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Biomedical subjects

F Degenhardt

Publications and source records attributed to F Degenhardt.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Rate of early abortion after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer].

The high rate of implantation failures in infertile patients after in vitro fertilization must be regarded as the major problem of the kind of treatment. Usually, no information on the development of the embryo can be obtained for the time between embryo replacement and rising beta-hCG levels. Own studies on the early pregnancy factor (EPF) showed a positive reaction few hours following the contact of a fertilized oocyte with the endometrial surface. Therefore, we used the EPF as a marker for the viability of the embryo in 82 patients after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Within two days after embryo transfer the EPF was positive in 52 (63%) patients and negative in 30 (37%) patients. In these women the embryos may have been lost during handling or may have discontinued further development. Between day 3 and day 12 after transfer the EPF turned to negative values in 35 patients--especially between day 6 and 10. These cases must be regarded as true implantation failures. After day 12 following embryo transfer, rising beta-hCG levels could be measured in 17 women (21%), but only in 12 patients (15%) could a growing embryonic sac be detected by ultrasound. From these figures, we may conclude, that about half of the embryos are lost already during the step of embryo transfer and the other half during implantation. Therefore, more attention should be given to the handling of the embryos to increase the pregnancy rate after in vitro fertilization.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

[Treatment of fallopian tube pregnancies with prostaglandins].

In a study, the clinical use of prostaglandin F2 alpha in local and systemic application in women with ectopic pregnancies were studied (1, 9). Two different treatment schedules were defined and applied. In group A, patients with a diagnosed ectopic and beta-HCG level lower than 850 mIU/ml were treated with prostaglandin F2 alpha i.m. injected only. In group B, prostaglandin F2 alpha were injected in the chorionic cavity of the ectopic by laparoscopy after localisation with a thin needle. In spite of prostaglandin F2 alpha treatment, 6 of 30 patients (20.0%) had to be operated by microsurgery because of increasing serum beta-HCG levels. A control of tubal patency 6 month later showed one closed tube only (4.5%). Up to now, 8 spontaneous intrauterine pregnancies occurred in our study groups after successful prostaglandin F2 alpha treatment; one pregnancy was seen in a women with a single fallopian tube. The conserving treatment of one ectopic pregnancy using prostaglandin F2 alpha yields positive results, if serum beta-HCG levels are below 2000 mIU/ml.

Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal↗

Antenatal diagnosis of a rare combined fetal malformation: acardius acephalus and single ventricle of the twin.

The development of an acardius in a monozygotic multiple pregnancy has been reported in more than 200 cases. We present the case of an acardius acephalus in a twin pregnancy additionally complicated by a serious cardiac malformation of the donor twin (single ventricle). Antenatal diagnosis and development as well as intrauterine treatment of the donor twin from 26 to 34 weeks of gestation are described.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Alpha-Fetoprotein and renal dysfunction of the fetus.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were measured in 25 pregnancies with renal dysfunction of the fetus. Oligohydramnios was found in 14 of 16 patients diagnosed by 20 weeks of gestation and in all of those diagnosed later. AFP levels in maternal serum were normal in 17 (68%), elevated in five (20%), and low in three patients (12%). AFP serum levels up to 24 weeks of gestation were significantly higher than after 24 weeks. AFP levels in amniotic fluid obtained from amniocentesis in six patients were normal or slightly elevated. We suggest that the concentration of AFP in amniotic fluid and maternal serum does not only depend on the physiologic proteinuria of the immature fetal kidneys but also on the permeability of the not yet keratinized fetal skin and the diluting volume of the amniotic fluid.

Amniotic Fluid↗

[Trans-vaginal sonography in gynecological practice].

Some 1,077 transvaginal ultrasonic studies performed in the gynecologist's office are reported. The US technique employed was particularly useful, since, in combination with the pelvic examination, it permitted rapid and accurate diagnosis. Patient acceptance was very high. Both in the gynecological and obstetric examinations, pathological findings were established in about 30% of the cases. In the diagnostic evaluation of both pre- and post-menopausal endometrium, and of the uterine cervix in advanced pregnancies, transvaginal ultrasonography opens up new diagnostic possibilities that can lead to a selective indication for D & C and cerclage.

Female↗

[Vaginal sonography as a method of study in the evaluation of cervix insufficiency. A useful complement to vaginal palpation?].

In a clinical study a group of pregnant women with suspected cervical incompetence was examined by vaginal sonography. Aim of the investigation was to compare results of performed vaginal palpation with results of sonography. 53 pregnant women between 20th und 31st week of gestation were examined by a 5 MHz vaginal sector-scanner probe. After focussing sagittal projection of uterine cervix and lower uterine segment the cervical length and opening of the internal os were assessed prior to cerclage. Postoperative vaginal sonography was performed to ascertain lengthening and stabilization of the incompetent cervix. Comparing results of vaginal palpation and vaginal sonography showed, that the cervical length obtained by sonography was constantly higher in all patients than the results obtained by palpation. This difference became more distinct in the group of patients with extreme cervical incompetence. We are of the opinion that vaginal sonography is an objective method revealing the extent of cervical incompetence. Exact measurement of the cervical length and assessment of the internal os are efficient diagnostic criteria. They complete results of cervical palpation and offer precise information concerning an intended cerclage.

Adolescent↗

[Spermatozoal antibodies in cervical mucus and in the luminal fluid of the uterus in sterile patients].

Poor postcoital tests in infertile patients may be due to dysmucurrhoea, low sperm count, or specific antibodies against spermatozoa. Using a latex agglutination test ("Sperm-antibody-slide-test", Fa. Biotec, Hannover), we examined the cervical and uterine secretions of the patients for sperm antibodies. The results showed a close correlation between a positive sperm-antibody-test and a poor postcoital test, especially in those couples with regular sperm quality. Also in cases with normal postcoital tests, positive sperm-antibody titers can be observed. Therefore, the sperm-antibodies may disturb fertilization in infertile patients even without causing immobilization or agglutination of the spermatozoa in the female genital tract fluids. The determination of the spermatozoa-antibody content in the cervical and uterine secretions must be regarded as an improvement in the diagnostic procedure in human infertility.

Adult↗

[Endosonography in extrauterine pregnancy].

70 women were examined by transvaginal scanning after a pelvic gynecological examination revealed the suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy. In 32 cases a pelviscopy confirmed an extrauterine pregnancy, 29 of those were detected previously by transvaginal scanning. In 29 other patients the suspected diagnosis could be excluded. In 7 women the suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy could neither be confirmed nor excluded by means of transvaginal scanning. However, in those cases controls of beta-HCG presented values less than 5 mU/ml pleading for the non-existance of pregnancy. From the total number of patients examined 10 cases turned out to provide false results, this is equivalent to a failure rate of 13.1%. Transvaginal scanning is a powerful diagnostic tool to detect ectopic pregnancies, potentially helping to avoid the procedure of a pelviscopy in a number of cases.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

[Amniocentesis in the 2d trimenon: comparison of 2 technics].

The results of 1245 amniocenteses performed by the "free hand needle" technique and ultrasonic control are discussed. The use of ultrasonic control showed a much lower incidence of blood-stained amnionic fluid as well as a decreased number of repeated punctures of the amnion. The abortion rate was almost the same in both groups. According to our experience ultrasonic controlled puncture seems to be more reliable in terms of safety and success.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

[Local metronidazole and PVP-iodine prevention before abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy].

One day before abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy 37 patients received a vaginal suppository of (I) metronidazol (200 mg) (II) PVP-iodine or (III) a placebo. Microbiologic analysis was performed before application and three or four days post surgery. No differences between the three groups were observed regarding bacterial status and postoperative morbidity. Occurrence of postoperative infections did not decrease as a result of the local treatment and dosage as described.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

[Prenatal diagnosis of Meckel's syndrome in a family].

Meckel's syndrome, with the major characteristic features of encephalocele, polydactylia and cystic kidneys, can be diagnosed via sonography. Both serum and amniotic fluid show increased alpha-foetoprotein levels. Acetylcholine esterase electrophoresis shows a pathological band on examination of the amniotic fluid. Heredity is autosomal recessive. The children are not viable. Genetic consultation of the parents is recommended.

Encephalocele↗

[Doppler ultrasound in monitoring twin pregnancies with early discordant growth].

Early growth retardation in one twin is complicated by a high fetal mortality and morbidity. It is often very difficult to determine the optimum time of delivery in regard to placental insufficiency and prematurity. We report of two cases in which doppler velocimetry was a helpful method in monitoring those pregnancies at high risk. A growth retardation of three weeks was found in one child of a twin pregnancy at 17 weeks of gestation. Doppler velocimetry at 23 weeks showed a reverse flow and centralisation and the child died at 27 weeks. The other twin then also developed pathologic flow patterns and had to be delivered by cesarean section. In the second patient, pregnancy could be continued in spite of a growth retardation of three weeks in one child at 15 weeks and an additional decrease in the growth rate of both children from 30 weeks onwards. Cesarean section had to be performed at 34 weeks because of premature rupture of membranes.

Adult↗