Retrospective review of endometriosis surgery at Te Whatu Ora - Capital and Coast.

Introduction: Endometriosis is an under-researched disease, with Aotearoa-specific data severely lacking. Current estimates of parameters such as rates of endometriosis diagnosis, indication for surgery and sites of disease are based on international data. There is currently no published data on endometriosis surgeries in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Experiences implementing hydrocolloid dressings after caesarean section.

Aim: Despite increasing interest in reduction of surgical site infection (SSI) after caesarean section, there is limited evidence around optimal dressing choice. We report the experience of a secondary hospital in regional New Zealand changing from a basic contact dressing to a hydrocolloid dressing over a three-month period, reporting SSI rates, midwifery and nursing experience, and cost.

Method: A retrospective cohort study of hydrocolloid dressings for caesarean sections over three months, compared with basic contact dressings in caesarean sections in the same period one year previously.

A promising future for endometriosis diagnosis and therapy: extracellular vesicles - a systematic review.

Endometriosis is a chronic, inflammatory gynaecological disease that can have severe negative impacts on quality of life and fertility, placing burden on patients and the healthcare system. Due to the heterogeneous nature of endometriosis, and the lack of correlation between symptom and surgical disease severity, diagnosis and treatment remain a significant clinical challenge. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are biologically active particles containing molecular cargo involved in intercellular communication, that can be exploited for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy: a case series and case report to highlight the experience in regional New Zealand.

Aims: To evaluate the approach to diagnosis and management of caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) at a regional New Zealand hospital.

Methods: A retrospective case series of ten patients between June 2015 and May 2020. The data review included demographic information, ultrasound findings, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) levels, primary and subsequent treatment, outcomes and complications.

Five-year follow-up after cervical cytology and histology discordance: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Cervical smear cytology and colposcopic biopsy histology are prone to error at both collection and interpretation stages, leading to a large number of discordant cases.

Aims: Investigation of five-year outcomes for women who have cervical cytology that is discordant and higher grade than histology results.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out for 111 women with cervical cytology discordant and higher grade than histology, after cytopathological review, over a three-year period.

Cytopathological review of cervical pathology: Impact for women and follow-up results.

Background: Cervical screening programs have had an important effect on the reduction of cervical cancer rates. Comprehensive programs require access to pathological review to improve the sensitivity of screening cytology and the specificity of diagnostic histology.

Aims: To determine the number of cases where cervical cytology or histology was amended at cytopathological review; whether amendments were 'upgrades' or 'downgrades', and how amendments aligned with follow-up results for these patients.

Influential factors in patient uptake of influenza vaccination during pregnancy; a survey-based audit in a tertiary hospital setting.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the key influential factors for pregnant or recently pregnant women in deciding on influenza vaccination.

Method: This study was conducted in a single tertiary hospital in New Zealand using an anonymous and voluntary patient survey. Ethnicity, age and stage of pregnancy along with self-reported data on factors that influenced the decision to vaccinate against influenza during pregnancy were recorded.

Cardiac disease in pregnancy and the multidisciplinary team: the Wellington experience.

Aim: To define the range and severity of cardiac disease in pregnant women in New Zealand, as well as the maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality compared with the background obstetric population.

Methods: We retrospectively audited pregnant women with cardiac comorbidity seen by a multidisciplinary team at a tertiary referral centre consisting of midwives, cardiologists, obstetricians and anaesthetists in 2016-2017.

Results: Seventy-two women were referred to the multidisciplinary team.

Caesarean section wound infection surveillance: Information for action.

Surgical site infection (SSI) following caesarean section is common, resulting in significant morbidity. Several factors are known to contribute to wound infection, including maternal, procedural and antibiotic factors. We sought to clarify these issues and sought opportunities to make improvements.

Metastatic endometrial endometrioid carcinoma mimicking pilomatrixoma of the distal vagina.

Endometrioid carcinoma with a prominent squamous component has the ability to mimic pilomatrixoma. One previous case is documented of cutaneous metastasis in the upper limb derived from ovarian endometrioid carcinoma mimicking pilomatrixoma. Here, we describe a case of metastasis of endometrial endometrioid carcinoma in the distal vagina, treated with radiotherapy and later resected.

Extent of altered white matter in unilateral and bilateral periventricular white matter lesions in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.

Aims: To investigate the extent of white matter damage in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) caused by periventricular white matter lesions comparing between unilateral and bilateral lesions; and to investigate a relationship between white matter microstructure and hand function.

Methods And Procedures: Diffusion MRI images from 46 children with UCP and 18 children with typical development (CTD) were included. Subjects were grouped by side of hemiparesis and unilateral or bilateral lesions.

Structural connectivity of the anterior cingulate in children with unilateral cerebral palsy due to white matter lesions.

In this work we investigate the structural connectivity of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and its link with impaired executive function in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) due to periventricular white matter lesions. Fifty two children with UCP and 17 children with typical development participated in the study, and underwent diffusion and structural MRI. Five brain regions were identified for their high connectivity with the ACC using diffusion MRI fibre tractography: the superior frontal gyrus, medial orbitofrontal cortex, rostral middle frontal gyrus, precuneus and isthmus cingulate.

Crohn's disease presenting as gastric outlet obstruction.

We present a unique presentation of Crohn's disease in a 25-year-old male with a 3-month history of progressive gastric outlet obstruction symptoms including reflux, vomiting, postprandial pain and weight loss, with no other symptoms. Multiple imaging investigations as well as gastroscopic biopsies revealed a non-specific prepyloric lesion, without evidence of malignancy. A distal gastrectomy was performed.

Quantitative comparison of cortical and deep grey matter in pathological subtypes of unilateral cerebral palsy.

Aim: The aim of this study was to quantify grey matter changes in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP), differentiating between cortical or deep grey matter (CDGM) lesions, periventricular white matter (PWM) lesions, and unilateral and bilateral lesions.

Method: In a cross-sectional study we obtained high resolution structural magnetic resonance images from 72 children (41 males, 31 females, mean age 10y 9mo [SD 3y 1mo], range 5y 1mo-17y 1mo) with UCP (33 left, 39 right hemiplegia; Manual Ability Classification System level I n=29, II n=43; Gross Motor Function Classification System level I n=46, II n=26), and 19 children with typical development (CTD; eight males, 11 females, mean age 11y 2mo [SD 2y 7mo], range 7y 8mo-16y 4mo). Images were classified by lesion type and analyzed using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and subcortical volumetric analysis.

Magnetic resonance diffusion tractography of the preterm infant brain: a systematic review.

Aim: Preterm birth is associated with an increased risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) combined with tractography can be used to assess non-invasively white matter microstructure and brain development in preterm infants. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review of the current evidence obtained from tractography studies of preterm infants in whom MRI was performed up to term-equivalent age.

New insights into the pathology of white matter tracts in cerebral palsy from diffusion magnetic resonance imaging: a systematic review.

Aim: Structural connectivity analysis using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) and tractography has become the method of choice for studying white matter pathology and reorganization in children with congenital hemiplegia. To evaluate its role in the research domain, we systematically reviewed the literature about children with cerebral palsy (CP) to document common findings and identify strengths and possible limitations of this neuroimaging technology.

Method: A literature search was performed for peer-reviewed studies pertaining to dMRI and CP.