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ABSTRACT: Aim: A common anatomical consequence of low-segment cesarean section is the presence of a pouch on the anterior uterine wall that can be detected by sonography or hysteroscopy. Different suturing techniques have been compared (single vs double layer) and showed no substantial differences. This prospective longitudinal study was aimed at evaluating the outcome of the cesarean scar, comparing two different types of single-layer sutures by transvaginal ultrasound and hysteroscopy. Material and Methods: The study sample consisted of two groups of 30 singleton primiparae at term who delivered by elective low segment cesarean section. In the first group, uterine closure was done with locked continuous single-layer sutures and in the second group, with single-layer interrupted sutures. Patients were assessed by transvaginal ultrasound and hysteroscopy, between the 6th and the 12th month after delivery, and again at the 24th month. Ultrasound measurements were made of the pouch area, if present. Results: A bell-shaped uterine wall defect was seen at ultrasound in 36 (85.71%) of 42 patients who completed the follow up at the 24th month. It was larger in the group of patients with closure by continuous sutures (6.2 [2.1-14.7] mm(2) ) as compared to interrupted sutures (4.6 [1.9-8.2] mm(2) , P = 0.03). Hysteroscopy confirmed the presence of the wall defect in all 36 cases, but different hysteroscopic outcomes were observed. Conclusion: Locked continuous sutures seem to cause a larger defect as compared to interrupted sutures, probably due to a greater ischemic effect exerted on the uterine tissue.
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research 05/2012; · 0.94 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of transvaginal sonography (TVS) and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance-colonography (CE-MR-C) for the pre-surgical assessment of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). Methods Ninety women were prospectively enrolled for a suspicion of DIE. All patients underwent a TVS and a CE-MR-C performed blindly, before laparoscopy. The sites of DIE examined by both imaging techniques were: recto-vaginal septum, pouch of Douglas, utero-sacral ligaments, vesico-uterine pouch, bowel, bladder and vagina. The presence of adhesions, the involvement of adnexa and of a previous abdominal scar, in case of a clinical suspicion, were also evaluated. TVS and CE-MR-C findings were compared with laparoscopic and histological results. Results Endometriosis was confirmed by laparoscopy in 95.6% of cases (86//90). In 82.2% (74/90) of patients there was DIE. The global accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, negative predictive values, positive likelihood ratios and negative likelihood ratios were 89.2%, 81.1%, 94.2%, 89.6%, 89.0%, 13.9 and 0.2 for TVS, 87.2%, 71.1%, 97.1%, 93.7%, 84.6%, 24.4 and 0.3 for CE-MR-C. CE-MR-C allowed to diagnose all cases of bowel involvement; the accuracy for infiltration and stenosis was 100%. The accuracy of TVS for recto-sigmoid nodules and infiltration was 91.1% and 88.9%. Conclusions Both techniques showed satisfactory results. TVS appears a powerful, simple, feasible, cost effective tool for preoperative staging of DIE. CE-MR-C is an "X Ray free" technique, which could be reserved for cases with deep infiltrating rectosigmoid lesions, for the prediction of stenosis and involvement of the upper part of colon and small intestine. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology 04/2012; · 3.01 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: to compare ultrasound (US) and autopsy findings of fetal malformations in second trimester terminations of pregnancy to evaluate the degree of agreement between US and fetal autopsy.
in this study, all second trimester termination of pregnancy between 2003-2010 were considered. US and autopsy findings were compared and all cases were classified into five categories according to the degree of agreement between US and pathology (A1: full agreement between US and autopsy; A2: autopsy confirmed all US findings but revealed additional anomalies 'rarely detectable' prenatally; B: autopsy demonstrated all US findings but revealed additional anomalies 'detectable' prenatally; C: US findings were only partially demonstrated at fetal autopsy; D: total disagreement between US and autopsy).
144 cases were selected. In 49% of cases there was total agreement between US and autopsy diagnosis (A1). In 22% of cases additional information were about anomalies 'not detectable' by US (A2). In 12% of cases autopsy provided additional information about anomalies not observed but 'detectable' by US (B). In 13% of cases some anomalies revealed at US, such as valve insufficiencies, pericardial and pleural effusions, were not verified at autopsy (C). Total lack of agreement was noted only in 4% of cases (D). Main areas of disagreement concerned cardiovascular, CNS and complex malformations. The degree of agreement was higher if malformations were diagnosed in a tertiary center.
this study shows an overall high degree of agreement between definitive US and autopsy findings in second trimester termination of pregnancy for fetal malformations. Autopsy reveals to be the best tool to diagnose malformations and often showed other abnormalities of clinical importance not detected by US, but sometimes also US could provide additional information about functional anomalies because US is a dynamic examination.
Journal of prenatal medicine. 04/2012; 6(2):13-7.
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the contribution of contrast-enhanced MR-colonography (CE-MR-C) for the diagnosis of intestinal endometriosis.
One hundred and four women with suspected endometriosis were prospectively enrolled. All patients were subjected to MRI consisting of two phases: pelvic high-resolution MRI (HR-MRI) followed by CE-MR-C after colonic distension using a 1.5-liter water enema and injection of 0.15 ml/kg of 0.5 M gadolinium-DTPA with T1w high-resolution isotropic volume (THRIVE) and balanced turbo field echo (BTFE) images. HR-MRI and CE-MR-C were considered as two datasets, which were independently reviewed by two radiologists with 12 and 2 years' experience respectively. The presence of deep pelvic endometriotic lesions with particular attention to colorectal involvement was recorded.
MRI findings correlated with laparoscopy in all cases. Thanks to CE-MR-C images, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy for diagnosis of colorectal endometriosis increased from 76%, 96%, 84%, 93% and 91%, to 95%, 97%, 91%, 99% and 97% for the most experienced radiologist and from 62%, 93%, 72%, 89% and 85%, to 86%, 94%, 82%, 96% and 92% for the less experienced radiologist; moreover, the interobserver agreement increased from 0.63 to 0.80 (Cohen's K test).
CE-MR-C allows easier recognition of colorectal endometriosis and higher interobserver agreement.
European Radiology 02/2011; 21(7):1553-63. · 3.22 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study was to evaluate the impact of mode of delivery and timing of caesarean section in extremely preterm births, below 28 weeks of gestation, on long-term survival and psychomotor outcomes.
This was a single-centre retrospective cohort study of 84 cases of extremely low birth weight infants with complete maternal, obstetrical and neonatological information. Mortality and survival with neurological disabilities at 18 months of life were considered outcome measures.
Forty percent of deliveries were at or less than 25 weeks of gestation and birth weight was <or=500 g in 14% of all infants. The overall survival rate was 54.8% with a prevalence of neuromotor impairment with disability among the survivors of 26.1%. After adjustment using multiple logistic regression, only extreme prematurity (<or=25 weeks) and birth weight below 500 g had significant effects on survival (p<0.05), regardless of mode and timing of delivery.
Mode of delivery and labour seem not to play a significant role in adverse neonatal outcomes, either mortality or neuro-developmental impairment, in extremely low birth weight infants.
European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology 05/2009; 145(2):154-7. · 1.97 Impact Factor
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Obstetrics and Gynecology 03/2008; 111(2 Pt 1):452; author reply 452. · 4.73 Impact Factor
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Daniela Virgintino,
Mariella Errede,
Francesco Girolamo,
Carmen Capobianco,
David Robertson, Antonella Vimercati,
Gabriella Serio,
Adriana Di Benedetto,
Yasuhiro Yonekawa,
Karl Frei,
Luisa Roncali
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ABSTRACT: During brain development and blood-brain barrier (BBB) differentiation the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) may complement the protective function of the placental barrier against xenobiotic substances. To establish an immunohistochemical procedure for P-gp detection, different anti-P-gp monoclonal antibodies were first tested on a fibrosarcoma cell line and colonic carcinoma tissue. The protocol was then tested on adult human brains as a BBB-P-gp tissue-specific control and for double labeling with anti-P-gp and the astroglia marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The protocol was then used to analyze the expression and localization of P-gp in human fetuses during cerebral cortex formation. At the earliest examined stage, 12 weeks of gestation (wg), P-gp was detectable as diffuse cytoplasmic labeling of the endothelial cells lining the primary cortex microvessels. At 18 wg, a punctate P-gp staining pattern was detected on cortex and subcortical vessels and on their side branches. At 22 wg, P-gp staining was linear and concentrated on endothelial cell membranes. In all examined ages, GFAP-positive radial glial cells and astrocytes did not stain for P-gp, even at their perivascular processes, whereas faint P-gp labeling was seen on vimentin-reactive radial glia at the earliest examined fetal age. At midgestation, P-gp colocalized with caveolin-pY14 on the abluminal endothelial cell membrane. These results demonstrate that P-gp is expressed early during human cerebral cortical microvessel development, and suggest that at midgestation there may be efflux activity that is regulated by interactions with the caveolar endothelial cell compartment.
Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology 02/2008; 67(1):50-61. · 4.26 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To assess the accuracy and characterize two-dimensional ultrasonographic formulas for the estimation of birth weight according to the type of fetal biometric parameters these formulas rely on to make fetal weight predictions.
A prospective recruitment of 589 pregnant women was carried out for this cross-sectional study. Different biometric parameters were taken ultrasonographically to estimate birth weight using 35 different formulas. Only those patients who delivered within 48 hours were considered for the analysis (n=441). Differences between the estimated and actual birth weight were assessed by percentage error, accuracy in predictions within +/-10% and +/-15% of error, and use of the Bland-Altman method. All formulas were assessed individually and clustered on the basis of the type of fetal biometric information that they incorporate.
Twenty-nine formulas provided an overall mean absolute percentage error less than or equal to 10%, with overall predictions within +/-10% and +/-15% of the actual birth weight (69.2% and 86.5%, respectively). Twenty formulas showed a good accuracy (bias 0.50 or less) and low variability (mean standard deviation 1.2). Among the categorized algorithms, formulas based on head-abdomen-femur measurements showed the lowest mean absolute percentage error. Upon stratification for birth weight, the group of formulas that rely on abdomen and femur measurements performed best for fetuses weighing more than 3,500 g (P<.01).
Our findings show that most formulas are relatively accurate at predicting birth weight up to 3,500 g, and all algorithms tend to underestimate large fetuses.
III.
Obstetrics and Gynecology 01/2008; 111(1):57-65. · 4.73 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The effect of myomectomy on implantation and pregnancy rates prior to assisted reproduction treatments is controversial. This study was designed to assess clinical outcomes of IVF cycles in women with uterine fibroids. A retrospective single-centre assessment of clinical outcomes of IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatments in infertile women in a 4-year span was carried out. All patients underwent detailed transvaginal ultrasound and hysteroscopy to precisely identify presence, location and intracavitary growth of uterine fibroids. Cumulative pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates were considered primary outcome measurements. Fifty-one women with fibroids (97 treatment cycles), 63 patients with previous myomectomy (127 cycles), and 106 infertile women who did not demonstrate fibroids anywhere in the uterus (215 cycles) were considered for the analysis. No significant difference was found for pregnancy and live birth rates between groups. Women with fibroids>4 cm required an increased number of cycles to obtain an ongoing pregnancy, compared with the other groups. The data do not support pre-IVF myomectomy in women with small-to-moderate uterine fibroids, regardless of their location. This represents valuable information in the counselling of women with fibroids before reproductive assisted cycles.
Reproductive biomedicine online 12/2007; 15(6):686-91. · 2.04 Impact Factor
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American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A 04/2007; 143(5):518-20. · 2.39 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Perinatal mortality rate is used as an indicator of reproductive health worldwide. In western countries, national mortality registers are usually accurate and reliable.
We reviewed the data recorded in the past 50 years in Italy on perinatal and infant mortality. Each single class of mortality rate (according to WHO definitions) was assessed on temporal trends allowing a critical speculative analysis, mainly focusing on the last 20 years, in an attempt to evaluate the impact of prenatal diagnosis.
Infant mortality rate (IMR) constantly decreased in the study period whereas early neonatal mortality rate progressively diminished in a 5-year comparison till the early 1990s. Perinatal mortality showed a linear negative trend until the 1980s, after which the decrease steadied at about 23% in the following 5-year period. Infant mortality attributable to congenital anomalies throughout a 20-year span (1980-2000) was steady at about 23% although a progressive reduction in general infant mortality was reported.
A higher reduction in neonatal and perinatal mortality rate was found before the wide availability of the ultrasonographic prenatal diagnosis and the introduction of the law on voluntary abortion in Italy. Given these data, it seems that advances in neonatal care have improved the infant survival rates more than prenatal diagnosis, whereas obstetric care is linked to a reduction of the early perinatal mortality rate.
European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 02/2007; 130(1):60-5. · 1.97 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The objective was to investigate the importance of previous obstetric history for termination of pregnancy in the second-trimester with gemeprost alone.
A consecutive series of 423 mid-trimester inductions of abortion at our teaching hospital was reviewed. Termination of pregnancy was carried out with 1mg of vaginal gemeprost every 3h up to three doses over a 24-h period, repeated the following day if necessary. Failed induction was defined as women undelivered by 96 h. The study population was then stratified by gestational age, parity, gravidity and previous uterine scars. Main outcome parameters were failed induction and complication rates. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi(2) test or Fisher's exact test for categorical data, and the t-test and linear regression for continuous variables.
No significant differences were found in the primary outcome parameters with regard to the obstetric parameters considered. The failed induction rate was 1.2% with an overall incidence of complications of 7.4%. Parity was the main factor that affected clinical response (time to abortion interval and number of pessaries).
Patients' obstetric history does affect the clinical response to gemeprost, but its safety and effectiveness are preserved. These data provide clinicians with important information for correct counselling.
European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 02/2007; 130(1):42-5. · 1.97 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Freeman-Sheldon syndrome (FSS) is a rare genetic condition with facial and joint abnormalities. Here we report the first case of prenatal diagnosis in a fetus with negative familial history for this syndrome. A chart of the fetal mouth length was generated and its usefulness verified.
A cross-sectional study was carried out to derive standard charts for fetal lip lengths. The study population was made up of 371 fetuses between 15 and 38 weeks of gestation examined only once for this purpose. A statistical analysis previously recommended to derive normal ranges in fetal growth charts was employed.
A 34-year-old woman was referred at 28 weeks of gestation for polyhydramnios and clubfeet. A detailed scan confirmed those findings and showed joint contractures of hands, a severe microstomia with a 'whistling' mouth, and an H-shaped mark over the chin. FSS was suspected, though there was no family history for this genetic syndrome. After emergency delivery at 32 weeks, the syndrome was confirmed. The infant died two months later from pneumonia. Upon construction of a standard mouth length chart, it was found that the fetal lip width in this case of FSS was well below the 5th centile.
Here we present a standard chart for fetal lip width. We demonstrated its usefulness in cases with fetal face anomalies. Specific charts are fundamental for an objective assessment of the fetal parameters.
Prenatal Diagnosis 09/2006; 26(8):679-83. · 2.11 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Many hormones such as insulin, insulin-like growth factors, and the glucocorticoids are involved in regulating fetal growth. Inositol phosphoglycans (IPGs), a family of putative second messengers of insulin, are reported to exert several of insulin's metabolic effects.
A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate IPG P-type (P-IPG) in human amniotic fluid and in adult urine under physiological conditions. An amniotic fluid sample was taken from 78 women undergoing early amniocentesis and a mid-stream urine specimen was collected from 109 healthy pregnant and 66 non-pregnant women. All samples were assessed using a polyclonal antibody-based ELISA.
The P-IPG content was a thousand times higher in the amniotic fluid than in the urine (p < 0.0001). Urinary specimens showed a four-fold higher P-IPG content during pregnancy than in healthy non-pregnant women (p < 0.001).
Under physiological conditions, human amniotic fluid was found to be enriched in P-IPG compared with maternal urine, suggesting a possible fetal origin. Therefore, IPGs may play a role in insulin sensitivity and fetal growth and, perhaps, be involved in some of its abnormalities such as macrosomia and intrauterine growth restriction.
Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine 02/2006; 19(1):9-12. · 1.50 Impact Factor
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Obstetrics and Gynecology 01/2006; 106(6):1417; Author reply 1417-8. · 4.73 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The use of ultrasound guidance has proven to be a key factor in performing embryo transfer in a gentle and atraumatic manner. However, despite the lower incidence of brusque maneuvers, bladder distension has not shown any positive impact on the IVF success rate.
Fertility and sterility 11/2005; 84(4):1046-8. · 3.97 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In the pre-expulsive and expulsive phases of labor, oxytocin and several other osteoclastogenic mediators, such as prostaglandins and IL-6, are secreted in high concentrations. This study was undertaken to assess whether the peripheral blood obtained from healthy women after vaginal delivery contains a larger pool of osteoclast precursors compared with age- and gender-matched controls. Our results clearly show that the number and size of osteoclasts generated in vitro from osteoclast precursors isolated from women after delivery are significantly larger than those from controls. This finding can account for the decrease in bone mass that is often observed during the breastfeeding period and the concomitant release of high quantities of calcium in the milk. Further investigations are required to establish whether analysis of blood osteoclast precursors can be predictive of changes in bone remodeling in this setting.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 09/2005; 334(2):487-90. · 2.48 Impact Factor
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Luigi Laviola,
Sebastio Perrini,
Gaetana Belsanti,
Annalisa Natalicchio,
Carmela Montrone,
Anna Leonardini, Antonella Vimercati,
Marco Scioscia,
Luigi Selvaggi,
Riccardo Giorgino,
Pantaleo Greco,
Francesco Giorgino
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ABSTRACT: The IGFs promote the growth and development of the feto-placental unit during gestation, and impairment of their placental actions may result in altered intrauterine growth of the fetus. In this study, proteins involved in IGF signaling were investigated in human placentas from pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) compared with those from normal pregnancies. IUGR placentas exhibited 33% reduction in the protein content of IGF-I receptors, but no changes in insulin receptor protein levels. In addition, insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2) protein levels were reduced in IUGR placentas, with no changes in IRS-1 or Shc protein content, and this was associated with a parallel decrease in IRS-2-associated phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase. Akt protein expression was also reduced in IUGR, whereas phosphorylation of Akt and its substrate glycogen synthase kinase-3 was unchanged. Finally, in IUGR placentas there was impaired activation of multiple members of the MAPK family, because phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase was reduced 70%. In conclusion, human placentas from pregnancies complicated by IUGR are characterized by decreased IGF-I receptor content, selective impairment of the IRS-2/ phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase pathway, and reduced p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation. The observed abnormalities in IGF-I signaling may contribute to altered fetal growth and development in human IUGR.
Endocrinology 04/2005; 146(3):1498-505. · 4.46 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety and effectiveness of a short-scheme protocol of gemeprost for second trimester induction of abortion in women with previous uterine surgery.
Retrospective review of women who underwent second trimester medical termination of pregnancy (TOP) at our hospital in a 5-year period. A short regimen of gemeprost was used: over a 24-h period, 1 mg vaginal gemeprost was given every 3 h up to three doses after which, if abortion did not occur, another course at the same dosage schedule was administered up to 4 days. Induction failure was defined as women undelivered by 96 h. A homogeneous population was identified. Statistical analysis was performed with the chi(2) test or Fisher's Exact Test for categorical data and t test for continuous variables.
Four hundred seventeen women underwent medical midtrimester TOP in the 5-year study period. Two hundred five patients were selected for this review, comparing 63 patients with scarred uterus to 142 women without uterine scars. There were no differences between the two groups in induction-to-abortion interval and number of pessaries given. The overall failure of induction rate was 1.5% and need for blood transfusion was 0.5%. No uterine rupture was reported.
The regimen of gemeprost proposed seems to be as safe and effective in patients with uterine scars as in women with unscarred uteri with a very low incidence of complications.
Contraception 04/2005; 71(3):193-6. · 2.72 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The formation of endothelial tight junctions (TJs) is crucial in blood-brain barrier (BBB) differentiation, and the expression and targeting of TJ-associated proteins mark the beginning of BBB functions. Using confocal microscopy, this study analyzed endothelial TJs in adult human cerebral cortex and the fetal telencephalon and leptomeninges in order to compare the localization of two TJ-associated transmembrane proteins, occludin and claudin-5. In the arterioles and microvessels of adult brain, occludin and claudin-5 form continuous bands of endothelial immunoreactivity. During fetal development, occludin and claudin-5 immunoreactivity is first detected as a diffuse labeling of endothelial cytoplasm. Later, at 14 weeks, the immunosignal for both proteins shifts from the cytoplasm to the interface of adjacent endothelial cells, forming a linear, widely discontinuous pattern of immunoreactivity that achieves an adult-like appearance within a few weeks. These results demonstrate that occludin and claudin-5 expression is an early event in human brain development, followed shortly by assembly of both proteins at the junctional areas. This incremental process suggests more rapid establishment of the human BBB, consistent with its specific function of creating a suitable environment for neuron differentiation and neurite outgrowth during neocortical histogenesis.
Histochemie 08/2004; 122(1):51-9. · 2.59 Impact Factor
