis on the choroid plexus. The fetal brain was visualized in 102 patients with healthy pregnancies between 9 and 16 weeks' gestation. Imaging was done transvaginally except in the pregnancies of longer duration with unfavorable fetal positions. Color flow imaging was used to identify vessels in the cranium and within the choroid plexus. Pulsed Doppler signals were obtained from an internal carotid-middle cerebral artery and from a choroid plexus vessel. The pulsatility index was calculated from the Doppler spectral envelope. A major cerebral vessel could be seen at 9 weeks' gestation. Choroid plexus vessels were first seen at 10 weeks 3 days. Visualization rates ranged from 35 to 75% for plexus vessels, and 65 to 100% for cerebral vessels. Visualization of choroid plexus vessels was maximal at 13 weeks. The pulsatility index for the cerebral arteries at this gestational period averaged 2.6 +/- 0.6. The result for the choroid plexus was 1.66 +/- 0.5. (P < 0.001). Visualization of the vessels of the choroid plexus increases and decreases as the gland develops and shrinks. This developmental period also is the time of active neurogenesis.

Adult↗

Corpus luteum blood flow in normal and abnormal early pregnancy: evaluation with transvaginal color and pulsed Doppler sonography.

One hundred and thirteen (66.5%) women in this study had a normal intrauterine pregnancy with ages ranging 6 to 12 weeks of gestation. Fifty-seven (33.5%) patients were admitted to the hospital owing to clinically suspected abnormal early pregnancy. Dilatation and curettage were done on all women and tissue sample sent to the pathologist for a final diagnostic. Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was made on laparoscopy. Both ovaries were examined carefully by color Doppler in sonography in all patients. Color flow was used as a guide for pulsed Doppler exploration. Corpus luteum blood flow was defined as random, usually semilunar in appearance, dispersed vessels with very low impedance to blood flow. The resistive index and pulsatility index were calculated. Overall detection rate of corpus luteum blood flow in normal pregnancies was higher for the left ovary (62.6%) than for the right ovary (37.4%) (P < 0.01). The mean resistive and pulsatility indices from corpus luteum blood flow were not influenced by gestational age in normal pregnancy. The overall mean value for for resistive index was 0.452 +/- 0.04 and for pulsatility index 0.636 +/- 0.09. The overall detection rate of corpus luteum in abnormal pregnancies also was higher for the left ovary (56.7%) than for the right ovary (43.4%) (P < 0.01). The mean resistive indices from corpus luteum blood flow in patients with missed abortion was higher than in women with normal pregnancy (P < 0.01). Both resistive and pulsatility indices were higher in patients with incomplete or threatened abortion in comparison with normal pregnancy (P < 0.01). No statistically significant difference was seen in the case of anembryonic, molar, or ectopic pregnancy.

Adult↗

Transvaginal color Doppler in early pregnancy: rational and clinical potential.

Remarkable hemodynamics changes that occur in the maternal circulation, the continuous growth and development of the feto-placental circulation is now studied by transvaginal Doppler. This seems to give more light in understanding of the early pregnancy pathophysiology. For the first time, it seems that ultrasound might be able to distinguish different forms of gestational trophoblastic disease. Due to its non-invasiveness and relatively simple and easily performed technique, transvaginal color Doppler might be of considerable clinical value. The other important point is that study results are available immediately for clinical judgement. From our study, we can conclude that transvaginal ultrasound with color and pulsed Doppler is potentially valuable diagnostic tool to differentiate forms of the gestational trophoblastic diseases. On the basis of Doppler findings, the complete mole can be reliably distinguish from the invasive mole or choriocarcinoma. The degree of myometrial invasion can be also assessed. This can be an objective foundation for therapeutical approach. There is no doubt that studies of maternal-fetal circulation in early pregnancy may help for better understanding of physiological and pathophysiological hemodynamic changes. Investigation of maternal (main uterine, arcuate, radial and spiral) arteries; placental (umbilical, chorionic arterioles) vessels and fetal (aorta and intracranial circulation) arteries flow patterns may help in order to diagnose abnormal implantation. More studies are necessary in order the Doppler technique to be used for clinical judgment in early pregnancy. Safety aspects should also be considered. However, potentials of these technique are more then obvious.

Corpus Luteum↗

The assessment of normal early pregnancy by transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonography.

Transvaginal color Doppler was performed in 198 volunteer pregnant women whose menstrual age ranged from the fifth to the twelfth week. In all patients an attempt was made to obtain signals from both uterine arteries, peritrophoblastic/retroplacental vessels, umbilical arteries, fetal aorta, intracranial vessels, and corpus luteum flow. With the combination of color and pulsed Doppler transvaginal sonography, detection of vascular structures was greatly facilitated and the amount of time for examination significantly reduced. Flow velocity waveforms were measured and results were analyzed by calculation of the Resistance Index. During the early stage of pregnancy, we were able to locate both uterine arteries in all cases and continuous diastolic shift signal was found. Flow in the peritrophoblastic/retroplacental area was observed with an overall success rate of 94%. Blood flow in the umbilical artery and fetal aorta was visualized by color Doppler starting from the seventh week. Intracranial blood flow could be visualized starting from the tenth week in some cases. Diastolic flow in these vessels was detectable starting from the twelfth week. Corpus luteum flow was found in 148 cases (75%) and the Resistance Index decreased as pregnancy progressed.

Arteries↗

Endometrial and myometrial thickness and uterine blood flow in postmenopausal women: the influence of hormonal replacement therapy and age.

The aim of our study was to assess the age and hormonal influence on endometrial and myometrial thickness and uterine blood flow in postmenopausal women. One hundred and nine healthy postmenopausal women were examined by transvaginal ultrasonography and color Doppler ultrasonography. Twenty women (18.4%) were under continuous HRT for at least 1 year. In all patients, full thickness of the endometrium and half thickness of the myometrium was measured. Pulsed Doppler waveforms were used to calculate the RI for the left and right uterine arteries. Endometrium thickness in the groups without HRT did not change as the years of postmenopause progressed. This was also true for myometrial thickness. The resistance to blood flow in the uterine arteries remained the same as the postmenopause progressed, but with each 5 year analysis, the ability to see the uterine arteries decreased. The duration of the therapy did not affect the measured parameters. The thickness of the endometrium was larger in the groups with HRT in comparison with all groups without HRT (P < 0.01). Myometrial thickness and uterine blood flow are not affected and did not show any significant influence from HRT. In conclusion, continuous HRT significantly influences the thickness of the postmenopausal endometrium but not of the myometrium or the uterine artery blood flow.

Aged↗

Renal arterial Resistance Index in pregnant and nonpregnant women: evaluation with color and pulse Doppler ultrasound.

The Resistance Index (RI) was studied in the main renal arteries in normal nonpregnant women and its change during normal pregnancy. One hundred and seventy color and pulse Doppler sonographic examinations were performed on 31 nonpregnant and 54 pregnant women. The range of gestation was 5-39 weeks, and patients divided into three groups; 5-12, 13-25 and 26-39 weeks of pregnancy, respectively. The RI was calculated in both main renal arteries. In nonpregnant women the left main renal artery RI mean = 0.587 +/- 0.021, and the right main renal artery RI mean = 0.584 +/- 0.028. In pregnant women the left main renal artery RI mean was 0.681 +/- 0.029, and the right main renal artery RI mean was 0.697 +/- 0.034. There was a significant difference between the main renal artery RI in pregnant and nonpregnant women (P less than 0.01). There was no significant difference between left and right main renal artery in pregnant and nonpregnant women (P less than 0.01). There was no correlation between gestational age and RI in the right main renal artery but a statistically significant correlation with gestational age in the left main renal artery (P less than 0.05).

Female↗

Transvaginal ultrasound, color flow, and Doppler waveform of the postmenopausal adnexal mass.

One thousand postmenopausal women were examined prospectively with transvaginal ultrasound. Seven hundred forty-three (74%) were asymptomatic and presented for screening. Data were analyzed to determine the accuracy of this new modality. Eighty-three women had surgery, and 29 malignant neoplasms were found. Color flow was identified in 27 of 29 malignant tumors and 35% of benign masses. A cutoff value of 0.41 for the Doppler resistance index in the feeder vessels had the best discriminatory value; sensitivity and specificity were 96 and 95%, respectively, for separating benign from malignant neoplasms. Positive and negative predictive values were 96 and 95%, respectively. Morphology alone had poor sensitivity, but when combined with Doppler indices, the sensitivity improved to 90% and the positive and negative predictive values were 90 and 96%, respectively. The results of this study suggest that in the postmenopausal ovary, transvaginal B-mode imaging, color flow, and Doppler indices satisfy criteria as tests that may be sensitive and specific enough for application in a screening program.

Adult↗

Transvaginal color flow Doppler in the assessment of ovarian and uterine blood flow in infertile women.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the flow velocity of the uterine and ovarian arteries through the menstrual cycle to determine there are changes. DESIGN: Serial measurements throughout the menstrual cycle in women attending an infertility clinic, compared with volunteers coming for annual examinations. Transvaginal ultrasound-color flow Doppler was the investigative tool. SETTING: A University Hospital ambulatory care center. PATIENTS: One hundred infertile women compared with 150 women attending the clinic for annual checkups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in the resistance index of flow velocity waveforms of the uterine and ovarian arteries. RESULTS: Uterine flow velocity has a resistance index of 0.88 +/- 0.04 (2 SE) in the proliferative phase and starts to decrease the day before ovulation. A nadir of 0.84 +/- 0.04 is reached on day 18 and remains at that level for the rest of the cycle. In anovulatory cycles, these changes do not occur. A subgroup of 12 women who lacked end diastolic flow in the uterine arteries during the secretory phase were identified. Eleven of these women were infertile, 8 of whom with primary infertility. Ovarian artery flow velocity is usually detected when the dominant follicle reaches 12 to 15 mm. The resistance index is 0.54 +/- 0.04 and also declines on the day before ovulation. A nadir of 0.44 +/- 0.04 is reached 4 to 5 days later and slowly rises to 0.050 +/- 0.04 before menstruation. CONCLUSIONS: There are changes in the flow velocity patterns of the uterine and ovarian arteries during the normal ovulatory menstrual cycle. Because these changes in flow velocity begin before ovulation, it can be suspected that they may involve angiogenesis as well as hormonal factors. The changes noted in these studies are statistically significant but may be too small to be used as a diagnostic tool in the study of infertility problems.

Adult↗

Transvaginal color Doppler in the assessment of abnormal early pregnancy.

The study groups comprised 61 pregnant women whose gestational age ranged from 7 to 12 weeks from the last menstrual period. All patients apparently had a normal developing pregnancy; there were no clinical symptoms of pathology e.g. bleeding in early pregnancy. Eighty-two patients with a clinically and ultrasonographically normal pregnancy whose gestational age ranged from 7 to 12 weeks, served as a control group. When the anatomical position of investigated area have been obtained clearly, pulsed wave Doppler sample volume was placed on the structures of interest: the both uterine arteries and intervillous space. There is no statistically significant difference between the Resistance Index (RI) in the left or right uterine artery (P greater than 0.01) and among investigated groups of patients (P greater than 0.01). The intervillous blood flow RI in the case of molar pregnancy was 0.38 with SD +/- 0.03; in blighted ovum 0.43 with SD +/- 0.03, and in missed abortion 0.43 with SD +/- 0.02. It should be stressed that in nine (31%) cases of blighted ova and in five (26%) cases of missed abortion, intervillous space flow could not be detected. In the control group, intervillous blood flow was always visualized and the mean RI was 0.45 with SD - 0.04. Statistical analysis showed significantly higher RI in control group in comparison with other groups of patients (P less than 0.01), and significantly lower RI in molar pregnancy in comparison with other groups of patients (P less than 0.01). There was no difference in RI between blighted ova and missed abortions (P greater than 0.01).

Abortion, Missed↗

Ectopic pregnancy: transvaginal color Doppler of trophoblastic flow in questionable adnexa.

The purpose of this study was to see if color flow Doppler measurements could aid in the positive diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy when no gestational sac can be seen in the adnexa. We examined 148 women with abdominal pain and suspected ectopic pregnancy by abdominal ultrasonography, followed by vaginal ultrasonography and color Doppler when the diagnosis was still uncertain. Seventy-three patients proved to have ectopic pregnancies. Color flow with low resistance and high velocity vascular signals were observed in complex adnexal masses and in some of the corpora lutea. The resistance index for ectopic trophoblast was 0.36 +/- 0.02 SD. Color Doppler had both positive and negative discrimination of adnexal masses (P = 10(-15). The resistance index for the corpora lutea was 0.48 +/- 0.04. A cutoff value of 0.40 or less is proposed as a diagnostic index for suspected trophoblast in the adnexa. In nine cases of ectopic pregnancy, no color flow was noted. In these women, the beta-human chorionic gonadotropin level was less than 1000 mIU/ml. The clinical operative suspicion in these cases was tubal abortion. Sensitivity and specificity were 88% and 97%, respectively, in this highly selective series. Positive and negative predictive values were 97% and 89%. Color Doppler appears to be useful for the positive diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy with ultrasonography when no adnexal gestational sac is observed. Prospective randomized trials will determine the ultimate clinical value of these findings.

Adnexa Uteri↗

Evaluation of adnexal masses with transvaginal color ultrasound.

We evaluated 14,317 asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic women for ovarian carcinoma with transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound. The resistance index was calculated for at least five separate cardiac cycles in each case, and the mean was calculated. We discovered 624 benign adnexal masses: in every case except one the resistance index was greater than 0.40. There were 56 malignant adnexal masses, 16 of which were stage I ovarian cancers. Neovascularization was found in six of the seven stage I primary neoplasms and in all of the nine stage I secondary ovarian cancers. In all, the RI was less than or equal to 0.40. There were 40 advanced ovarian cancers revealed (stage III or IV); 39 showed abnormal color-flow pattern with the resistance index less than 0.04.

Adult↗