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L Bovicelli

Publications and source records attributed to L Bovicelli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Prenatal diagnosis of a complete mole coexisting with a dichorionic twin pregnancy: case report.

A complete mole coexisting with dichorionic twins was diagnosed by the combined use of sonography and chorionic villus sampling at 10 weeks gestation. The pregnancy resulted in the death of one fetus at 31 weeks from presumed feto-maternal haemorrhage, while the other fetus survived in good condition. A summary of the available literature, combined with this report, reveals a total of seven pregnancies with twins and a coexistent complete mole. Only two out of 14 fetuses survived. Maternal complications included one case of pre-eclampsia and one persistent trophoblastic tumour. Accurate diagnosis of complete mole is possible by genetic analysis of chorionic villi obtained with standard transabdominal sampling. Twins with a coexistent complete mole will usually undergo miscarriage. However, fetal survival is possible and the maternal risks seem limited. A concomitance between gestational trophoblastic disease and the occurrence of feto-maternal haemorrhage is observed.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Transvaginal sonographic appearance of peritoneal pseudocysts.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the sonographic features of peritoneal pseudocysts (PPCs) in order to determine the particular aspects that distinguish them from true ovarian cysts. METHODS: Thirty-one women with PPCs were investigated using transvaginal sonography immediately before surgery. The diameters of the cysts were measured, and the shape, margins, content, location, presence of septa and echogenic portions were analyzed. RESULTS: The PPCs were monolateral in 20 (65%) and bilateral in 11 (35%) women. A well-defined cystic structure was found in only six (19%) women, while in the other 25 (81%) women the PPCs showed blurred, undefined margins and a bizarre morphology, giving them a star-like tubular or lumpy shape. The ipsilateral ovary was identified in 26 (84%) cases either external to the cyst or entrapped within it like a 'spider in a web'. Septa were present in 25 (81%) cases and were often mobile, resembling a 'flapping sail' when touched by the endovaginal probe. CONCLUSION: Despite having a gross morphology resembling that of a true ovarian cyst, PPCs present some characteristic sonographic findings that allow a correct differential diagnosis in the vast majority of cases.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Outcome of antenatally diagnosed intracranial hemorrhage: case series and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES: Prenatal diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) has been widely reported. Hemorrhages may occur either within the cerebral ventricles, subdural space or infratentorial fossa. The aim of this study was to determine the sonographic criteria for the diagnosis of fetal ICH, the role of in utero magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the outcome of this condition. METHODS: The archives of our ultrasound laboratory and the literature were searched for all cases of antenatally diagnosed ICH. A grading system was used to classify the intraventricular lesions as suggested in postnatal sonographic studies. RESULTS: Adding our series of 16 fetuses to the 93 cases identified in the literature, a group of 109 fetal ICHs was obtained: 89 were intracerebral (79 intraventricular and 10 infratentorial) and 20 were subdural hemorrhages. Intraventricular lesions were mostly classified as severe (32 each for Grades III and IV). In 27 cases antenatal MRI was performed additionally to ultrasound and confirmed the sonographic findings. Of the entire group, 65 infants (59%) were reported to be alive 1 month after birth (51 intraventricular hemorrhages, three infratentorial hemorrhages, 11 subdural hematomas). At 12 months, of the 48 infants whose follow-up was available, 25 or 52% were judged neurologically normal (17/36 or 47% among the intraventricular hemorrhages, 6/9 or 66% among the hematomas, and 2/3 or 66% among the infratentorial hemorrhages). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal ICH may be accurately identified and categorized by antenatal sonography. The outcome is usually poor, especially for those fetuses affected by higher-grade intraventricular hemorrhages.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗
PubMed2003

Sonography of pregnancies with first-trimester bleeding and a small intrauterine gestational sac without a demonstrable embryo.

OBJECTIVE: This was a prospective observational cohort study to evaluate the outcome and prognostic criteria of pregnancies with first-trimester bleeding and a gestational sac <or=16 mm without a demonstrable embryo. METHODS: Criteria for admission into the study included: (1) first-trimester bleeding; (2) a transvaginal scan performed upon admission demonstrating a single intrauterine gestational sac with a mean diameter <or=16 mm and without a demonstrable embryo. The outcome variable was miscarriage, defined as pregnancy loss prior to 22 weeks. The following explanatory variables were considered: maternal age, menstrual age, size of the gestational sac, presence or absence of the yolk sac and subchorionic hematoma, and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin levels. The relationship of these variables with pregnancy failure was analyzed by stepwise logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 50 patients, 32 (64%) underwent miscarriage. The receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve of the size of the gestational sac demonstrated a high level of statistical significance (area under the ROC curve 0.9080, P < 0.000001) and stepwise logistic regression revealed that this was the only variable independently correlated with the subsequent occurrence of miscarriage. DISCUSSION: It is commonly accepted that in pregnant patients with first-trimester bleeding, demonstration by transvaginal ultrasound of an intrauterine gestational sac <or=16 mm without an embryo may be compatible with a viable pregnancy. Our results suggest that in general this finding is associated with a poor outcome, with miscarriage occurring in two-thirds of patients. When the sac is small for gestational age, the risk of miscarriage is greatly increased. In the present series, a gestational sac diameter less than -1.34 standard deviations of the mean was associated with pregnancy failure in over 90% of cases.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Sonographic diagnosis of congenital anomalies during the first trimester.

Current ultrasound technology allows an examination of fetal anatomy and the detection of anomalies at 12-15 weeks. Studies assessing the accuracy of early sonographic diagnosis prior to 15 weeks of pregnancy were reviewed. In expert hands the detection rate is about 40 per cent for major extra-cardiac anomalies and 65 per cent for major cardiac defects. However, due to technical and practical limitations, sonographic assessment of fetal anatomy in the first trimester cannot replace the midtrimester scan and should be restricted to couples whose fetus is at increased risk for malformation.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Two-dimensional ultrasound is accurate in the diagnosis of fetal craniofacial malformation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of antenatal ultrasound in the diagnosis of craniofacial malformations and to compare two-dimensional with three-dimensional ultrasound. METHODS: This was a retrospective study in which the archives of our ultrasound laboratory were searched for cases with an ultrasound diagnosis of craniofacial malformation in the period 1986-2001. No attempt was made to look for false-negative diagnoses. RESULTS: Sixty cases with an antenatal diagnosis of a craniofacial malformation were found: 37 with cleft lip/palate; 17 with heterogeneous dysmorphisms (including mostly micrognathia and craniosynostosis) and 6 with miscellaneous craniofacial malformations. Associated anomalies were present in 48/60 (80%) cases, and holoprosencephaly (25 cases) was the most frequent of these. In 43 (72%) cases the diagnosis was made before 24 weeks' gestation. Postnatal follow-up was available for 43 cases and there was always complete correlation between antenatal and postnatal diagnoses. Cleft lip/palate was always accurately differentiated from cleft lip. Three-dimensional ultrasound was performed in 12 cases and was successful in 11. However, it did not provide further diagnostic information with regard to the two-dimensional scan. DISCUSSION: Current two-dimensional ultrasound in expert hands allows an accurate diagnosis of craniofacial abnormalities from early gestation. In our hands, three-dimensional ultrasound did not add any valuable diagnostic information. Three-dimensional ultrasound may facilitate the understanding of the lesion by the parents and facilitate communication with the plastic surgeons. However, these potential benefits need to be carefully weighed against the costs of the ultrasound instrumentation, increased examination time and training of personnel.

Craniofacial Abnormalities↗
PubMed2001

Prenatal evaluation of fetal renal function based on serum beta(2)-microglobulin assessment.

The relationship between fetal renal function (FRF) and fetal serum beta(2)-microglobulin (B2MG) was investigated by comparing its value in 112 unaffected fetuses with that of 23 fetuses presenting with urinary tract malformations (UTM). Fetal serum level of B2MG was totally unrelated to gestational age; its value increased in cases of severe impairment of FRF but was similar to controls in all mild uropathies (p<0.05). Evaluating serum B2MG could be beneficial in fetuses with severe renal damage, but is of no use in unilateral UTM since only the global FRF is tested and not the function of each single kidney.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2001

Uterine fistula induced by hysteroscopic resection of an embolized migrated fibroid: a rare complication after embolization of uterine fibroids.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case in which hysteroscopic removal of a fibroid that had migrated through the uterine wall induced formation of a uterine fistula. DESIGN: After embolization of uterine fibroids, an investigative clinical, sonographic, and hysteroscopic protocol was followed. SETTING: Gynecologic clinic of a university hospital. PATIENT(S): A 38-year-old woman undergoing embolization of uterine arteries for uterine fibroids. INTERVENTION(S): Angiography-guided transcatheter bilateral embolization of uterine arteries, with clinical, sonographic, and hysteroscopic follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Patient morbidity and satisfactory intercourse. RESULT(S): Six months after embolization of the uterine arteries, the patient presented migration of the fibroid through the uterine wall. Hysteroscopic removal of the fibroid induced posthysteroscopic formation of a uterine fistula. CONCLUSION(S): After embolization of the uterine arteries, thorough follow-up examination of the uterine cavity is strictly recommended. Diagnosis of a uterine wall perforation can identify an abnormal source of uterine bleeding, and patients should be counseled to avoid pregnancy until the lesion heals completely.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Diagnosis and management of fetal cardiac anomalies: 10 years of experience at a single institution.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of fetal echocardiography and the outcome of cardiac malformations diagnosed in utero. DESIGN: A retrospective study. METHODS: The archives of our ultrasound laboratory were searched for fetal cardiac abnormalities in the period 1991-2001. RESULTS: Diagnosis of a fetal cardiac anomaly was made in 339 pregnancies at a mean gestational age of 26.2 weeks. Pathology or a detailed postnatal follow-up was available in 260 cases, and the prenatal diagnosis was accurate in 236 cases (91%). Discrepancies included nine false positive diagnoses (six ventricular septal defects and three coarctation of the aorta) and 15 cases in which a cardiac anomaly different from the one suspected in utero was documented. Of the 142 fetuses with isolated cardiac malformations (no extracardiac anomalies, normal chromosomes) that were delivered in our center, 114 were alive (80.2%) at a mean follow-up of 38 months (range, 1-120 months). In this group of patients, conotruncal anomalies and univentricular lesions were the most frequent types of anomaly, and had a survival rate of 87% and 57%, respectively. Hypoplastic left heart was the most frequent isolated congenital heart defect in infants that were delivered (19 cases) and it was associated with a survival rate of 37%. CONCLUSION: In expert hands, fetal echocardiography is highly accurate. The long-term prognosis of cardiac lesions diagnosed in utero is similar to that reported in series of infants diagnosed after birth. The only exception is hypoplastic left heart in which the survival rate is much lower than expected from postnatal studies.

Echocardiography↗
PubMed2001

Prenatal diagnosis of thrombosis of the dural sinuses with real-time and color Doppler ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the sonographic findings and clinical implications of fetal thrombosis of dural sinuses. DESIGN: Retrospective study of cases with a prenatal diagnosis of thrombosis of the dural sinuses. RESULTS: The diagnosis of fetal thrombosis of the dural sinuses was established in three uncomplicated pregnancies at 21, 22 and 28 weeks' gestation by transabdominal and transvaginal sonography, demonstrating a blood clot within the dilated dural sinuses, always in the region of the torcular Herophilii. The diagnosis was further confirmed by the color Doppler demonstration of absence of blood flow within the dilated dural sinuses. Upon request of the couples two pregnancies were terminated. One infant was delivered at term by Cesarean section and died during neurosurgery. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombosis of the cerebral venous circulation can occur antenatally. Accurate diagnosis can be made using fetal real-time and color Doppler ultrasound.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed2001

Expression of cell-cycle-associated proteins pRB2/p130 and p27kip in vulvar squamous cell carcinomas.

Squamous cell vulvar carcinoma accounts for 4% of all gynecologic malignancies. The cause of vulvar cancer is still unclear. Identification of new biologic factors involved in vulvar carcinogenesis may be useful in clarifying the natural history of this malignancy. We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of the retinoblastoma-related proteins pRB2/p130 and CKI p27kip1 in a series of 51 invasive squamous cell carcinomas of the vulva (ISCCs) and in synchronous normal vulvar skin, non-neoplastic epithelial disorders (NNED) and vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). Normal vulvar skin staining showed positivity for both pRB2/p130 and p27kip1. Loss of pRB2/p130 occurred in 29 (57%) of 51 specimens of ISCCs, and in 1 of 7 specimens with VIN (14%; P = .04). We also observed a significant decrease of pRB2/p130 expression from NNED to neoplastic tissues (VIN and ISCCs) (P = .004). Loss of p27kip1 expression was found in 16 of 51 specimens (31%) of invasive carcinomas, in 1 (14%) of 7 specimens of VIN, and in 2 of 18 specimens of NNED (11%). pRB2/p130 and p27(kip1) did not correlate significantly with any of the clinicopathologic parameters examined. Our data indicate that loss of pRB2/p130 and p27kip1 are frequent events in invasive vulvar carcinomas compared with synchronous premalignant lesions, non-neoplastic epithelial disorders, and normal vulvar skin. The significant progressive decrease of pRB2/p130 expression from non-neoplastic epithelial alterations through intraepithelial neoplasia to invasive vulvar carcinomas suggests a role for this tumor suppressor gene in vulvar carcinogenesis.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Ursodeoxycholic acid administration in patients with cholestasis of pregnancy: effects on primary bile acids in babies and mothers.

Little is known about the effects on the fetus of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment for intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). Twenty ICP patients were given UDCA at 1.5 to 2 g/d, to our knowledge the highest dosage yet reported. Effects were evaluated on conjugated bile acids (BA) in amniotic fluid (15 of 20 patients) and umbilical cord serum obtained at delivery (20 of 22 newborns), as compared with 10 untreated patients (amniotic fluid, 9 of 10 patients; cord serum, 9 of 10 newborns). Liver function tests, serum BA and UDCA were evaluated on enrollment and then weekly until 1 week after delivery. Maternal serum conjugated cholic (CCA) and chenodeoxycholic (CCDCA) acids levels fell (18.5 +/- 1.9 to 10.5 +/- 1.9 micromol/L, and 5.8 +/- 0.8 to 2.97 +/- 0.7 micromol/L, respectively [P <.01]) in treated patients, and remained unaffected (20.0 +/- 3.1 vs. 20.3 +/- 2.3, and 5.6 +/- 0.6 vs. 5.4 +/- 0.5, respectively [P = not significant]) in untreated ones. Serum conjugated UDCA levels rose to 16.5 +/- 1.8 micromol/L (P<.001). Median values of CCA and CCDCA in amniotic fluid around delivery were 4.9 +/- 12.4 and 4.8 +/- 7.7 micromol/L, respectively, in treated patients, as against 17.9 +/- 27.5 and 18.5 +/- 20.9 micromol/L in untreated ones. In treated mothers, CCA and CCDCA concentrations in cord blood were 6.0 +/- 0.9 and 5.2 +/- 0.95 micromol/L, respectively, as against 21.9 +/- 5.6 and 18.9 +/- 2.1 micromol/L in untreated ones. In treated patients, median UDCA values in amniotic fluid and cord blood were 0.8 +/- 2.4 and 0.9 +/- 0.14 micromol/L, respectively. We conclude that increasing the dose of UDCA more effectively controls ICP and improves maternal clinical outcome after delivery.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Efficacy of a hyaluronan derivative gel in postsurgical adhesion prevention in the presence of inadequate hemostasis.

BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated that an auto-cross-linked hyaluronan-based antiadhesion agent (auto-cross-linked polysaccharide [ACP] gel) was effective in postsurgical adhesion prevention after open laparotomy and laparoscopic surgery with adequate hemostasis in animal models. This study assessed the ability of different preparations of ACP gel to prevent adhesions in the presence of bleeding or inadequate hemostasis. METHODS: Ninety-seven female rabbits were subjected to a standardized surgical lesion with subsequent exudative abdominal bleeding (oozing model), and 97 animals were subjected to a standardized surgical lesion with severe abdominal bleeding (bleeding model). After injury, the animals were randomly assigned to 5 groups of treatment: 3 different preparations of ACP gel (20, 40, and 60 mg/mL), a hyaluronan-carboxymethylcellulose film, and no treatment. Three weeks after operation, the animals were killed, and the adhesions were assessed by a blinded observer who measured the length and area of the adhesions and who used the Blauer scoring system. RESULTS: All 3 preparations of ACP gel and the hyaluronan-carboxymethylcellulose film reduced adhesion formation in both models (P <.01) as measured by the number of adhesion-free animals, mean Blauer score, and the mean length and surface area of the adhesions. There were no statistical differences between the different treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that different hyaluronan based agents in the presence of severe bleeding or exudative abdominal bleeding reduce de-novo postsurgical adhesion formation.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

The transfrontal view: a new approach to the visualization of the fetal midline cerebral structures.

The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of using the frontal suture as an acoustic window to visualize sonographically the midline cerebral structures (transfrontal view) in midtrimester fetuses. The study design was prospective and observational. In 124 healthy fetuses and in 2 fetuses with agenesis of the corpus callosum at 19 to 24 weeks' gestation, an attempt was made to obtain a transfrontal view by using transabdominal sonography. The transfrontal view was successfully and rapidly obtained in 110 (89%) of the healthy fetuses; it always provided detailed visualization of the entire corpus callosum, cavum septi pellucidii, third ventricle, brain stem, fourth ventricle, vermis cerebelli, and cisterna magna. The anatomic information was comparable with that obtained from a median sagittal scan obtained through the anterior fontanelle. In both fetuses with agenesis of the corpus callosum, the transfrontal view provided clear evidence of the anomaly. The transfrontal view is feasible in midtrimester fetuses and allows rapid demonstration of the cerebral midline structures and the corpus callosum in particular. It may be helpful in the diagnosis or exclusion of cerebral anomalies, and at least in some cases, it may obviate the need for a transvaginal examination. The transfrontal view may also be used to standardize the scanning plane for the evaluation of the fetal facial profile.

Agenesis of Corpus Callosum↗
PubMed2000

Acceptability and pain of outpatient hysteroscopy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pain and acceptability of diagnostic hysteroscopy performed without local anesthesia. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University-associated department of obstetrics and gynecology. PATIENTS: The 1144 consecutive women who underwent diagnostic hysteroscopy. INTERVENTIONS: Diagnostic hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy as indicated. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients were asked to rate the pain experienced on a 10-cm visual analog scale and to state if they were willing to repeat the procedure. The mean pain score was 4.7 +/- 2.5; 398 patients (34.8%) experienced severe pain. No risk factors for painful hysteroscopy were found, although abnormality of the cervical canal was associated with high pain scores. Acceptance of the procedure was high, 83.0% (950 women). CONCLUSION: Diagnostic hysteroscopy is a painful procedure even when performed with atraumatic technique by experienced surgeons. Most women, however, stated they were willing to have a second procedure under the same conditions.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed2000

Mole maker phenotype: possible narrowing of the candidate region.

Recent data has suggested that familial recurrent hydatidiform mole is a rare autosomal recessive trait in women experiencing this gestational disease (MIM 231090). Here we provide molecular data on an additional family confirming that recurrent familial hydatidiform moles are diploid, biparental and arise from independent conceptions. A narrowing of the gene interval on chromosome 19q13.3-13.4 is suggested by haplotype analysis in two sisters.

Adult↗