-
Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology :... Oct 2011Congenital uterine anomalies are common but their effect on reproductive outcome is unclear. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the association between... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Congenital uterine anomalies are common but their effect on reproductive outcome is unclear. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the association between different types of congenital uterine anomaly and various reproductive outcomes.
METHODS
Searches were performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale was used for quality assessment. Uterine defects were grouped into arcuate uteri, canalization defects (septate and subseptate uteri) and unification defects (unicornuate, bicornuate and didelphys uteri). Pooled risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed using random effects models.
RESULTS
We identified nine studies comprising 3805 women. Meta-analysis showed that arcuate uteri were associated with increased rates of second-trimester miscarriage (RR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.33-4.27, P = 0.003) and fetal malpresentation at delivery (RR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.54-4.18; P < 0.001). Canalization defects were associated with reduced clinical pregnancy rates (RR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.77-0.96; P = 0.009) and increased rates of first-trimester miscarriage (RR, 2.89; 95% CI; 2.02-4.14; P < 0.001), preterm birth (RR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.48-3.11; P < 0.001) and fetal malpresentation (RR, 6.24; 95% CI, 4.05-9.62; P < 0.001). Unification defects were associated with increased rates of preterm birth (RR, 2.97; 95% CI, 2.08-4.23; P < 0.001) and fetal malpresentation (RR, 3.87; 95% CI, 2.42-6.18; P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Canalization defects reduce fertility and increase rates of miscarriage and preterm delivery. None of the unification defects reduces fertility but some are associated with miscarriage and preterm delivery. Arcuate uteri are specifically associated with second-trimester miscarriage. All uterine anomalies increase the chance of fetal malpresentation at delivery.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Female; Fertility; Humans; Labor Presentation; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Premature Birth; Risk Factors; Uterine Diseases; Uterus
PubMed: 21830244
DOI: 10.1002/uog.10056 -
American Journal of Medical Genetics.... Jan 2021This objective of this systematic review was to estimate live birth rate and explore prognostic indicators in fetuses with 45,X karyotype and a posterior cystic hygroma...
This objective of this systematic review was to estimate live birth rate and explore prognostic indicators in fetuses with 45,X karyotype and a posterior cystic hygroma (CH). Electronic databases were searched and studies reporting pregnancy outcomes (termination, spontaneous abortion, demise, or live birth) for fetuses with 45,X karyotype and a CH diagnosed on ultrasound were included. For cases of survival, CH characteristics, presence of hydrops fetalis, or concomitant anomalies, delivery details, and postnatal outcomes were summarized. A total of 95 studies, including 535 cases, met inclusion criteria: 285 (53.3%) pregnancies were terminated, 72 (13.5%) had spontaneous abortion or demise, 164 (30.7%) had unspecified pregnancy failure, and 14 (2.6%) were live births. Among live births with data available, all CH measured 2-7 cm, more than half were septate, and almost all regressed in size or eventually disappeared. Hydrops fetalis was noted in five cases. Of the eight live births with neonatal outcomes available, three neonates died shortly after birth and five survived past the neonatal period. This review suggests that diagnosis of CH in a 45,X fetus is associated with an estimated live birth rate of 2.6%, but only 1% survive to infancy. Prognosis appears to improve with CH regression.
Topics: Chromosome Aberrations; Female; Fetus; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Karyotype; Karyotyping; Lymphangioma, Cystic; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Prognosis; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
PubMed: 33026168
DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61902 -
ANZ Journal of Surgery Dec 2005The use of ultrasound in breast diagnosis has resulted in the increasing identification of incidental benign-appearing lesions, of which complex (or atypical) breast... (Review)
Review
The use of ultrasound in breast diagnosis has resulted in the increasing identification of incidental benign-appearing lesions, of which complex (or atypical) breast cysts are frequently reported. Complex breast cysts were estimated to be reported in approximately 5% of breast ultrasound examinations. A systematic review of the literature on sonographically detected complex breast cysts was carried out. The quality of primary studies and extracted data on cancer detection was assessed. Very few studies have examined complex breast cysts and quantified the associated cancer detection rate. In most of these studies, subjects have been selected on the basis of progress to intervention, which would overestimate the likelihood of malignancy. The only study to examine complex cysts from all consecutive ultrasounds reported one case of non-invasive cancer from 308 lesions--0.3% (95% confidence interval, 0.01-1.84). Ultrasound features associated with a higher risk of the lesion being a cancer are: thickened walls, thick internal septations, a mix of cystic and solid components, and an imaging classification of indeterminate. Using the information from the present review, complex breast cysts were categorized on the basis of associated risk of malignancy, and an approach to the management of these lesions to assist clinical decision-making was suggested. Provided adequate information is given to the patient, complex breast cysts with a very low risk of malignancy do not always require image-guided biopsy.
Topics: Algorithms; Australia; Breast Cyst; Female; Humans; Ultrasonography, Mammary
PubMed: 16398815
DOI: 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2005.03608.x -
Pancreas Oct 2018The evidence on the ability of radiological tests to predict a specific diagnosis and also their aptitude in identifying pathological markers indicative of malignancy in...
The evidence on the ability of radiological tests to predict a specific diagnosis and also their aptitude in identifying pathological markers indicative of malignancy in cystic lesions of the pancreas remains inconclusive. We conducted a systematic review on MEDLINE for the use of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT) in the diagnosis and characterization of these cysts. The accuracy of CT scan for reaching a specific diagnosis was 39% to 61.4%, whereas its accuracy for differentiating benign from malignant lesions was 61.9% to 80%. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a better accuracy in identifying a specific diagnosis of 50% to 86%, whereas its accuracy in differentiating benign from malignant lesions was 55.6% to 87%. The use of magnetic resonance imaging was superior to CT scan in identifying septations, mural nodules, and ductal communication. The sensitivity of PET/CT in diagnosing malignancy was 85.7% to 100% with a reported accuracy of 88% to 95%. The evidence gathered from this review suggests that the adequacy of CT imaging in full characterization of pancreatic cysts is suboptimal, and therefore a low threshold for supplementary imaging is advised. The use of PET/CT should be considered in high-risk patients with equivocal findings.
Topics: Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Pancreas; Pancreatic Cyst; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 30199486
DOI: 10.1097/MPA.0000000000001134 -
Human Reproduction Update 2010Although hysteroscopy is frequently used in the management of subfertile women, a systematic review of the evidence on this subject is lacking. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Although hysteroscopy is frequently used in the management of subfertile women, a systematic review of the evidence on this subject is lacking.
METHODS
We summarized and appraised the evidence for the benefit yielded by this procedure. Our systematic search was limited to randomized and controlled studies. The QUOROM and MOOSE guidelines were followed. Language restrictions were not applied.
RESULTS
We identified 30 relevant publications. Hysteroscopic removal of endometrial polyps with a mean diameter of 16 mm detected by ultrasound doubles the pregnancy rate when compared with diagnostic hysteroscopy and polyp biopsy in patients undergoing intrauterine insemination, starting 3 months after the surgical intervention [relative risk (RR) = 2.3; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6-3.2]. In patients with one fibroid structure smaller than 4 cm, there was a marginally significant benefit from myomectomy when compared with expectant management (RR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.0-3.7). Hysteroscopic metroplasty for septate uterus resulted in fewer pregnancies in patients with subfertility when compared with those with recurrent pregnancy loss (RR = 0.7; 95% CI: 0.5-0.9). Randomized controlled studies on hysteroscopic treatment of intrauterine adhesions are lacking. Hysteroscopy in the cycle preceding a subsequent IVF attempt nearly doubles the pregnancy rate in patients with at least two failed IVF attempts compared with starting IVF immediately (RR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.5-2.0).
CONCLUSIONS
Scarce evidence on the effectiveness of hysteroscopic surgery in subfertile women with polyps, fibroids, septate uterus or intrauterine adhesions indicates a potential benefit. More randomized controlled trials are needed before widespread use of hysteroscopic surgery in the general subfertile population can be justified.
Topics: Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Humans; Hysteroscopy; Infertility, Female; Leiomyoma; Polyps; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Tissue Adhesions; Treatment Outcome; Uterine Diseases
PubMed: 19744944
DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmp033 -
Gene Oct 2022The septation defect is one of the main categories of congenital heart disease (CHD). They can affect the septation of the atria leading to atrial septal defect (ASD),...
The septation defect is one of the main categories of congenital heart disease (CHD). They can affect the septation of the atria leading to atrial septal defect (ASD), septation of ventricles leading to ventricular septal defect (VSD), and formation of the central part of the heart leading to atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD). Disruption of critical genetic factors involved in the proper development of the heart structure leads to CHD manifestation. Because of this, to identify the high-risk genes involved in common septal defects, a comprehensive search of the literature with the help of databases and the WebGestalt analysis tool was performed. The high-risk genes identified in the analysis were checked in 16 Indian whole-exome sequenced samples, including 13 VSD and three Tetralogy of Fallot for in silico validation. This data revealed three variations in GATA4, i.e., c.C1223A at exon 6: c.C602A and c.C1220A at exon 7; and one variation in MYH6, i.e., c.G3883C at exon 28 in two VSD cases. This study supports previously published studies that suggested GATA4 and MYH6 as the high-risk genes responsible for septal defects. Thus, this study contributes to a better understanding of the genes involved in heart development by identifying the high-risk genes and interacting proteins in the pathway.
Topics: Exome; Heart Defects, Congenital; Heart Septal Defects; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular; Humans
PubMed: 35863714
DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146745 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024Hysteroscopy currently represents the gold standard for the diagnosis and treatment of intrauterine pathologies. Recent technological progress has enabled the... (Review)
Review
Hysteroscopy currently represents the gold standard for the diagnosis and treatment of intrauterine pathologies. Recent technological progress has enabled the integration of diagnostic and operative time, leading to the "see and treat" approach. Diode laser technology is emerging as one of the most innovative and intriguing techniques in this context. A comprehensive search of the literature was carried out on the main databases. Only original studies reporting the treatment of intrauterine pathologies using diode laser were deemed eligible for inclusion in this systematic review (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023485452). Eight studies were included in the qualitative analysis for a total of 474 patients undergoing laser hysteroscopic surgery. Eighty-three patients had female genital tract abnormalities, 63 had submucosal leiomyomas, 327 had endometrial polyps, and one patient had a scar pregnancy. Except for leiomyomas, whose technique already included two surgical times at the beginning, only seven patients required a second surgical step. Cumulative rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications of 2.7% and 0.6%, respectively, were reported. Diode laser through "see and treat" hysteroscopy appears to be a safe and effective method. However, additional studies with larger sample sizes and improved designs are needed to consolidate the evidence currently available in the literature.
PubMed: 38337843
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14030327 -
Minerva Ginecologica Feb 2020Hysteroscopic septoplasty is a safe and routinely used procedure for the treatment of septate uterus. The aim of this paper is to determine which hysteroscopic technique... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
INTRODUCTION
Hysteroscopic septoplasty is a safe and routinely used procedure for the treatment of septate uterus. The aim of this paper is to determine which hysteroscopic technique (scissors, monopolar/bipolar diathermy) is superior for post-treatment reproductive outcome.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
Two different hysteroscopic septoplasty instruments (scissors and monopolar/bipolar diathermy) were compared, focusing on the pregnancy outcome. In addition, all published studies and reviews regarding pregnancy outcomes that occurred after operative hysteroscopy using different techniques (bipolar, monopolar electrodes, resectoscope, VERSAPOINTâ„¢ [Ethicon LLC] and scissors) were reviewed. Dichotomous analysis, with use of the Mantel-Haenszel method, was performed for all five outcomes, with fixed effect analysis model and odds ratio (OR) as the effect measure. Analysis details included totals and subtotals with 95% confidence interval. The Multinomial CI package for the R statistical language was also used.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Out of 26 full-text articles available in the literature, two studies were finally selected as eligible, with a total number of 125 patients. Pregnancy rate for scissors was 88.8% and for resectoscope was 75.6% (OR: 2.13, I2=29%; P=0.23). Delivery rate for scissors was 78.1% and for resectoscope was 75.0% (OR: 1.29, I2=0%; P=0.53). Miscarriage rate for scissors was 21.8% and for resectoscope was 27.1% (OR: 0.78, I2=0%; P=0.53). Preterm delivery rate for scissors was 6.2% and for resectoscope was 6.7% (OR: 0.85, I2=0%; P=0.94). Term delivery rate for scissors was 71.8% and for resectoscope was 66.1% (OR: 1.32, I2=0%; P=0.47). The lack of evidence in literature regarding the potential influence in the reproductive outcome of the instrument used when performing a hysteroscopy to treat a septate uterus became radically clear.
CONCLUSIONS
No statistically significant differences were observed in reproductive outcomes between women treated for septate uterus using resectoscope or scissors.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Confidence Intervals; Diathermy; Female; Humans; Hysteroscopy; Odds Ratio; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy Rate; Premature Birth; Surgical Instruments; Term Birth; Treatment Outcome; Uterus
PubMed: 32153162
DOI: 10.23736/S0026-4784.20.04444-5 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Apr 2008Pleural effusions and empyema may complicate lower respiratory tract infections. Treatment of these collections of pus includes surgical drainage and the use of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Pleural effusions and empyema may complicate lower respiratory tract infections. Treatment of these collections of pus includes surgical drainage and the use of intra-pleural fibrinolysis to break down fibrin bands that may cause loculation.
OBJECTIVES
To conduct a systematic review of the benefit of adding intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy to intercostal tube drainage in the treatment of complicated para pneumonic effusions and empyema to reduce mortality or the need for subsequent surgical debridement of the pleural space.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE and EMBASE. Trial authors were contacted for further information and details regarding the possibility of unpublished trials was requested. The most recent search was conducted in November 2006.
SELECTION CRITERIA
All studies in the review were Randomised Controlled Trials in adult patients with post-pneumonic empyema or complicated parapneumonic effusions who had not had prior surgical intervention or trauma. The intervention was an intrapleural fibrinolytic agent (streptokinase or urokinase) via an intercostal chest drain (ICD) versus control, or a comparison of the two agents.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently extracted data . Study authors were contacted for further information.
MAIN RESULTS
Seven studies met the eligibility criteria of the review, recruiting 761 participants. The only consistent end points in all trials were treatment failure, as gauged by the requirement for additional intervention including surgery or death. In studies where patients had either loculation and empyema, there was no significant difference in the risk of death with fibrinolytics (RR 1.08; 95% CI 0.69 to 1.68). When treatment failure was considered as surgical intervention, fibrinolytics reduced the risk of this outcome (RR 0.63; 95% CI 0.46 to 0.85), but there is discordance between earlier positive studies and the more recent negative study by Maskell.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy confers significant benefit in reducing the requirement for surgical intervention for patients in the early studies included in this review but not in the more recently published Maskell study. The reasons for this difference are uncertain. Separate subgroup analysis of proven loculated/septated effusions from the available data in our meta-analysis suggests a potential overall treatment benefit with fibrinolytics, but these results should be treated with caution as the data are incomplete and the benefit is not significant in the subgroup of high quality trials (Cochrane Grade A). Intrapleural fibrinolytics have not been shown to significantly increase adverse events, but the confidence interval is too wide to firmly exclude this possibility.
Topics: Adult; Empyema, Pleural; Fibrinolytic Agents; Humans; Pleural Effusion; Pneumonia; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Streptokinase; Thrombolytic Therapy; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator
PubMed: 18425881
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002312.pub3 -
Genes Dec 2021Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) is a common postnatal defect of cardiac atrial septation. A certain degree of familial aggregation has been reported. Animal studies suggest...
Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) is a common postnatal defect of cardiac atrial septation. A certain degree of familial aggregation has been reported. Animal studies suggest the involvement of the Notch pathway and other cardiac transcription factors (GATA4, TBX20, NKX2-5) in Foramen Ovale closure. This review evaluates the contribution of genetic alterations in PFO development. We systematically reviewed studies that assessed rare and common variants in subjects with PFO. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO and followed MOOSE guidelines. We systematically searched English studies reporting rates of variants in PFO subjects until the 30th of June 2021. Among 1231 studies, we included four studies: two of them assessed the gene, the remaining reported variants of chromosome 4q25 and the S377G variant, respectively. We did not find any variant associated with PFO, except for the rs2200733 variant of chromosome 4q25 in atrial fibrillation patients. Despite the scarceness of evidence so far, animal studies and other studies that did not fulfil the criteria to be included in the review indicate a robust genetic background in PFO. More research is needed on the genetic determinants of PFO.
Topics: Animals; Foramen Ovale, Patent; GATA4 Transcription Factor; Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5; Humans; Risk Factors
PubMed: 34946902
DOI: 10.3390/genes12121953