Congenitial cytomegalovirus infection in a twin pregnancy: A case report

A case of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in a twin pregnancy is described, causing neonatal death in one of the infants whereas the other survived without major complications. The possible mechanisms involved are discussed.     

Conservative management of abnormally invasive placentation

Due to the growing number of cesarean deliveries, the frequency of abnormally invasive placentation is increasing. The optimal management of this condition remains unclear. This article reviews the efficacy and safety of conservative management of abnormally invasive placentation. We performed a MEDLINE and Embase search and reviewed all articles on conservative management of abnormally invasive placentation published from 1985 through 2006. Over the past 20 years, 48 reports have described outcomes of 60 women who were treated conservatively for abnormally invasive placentation. Twenty-six women were managed without any additional interventions. In most of these patients (19/26), the placenta had been partially removed. In 4 of these 26, conservative therapy failed. Twenty-two women received adjuvant methotrexate. In most of these women (19/22), the entire placenta was left in situ. In 5, therapy failed. Twelve women were managed with arterial embolization. In most of these (9/12), the diagnosis was made antepartum and the placenta was completely left in situ. In 3, therapy failed. Overall, 11 women experienced infection (11/60), 21 women experienced vaginal bleeding (21/60), and 4 suffered disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (4/60). Spontaneous loss of placental tissue was noted in 16 women. Subsequent pregnancies were reported in 8 women. Conservative management of abnormally invasive placentation can be effective and fertility can be preserved. It should only be considered in highly selected cases when blood loss is minimal and there is desire for fertility preservation. Whether adjuvant methotrexate or selective arterial embolization is beneficial is uncertain. Undetectable hCG values do not seem to guarantee complete resorption of retained placental tissue.     

Treatment and complications of mandibular fractures: A 10-year analysis

The surgical treatment and complications of patients with mandibular fractures in Amsterdam over a period of 10 years are analysed. Between January 2000 and January 2009 225 patients were surgically treated for a mandibular fracture (mean age of 32.6 (SD ± 14.6) years). A total of 426 fracture lines were identified. Of 213 dentate patients 29 patients were treated primarily with intermaxillary fixation (IMF). IMF combined with osteosynthesis was performed on 99 patients. Seventy-nine patients received IMF only per-operatively to make open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) possible. Of 12 edentulous patients three patients were treated with Gunning splints. Nine patients were treated by manual reduction and internal fixation. A total of 1965 screws and 442 plates were used. Sixty (26.7%) patients presented with complications, including (transient) hyposensibility of the lip and chin (34 patients), dysocclusion (15 patients), infected osteosynthesis material (six patients) and temporomandibular dysfunction (five patients). Four patients needed surgical retreatment for correction of a dysocclusion. The results of this report are partly in line with other studies and provide important data for improving the treatment of the fractured mandible.     

Effectiveness of acupuncture-type interventions versus expectant management to correct breech presentation: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE: A systematic review of studies assessing the effectiveness of acupuncture-type interventions (moxibustion, acupuncture, or electro-acupuncture) on acupuncture point BL 67 to correct breech presentation compared to expectant management, based on controlled trials. DATA SOURCES: Articles published from 1980 to May 2007 in databases of Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, AMED, NCCAM, Midirs and reference lists. STUDY SELECTION: Studies included were original articles; randomised controlled trials (RCT) or controlled cohort studies; acupuncture-type intervention on BL 67 compared with expectant management; ultrasound confirmed breech presentation and position of the fetus after treatment confirmed with ultrasound, position at delivery, and/or the proportion of caesarean sections reported. DATA EXTRACTION: Three reviewers independently extracted data. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of 65 retrieved citations, six RCT's and three cohort studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Data were pooled using random-effects models. In the RCT's the pooled proportion of breech presentations was 34% (95% CI: 20-49%) following treatment versus 66% (95% CI: 55-77%) in the control group (OR 0.25 95% CI: 0.11-0.58). The pooled proportion in the cohort studies was 15% (95% CI: 1-28%) versus 36% (95% CI: 14-58%), (OR 0.29, 95% CI: 0.19-0.43). Including all studies the pooled proportion was 28% (95% CI: 16-40%) versus 56% (95% CI: 43-70%) (OR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.15-0.46). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that acupuncture-type interventions on BL 67 are effective in correcting breech presentation compared to expectant management. Some studies were of inferior quality to others and further RCT's of improved quality are necessary to adequately answer the research question.     

Cortical dysplasia and autistic trait severity in children with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: a clinical epidemiological study

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is characterized by a high prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Little is known about the relation between cortical dysplasia and ASD severity in TSC. We assessed ASD severity (using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale), tuber and radial migration line (RML) count and location, and cognitive functioning in 52 children with TSC and performed regression and mediation analyses. Tuber and RML count were strongly positively related to ASD severity. However, when correcting for cognitive functioning, the majority of associations became insignificant and only total tuber count remained associated to the severity of restricted/repetitive behaviors. Occipital RML count remained associated with overall ASD severity, and social communication/interaction deficit severity specifically. This study shows the important explanatory role of cognitive functioning in the association between cortical dysplasia and ASD severity, and the relevance of separately studying the two ASD subdomains.