Essure transcervical tubal sterilization: a 5-year x-ray follow up.

Objective: To evaluate the x-ray appearance of Essure microinserts 5 years after their insertion.

Design: Prospective controlled study.

Setting: Tertiary referral centers for gynecologic care.

High serum follistatin levels in women with ovarian endometriosis.

Background: Follistatin is an activin-binding protein produced by several tissues, including endometrium and endometriotic implants. We aimed to quantify follistatin in patients with ovarian endometriosis and investigate its value as a diagnostic marker.

Methods: Women undergoing laparoscopic excision of ovarian endometrioma (n = 52) or other benign ovarian cysts (n = 52) were studied, plus women with non-ovarian endometriosis (n = 11) and healthy controls (n = 27).

Tubal sterilization by laparoscopy or hysteroscopy: which is the most cost-effective procedure?

By using the activity-based cost/management (ABC/M) system we computed and compared costs needed for laparoscopic tubal sterilization (LTS) and Essure hysteroscopic tubal occlusion (EHTO). We found that total health costs related to consultation and presurgery did not differ between LTS and EHTO; EHTO has low recovery unit costs but is more costly for the operating theater, mainly due to Essure microinserts.

Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta during pregnancy.

Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA) is a disorder of unknown aetiology that occurs at any age and can be localized on the skin and on the mucosas. We report the case of a 24-year-old woman who presented PLEVA at her 20th week of gestation. This is, to our knowledge, the second case of PLEVA during pregnancy reported in literature.

Mucosal and systemic immune activation is present in human immunodeficiency virus-exposed seronegative women.

Immune parameters were analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and cervical mucosa biopsy specimens of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seronegative women sexually exposed to HIV (exposed seronegative [ESN]), HIV-infected women, and healthy women without HIV exposure. HIV was not detected in PBMC or cervical mucosa biopsy specimens of ESN women. However, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and -beta mRNA were elevated in PBMC and cervical mucosa biopsy specimens of ESN and HIV-infected women; CCR5 and CXCR4 mRNA were augmented in cervical mucosa biopsy specimens, but not in PBMC, of ESN and HIV-infected women; HIV-specific IFN-gamma-secreting cells were detected in vaginal washes of ESN and HIV-infected women; and phenotypic alterations were present in PBMC of ESN women.