Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to L J Mercer.
The supernumerary ovary is a rare gynecologic anomaly; 13 cases have been reported on since 1890. Three were associated with tumors arising in the ectopic ovarian tissue. We encountered two cases of benign neoplasms discovered to have originated in supernumerary ovaries.
C-reactive protein (CRP), a biological marker of inflammation, may be a useful indicator of therapeutic response in patients with septic pelvis. In a study comparing ceftizoxime and cefoxitin/doxycycline in patients with septic pelvis, quantitative CRP levels were closely correlated with the responses and failures of therapy. The results of this study showed the two antibiotic regimens to be equally effective, with 23 of 25 patients in each treatment group achieving a satisfactory response. The fact that ceftizoxime was effective in four of five patients with Chlamydia trachomatis in cervical isolates suggests that intravenous therapy for the acute infection can be accomplished without the addition of an antichlamydial agent. Upon discharge from the hospital, patients can continue therapy with an oral drug that is specifically active against Chlamydia.
Injuries to the ureter in the course of gynecologic procedures can occur frequently. The usual histologic signs and symptoms of peri-oophoritis, adhesion and distorted anatomy encountered with residual ovaries make their ablation hazardous to the surrounding structures and the ureter in particular. A method is described and illustrated to facilitate surgical extirpation and render the procedure safe.
Thirty-four cases of oligohydramnios in the second trimester were diagnosed by ultrasonography. Nine of these pregnancies were associated with fetal anomalies including Potter syndrome (three), atrioventricular dissociation (two), congenital absence of thyroid (one), and multiple anomalies (three). There were ten unexplained stillbirths, one demise due to abruptio placentae, eight with perinatal morbidity after premature labor or abruptio placentae, and six with live-born term infants. Although oligohydramnios in the second trimester is associated with increased perinatal morbidity, this finding is not associated with a universally poor outcome.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Four cases of amnionitis due to Lactobacillus sp and three cases of bacteremia are reported. Postpartum endometritis developed in all four cases. Lactobacillus bacteremia occurred in two infants. A review of the literature on serious infections due to Lactobacillus sp is also presented. The importance of considering the clinical role of any microorganism isolated in pure culture from symptomatic patients is discussed.
To determine the bacterial pathogenesis of postcesarean endomyometritis, swab endometrial cultures of the lower uterine segment were taken intraoperatively in 160 cases. Both aerobic and anaerobic cultures were obtained. Of all patients, 16.8% developed endomyometritis. There was a statistically significant relationship between positive cultures and the development of endomyometritis. The organisms isolated were those commonly found in other types of pelvic infection: pathogenic aerobes and anaerobes as well as commensals. An average of 1.3 organisms were recovered per patient with positive cultures. An analysis is provided for findings depending on the status of membranes and the influence of labor. The following risk factors were identified for the development of endomyometritis: primary cesarean section, labor, ruptured membranes, and postoperative hematocrit. Implications of these findings and a review of similar studies is provided.
Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea during prolonged therapy of obstetric and gynecologic infections is known to occur with use of all classes of antibiotics except vancomycin and the aminoglycosides. We present 11 cases of C. difficile-associated diarrhea which followed a short course of perioperative prophylaxis with cefoxitin during a 1-year period. Nine of the cases of C. difficile-associated diarrhea were among 162 women who received cefoxitin perioperative prophylaxis for cesarean section or hysterectomy, but none occurred in 85 women who received one of four other antibiotics for perioperative prophylaxis (p = 0.024, Fisher's exact test). The two other occurrences of C. difficile-associated diarrhea following perioperative prophylaxis with cefoxitin were in women who underwent exploratory laparotomy. We conclude that C. difficile-associated diarrhea is related to perioperative prophylaxis with cefoxitin.
There are few reports of transplacental infection by Salmonella typhi. A case of a primagravida at 26 weeks' gestation with severe S typhi gastroenteritis, sepsis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation is presented. Shortly after institution of antibiotic therapy, she spontaneously aborted a previable infant. Amniotic fluid was turbid and subsequently grew S typhi.
Capnocytophaga, a genus of gram-negative, anaerobic organisms, was isolated from the endometrium of a postpartum woman and the blood of the neonate. This unusual organism, usually isolated from the oral cavity, is sensitive to most antibiotics except the aminoglycosides.
A 27-year-old woman who presented with premature labor was given ritodrine for tocolysis. During the administration of the beta-sympathomimetics she developed cardiac changes, including subendocardial ischemia on EKG and an intermittent early diastolic sound. Echocardiography revealed a large left atrial myxoma. It was removed during pregnancy, and the patient tolerated the procedure well. The mechanism of the ischemia was believed to result from the space-occupying mass of the myxoma, preventing adequate atrial filling and subsequent congestive failure. It is recommended that patients who develop cardiac symptoms during tocolysis with beta-sympathomimetics undergo further investigation to rule out under-lying pathology.
Four hundred seventy-one patients undergoing diagnostic ultrasonography were identified as having moderately decreased amniotic fluid or oligohydramnios, and 339 of these cases were reviewed. Ninety-two of the patients were excluded from further statistical analysis because their decreased fluid was attributed to rupture of the membranes only. Of the remaining patients there was a 7% neonatal malformation rate. Decreased amniotic fluid before 27 weeks of gestation was associated with a significantly poor outcome. Of all the live births, infants of patients with oligohydramnios had lower Apgar scores at 1 minute and 5 minutes than did infants of patients with moderately decreased amniotic fluid. Of cases of patients with decreased fluid, 10% involved fetal distress during labor and in 17% meconium was present. Decreased levels of fluid were associated with an increased rate of abdominal deliveries. Preeclampsia was present in 24.7% of patients with decreased fluid. There was no correlation between the quantitative fluid amounts and the severity of the disease. In view of normative data and clinical experience, these observations suggest that the diagnosis of decreased amniotic fluid on routine ultrasonography requires a fetal scan to rule out anomalies, close antepartum observation to detect complications that may arise in the pregnancy, and delivery under conditions that allow appropriate support and intervention on behalf of the fetus.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
BACKGROUND: Pulmonary endometrial implants, although uncommon, have been well described in the literature. Symptoms occur with menses and may include recurrent pleuritic chest pain, pneumothorax, hemoptysis, or hemothorax. Exacerbation of pulmonary symptoms by Lupron therapy has not been previously described. CASE REPORT: A 38-year-old African-American female with known endometriosis but no history of pulmonary disease was evaluated for a 2-year history of severe dysmenorrhea. A trial of hormonal suppression was unsuccessful, and she was offered Lupron therapy. Three weeks after its initiation, and shortly after the onset of menses, she came to the emergency room with pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath and was found to have a right-sided hemopneumothorax. Thoracentesis treatment was successful in eliminating this symptom. CONCLUSION: Although pulmonary endometriosis is rare, physicians should be aware that Lupron therapy can exacerbate pulmonary symptoms during the initial phase of therapy.