Placental chorioangioma and chorioangiosis. clinicopathological study of six unusual vascular lesions of the placenta--case reports.

The clinopathological features are presented of two cases of placental chorioangiomas and four cases of chorionagiosis diagnosed in a total of 2,400 placental specimens examined in our laboratory. The differential diagnosis, clinical effects and therapeutic approach are discussed.

A giant ovarian mucinous cystic neoplasm weighing 8,500 grams with functional stroma. A case report and literature review.

Large ovarian tumors weighing more than 5,000 g are rarely reported in the recent literature because of the improvement in health care systems. Such tumors present many challenges in diagnosis and in surgical approach due to severe circulatory and cardiopulmonary complications. The case of a 27-year-old unmarried patient, who complained of progressive increased abdominal girth of more than six months duration, metrorrhagia, constipation and dysuria is presented.

A rare case of congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia, hydrothorax and ascites in a male embryo aborted at 20 weeks of gestation.

A case of a male embryo aborted at the 20th week of gestation with extensive ascites, hydrothorax, pulmonary lymphangiectasia and pulmonary hypoplasia is presented together with the pathological findings, the etiology, differential diagnosis, course and therapy of this pathologic entity. Also a short review of the literature is discussed.

Unwanted pregnancy and induced abortion among young women 16-22 years old in Greece: a retrospective study of the risk factors.

Unlabelled: Unwanted pregnancies and the subsequent induced abortions are common problems of our youths in modern Greece. The aim of this study was to recognize the risk factors of the problem in an effort to find the best possible solution out of this social dead end.

Materials And Method: We interviewed 1,320 young female individuals and analyzed their answers using statistical analysis.

Complications in pregnancy after bariatric surgery.

Introduction: The application of bariatric surgery has recently spread among obese women including women of reproductive age.

Materials And Methods: We sought to present three cases of obese women undergoing bariatric surgery, their monitoring and complications during pregnancy.

Conclusion: We suggest that conception should be postponed for at least 18 months after bariatric operation to avoid complications concerning both mother and fetus mainly associated with nutritional deficiencies due to the anatomical and physiological changes of such operations.

Adrenomedullin concentration in second trimester amniotic fluid cannot be used as a predictor of preterm delivery.

Background: Adrenomedullin, secreted by decidua and trophoblast cells, is considered to participate in regulating uterine and placental blood flow, leading to control of placental hormonal secretion. Furthermore, adrenomedullin has an antimicrobial activity. The objective of this study was to determine whether adrenomedullin concentrations in midtrimester amniotic fluid can be used as a predictor of preterm delivery.

The breast: from Ancient Greek myths to Hippocrates and Galen.

This is a historical article about Ancient Greek literature from mythological times until the first centuries AD with regard to the female breast. We endeavoured to collect several elegant narratives on the topic as well as to explore the knowledge of Ancient Greek doctors on the role, physiology and pathology of breast and the treatment of its diseases. We identified such descriptions in myths regarding Amazons, Hercules, Zeus, Hera and Amaltheia.

A case of third trimester diagnosis of Cornelia de Lange syndrome.

Aim: The objective is to present a rare case of late diagnosis of Cornelia de Lange syndrome.

Case: A 27-year-old pregnant woman (gravida 1, para 0) was referred to our Fetal Medicine Department during her 33rd week of gestation due to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and polyhydramnios. The ultrasound scanning confirmed the findings and furthermore, the 3-D examination revealed minor facial dysmorphisms, limb abnormalities, and hypertrichosis.

Retroperitoneal ancient schwannoma presenting as an ovarian tumor in a patient with uterine cancer. A case report.

Ancient schwannomas are rare tumors of neural origin. We present a case of a retroperitoneal ancient schwannoma by discussing the main symptoms, ultrasound and CT findings, treatment, and histopathological characteristics.

Urocortin in second trimester amniotic fluid: its role as predictor of preterm labor.

Background: The existence of a "placental clock" which determines the duration of gestation has been previously proposed. It is related to placental CRH secretion and is active from an early phase in human pregnancy. Urocortin is a specific ligand for the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor expressed by human trophoblast and fetal membranes.

Ectopic pelvic spleen. Presentation of two cases.

We present two cases of nulliparous women with ectopic pelvic spleens who were hospitalized in our department during the last decade. The clinical and laboratory characteristics and the management of such a rare entity are discussed.

Fournier's gangrene in a patient after third-degree burns: a case report.

Introduction: Fournier's gangrene is characterized by tissue ischemia leading to rapidly progressing necrotizing fasciitis.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a patient with Fournier's gangrene after third-degree burns. Clinical manifestations, laboratory results and treatment options are discussed.

The role of human beta defensins 2 and 3 in the second trimester amniotic fluid in predicting preterm labor and premature rupture of membranes.

Aim: Human beta defensins 2 (HBD2) and 3 (HBD3) are peptides expressed in the amnion and chorion. This is a matched case control study conducted in our Department to determine whether second trimester amniotic fluid HBD2 and HBD3 concentrations measured at the time of genetic amniocentesis could be potential markers of preterm labor prediction.

Methods: Amniotic fluid HBD2 and HBD3 were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) Women with preterm labor were defined as cases (N=41) while for each case a woman matched for age delivering at term served as control (N=41).

Vascular tumors: rare neoplasms of the female genital tract.

Background: Vascular tumors of the genital tract are rare entities. METHOD-RESULTS: We conducted a retrospective study of such tumors during the period January 1993 up to December 2007. During this period we identified thirteen patients with vascular tumors of the female genital tract.

Detection of large histiocytes in pap smears: role in the prediction of endometrial pathology?

Objective: The objective of this study was to clarify the prognostic significance of large histiocytes in Papanicolaou smears.

Method: During a 2-year period, 893 smears were assessed by the Cytology Laboratory of our Hospital. Twenty-one smears were reported including large histiocytes (2.

A rare case of uneventful pregnancy in a woman with Cogan's syndrome.

Cogan's syndrome is a rare multisystem disorder of unknown etiology which is characterized by nonsyphilitic interstitial keratitis, vestibuloauditory dysfunction and systemic vasculitis. We present the clinical manifestations and the follow-up of a 39-year-old pregnant woman with Cogan's syndrome. The treatment and especially the histologic findings of the placenta are discussed.

Abortion rates and the role of family planning: a presentation of the Greek reality.

Objective: Due to lack of consistent evidence, it is widely believed that Greece holds one of the highest abortion rates in Europe. The aim of this study is to clarify these rates.

Study Design: The Greek Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology collected data demonstrating that abortion rates seem to be declining which coincides with the rise of the use of more effective methods of contraception.

Laparoscopic pelvic exenteration: a new option in the surgical treatment of locally advanced and recurrent cervical carcinoma.

Pelvic exenteration is an option in the treatment of persistent or recurrent cervical carcinomas confined to the central pelvis. The improvement of laparoscopic techniques and equipment in combination with broader experience of surgeons in laparoscopy made laparoscopic pelvic exenteration possible. This article reviews present experience with pelvic exenteration and analyses the advantages and disadvantages of the method compared to classical method (Tab.

Late struma ovarii diagnosis many years after total thyroidectomy. A rare entity.

We present the case of a 53-year-old lady with incidental diagnosis of struma ovarii 10 years after total thyroidectomy due to papillary thyroid carcinoma. The disease was diagnosed owing to high levels of serum thyroglobulin. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy with total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.

Can the preoperative Ca-125 level predict optimal cytoreduction in patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma? A single institution cohort study.

Background: Preoperative Ca-125 level has been used as a predictor of optimal cytoreduction in advanced ovarian carcinoma. Yet, controversy exists regarding the ability of the tumor marker to predict optimal debulking and moreover of the proper cut-off limit to do so.

Methods: The preoperative Ca-125 levels of 426 patients with Stage III/IV ovarian carcinoma from a single institution were correlated with surgical outcome.

Adolescent pregnancy in a Greek public hospital during a six-year period (2000-2005)--a retrospective study.

Study Objective: Adolescent pregnancy constitutes a multidimensional social problem in modern Greece. The purpose of this study was to investigate the trends of teenage childbearing and to determine the relationship between the incidence of teenage pregnancy and immigrant status of the mother.

Design: This is a retrospective correlational study.

The role of urocortin in gynecological and obstetrical conditions.

Aim: The objective of the review is to present the possible role of urocortin, a novel peptide of the corticotrophin releasing factor family, in different conditions of obstetrics and gynecology such as preterm labor, preeclampsia or ovarian steroidogenesis. METHOD-RESULTS: A MEDLINE search was commenced with the terms "urocortin", "preterm labor", "preeclampsia", "ovary", "endometrium", "myometrium", "placenta", "plasma", "amniotic fluid". Seventy-three articles were found to be relevant on the field and the potential role of urocortin in such conditions is presented.

A retrospective analysis of borderline ovarian tumors in a Greek university hospital.

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the pathologic and clinical characteristics of borderline ovarian tumors.

Methods/results: During the period from January 1993 up to December 2002 we found 93 cases of borderline ovarian tumors. The mean age of patients was 44.

Paget's disease of the vulva. A ten-year experience.

Background: Paget's disease of the vulva is a rare neoplasmatic lesion which mainly affects postmenopausal women.

Results: We conducted a retrospective study during the period January 1996 till December 2005 in which 11 cases of Paget's disease were detected. The clinical manifestations, management, specific pathological features, treatment and prognosis of each patient are presented.