Clinical approach for the classification of congenital uterine malformations

A more objective, accurate and non-invasive estimation of uterine morphology is nowadays feasible based on the use of modern imaging techniques. The validity of the current classification systems in effective categorization of the female genital malformations has been already challenged. A new clinical approach for the classification of uterine anomalies is proposed. Deviation from normal uterine anatomy is the basic characteristic used in analogy to the American Fertility Society classification. The embryological origin of the anomalies is used as a secondary parameter. Uterine anomalies are classified into the following classes: 0, normal uterus; I, dysmorphic uterus; II, septate uterus (absorption defect); III, dysfused uterus (fusion defect); IV, unilateral formed uterus (formation defect); V, aplastic or dysplastic uterus (formation defect); VI, for still unclassified cases. A subdivision of these main classes to further anatomical varieties with clinical significance is also presented. The new proposal has been designed taking into account the experience gained from the use of the currently available classification systems and intending to be as simple as possible, clear enough and accurate as well as open for further development. This proposal could be used as a starting point for a working group of experts in the field

Mullerian-inhibiting substance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: relationship with hormonal and metabolic characteristics.

The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between Mullerian-inhibiting substance (MIS) levels and metabolic characteristics in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Increased ovarian MIS production may exert a paracrine negative control on follicle growth sufficiently to prevent selection of a dominant follicle

3-T MRI in the preoperative evaluation of depth of myometrial infiltration in endometrial cancer.

The objective of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 3-T MRI in determining the depth of myometrial infiltration in patients with endometrial cancer.Fifty-two patients (43 postmenopausal) with histopathologically proven endometrial carcinoma underwent preoperative 3-T MRI. The following sequences were performed: axial T1 fast spin-echo (FSE); axial, parasagittal, and paracoronal T2 FSE; paracoronal 3D T1 inversion recovery gradient-echo after contrast administration; and parasagittal fat-suppressed T1 FSE. All patients underwent a hysterectomy. The MRI findings were compared with histopathology results. The quantity and degree of artifacts were evaluated.. MRI performed on a 3-T unit was in agreement with histopathology in assessing the depth of invasion in 86.4\% (44/52) of the patients with a mean sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of 83.5\%, 93.9\%, 77.8\%, 92.2\%, and 89.7\%, respectively. Performance values were also assessed for single stages of myometrial infiltration. For the detection of an intramucosal lesion (MRI, 12/52; histopathology, 6/52), sensitivity was 100\%; specificity, 86.9\%; PPV, 50\%; NPV, 100\%; and accuracy, 88.5\%. For the detection of myometrial infiltration that was less than 50\% (MRI, 12/52; histopathology, 16/52), sensitivity was 62.5\%; specificity, 94.4\%; PPV, 83.3\%; NPV, 85\%; and accuracy, 84.6\%. For the detection of myometrial infiltration that was greater than 50\% (MRI, 28/52; histopathology, 30/52), sensitivity was 93.3\%; specificity, 100\%; PPV, 100\%; NPV, 91.7\%; and accuracy, 96.2\%. The following artifacts were found: abdominal wall movement, nine patients (not affecting image quality); peristalsis, 16 patients (two deeply affecting, one affecting, and 13 scarcely affecting); magnetic susceptibility artifact, four patients (not affecting); chemical shift, 20 patients (four scarcely affecting and 16 not affecting); and dielectric effect, six patients (four deeply affecting and two affecting).In evaluating the depth of myometrial infiltration in patients with endometrial cancer, 3-T MRI showed high diagnostic accuracy-equivalent to that of 1.5-T MRI reported in the literature. Artifacts did not significantly affect image quality

Calcium supplementation and prevention of preeclampsia: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Since the early 1980s, epidemiological evidence has suggested a connection between low calcium intake and preeclampsia The purpose of this meta-analysis is to summarize current evidence regarding calcium supplementation during pregnancy in predicting preeclampsia and associated maternal-fetal complications. METHODS: Literature revision of all RCT (random allocation of calcium versus placebo) available in MEDLINE/PUBMED up to 2/29/2012 regarding calcium supplementation during pregnancy for preventing preeclampsia. We used the Mantel-Haenszel's Method for four subgroup of patients: Adequate calcium intake; Low calcium intake; Low risk of preeclampsia; High risk of preeclampsia. We considered p < 0.05 as significant. RESULTS: There is no consensus in Literature about: (1) the efficacy of calcium supplementation in the prevention of preeclampsia, (2) other/adverse/long-term effects of calcium supplementation in pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Preeclampsia is likely to be a multifactorial disease. However, inadequate calcium intake represents a factor associated with an increased incidence of hypertensive disease. The results of our meta-analysis demonstrate that the additional intake of calcium during pregnancy is an effective measure to reduce the incidence of preeclampsia, especially in populations at high risk of preeclampsia due to ethnicity, gender, age, high BMI and in those with low baseline calcium intake