Basic Gynecologic Ultrasound Examination (Level I): DEGUM, ÖGUM, and SGUM Recommendations.

Ultrasound has become an essential diagnostic tool in gynecology, and every practicing gynecologist must be able to differentiate normal from pathologic findings, such as benign or malignant pelvic masses, adnexal torsion, pelvic inflammation disease, endometriosis, ectopic pregnancies, and congenital uterine malformations at least on a basic level. A standardized approach to the correct settings of the ultrasound system, the indications for gynecologic ultrasound investigations, and the sonographic appearance of normal anatomy and common pathologic findings in the standard planes are important prerequisites for safe and confident clinical management of gynecologic patients. Based on current publications and different national and international guidelines, updated DEGUM, ÖGUM, and SGUM recommendations for the performance of basic gynecologic ultrasound examinations were established.

Quality Requirements for gynecological ultrasound examinations of DEGUM level II - Recommendations of the Sections/Working Groups Gynecology and Obstetrics of DEGUM, ÖGUM and SGUM.

Gynecological sonography is the central and most frequently used technical examination method used by gynecologists. Its focus is on the clarification of masses of the uterus and the adnexa, fertility diagnosis, clarification of bleeding disorders and chronic and acute pelvic problems, pelvic floor and incontinence diagnosis as well as the differential diagnosis of disturbed early pregnancy. The indication for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, preoperative planning and postoperative controls are largely based on the findings of gynecological sonography.

Association of uterine leiomyoma and overactive bladder syndrome.

Objective: To assess associations between anterior and/or fundal uterine leiomyoma and overactive bladder syndrome.

Methods: The present cohort study recruited women diagnosed with fundal/anterior uterine leiomyoma by standardized transvaginal ultrasonography at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2013, in addition to an age-matched control group of women without uterine leiomyoma. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Overactive Bladder Module (ICIQ-OAB) was mailed to all eligible participants.

Management of uterine ectopic pregnancy - local vs. systemic methotrexate.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare ultrasound-guided local methotrexate (MTX) vs. systemic methotrexate in uterine ectopic pregnancy regarding the beta human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) clearance duration.

Material And Methods: Patients with interstitial pregnancy, cervical pregnancy or cesarean scar pregnancy were included.

Risk Factors for De Novo Malignancies in Women After Kidney Transplantation: A Multicenter Transversal Study.

Objective: Transplantation results in a 5-time elevated risk for a variety of malignancies (Kaposi sarcoma, skin, liver, lung, gastrointestinal cancer). A patient's risk for malignancies could be of particular interest for the follow-up programs of patients and risk adaption after kidney transplantation. The aim of this study was to identify independent risk factors for de novo malignancies in women after renal transplantation.

Measurement of Thermal Effects of Doppler Ultrasound: An In Vitro Study.

Objective: Ultrasound is considered a safe imaging modality and is routinely applied during early pregnancy. However, reservations are expressed concerning the application of Doppler ultrasound in early pregnancy due to energy emission of the ultrasound probe and its conversion to heat. The objective of this study was to evaluate the thermal effects of emitted Doppler ultrasound of different ultrasound machines and probes by means of temperature increase of in-vitro test-media.

Serum Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (β- hCG) Clearance Curves in Women with Successfully Expectantly Managed Tubal Ectopic Pregnancies: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To establish clearance curves for serum β -hCG in women with successfully expectantly managed tubal ectopic pregnancies.

Design: Retrospective cohort study. Non- viable tubal ectopic pregnancy was diagnosed on transvaginal ultrasound.

Prevalence of genital dysplasia after kidney transplantation--a retrospective, non-interventional study from two centers.

Objective: Renal transplant patients are at increased risk for human papillomavirus-related malignancies of the lower genital tract. Our aim was to describe the incidence of genital dysplasia, assess the most common cervical cancer screening intervals and identify independent risk factors for the development of genital dysplasia in renal transplant patients.

Design: Retrospective, non-interventional study from two centers.

A collagen-fibrin patch (Tachosil®) for the prevention of symptomatic lymphoceles after pelvic lymphadenectomy in women with gynecologic malignancies: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Lymphoceles are a common complication after pelvic lymphadenectomy in women with gynecologic malignancies. Although typically asymptomatic, lymphoceles can superinfect requiring medical or surgical intervention. A single center randomized controlled trial provided first evidence, that a collagen-fibrin patch (Tachosil®) is effective in the prevention of symptomatic lymphoceles after pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Response prediction to neoadjuvant chemotherapy: comparison between pre-therapeutic gene expression profiles and in vitro chemosensitivity assay.

Although the use of (neo-)adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients has resulted in improved outcome, not all patients benefit equally. We have evaluated the utility of an in vitro chemosensitivity assay in predicting response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Pre-therapeutic biopsies were obtained from 30 breast cancer patients assigned to neoadjuvant epirubicin 75 mg/m2 and docetaxel 75 mg/m2 (Epi/Doc) in a prospectively randomized clinical trial.

Live birth after in vitro fertilization and single embryo transfer in a kidney transplant patient: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: To present a successful case of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and single embryo transfer (SET) in a kidney transplant (NTX) patient and review of the literature.

Methods: Case report and review of the literature.

Setting: IVF-Unit in a university medical center.

HER2 overexpression and activation, and tamoxifen efficacy in receptor-positive early breast cancer.

Objectives: Tamoxifen is a partial ER antagonist that is highly effective in the treatment of receptor positive breast cancer. It significantly reduces recurrence and improves survival in both pre- and postmenopausal women. Unfortunately, many ER+ positive tumors progress despite tamoxifen treatment and until now, no possibility exists to prospectively identify tamoxifen-resistant tumors.

beta-HCG/LH receptor (beta-HCG/LH-R) expression in eutopic endometrium and endometriotic implants: evidence for beta-HCG sensitivity of endometriosis.

Background: Luteinizing hormone (LH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) target their receptor in gonadal and nongonadal cells to stimulate steroidogenesis and cell growth. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of HCG/LH-R in endometriosis to elucidate a possible impact of LH and HCG on this disease.

Materials And Methods: Analysis of HCG/LH-R protein expression in 23 paired samples of ectopic and eutopic tissue of cycling women with endometriosis and in endometrial samples from 22 healthy controls was conducted via immunofluorescence.

Serum EGFR levels and efficacy of trastuzumab-based therapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

The antibody trastuzumab inhibits signal transduction in Her-2/neu overexpressing human breast cancer. However, the activation of co-expressed EGFR has also been show to additionally modulate the anti-tumoural effects of this drug. Similar to Her-2/neu, the extra cellular binding region of EGFR is believed to be proteolytically released from the cell surface upon receptor activation and can be detected in patients' serum (sEGFR).

EGFR activity in HER-2 over-expressing metastatic breast cancer: evidence for simultaneous phosphorylation of Her-2/neu and EGFR.

Her-2/neu overexpression is an important prognostic parameter in breast cancer patients and has become a response predictor for trastuzumab treatment. Nevertheless, while trastuzumab is highly effective in many Her-2/neu overexpressing tumors, some do not respond. The reason for the differential effect is unknown, but it has been hypothesized that the complex interactions between Her-2/neu and other members of the EGFR family are involved in trastuzumab resistance.