The added value of conventional defecography and MRI defecography in clinical decision making on treatment for posterior compartment prolapse.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Conventional defecography and MRI defecography can be requested as an additional test for diagnosing and differentiating the type of posterior compartment prolapse and/or obstructive defecation disorders. The objective of this study was to determine the added value of conventional defecography, conventional defecography and MRI defecography for clinical decision-making on treatment for patients with posterior compartment prolapse.

Methods: Four gynecologists were asked to fill in their treatment plan per patient for 32 cases for three different steps.

[Cesarean scar pregnancy].

Background: A rare, but potentially life-threatening complication of a Cesarean section is a so-called Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). This concerns an ectopic pregnancy, where the implantation takes place in a niche of the Cesarean section scar.

Case Description: We describe the case of a 29-year-old pregnant woman (G5P3), who after a amenorrhoea period of 6 weeks was referred to us by a midwife because the sonography showed an empty uterus.

Underestimation of pelvic organ prolapse in the supine straining position, based on magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Objective: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is clinically diagnosed in the supine position, where the effect of gravity is simulated by having the patients put strain on their pelvic floor. The objective of this study was to determine the degree of POP underestimation in the supine position based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted with symptomatic POP grade ≥ 2 patients.

Cytokine production by monocytes, NK cells, and lymphocytes is different in preeclamptic patients as compared with normal pregnant women.

Objective: To measure cytokine production in ex vivo stimulated leukocyte populations of women with normal pregnancy and those with preeclampsia.

Methods: Whole blood from preeclamptic and normal pregnant women was stimulated with LPS or PMA/Ca-ionophore. The percentages of IFN gamma and IL-2, 4, and 10 producing lymphocytes and NK cells and the percentages of TNFalpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-12 producing monocytes were measured by flowcytometry.

Species differences in the effect of pregnancy on lymphocyte cytokine production between human and rat.

In the present study, we evaluated whether lymphocyte cytokine production during human and rat pregnancy shifts toward T helper cell type 2 (Th2) cytokine production. Therefore, blood samples were taken during the follicular and luteal phase and during pregnancy in rats and humans. Whole blood was ex vivo-stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and calcium ionophore and intracellular interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin (IL)-4 production, and the percentage of cells in the various lymphocyte populations was measured using flow cytometry.

Endotoxin-induced cytokine production of monocytes of third-trimester pregnant women compared with women in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.

Objective: Little is known about the function of the innate immune response during pregnancy. We therefore investigated monocyte cytokine production, as a measure of monocyte function, in pregnant women compared with nonpregnant women.

Study Design: Whole blood of women in the follicular phase (day 5-6) and of healthy pregnant women (30 weeks) was collected and stimulated with endotoxin (2 microg/mL).

Cytokine production in natural killer cells and lymphocytes in pregnant women compared with women in the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle.

Objective: To test whether peripheral natural killer (NK) cells, helper T cells, and cytotoxic lymphocytes of pregnant women shift from a type 1 cytokine production toward a type 2 cytokine production as compared with these cells in women in the follicular phase.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Outpatient clinic.