Randomized trial of screening for preterm birth in low-risk women - the preterm birth screening study

BACKGROUND

Preterm birth is a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. It is unclear whether the introduction of a universal transvaginal ultrasound cervical length screening program in women at low risk for preterm delivery is associated with a reduction in the frequency of preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that the introduction of a midtrimester universal transvaginal ultrasound cervical length screening program in asymptomatic singleton pregnancies without prior preterm delivery would reduce the rate of preterm birth at <37 weeks of gestation.

STUDY DESIGN

This study was a multicenter nonblinded randomized trial of screening of asymptomatic singleton pregnancies without prior spontaneous preterm birth, who were randomized to either cervical length screening program (ie, intervention group) or no screening (ie, control group). Participants were randomized at the time of their routine anatomy scan between 18 0/7 and 23 6/7 weeks of gestation. Women randomized in the screening group received cervical length measurement. Those who were found to have cervical length ≤25 mm were offered 200 mg vaginal progesterone daily along with cervical pessary. The primary outcome was preterm birth at <37 weeks. The risk of primary outcome was quantified by the relative risk with 95% confidence interval, and was based on the intention-to-screen principle.

RESULTS

A total of 1334 asymptomatic women with singleton pregnancies and without prior preterm birth, were included in the trial. Out of the 675 women randomized in the transvaginal ultrasound cervical length screening group, 13 (1.9%) were found to have transvaginal ultrasound cervical length ≤25 mm during the screening. Preterm birth at <37 weeks of gestation occurred in 48 women in the transvaginal ultrasound cervical length screening group (7.5%), and 54 women in the control group (8.7%) (relative risk, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.59-1.25). Women randomized in the transvaginal ultrasound cervical length screening group had no significant differences in the incidence of preterm birth at less than 34, 32, 30, 28, and 24 weeks of gestation.

CONCLUSION

The introduction of a universal transvaginal ultrasound cervical length screening program at 18 0/6 to 23 6/7 weeks of gestation in singleton pregnancies without prior spontaneous preterm birth, with treatment for those with cervical length ≤25 mm, did not result in significant lower incidence of preterm delivery than the incidence without the screening program.

Fetal aortic isthmus Doppler assessment to predict the adverse perinatal outcomes associated with fetal growth restriction: systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) management and delivery planning is based on a multimodal approach. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic accuracies of the aortic isthmus Doppler to predict adverse perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies with FGR.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google scholar were searched from inception to May 2021, for studies on the prognostic accuracy of anterograde aortic isthmus flow compared with retrograde aortic isthmus flow in singleton pregnancy with FGR. The meta-analysis was registered on PROSPERO and was assessed according to PRISMA and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. DerSimonian and Laird's random-effect model was used for relative risks, Freeman-Tukey Double Arcsine for pooled estimates and exact method to stabilize variances and CIs. Heterogeneity was quantified using I2 statistics.

RESULTS

A total of 2933 articles were identified through the electronic search, of which 6 studies (involving 240 women) were included. The quality evaluation of studies revealed an overall acceptable score for study group selection and comparability and substantial heterogeneity. The risk of perinatal death was significantly greater in fetuses with retrograde Aortic Isthmus blood flow, with a RR of 5.17 (p value 0.00001). Similarly, the stillbirth rate was found to have a RR of 5.39 (p value 0.00001). Respiratory distress syndrome had a RR of 2.64 (p value = 0.03) in the group of fetuses with retrograde Aortic Isthmus blood flow.

CONCLUSION

Aortic Isthmus Doppler study may add information for FGR management. However, additional clinical trial are required to assess its applicability in clinical practice.

The diagnostic performance of the ductus venosus for the detection of cardiac defects in the first trimester: a systematic review and diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Abnormal flow in the ductus venosus (DV) has been reported to be associated with adverse perinatal outcome, chromosomal abnormalities, and congenital heart defects (CHD). Aneuploid fetuses have increased risk of CHD, but there are discrepancies on the performance of this markers in euploid fetuses. The aim of this meta-analysis was to establish the predictive accuracy of DV for CHD.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched from inception to February 2022. No language or geographical restrictions were applied. Inclusion criteria regarded observational and randomized studies concerning first-trimester DV flow as CHD marker. Random effect meta-analyses to calculate risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI), hierarchical summary receiver-operating characteristics (HSROC), and bivariate models to evaluate diagnostic accuracy were used. Primary outcome was the diagnostic performance of DV in detecting prenatal CHD by means of area under the curve (AUROC). Subgroup analysis for euploid, high-risk, and normal NT fetuses was performed. Quality assessment of included papers was performed using QUADAS-2.

RESULTS

Twenty two studies, with a total of 204.829 fetuses undergoing first trimester scan with DV Doppler evaluation, fulfilled the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. Overall, abnormal DV flow at the time of first trimester screening was associated to an increased risk of CHD (RR 6.9, 95% CI 3.7-12.6; I2 = 95.2%) as well in unselected (RR: 6.4, 95% CI 2.5-16.4; I2 = 93.3%) and in euploid (RR: 6.45, 95% CI 3.3-12.6; I2 = 95.8%) fetuses. The overall diagnostic accuracy of abnormal DV in detecting CHD was good in euploid fetuses with an AUROC of 0.81 (95% CI 0.78-0.84), but it was poor in the high-risk group with an AUROC of 0.66 (95% CI 0.62-0.70) and in the unselected population with an AUROC of 0.44 (95% CI 0.40-0.49).

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormal DV in the first trimester increases the risk of CHD with a moderate sensitivity for euploid fetuses. In combination with other markers (NT, TV regurgitation) could be helpful to identify fetuses otherwise considered to be at low risk for CHD. In addition to the improvement of the fetal heart examination in the first trimester, this strategy can increase the detection of major CHD at earlier stage of pregnancy.

Pediatric emergency care admissions for somatic symptom disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders experienced an exacerbation of their symptoms with more access to the emergency department (ED). However, little is known about the experience of somatic symptom disorders (SSDs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in children. Therefore, we aimed to compare the rates of pediatric ED admissions for SSDs before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and to understand whether the relative risk of ED admissions for SSDs changed between the two periods. We retrospectively enrolled all children between 4 and 14 years admitted for SSDs in the pediatric ED of Santobono-Pausilipon Hospital, Naples, Italy, from March 11th, 2020, to March 11th, 2021 (pandemic period), and in the same time period of the previous year (pre-pandemic period). We identified 205/95,743 (0,21%) children with SSDs presenting in ED in the pre-pandemic year and 160/40,165 (0,39%) in the pandemic year (p < 0.05). Considering the accesses for age, we observed a relative decrease of the accesses for SSDs over 12 years old (IRR 0,59; CI 0,39-0,88), while we found no differences under 12 years old (IRR 0,87; CI 0,68-1,10).   Conclusion: In this study, we found that despite the massive decrease in pediatric admissions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, somatic symptom disorders' admissions to the pediatric ED increased, suggesting an impact of the pandemic also on pediatric psychiatric disorders. What is Known: • During the COVID -19 pandemic, children and adolescents with a psychiatric disorder experienced exacerbation of their symptoms with more accesses in Emergency Department. What is New: • We found that despite the massive decrease of the pediatric admissions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, somatic symptom disorders admissions in healthy children to the pediatric Emergency Department increased ,suggesting an impact of the pandemic also on the pediatric psychiatric disorders.

Open Questions on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Twin Pregnancies

BACKGROUND

The concurrent, recent increase in prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and twin pregnancy, in combination with the shared risk factors, has led to speculation that multiples are a risk factor for GDM and, GDM may contribute to twin complications. Twin pregnancies have different physiology and greater obstetric risks compared to singletons, including prematurity and growth restriction. However, in twins methods of GDM screening, thresholds for diagnosis and treatment, as well as glycaemic control targets, have been predominantly extrapolated from singletons. Studies investigating the impact of GDM on pregnancy outcomes in twin pregnancies are conflicting.

OBJECTIVE

To provide a comprehensive, critical overview of evidence on GDM in twin pregnancies with an emphasis on prevalence, methods of screening, thresholds for diagnosis, risk of pregnancy complications and the impact of treatment on perinatal outcomes.

METHODS

Review of retrospective and prospective cohort, case-control, and case-series studies on twin pregnancies with GDM published between 1980 and 2021.

RESULTS

Glucose tolerance in twin pregnancies is poorly studied. Specific guidance for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of GDM in twins is lacking. Studies evaluating pregnancy outcomes in twins with GDM are few and heterogeneous. The absolute risk of maternal complications is greater in twins with GDM compared to singletons; conversely, differences in risks between twins with and without GDM may be due to maternal confounders rather than to GDM. Most studies agree on a positive effect of GDM on neonatal outcomes in twins, likely mediated by the hyperglycaemia improving fetal growth. The impact of lifestyle-measures versus medical management on pregnancy outcomes in twins with GDM is unknown.

CONCLUSION

Larger longitudinal studies evaluating glucose tolerance, pregnancy outcomes and the impact of treatment both in mono and di-chorionic twins with GDM are warranted to gain further insight into the pathophysiology of this condition and guide optimal management.

Efficacy of phloroglucinol in shortening the first stage of labor: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Protracted labor is associated with an elevated risk of maternal and fetal complications. Results of randomized controlled trials on the efficacy in labor of phloroglucinol (PHL), a pure antispasmodic drug, are uncertain.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether PHL is effective in shortening the first stage of labor.

SEARCH STRATEGY

MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to July 2020.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning women with a singleton vertex pregnancy at term who were treated with PHL.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Relevant data were extracted and tabulated. Review Manager 5.3 was used for data analysis. Primary outcome evaluated was the mean reduction of the first stage of labor.

MAIN RESULTS

Five RCTs, including 487 pregnant women, were analyzed. The first stage of labor duration was significantly shorter in the treatment arm compared to the control group [MD-113.21 min (95% CI-119.63,-106.79)]. A significant shortening of the second stage was achieved in the PHL group [MD-11.12 min (95% CI-12.64,-9.75)] while no differences were reported for the third stage.

CONCLUSIONS

PHL might represent an effective treatment to shorten the duration of the first and second stage of labor.

SYNOPSIS

A meta-analysis of 5 trials found that Phloroglucinol favorably impacts on the total duration of the labor in primiparae and multiparae women with a singleton pregnancy.

Maternal death related to COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis focused on maternal co-morbidities and clinical characteristics

Background

Besides reducing the quality of obstetric care, the direct impact of COVID‐19 on pregnancy and postpartum is uncertain.

Objective

To evaluate the characteristics of pregnant women who died due to COVID‐19.

Search strategy

Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to February 2021.

Selection criteria

Studies that compared deceased and survived pregnant women with COVID‐19.

Data collection and analysis

Relevant data were extracted and tabulated. The primary outcome was maternal co‐morbidity.

Main results

Thirteen studies with 154 deceased patients were included. Obesity doubled the risk of death (relative risk [RR] 2.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.41–4.36, I² = 0%). No differences were found for gestational diabetes (RR 5.71; 95% CI 0.77–42.44, I² = 94%) or asthma (RR 2.05, 95% CI 0.81–5.15, I² = 0%). Overall, at least one severe co‐morbidity showed a twofold increased risk of death (RR 2.26, 95% CI 1.77–2.89, I² = 76%). Admission to intensive care was related to a fivefold increased risk of death (RR 5.09, 95% CI 2.00–12.98, I² = 56%), with no difference in need for respiratory support (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.23–1.48, I² = 95%) or mechanical ventilation (RR 4.34, 95% CI 0.96–19.60, I² = 58%).

Conclusion

COVID‐19 with at least one co‐morbidity increases risk of intensive care and mortality.

Pregnant women with COVID‐19 infection and at least one severe co‐morbidity experience increased risk of death and admission to the intensive care unit.

Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Women with Diabetes in Pregnancy Treated before and after the Introduction of a Standardized Multidisciplinary Management Protocol

BACKGROUND

Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk to the woman and to the developing fetus. Currently, there is no consensus on the optimal management strategies for the follow-up and the timing of delivery of pregnancies affected by gestational and pregestational diabetes, with different international guidelines suggesting different management options.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study from January 2017 to January 2021, to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by gestational and pregestational diabetes, followed-up and delivered in a third level referral center before and after the introduction of a standardized multidisciplinary management protocol including diagnostic, screening, and management criteria.

RESULTS

Of the 131 women included, 55 were managed before the introduction of the multidisciplinary management protocol and included in group 1 (preprotocol), while 76 were managed according to the newly introduced multidisciplinary protocol and included in group 2 (after protocol). We observed an increase in the rates of vaginal delivery, rising from 32.7% to 64.5% (<0.001), and the rate of successful induction of labor improved from 28.6% to 86.2% (P < 0.001). No differences were found in neonatal outcomes, and the only significant difference was demonstrated for the rates of fetal macrosomia (20% versus 5.3%, P: 0.012). Therefore, the improvements observed in the maternal outcomes did not impact negatively on fetal and neonatal outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The introduction of a standardized multidisciplinary management protocol led to an improvement in the rates of vaginal delivery and in the rate of successful induction of labor in our center. A strong cooperation between obstetricians, diabetologists, and neonatologists is crucial to obtain a successful outcome in women with diabetes in pregnancy.

Usefulness of atosiban for tocolysis during external cephalic version: Systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Breech/transverse presentation is responsible for about 30-50 % of cesarean sections in the world. Cesarean section carries a five-fold greater morbidity than vaginal delivery, deeply impacting on women's health. External Cephalic Version (ECV) is an external manipulation used to convert a non-cephalic to a cephalic presentation. The use of tocolysis might facilitate this procedure; however, it is still controversial which drug should be considered as first choice.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of tocolysis with atosiban, a competitive oxytocin receptor antagonist, in order to increase the rate of successful ECV.

STUDY DESIGN

Nine databases (including MEDLINE, CINAHL, LILACS, EMBASE, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, Scielo, PROSPERO, Cochrane at CENTRAL) were searched from the inception to August 2020 using a combination of MeSH terms and keywords regarding "atosiban" and "external cephalic version". We included trials of women with a singleton pregnancy who reached at least 36 weeks of gestation and were scheduled to ECV and tocolysis with atosiban (intervention group) compared to beta-agonists or other drugs (control group). The primary outcome was the incidence of successful ECV. Summary measures were reported as relative risk (RR) with 95 % confidence interval (CI).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Four studies (1534 women) were eligible for analysis. ECV success rate was significantly lower in women randomized to atosiban (36.7 % vs 45.3 %; RR 0.78 [95 % CI 0.6 to 0.98]). Cesarean section and vaginal delivery rates did not differ between intervention and control group ((59.8 % vs 52.6 %; RR 1.17 [0.98-1.38] and (38.6 % vs 45.0 %; RR 0.83 [95 % CI 0.69-1.01] respectively). Cephalic (36.9 % vs 44.6 %; RR 0.81 [95 % CI 0.65 to 1.01], or breech/transverse presentation at labor (63.4 % vs 55.1 %; RR 1.18 [95 % CI 0.99-1.40]), APGAR score less than 7 at 5 min (1.6 % vs 2.0 %; RR 1.14 [95 % CI 0.27-4.73], NICU admissions (44.2 % vs 48.1 %; RR 0.92 [95 % CI 0.58-1.46] and Umbilical cord pH were similar in both groups. Drug-related side effects were lower in women randomized to atosiban, compared with control group (16.0 % vs 42.9 %; RR 0.38 [95 % CI 0.31 to 0.47].

CONCLUSION

The use of atosiban for tocolysis does not improve the rate of successful ECVs when compared to beta-agonists. However, atosiban was associated with a significantly lower incidence of side effects and comparable cesarean section rates.

High dose brachytherapy with non sealed 188Re (rhenium) resin in patients with non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs): single center preliminary results

Background and aim

High dose brachytherapy using a non sealed ¹⁸⁸Re-resin (Rhenium-SCT®, Oncobeta® GmbH, Munich, Germany) is a treatment option for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). The aim of this prospective study was to assess the efficacy and the safety of a single application of Rhenium-SCT® in NMSC.

Materials and method

Fifty consecutive patients (15F, 35 M, range of age 56–97, mean 81) showing 60 histologically proven NMSCs were enrolled and treated with the Rhenium-SCT® between October 2017 and January 2020. Lesions were located on the face, ears, nose or scalp (n = 46), extremities (n = 9), and trunk (n = 5). Mean surface areas were 7.0 cm² (1–36 cm²), mean thickness invasion was 1.1 mm (0.2–2.5 mm), and mean treatment time was 79 min (21–85 min). Superficial, mean, and target absorbed dose were 185 Gy, 63 Gy, and 31 Gy respectively. Patients were followed-up at 14, 30, 60, 90, and 180 days posttreatment, when dermoscopy and biopsy were performed. Mean follow-up was 20 months (range 3–33 months). Early skin toxicity was classified according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). Cosmetic results were evaluated after at least 12 months according to Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) scale.

Results

At 6 months follow-up, histology and dermoscopy were available for 54/60 lesions, of which 53/54 (98%) completely responded. One patient showed a 1-cm² residual lesion that was subsequently surgically excised. Twelve months after treatment, 41/41 evaluable lesions were free from relapse. Twenty four months after treatment, 23/24 evaluable lesions were free of relapse. In 56/60 lesions early side effects, resolving within 32 days were classified as grades 1–2 (CTCAE). In the remaining 4/60 lesions, these findings were classified as grade 3 (CTCAE) and lasted up to 8–12 weeks but all resolved within 90 days. After at least 12 months (12–33 months), cosmetic results were excellent (30 lesions) or good (11 lesions).

Conclusion

High dose brachytherapy with Rhenium-SCT® is a noninvasive, reasonably safe, easy to perform, effective and well-tolerated approach to treat NMSCs, and it seems to be a useful alternative option when surgery or radiation therapy are difficult to perform or not recommended. In our population 98% of the treated lesions resolved completely after a single application and only one relapsed after 2 years. Larger patients’ population and longer follow-up are needed to confirm these preliminary data and to find the optimal dose to administer in order to achieve complete response without significant side effects.

"In patient" medical abortion versus surgical abortion: patient's satisfaction

OBJECTIVE

To compare patients' satisfaction with medical and surgical abortion, implementing the Italian guidelines on medical abortion entailing an "in patient" procedure.

METHODS

A total of 1832 pregnant chose between surgical (vacuum aspiration) or medical abortion (mifepristone p.o. followed after 3 days by sublingual misoprostol) and expressed their expected satisfaction on a visual analog scale (VAS). A total of 885 women chose surgical and 947 medical abortion. The primary end-point was satisfaction VAS score 20 days after the procedure. Secondary end-points were: difference between pre- and post-abortion VAS score; difference in satisfaction VAS scores according to parity and previous abortion; incidence of side effects.

RESULTS

VAS score was high in each group but significantly higher for the 1-day surgical than for the 3-day medical abortion procedure (7.9 ± 1.0 versus 7.2 ± 1.2; p < 0.0001). In the surgical group the VAS score increased after the treatment (6.9 ± 1.6 versus 7.9 ± 1.0, p < 0.0001), while it decreased in the medical group (7.5 ± 1.0 versus 7.2 ± 1.2; p < 0.0001). Multiparous women reported higher satisfaction with medical abortion; women with a previous abortion preferred surgical abortion.

CONCLUSIONS

Both procedures are considered satisfactory by the patients. Performing medical abortion as a 3-day "in patient" procedure, decreased women's satisfaction scores from their baseline expectations.

A case of ovarian torsion in a patient carrier of a FSH receptor gene mutation previously affected by spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

We here report a case of ovarian torsion in a patient with an history of two previous episodes of spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome during her two pregnancies. A mutation of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHr) gene was identified in this patient and in other members of the family. Two years after her successful second pregnancy, the patient showed signs of severe thyroiditis during administration of oral contraceptive, with suppressed TSH and increased thyreoglobulin, in the absence of any abnormalities of the auto-antibodies. In few days, she developed severe pelvic pain and ultrasonographic evidence of increased ovarian volume. She underwent laparoscopy with unilateral adnexectomy for ovarian ischemic necrosis due to adnexal torsion. Our experience suggests that patients' carrier of a mutation of FSHr gene are at risk of ovarian pathologies also when non-pregnant and in the presence of low TSH levels. Further investigations are needed for an appropriate knowledge of typical and atypical manifestations of spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Effects of a prolonged, 72 hours, interval between mifepristone and gemeprost in second trimester termination of pregnancy: a retrospective analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate if the 72 hours interval between mifepristone and gemeprost has a similar efficacy compared to the 48 hours interval for second trimester termination of pregnancy

STUDY DESIGN

Two-hundred and fifteen consecutive pregnant women, admitted to our hospital, for second trimester TOP, were included in this retrospective analysis. Standard protocol was followed for all patients. On the first day of the procedure oral mifepristone 200 mg was administered. After 72 (group A, n = 78) or 48 hours (group B, n = 113) women were admitted for administration of gemeprost 1 mg pessary as per protocol. The induction to abortion time was defined as the interval between the insertion of the first gemeprost pessary and the expulsion of the fetus.

RESULTS

There are no significant differences in the number of pessaries in the two groups. The induction to abortion interval was longer in group A than in group B. Twenty-one women required surgical evacuation of the uterus for retained placenta or incomplete abortion without difference between groups.

CONCLUSION

A 48-hours interval between mifepristone and gemeprost leads to better results than a 72-hours interval, with a shorter abortion length and represents the elective method for second trimester TOP.

Melanoma detection in Italian pigmented lesion clinics

AIM

Accuracy in melanoma detection is important to recognize early curable melanomas and to minimize the unnecessary excision of benign lesions. The aim of this paper was to evaluate melanoma screening accuracy of Italian pigmented lesion clinics in terms of number needed to excise (NNE), melanoma thickness, and number of melanomas diagnosed during patient follow-up.

METHODS

Information on all skin tumors excised in 2011 were extracted from the databases of the participating centers. Information whether the lesion was excised at the baseline examination or during patient follow-up was recorded, as well as the overall number of patients examined in each center in 2011.

RESULTS

After e-mail solicitation, 22 of 40 centers agreed to participate. A total of 8229 excised lesions were collected. The overall number of examined patients was 86.564, thus 9.5% of screened patients had a lesion removed. Of the excised lesions, 866 were diagnosed as melanoma (1% of examined patients) and 5311 (88.9%) were melanocytic nevi. Three NNE were calculated giving values of 7.9 excised lesions to find 1 melanoma, 7.1 melanocytic lesions to find 1 melanoma, and 3.7 lesions to find 1 skin malignancy. The median melanoma thickness was 0.6 mm, with only 15.1% of melanomas ≥ 1 mm of thickness. Melanomas detected over time were 96 (11.1%; mean thickness, 0.3 mm), with 15.6% of lesions excised after short-term follow-up and 84.4% after long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The NNE values comparable to those achieved in specialized clinical settings and the high number of early melanomas diagnosed at the baseline examination or during patient follow-up indicate a high level of accuracy in melanoma screening achieved by Italian pigmented lesion clinics.

A PHACES syndrome unmasked by propranolol interruption in a tetralogy of Fallot patient: case report and extensive review on new indications of beta blockers

Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are the most common benign tumors of infancy and usually they don't require specific therapy. In 10-20% of cases IHs are able to generate complication and medical/surgical intervention is needed. For many decades standard treatment consisted in oral or intralesional corticosteroids until Leaute-Labreze and colleagues published the first report on the efficacy of propranolol for cutaneous infantile hemangiomas in 2008. IHs can be sometimes part of complex syndrome. Here we report the case of a patient with tetralogy of Fallot operated at 5 month of age who stopped propranolol treatment for hypoxic spells and unusually developed facial and subglottic IHs configuring the diagnosis of PHACES syndrome (posterior fossa brain malformations, hemangioma, arterial anomalies, cardiac defects and/or aortic coarctation, ocular anomalies and sternal defects). To our knowledge this is the first report in the international literature of a delayed appearance of an infantile hemangioma involving the skin and the airways (PHACES syndrome). The pathophysiological explanation relies on the mechanism of action of propranolol which seems to act initially with vasoconstriction, down-regulating proangiogenetic factors and inducing endothelial cell apoptosis. Many decades since their introduction β-blockers are useful in a growing group of diseases. The pleiotropic effect of β-adrenoceptors antagonists is not yet deeply understood, residing in neurohormonal regulation systems and angiogenesis and proving to be an effective treatment from cardiovascular to oncological illnesses.

Successful pregnancy complicated by spontaneous, familial, recurrent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: report of two cases

We here report two cases of spontaneous, familial, recurrent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome ended in a successful pregnancy. First case was a 26-year-old woman, gravida 3 para 0 and two previous terminations of pregnancy due to spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). During her pregnancy, patient was treated with IV fluid therapy, albumin and thromboembolic prophylaxis and required pleural and peritoneal drainage. She was referred to the hospital twice, at 8 and 28 weeks'. At 32 weeks due to worsening of clinical condition, decision was made for a caesarean section. A live, healthy preterm baby of 1950 g was delivered. Second case was a 27-year-old woman, gravida 2 para 0 with one previous termination of pregnancy due to spontaneous OHSS. During her pregnancy patient was treated with IV fluid therapy, albumin, and thromboembolic prophylaxis. She did not require any pleural or peritoneal drainage. She was referred to the hospital twice, at 8 and 30 weeks. At 37 weeks of gestation, due to worsening of clinical condition decision for a caesarean section was made. A live, healthy term baby of 2700 g was delivered. Our experience seems to confirm that management of spontaneous OHSS during pregnancy should be conservative and treatment tailored to severity of symptoms.

Calciphylaxis in dialysis patients, a severe disease poorly responding to therapies: report of 4 cases

Calciphylaxis or calciphic uremic arteriolopathy (CUA) is a rare syndrome characterized by the deposition of calcium within the walls of small and medium size vessels in the dermis and in the subcutaneous tissue. The disease mainly affects patients with end-stage renal disease. We report here our experience with 4 cases of calciphylaxis in dialysis patients. The main predisposing factor observed in our 4 patients was warfarin use (2 patients, 50%), while local traumas and diabetes were respectively present in only one patient. None of our patients was obese. Lower legs were the most frequently involved site of CUA (3/4 patients, 75%). In our experience biopsy was crucial to achieve a correct diagnosis and did not cause aggravation of the ulcers. Therapeutic approach was multimodal: mainly hyperbaric oxygen therapy, cinacalcet and sodium thiosulphate. Although many recent case reports have shown exceptional results and healing with the use of sodium thiosulphate, we did not experience any change in the poor prognosis of our patients with the use of this drug, at a dosage of 5 g thrice weekly endovenously.

Case report: a most peculiar family with spontaneous, recurrent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) mostly occurs as a complication of induction of ovulation. However, rarely, it may occur spontaneously at the beginning of a natural pregnancy and in the absence of any assisted reproductive treatment. Spontaneous OHSS has been reported in pregnant women affected by hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, gonadotropin-producing pituitary adenoma, but also in normal pregnancies. The aetiology of this condition is still unclear. We hereby report on a case of spontaneous, familial, recurrent OHSS in a 26-year-old primipara whose first-degree cousin, paternal grandmother and a number of other members of her father's family had suffered from a similar condition. This case seems to support the concept of a genetic predisposition for spontaneous OHSS thereby suggesting the need for preventive and therapeutic strategies.

The effect of summer holidays and sun exposure on atopic dermatitis

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sunlight during summer holidays and to assess the seasonability of atopic dermatitis in 43 consecutive patients with mild-moderate atopic dermatitis referring to the Pediatric Outpatient Clinic of the University of Bologna.

METHODS

Patients had to answer an open questionnaire.

RESULTS

The collected data showed that 74.4% of the patients affected by mild-moderate atopic dermatitis had complete resolution during summer holidays, 16.3% had improvement and only 9.3% had no modification of atopic dermatitis severity, confirming the seasonability of the disease, with improvement during summertime and worsening in the other seasons. Seaside holidays produced a significantly greater improvement than mountains holidays, with complete resolution of the disease in 91.2% versus 11.1% of patients, P<0.01. Conclusion. These data support the hypothesis on the positive effect of UV radiation on atopic dermatitis in patients without eczema after local therapy with corticosteroids or immunomodulators, but are in contrast with those reported by other authors from Northern Europe. This discrepancy is probably due to the latitude and different climate. In the Mediterranean area and in southern locations greater improvements are observable.

Childhood allergic contact dermatitis from henna tattoo

Henna is a shrub cultivated in India, Sri Lanka, and North Africa; it is used, mixed with other substances, as a hair and body dye. Several cases are reported in the literature of sensitization to para-phenylenediamine (PPD) contained in the henna tincture, but few of these are pediatric cases. We report two instances of allergic contact dermatitis due to temporary tattoos in children. In one case a patch test was positive for PPD. We suggest that the fashion of temporary henna tattoos in children is to be discouraged due to the serious consequences that a sensitization to PPD could have in their future.