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Biomedical subjects

A Vizzone

Publications and source records attributed to A Vizzone.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Transplacental amniocentesis: is it really a higher-risk procedure?

The aim of this study was to compare transplacental with non-transplacental amniocentesis in terms of related complications. Between January 1991 and December 1992, 4564 genetic amniocenteses were performed in 4527 patients (4491 singleton, 35 twin, and one triplet pregnancy) at 15-16 weeks of gestation. All the procedures were ultrasound-guided and performed by the same operator. In 1487 cases, an anterior placenta was traversed with the needle, whereas in 3077 cases, the needle was inserted directly into the amniotic cavity without traversing the placenta. After the exclusion of patients in whom amniotic cell culture failed or in whom an abnormal karyotype was obtained, and of patients lost to follow-up, a total of 4454 patients (98 per cent) were followed for 30 days after amniocentesis. Two spontaneous abortions occurred after a transplacental procedure, and five after a nontransplacental procedure (P = not significant). There were no episodes of amniotic fluid leakage in the first group, whereas 16 ruptures of the membranes that resolved spontaneously occurred in the second group (P < 0.01). Our data suggest that transplacental amniocentesis carries a similar abortive risk to and a lower risk of transient rupture of the membranes than non-transplacental amniocentesis and may therefore be preferred at the gestational period examined (15-16 weeks). However, the risk of feto-maternal haemorrhage, which is reported to be higher for a transplacental procedure, must be considered in the case of an anterior placenta.

Abortion, Spontaneous

Cellular effects of image diagnostic ultrasound on murine spermatogenesis monitored by flow cytometry.

A study has been carried out to evaluate the possible cellular effects induced by image diagnostic ultrasound on murine spermatogenetic cells. Exposure to ultrasound was carried out using a commercial diagnostic instrument that operates in B-mode. Male hybrid F1 mice, aged 8-10 weeks, were exposed to ultrasound for 30 min and observed from 7 to 35 days after treatment. Flow cytometric analysis has been used to monitor the relative frequency of the different types of spermatogenetic cells. This analytical approach showed changes in cell frequency in the compartment containing elongated spermatids which was used as an endpoint. A statistically significant decrease in the frequency of this cell type was observed 21, 28 and 35 days after exposure. These changes suggest that there may be a cytotoxic and/or cytostatic effect on spermatocytes and spermatogonia. These results showed that image diagnostic ultrasound induces effects on murine spermatogenesis at cellular level and that the flow cytometric approach makes it possible to identify quantitative cellular changes with reference to specific cell type.

Animals

Ultrasound-guided aspiration of ovarian endometriotic cysts.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of ultrasound-guided aspiration of ovarian endometriotic cysts. METHOD: Thirty-four patients with ovarian endometriomas were submitted to transvaginal (28 patients) or transabdominal (6 patients) ultrasound-guided aspiration of the cyst content, and then followed with serial ultrasonograms for a mean period of 12 months (range 6-20 months). RESULT: The procedure was successful in all cases, and no early complications occurred. The recurrence rate was 53%, and it was not influenced significantly by the preoperative or postoperative administration of medical suppressive therapy. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided aspiration of ovarian endometriomas yields a relatively high recurrence rate, and can be proposed as an alternative treatment when surgery is undesired or contraindicated.

Adult

Successful intrauterine therapy of a large fetal ovarian cyst.

Fetal ovarian cysts can be managed in different ways, depending upon their size and clinical course: conservatively, by open surgery or by postnatal transabdominal puncture. However, in cases of large cysts detected antenatally and affecting the ongoing pregnancy, in utero transabdominal puncture can be undertaken, without increase of risk. A case of such a puncture at 30 weeks gestation is reported.

Adult

Ovarian development of the female child and adolescent: I. Morphology.

Ovarian morphology of 180 randomly selected females, aged 8-21, was investigated, utilizing standard sector scanning ultrasound techniques, at -1 year (1 year before menarche), year 0 (menarche) and years +1 to +8 (1-8 years postmenarche). According to strict morphologic criteria, seven ovarian patterns were recognized which varied in dominance with age in reference to menarche. Prior to menarche a multifollicular ovarian pattern (Type 1) dominates which after menarche is substituted by a predominantly active ovarian pattern (Type 5). Approximately 20% of postmenarcheal females do not develop this active pattern. In a relatively persistent percentage of females a microcystic (Type 2) ovarian pattern was recognized throughout all postmenarcheal years, suggestive of a normal transitional pattern from Type 1 to Type 5 ovaries. In contrast, multicystic (Type 3), hyperthecosis (Type 4), polycystic ("Mickey Mouse") (Type 6) and silent (Type 7) ovaries appear to represent abnormal ovarian developments. Based on percentage distributions, it is tempting to speculate that multicystic (Type 3) and/or hyperthecosis (Type 4) ovaries represent precursor ovaries to Type 6 (polycystic) ovaries. Confirmation of this hypothesis would have major clinical importance for the early diagnosis of the polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Adolescent

The sonographic picture of endometrium in spontaneous and induced cycles.

Ultrasonic volume evaluation of the endometrium was performed on 19 spontaneously ovulating and 48 ovulation-induced women and correlated to E2 and P values in peripheral blood. No statistical correlations were obtained between either hormone level and any of the sonographically obtained parameters except for E2 levels in reference to the anteroposterior diameter of the endometrium in stimulated cycles (R = 0.29; P less than 0.05). It is concluded that the sonographic evaluation of the endometrium does not contribute to the evaluation of either spontaneous or induced cycles.

Adult

Flow cytometrically determined DNA content of breast carcinoma and benign lesions: correlations with histopathological parameters.

The relative DNA content of cellular samples from 54 patients affected by breast carcinomas and 20 affected by benign breast lesions (including 11 fibroadenomas) was measured by flow cytometry. All normal tissue samples and 17/20 (85%) specimens from benign lesions exhibited a cytometrically diploid DNA distribution, 3/20 (15%) benign lesions an abnormal DNA content, and 35/54 (65%) carcinomas at least one aneuploid cell subpopulation. Furthermore, 9/54 (17%) tumors were characterized by the presence of more than one aneuploid cell subpopulation. The results also indicate that flow cytometry can be used to recognize lymph nodes infiltrated by aneuploid cells. Statistically significant correlations were evidenced between the occurrence of aneuploidy or the ploidy level measured as DNA index and the nodal infiltration status. The percentage of S cells can also be extracted from DNA content distribution histograms. Statistically significant differences (p less than 0.01) were also observed for the percentage of S cells between normal tissues (6.2 +/- 3.2 SD) and benign lesions (11.1 +/- 6.6 SD), normal tissues (6.2 +/- 3.2 SD) and aneuploid tumors (19.7 +/- 10.3 SD), benign lesions (11.1 +/- 6.6 SD) and aneuploid tumors (19.7 +/- 10.3 SD), and diploid (7.9 +/- 4.0 SD) and aneuploid tumors (19.7 +/- 10.3 SD).

Adult

A new method for the measurement of pre-ejection period in the human fetus.

The pre-ejection period (PEP) of the cardiac cycle was measured in the human fetus using pulse Doppler in association with transabdominal ECG. The technique permitted the exact localization of the aortic valve, a good recording of its opening and the exact measurement of PEP. Between 32 and 42 weeks of pregnancy there is a strong correlation between PEP and gestational age. This new method seems to be an easy and reliable tool for measuring the PEP during intrauterine life.

Aortic Valve