Anticardiolipin Antibody Isotype Determination in Amniotic Fluid of Pregnant Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and/or Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Objective: To determine the levels and isotypes of aCl, as well as anti beta 2 glycoprotein 1 (antiβ2-GP1) antibodies in serum and amniotic fluid of pregnant patients with SLE and/or APLS, and healthy pregnant women serving as a control group. Material and Methods: We analyzed serum and amniotic fluid of pregnant patients with SLE and/or APLS, and of healthy pregnant women through ELISA. Results were compared using a Student’s T test. Results: 6 of 13 patients (46.1%), 5 with SLE and one with primary APLS had antiphospholipid antibodies in amniotic fluid. Two patients had IgG aCl and 4 patients had antiβ2-GP1 (one of them also showing IgM) in amniotic fluid. In serum, 4 patients (30%) had antiphospholipid antibodies present (one IgG aCl and three anti β2-GP1) as opposed to none in the control group having antiphospholipid antibodies in amniotic fluid. Only one control had IgM aCl in serum. Antiβ2-GP1 in the amniotic fluid of patients showed a statistically significant value when compared to controls. Conclusion: aCl and antiβ2-GP1 may be present in the amniotic fluid of patients with and without a history of fetal loss. The presence of IgM aCl and antiβ2-GP1 in amniotic fluid suggests its localized production.

Gastric trichobezoar associated with perforated peptic ulcer and Candida glabrata infection

Bezoars are accumulations of human or plant fiber located in the gastrointestinal tract of both humans and animals. Patients remain asymptomatic for several years, and the symptoms develop as these accumulations increase in size to the point of obstruction or perforation. We report the case of a 21-year-old patient at 10 d postpartum, who presented with acute abdomen associated with sepsis. Given the urgency of the clinical picture, at no point was the presence of a giant bezoar at gastric level suspected, specifically a trichobezoar. The emergency abdominal and pelvic ultrasound revealed only unspecific signs of perforated hollow viscus. Diagnosis was therefore made intraoperatively. A complete gastric trichobezoar was found with gastric perforation and secondary peritonitis. The peritoneal fluid culture revealed Candida glabrata.

Maternal Diaphragmatic Hernia Correction During Pregnancy

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia consists of a defect in the embryonic development of the diaphragm that allows the passage of the abdominal viscera into the thoracic cavity,its diagnosis during pregnancy is quite rare.We present the case of a 31-year-old woman,with 23 weeks of gestation,who consulted for epigastric pain,nausea,and repetitive emetic episodes,without improvement with the medication provided.Due to the intense abdominal pain,a computed tomography of the abdomen and thorax was performed where the 28 mm defect was found at the left diaphragmatic level with protrusion of the gastric fundus to the thoracic cavity.She was taken to surgical management by laparoscopy with abdominal and thoracic approach,with a successful result and without maternal perinatal complications.Although the integrity of the diaphragmatic suture could be feared in relation to the increase in intraabdominal pressure due to uterine growth,the evolution of our patient and previous reports show that postoperative complications are not frequent.Successful vaginal delivery has even been described in some reports.Diaphragmatic hernias diagnosed during pregnancy are quite rare.We suggest that the optimal management of them during pregnancy is immediate surgical correction in case of persistent symptoms,more studies are needed to establish firm recommendations on the management of this pathology.

Ligation or Occlusion of the Internal Iliac Arteries for the Treatment of Placenta Accreta Spectrum:Why Is This Technique Still Performed?

Introduction The major complication of placenta accreta spectrum(PAS)disorder is massive bleeding;therefore,multiple vascular interventions have been described to prevent or treat pelvic bleeding.Ligature of the internal iliac arteries(IIAs)was published more than 130 years ago,and although research relating to the physiology of this procedure has demonstrated poor vascular control over the last few decades,2-this technique has evolved into an established technique known as endovascular IIA balloon occlusion.