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Biomedical subjects

C S Levi

Publications and source records attributed to C S Levi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Yolk sac number, size and morphologic features in monochorionic monoamniotic twin pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relation between three characteristics of the yolk sac (number, size and morphologic features) and outcome in monochorionic monoamniotic twin pregnancy. METHODS: The authors reviewed data for the four sets of monochorionic monoamniotic twins detected by first-trimester ultrasonography between January 1990 and June 1994 at their institution. Data analysed included yolk sac number, size and morphologic features, as well as the outcome of the pregnancy. RESULTS: In all four sets of twins, only one yolk sac was identified. In one case the yolk sac was irregular in contour, and in two it was abnormally large. Two of the four mothers delivered healthy twins at 34 weeks gestational age, one had conjoined twins ( and underwent elective termination of the pregnancy), and one had a twin ectopic pregnancy (and underwent salpingectomy). CONCLUSION: A single yolk sac in cases of monochorionic monoamniotic twins may be a normal finding.

Adult

Diagnostic imaging management in Manitoba: 1995-2000.

As part of a 5-year imaging management plan being developed for the single insurance carrier in Manitoba, the radiologic utilization for the province was reviewed. For the fiscal year 1993 (April 1, 1992, through March 31, 1993), 1,056,694 imaging studies were performed in a total patient population of 1,133,117 in 81 hospitals and 39 offices in which 648 units of equipment were operated by 773.4 full-time personnel at a cost of $100,302,812 ($75,227,109 in U.S. dollars). The skin dose for the total population for the year was 40,112 Gy, compared with 35,513 Gy in 1979. Since 1979, there has been a 9% increase in the number of radiologic examinations (from 972,426 examinations), a greater need for more personnel to conduct ultrasound, mammography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging examinations, and striking costs escalation (from $25,082,500 to $100,302,812). Reduction of total funding for imaging services will be possible only if the medical service infrastructure and physician behavior are altered, since imaging is a support service. Hospital services must be integrated and the infrastructure reduced, and physicians must adhere to guidelines and practice protocols for requesting consultations.

Health Care Costs

Angiomyolipoma with lymph node involvement.

A renal mass accompanied by adenopathy was found incidentally in an asymptomatic 25-year-old woman. The computed tomography and ultrasonography findings suggested a malignant neoplasm. At pathological examination, however, renal angiomyolipoma was diagnosed; the lesion contained almost no fat and involved the lymph nodes, an unusual presentation for this tumour.

Adult

Interstitial line: sonographic finding in interstitial (cornual) ectopic pregnancy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship of the endometrial canal and decidua vera to the interstitial gestational sac and to determine if this relationship can be used to increase the predictive value of ultrasound (US) in the diagnosis of interstitial ectopic pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The US findings in 12 patients with interstitial ectopic pregnancy were reviewed. Radiologists also reviewed the cases of 40 patients with various diagnoses to assess the accuracy of the interstitial line sign. RESULTS: US showed a definite gestational sac in four of the 12 patients (33%); the rest had a heterogeneous mass in the cornual region. Thinning of the myometrial mantle was seen in these four patients. The gestational sac appeared eccentric in three of these but in only three of 12 (25%) overall. The endometrial canal or interstitial portion of the tube was identified in 11 of 12 patients (92%). The interstitial line had better sensitivity (80%) and specificity (98%) than eccentric gestational sac location (sensitivity, 40%; specificity, 88%) and myometrial thinning (sensitivity, 40%; specificity, 93%) for the diagnosis of interstitial ectopic pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The interstitial line sign is a useful diagnostic sign of interstitial ectopic pregnancy.

Adult

Decidual cyst: endovaginal sonographic sign of ectopic pregnancy.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of decidual cysts in patients with ectopic pregnancy and assess the value of endovaginal sonographic demonstration of decidual cysts in predicting ectopic pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of 288 proved ectopic pregnancies was reviewed, and a series of 179 patients with pregnancies of less than 8 weeks menstrual age was prospectively examined. RESULTS: Decidual cysts were identified in 30 (14.4%) of 208 ectopic pregnancies. In 12 patients a decidual cyst was the first sonographic sign of ectopic pregnancy, and in six patients it was the only abnormal sonographic finding. Four of five patients with decidual cysts had an ectopic pregnancy. Decidual cysts had a sensitivity of 21%, specificity of 92%, positive predictive value of 80%, and negative predictive value of 42% in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Patients with decidual cysts are at high risk for ectopic pregnancy and should be monitored or treated appropriately, depending on the clinical findings.

Adult

First-trimester umbilical cord cysts.

Cystic masses of the umbilical cord have been detected in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy in association with fetal abdominal wall defects and chromosomal anomalies. With high-resolution endovaginal ultrasound (US), umbilical cord cysts can be visualized during the 1st trimester. Their origin and significance must be considered for proper obstetric management. The authors report eight cases in which cystic masses of the umbilical cord were detected during US examinations performed at 8-9 weeks menstrual age. In the five cases followed to term, both the infant and the umbilical cord were found to be normal at physical examination. Sonographically, all cysts appeared to be eccentric in relation to the umbilical cord, and, although all were closer to the fetus, the cysts were clearly extraembryonic. Cyst size was 2.0-7.5 mm (mean, 5.2 mm). Seven cysts resolved by 12 weeks menstrual age. The incidence of cysts in patients who underwent US at the authors' institution between 8 and 12 weeks menstrual age was 0.4%; the true frequency is unknown without routine 1st-trimester scanning of all patients.

Cysts

Yolk sac diameter and shape at endovaginal US: predictors of pregnancy outcome in the first trimester.

Four hundred eighty-six consecutive women who underwent endovaginal sonography when their fetuses were less than 10 weeks menstrual age (MA) were evaluated to establish the normal size and shape of the secondary yolk sac (YS) and to assess the value of YS measurement in predicting pregnancy outcome in the first trimester. A YS diameter more than two standard deviations (SDs) above the mean when compared with the mean gestational sac diameter allowed prediction of an abnormal pregnancy outcome with a sensitivity of 15.6%, a specificity of 97.4%, and a positive predictive value of 60.0%. A YS diameter more than two SDs below the mean allowed prediction of an abnormal outcome with a sensitivity of 15.6%, a specificity of 95.3%, and a positive predictive value of 44.4%. No pregnancy with a normal outcome had a YS diameter of greater than 5.6 mm at less than 10 weeks MA. In six patients, the YS diameter was greater than 5.6 mm. All six had an abnormal outcome. Of seven patients with abnormal YS shape at initial sonography, three had abnormal YS shape at follow-up examinations. All three had an abnormal outcome.

Abortion, Spontaneous

Endovaginal and translabial ultrasound in pregnancy.

Endovaginal sonography provides earlier and enhanced visualization of the gestational sac and its contents than does transvesical sonography. This paper discusses the role of endovaginal sonography in common first trimester diagnostic problems, including pregnancy dating, first trimester pregnancy loss, ectopic pregnancy, and early diagnosis of fetal anomalies, and reviews the use of endovaginal color flow Doppler in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. A brief discussion of the role of endovaginal and translabial sonography in the second and third trimesters is included.

Female

Characterization of subendometrial myometrial contractions throughout the menstrual cycle in normal fertile women.

The objective was to study the characteristics of ultrasonographically detected subendometrial myometrial contractions. The contractions were evaluated by 328 ultrasound scans throughout the menstrual cycle. Reproducibility of these findings were studied in consecutive cycles. Eighteen healthy ovulatory volunteers with proven fertility were evaluated for at least one complete menstrual cycle in the follicular, periovulatory, and luteal phases. Multiple cycles were studied in 10 volunteers. The results showed that the contractions increase in frequency, amplitude, and percentage toward the fundus throughout the follicular and periovulatory phases. The pattern is essentially reversed in the luteal phase. There is reproducibility of these patterns from cycle to cycle. We conclude that there is a definite identifiable pattern of subendometrial myometrial contractility that varies with the phases of the normal menstrual cycle and recurs in a similar fashion from cycle to cycle.

Adult

Endovaginal sonographic diagnosis of ectopic twin gestation.

Endovaginal sonography has permitted earlier diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. Twin ectopic pregnancy is rare. Until now, antenatal diagnosis of twin ectopic pregnancy using endovaginal sonography had not been reported. Three cases of twin ectopic pregnancy diagnosed via the intracavitary probe are presented.

Adult

Contractions of the inner third of the myometrium.

Forty-six consecutive endovaginal ultrasound examinations were screened for the presence of myometrial contractions. The study group contained pregnant women up to 10 weeks' menstrual age, nonpregnant, and postmenopausal women. Rhythmic myometrial contractions of the inner myometrial third not previously reported were seen in 35 studies in pregnant, nonpregnant, and postmenopausal women. The contractions involved the inner third of the myometrium in all but two cases. In these two cases, all three muscular layers were involved. The majority of women showed retrograde contractions, with the contraction wave moving from the cervix to the fundus. In menstruating women and one case of abortion, the contractions were antegrade. It is our speculation that these retrograde contractions of the inner myometrial third may be important in sperm transport and for the conservation of early pregnancies within the uterine cavity.

Adult