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J Deprest

Publications and source records attributed to J Deprest.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Fetoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) for severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia: evolution of a technique and preliminary results.

BACKGROUND: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) with liver herniation and a lung area to head circumference ratio (LHR) < 1 [corrected] is associated with a high rate of neonatal death due to pulmonary hypoplasia. METHODS: We report the development of a minimally invasive and reversible fetoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) with a balloon, carried out in 21 consecutive fetuses with severe CDH. RESULTS: Endotracheal placement of the balloon was successfully performed in all 21 cases and the mean duration of the operation was 20 (range, 5-54) min. The median gestation at FETO was 26 (range, 25-33) weeks. There were no maternal complications such as hemorrhage, placental abruption or pulmonary edema. In 11 (52.4%) patients there was postoperative prelabor amniorrhexis, which occurred within 2 weeks in five patients and after 2 weeks in six patients. Ultrasound scans after FETO demonstrated an increase in the echogenicity of the lungs within 48 h and improvement in the LHR from a median 0.7 (range, 0.4-0.9) before FETO to 1.8 (range, 1.1-2.9) within 2 weeks following surgery. The median gestation at delivery was 34 (range, 27-38) weeks and in 17 (77.3%) patients delivery occurred after 32 weeks. Nine babies died in the neonatal period due to complications from pulmonary hypoplasia. Surgical repair of the diaphragmatic hernia was carried out in 12 babies and in all but one the defect was extensive and required the insertion of a patch. Ten of these babies survived, and at the time of writing were aged 6-25 (median, 18) months and were developing normally. Survival was 30% in the first group of 10 fetuses and 63.6% in the second group of 11 fetuses. The total number of cases was too small for definite conclusions to be drawn as to the causes of this apparent improvement in survival. Nevertheless, improved survival coincided with a shift in the timing of FETO from the third to the second trimester, the administration of epidural rather than general anesthesia, reduced incidence of postoperative amniorrhexis and a change in the policy on the timing of removal of the balloon from the intrapartum to the prenatal period. During the same period of study there were 17 cases examined in the participating centers that met the criteria for FETO but which declined prenatal therapy. In all cases there was isolated left-sided CDH with liver in the thorax and LHR of 0.4-0.9 (mean, 0.7). In five cases the parents elected to terminate the pregnancy. In the 12 cases with expectant management all babies were liveborn but 11 died in the neonatal period due to pulmonary hypoplasia and only one (8.3%) survived. CONCLUSION: Severe CDH can be successfully treated with FETO, which is minimally invasive and may improve postnatal survival.

Balloon Occlusion↗

Pulmonary vascular morphology in a fetal rabbit model for congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Although the pulmonary vascular abnormalities in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) are described from a morphologic point of view, the treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH) remains one of the main unsolved problems in clinical daily practice. For this reason, detailed studies in well-validated animal models could still be of significance in our understanding of the pathogenesis of CDH. METHODS: In does of 23 days' gestational age (GA), 39 fetuses underwent creation of diaphragmatic hernia (DH) and 15 fetuses a sham thoracotomy (SHAM). Thirty-nine nonoperated littermates served as internal controls (CTR). Fetuses were harvested by cesarean section on days 25, 27, 29, and 30 of gestation. Lung specimens were obtained and formalin fixed for further vascular morphometry studies. RESULTS: Lung vessels from DH fetuses started to show significantly smaller internal diameter (ID), external diameter (ED), larger arterial wall thickness (WT), and, in particular, a proportionally higher medial thickness (%MT) and adventitial thickness (%AT) from day 27 onward when compared with control fetuses. SHAM fetuses, which were harvested at term, showed no differences with CTR. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report documenting changes over time in the vascular system in a rabbit fetal model of surgically induced DH. These changes mimic pathologic findings observed in human fetuses and are also concordant with earlier observations in the surgical ovine model and the toxic nitrofen rat model.

Animals↗

Successful patching of iatrogenic rupture of the fetal membranes.

Rupture of the fetal membranes is a common, but potentially serious complication of invasive fetal procedures. Quintero described a technique to seal the fetal membrane defect by means of a bloodpatch, usually called 'amniopatch' in this application. The successful use in two consecutive patients with ruptured membranes after a fetoscopic intervention at respectively 17 and 22 weeks' gestational age is described, together with a literature review of published experience.

Adult↗

Management of fetal pain during invasive fetal procedures. A review.

In recent years, fetal stress and analgesia draw more and more attention. Evidence that fetuses show a significant endocrinological and hemodynamical response to invasive stimuli, and that these responses can be blocked by analgesia, suggests that fetuses experience a stress response, even if this does not signify they experience "pain". Moreover, it is becoming increasingly clear that experiences of pain of a fetus will be "remembered" by the developing nervous system, perhaps for the entire life of the individual, which can probably lead to abnormal behavioural patterns or altered nociception. But up to now, the entire mechanism of fetal stress response and the optimal analgesic drug, dose and route of administration is not so clear.

Adult↗

Remifentanil for foetal immobilisation and maternal sedation during endoscopic treatment of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome : a preliminary dose-finding study.

Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) affects 10 to 15% of monochorionic twin pregnancies. Untreated, perinatal loss exceeds 80%, of which survivors have a great risk for long-term neurological disorders as psychomotor retardation or cerebral palsy. TTTS can be treated using foetoscopy and selective ablation of the twin-to-twin blood vessels under local or regional anaesthesia. However, local or regional anaesthesia does not always result in excellent maternal comfort, nor does it provide foetal immobilisation, necessary for optimal surgical conditions. Using a continuous infusion rate of remifentanil 0.1 microg/kg/min, perfect foetal immobilisation and excellent maternal sedation was achieved. Only mild respiratory acidosis was observed as a result of mild respiratory depression. In no mother apnoe occurred. All haemodynamic parameters, both foetal and maternal, remained stable during the procedure. Maternal sedation, respiratory depression and foetal immobilisation were quickly reversible following cessation of the remifentanil infusion.

Adult↗

The value of fast MR imaging as an adjunct to ultrasound in prenatal diagnosis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of MR imaging of the fetus to improve sonographic prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies. In 40 fetuses (not consecutive cases) with an abnormality diagnosed with ultrasound, additional MR imaging was performed. The basic sequence was a T2-weighted single-shot half Fourier (HASTE) technique. Head, neck, spinal, thoracic, urogenital, and abdominal fetal pathologies were found. This retrospective, observational study compared MR imaging findings with ultrasonographic findings regarding detection, topography, and etiology of the pathology. The MR findings were evaluated as superior, equal to, or inferior compared with US, in consent with the referring gynecologists. The role of these findings in relation to pregnancy management was studied and compared with postnatal follow-up in 30 of 40 babies. Fetal MRI technique was successful in 36 of 39 examinations and provided additional information in 21 of 40 fetuses (one twin pregnancy with two members to evaluate). More precise anatomy and location of fetal pathology (20 of 40 cases) and additional etiologic information (8 of 40 cases) were substantial advantages in cerebrospinal abnormalities [ventriculomegaly, encephalocele, vein of Galen malformation, callosal malformations, meningo(myelo)cele], in retroperitoneal abnormalities (lymphangioma, renal agenesis, multicystic renal dysplasia), and in neck/thoracic pathology [cervical cystic teratoma, congenital hernia diaphragmatica, congenital cystic adenomatoid lung malformation (CCAM)]. This improved parental counseling and pregnancy management in 15 pregnancies. In 3 cases, prenatal MRI findings did not correlate with prenatal ultrasonographic findings or neonatal diagnosis. The MRI provided a more detailed description and insight into fetal anatomy, pathology, and etiology in the vast majority of these selected cases. This improved prenatal parental counseling and postnatal therapeutic planning.

Adult↗

The pedicle artery sign based on sonography with color Doppler imaging can replace second-stage tests in women with abnormal vaginal bleeding.

OBJECTIVE: Unenhanced transvaginal sonography is not accurate in the detection of endometrial polyps. Currently, second-stage tests such as saline contrast sonohysterography and office hysteroscopy are used to diagnose endometrial lesions, but both have limitations and side effects. We proposed visualization of the pedicle artery on color Doppler imaging as a sign of polyps. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study involving 3099 consecutive patients referred for assessment of the endometrium and myometrium. The uterus was assessed in sagittal and coronal planes using color Doppler sonography. Patients with suspected endometrial pathology on sonography were noted and the volume of the focal lesion was calculated. Patients with a clearly visible pedicle artery reaching the central part of the endometrium were regarded as test-positive. The gold standard was defined as the presence or absence of an endometrial polyp at hysterectomy, hysteroscopy and/or endometrial histology on dilatation and curettage within 1 year of sonography. RESULTS: Of the 3099 women, no gold standard was available in 2230. Only 28 of the 199 patients who were test-positive did not have a gold standard. In the 869 patients in whom a gold standard was available, 182 had one or more endometrial polyps. The pedicle artery test had an apparent sensitivity for detection of endometrial polyps of 76.4%, specificity of 95.3%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 81.3%, and negative predictive value of 93.8%. When extending the test to the prediction of any focal intracavitary pathology the PPV was 94.2%. CONCLUSIONS: The pedicle artery test has a very high PPV for intracavitary pathology. We expect that in the majority of patients with an endometrial polyp this test may replace more invasive established second-stage tests, such as saline contrast sonohysterography and office hysteroscopy.

Adult↗

Uterine intramural bone after mid-trimester termination of pregnancy may not affect fertility: a case report.

We present a case of a 27-year-old asymptomatic woman, gravida 2 para 0 abortus 2, diagnosed with uterine intramural fetal bone 30 days after a mid-trimester termination of pregnancy (TOP) by dilatation and evacuation (D&E). On ultrasound part of a fetal spine was seen within the right lateral isthmocervical area, adjacent to the descending branch of the uterine artery. Within 4 months after TOP the patient conceived again. This case illustrates the risk of myometrial penetration during mid-trimester TOP by D&E. Removal of intramural bony fragments may not be needed in an asymptomatic patient, as their presence does not seem to compromise fertility.

Abortion, Incomplete↗

Factors influencing the flow rate through a surgical defect in human fetal membranes.

OBJECTIVES: In order to determine factors influencing the flow rate trough a created defect in human fetal membranes, an ex vivo set-up was used with fetal membranes collected from patients undergoing Caesarean section at term. METHODS: The membranes were secured at the bottom of a plastic tube and traumatised with needles ranging from 14-26 Gauges (Ga), under a hydrostatic pressure of 10 to 20 cm H(2)O and an angle of 45 degrees or 90 degrees. The column was filled with amniotic fluid or Hartmann's solution. The duration of the puncture was 1 s or the time it takes to aspirate 10 ml through the needle. The flow rate through the defect in the fetal membranes and size of the defect were measured. RESULTS: The flow rate and defect size increased with increasing diameter of the needle. Increasing the pressure in the column resulted in a significant linear increase in the flow rate. Replacing the saline solution with amniotic fluid did not result in significant changes in the measured flow rates, except for the small needle size (24 Ga). Increasing the duration of the puncture did not result in increased flow rates, except for small needle size (24 Ga). CONCLUSION: These experiments suggest that needle diameter, angle of needle insertion, duration of the procedure, amniotic fluid pressure and composition could influence the incidence of amniotic fluid leakage following amniocentesis.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Transient hydropic signs in the donor fetus after fetoscopic laser coagulation in severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome: incidence and clinical relevance.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence, characteristics, and impact on perinatal outcome of the development of hydropic signs in the donor fetus after laser coagulation for severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome in the second trimester. METHODS: Forty cases of second-trimester severe twin-twin transfusion underwent fetoscopic laser coagulation of placental anastomoses and were followed up with serial ultrasound up to 14 days after therapy. Ultrasound scans were performed just before, and on days 1, 3, 5 and 14 after therapy, and fetuses were monitored for the presence of hydropic signs (skin edema, pleural effusion, ascites and pericardial effusion). Response to therapy and perinatal outcome in terms of neonatal survival were recorded for all cases. RESULTS: Four recipients (10%) and three donors (7.5%) died over the first 72 h after therapy. During the study period, two recipients (5.5%) developed frank hydrops fetalis, and eventually died in utero. Ten donors (27.0%) developed one or more hydropic signs. In nine (90%), signs were mild or moderate and transient (mean, 3.2 days), while in one case hydrops worsened and the fetus eventually died. No donors with transient hydrops died in utero, and two died postnatally due to extreme prematurity. Gestational age at procedure and deepest amniotic fluid vertical pocket were similar between hydropic and non-hydropic donors. Discrepancy in estimated fetal weight at procedure was significantly lower in donors developing hydrops (9.6 (SD, 6.4) vs. 17.8 (14.4)%,P = 0.018). In pregnancies with hydropic donors, gestational age at delivery (33.1 (3.4) vs. 29.7 (3.5) weeks,P = 0.015) and birth weight for recipient (2392 (423) vs. 1631 (576) g, P < 0.001) and donor (1908 (774) vs. 1281 (583) g,P = 0.021) were significantly higher. The development of transient hydrops had no influence on neonatal survival at 28 days nor on the rate of clinical resolution of intertwin transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Transient hydropic signs may develop in a proportion of donor fetuses after laser coagulation for severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome. This phenomenon is normally not associated with a poor prognosis, and possibly indicates an hemodynamic adaptation response following interruption of the transfusion process.

Female↗

Impact of laser coagulation in severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome on fetal Doppler indices and venous blood flow volume.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of fetoscopic laser coagulation of placental anastomoses in severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome on fetal Doppler indices and umbilical vein blood flow volume as calculated with Doppler and two-dimensional ultrasound. METHODS: Thirty-two cases of second-trimester severe twin-twin transfusion undergoing laser therapy were examined with serial ultrasound before and 1, 3 and 5 days after therapy. Pulsatility indices in the umbilical artery and ductus venosus were measured. Blood volume flow at the level of the intra-abdominal umbilical vein was calculated by means of Doppler and two-dimensional ultrasound. The development of hydropic signs in donors was recorded. Perinatal outcome in terms of neonatal survival was recorded for all cases. RESULTS: In recipients, ductus venosus pulsatility index decreased progressively after therapy and, by day 5, median pulsatility index was significantly lower than that before therapy (0.97 vs. 0.82, P < 0.0001). Umbilical vein blood flow volume in recipient twins showed no significant variations before and after laser. In donors, umbilical artery pulsatility index decreased significantly by the first day following therapy (2.1 vs. 1.6, P < 0.0001). Previously absent or reverse umbilical end-diastolic flow reappeared after therapy in 46% (7/15) of donors. Ductus venosus pulsatility index in donors increased significantly by day 1 after therapy (0.99 vs. 1.35, P < 0.0001) but, over days 3 and 5, it returned towards preoperative values. Umbilical vein flow volume measurements (mL/min/kg) in the donor increased by approximately 50% the day after treatment (151 vs. 232, P < 0.0001) and remained elevated. Umbilical vein flow volume before laser therapy was significantly lower in donors compared to recipients (151 vs. 260, P < 0.0001), but the difference was non-significant after treatment (240 vs. 267). One or more hydropic signs developed in eight (25%) donors during the 5 days' observation after therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Laser therapy induced important changes in fetal hemodynamic parameters, resulting in a reversion of the disturbances associated with severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome. The recipient twin showed a progressive improvement of previous signs of right cardiac overload. The donor experienced a substantial increase in umbilical vein blood volume flow accompanied by a transitory state of relative right overload, which may explain the development of transient hydropic signs in a proportion of donors.

Female↗

Towards an endoscopic intra-uterine treatment for congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) is a simple defect in the diaphragm that however can lead to severe or lethal pulmonary hypoplasia. Fetuses with their liver herniating into the thorax and with a small lung volume as reflected by a lung-to-head ratio below < 1.0, have virtually no chance to survive despite most modern postnatal care. They are therefore theoretical candidates for in utero therapy. There is a large experimental basis supporting tracheal occlusion (TO) as a method to trigger lung growth, although the optimal time and duration of TO remains to be defined in humans. Animal studies have also shown that TO can be performed completely endoscopically, by means of in utero tracheoscopy and endoluminal balloon placement. TO was therefore applied by leading fetal surgery centers. Initial results with tracheal clipping via hysterotomy were discouraging, but more recently fetoscopic clipping was associated with a nearly 70% survival. The time has now come to achieve TO by means of percutaneous fetoscopic balloon plugging. This will make the intervention more acceptable in a European setting, where open fetal surgery never took off.

Animals↗

Associated malformations and chromosomal anomalies in 42 cases of prenatally diagnosed diaphragmatic hernia.

We present a retrospective study of the frequency and type of associated malformations and chromosomal anomalies in 42 consecutive cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) diagnosed in utero during the period from 1985 to 1999. In 26% (11/42) of the cases, associated malformations were detected. Chromosomal anomalies were present in 9.5% (4/42). In this group of 15 cases (15/42 = 36%) with associated malformations or chromosomal anomalies, all cases, except one, had prenatal sonographic evidence of additional problems. The survival rate of fetuses with CDH and associated malformations or chromosomal anomalies was poor (1/15). Therefore, the overall survival rate of in utero-diagnosed CDH was only 31% (13/42), while isolated left CDH had a survival rate of 52% (12/23). The in utero diagnosis of CDH implies a detailed echographic examination to exclude additional anomalies. The risk for a syndromal or chromosomal malformation becomes small when no additional anomalies are seen on ultrasound.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Doppler ultrasound measurements in the central circulation of anesthetized fetal sheep during obstruction of umbilical-placental blood flow.

OBJECTIVE: To establish by Doppler ultrasound the effects of acute blockage of umbilical cord vessels on the fetal central circulation. DESIGN: Experimental study in anesthetized pregnant sheep. METHODS: In 11 anesthetized pregnant sheep (0.66 of gestation), Doppler velocity profiles and/or venous flow rates were recorded in the ductus venosus, the fetal aorta, the umbilical arteries and the umbilical vein. This involved three phases. In Phase 1, the abdominal wall was closed (n = 9); Phase 2 was during fetoscopy after laparotomy (n = 8); Phase 3 was after coagulation of one of the umbilical arteries (n = 10). As an additional intervention in six fetuses, the umbilical cord was clamped for 5-15 s while blood flow velocity changes in the ductus venosus were observed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between Doppler recordings in Phases 1 and 2. During Phase 3, the pulsatility index of the aorta and of the coagulated umbilical artery increased significantly. The umbilical vein blood flow rate was significantly reduced from a median of 408 (range, 243-575) mL/min/kg in Phase 1 to a median of 173 (range, 107-426) mL/min/kg in Phase 3, but the blood flow rate in the ductus venosus (median, 94; range, 56-148 mL/min/kg vs. median, 92; range, 33-237 mL/min/kg) remained unchanged. The ductus venosus/umbilical vein ratio increased from a median of 0.22 (range, 0.13-0.41) to 0.56 (range, 0.17-0.97) (P < 0.05). Compression of the cord (5-15 s) immediately reduced the time averaged maximum velocity in the ductus venosus from a mean of 51 (standard deviation, 11) cm/s to 20 (standard deviation, 6) cm/s (P < 0.001) without significant changes of the velocity profile. However, the pulsatility index increased from a mean of 0.55 (standard deviation, 0.19) to 1.89 (standard deviation, 0.73) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Central venous flows in anesthetized fetal sheep are unaffected by laparotomy and hysterotomy. Obliteration of one umbilical artery increases the ductus venosus/umbilical vein volume flow (mL/min/kg) ratio. Compression of the umbilical cord shifts down blood flow velocity profiles in the ductus venosus, and the pulsatility index thus increases.

Animals↗

Current experience with fetoscopy and the Eurofoetus registry for fetoscopic procedures.

Fetoscopy has consolidated its position in fetal medicine, thanks to a combination of insight into the pathophysiology of selected conditions that are amenable to fetal surgery and the technical innovations in endoscopic equipment. In clinical practice, two types of fetoscopy can be discerned: Obstetrical Endoscopy and Endoscopic Fetal Surgery. The first involves surgical interventions on the placenta, umbilical cord and fetal membranes. Nd:YAG laser coagulation of placental vessels in case of feto-fetal transfusion syndrome and cord occlusion in monochorionic pregnancy are the most typical procedures. The second type addresses some rare fetal conditions requiring in utero surgery; most experience has been gathered with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Endoscopic fetal surgery has a different historical and experimental background than obstetrical endoscopy, but they both share technical aspects as well as potential side effects. In this review, we aimed at bringing together currently available experience. We suggest that future developments of fetal endoscopic operations will involve a mixture of concepts from both fetoscopy types to reduce maternal invasiveness and complications, eventually improving acceptance by parents and doctors. We encourage the registration of all experience in a yet available open registry for prospective data collection, supported by the European Commission, with as primary target the assessment of maternal and fetal safety.

Databases, Factual↗

Absence of correlation between risk factors for endometrial cancer and the presence of tamoxifen-associated endometrial polyps in postmenopausal patients with breast cancer.

In order to investigate the presence of established risk factors for endometrial carcinoma in postmenopausal patients with breast cancer and with tamoxifen-associated endometrial polyps we compared a group of 25 patients with tamoxifen-associated endometrial polyps with 25 tamoxifen-treated patients without endometrial polyps. No significant differences were found between both groups of patients in age, parity, time after breast cancer and after menopause, duration and daily and total cumulative dose of tamoxifen intake, body mass index and serum levels of luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), oestradiol (E2), progesterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), tamoxifen and CA125. So far there is no evidence that these polyps are premalignant lesions.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗