Spontaneous rupture of the urinary bladder in the puerperium

Spontaneous rupture of the urinary bladder in the puerperium is extremely rare. The patient usually presents with acute abdominal pain. Awareness on the part of the treating surgeon that bladder rupture is a possibility will lead to an early diagnosis. Immediate exploration, removing urine from the peritoneal cavity or retropubic space, closing the rupture and securing good vesical drainage, results in resumption of vesical function, and thereby decreases the mortality and morbidity.

[Mother-child treatment in psychiatry. III. The author's own experiences--practical implementation and discussion]

With regard to experiences described in the literature, and the particular psychotherapeutic and paedagogic effects on mother and child in the inpatient treatment setup presented in this paper, we give an account of the preliminary deliberations and preconditions arising from this particular setup. Prognostically unfavourable aspects of joint admission and treatment are also presented. Finally, previous experiences are discussed, and suggestions for improvement of care for mentally ill mothers and their infants or toddlers are made, taking into consideration the facilities existing in England and Denmark.

Prevention and treatment of postpartum Graves' disease

Postpartum Graves' disease requires differentiation from postpartum thyroiditis and subacute thyroiditis in addition to other causes of hyperthyroidism. This may be done by assessing thyrotropin receptor antibody and radioiodine uptake together with clinical examination and thyroid scanning. The effect of pregnancy on thyroid function causes changes in iodine metabolism, thyroid hormone transport proteins and thyroid gland size. Amelioration of autoimmune disease such as Graves' disease, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis is often observed during pregnancy followed by postpartum exacerbation. The immunological effects of pregnancy involve placental factors as well as a transient diversion from T helper (Th) 1 to Th2 T-cell cytokine profile in addition to a change in B-cell lymphopoiesis. Prevention of postpartum Graves' disease by immune strategies which have been experimentally performed to reduce expression of diabetes in the non-obese diabetic mouse are attractive but not currently feasible in humans. Treatment of Graves' disease prior to pregnancy or postpartum with 131I is effective. Therapy with anti-thyroid drugs with or without thyroxine is variably effective.

"Dural tail" adjacent to a giant posterior cerebral artery aneurysm: case report and review of the literature

The "dural tail" sign on gadolinium (Gd-DTPA)-enhanced MRI has been described in association with meningiomas. Various series with histopathological correlation have shown that in some cases there is tumour invasion into the dura mater, but in the majority of cases it represents a hypervascular, non-neoplastic reaction. While this sign was originally thought to be specific for meningioma, subsequent case reports have described the presence of a dural tail in other intra- and extra-axial lesions. We present a patient with a giant aneurysm arising from the P2 segment of the right posterior cerebral artery, adjacent to the tentorium, with a prominent dural tail on Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI. In this location, differentiation of an aneurysm from a meningioma was critical.

"Anybody's child": severe disorders of mother-to-infant bonding

BACKGROUND

This paper describes severe, disorders of maternal affection and behaviour and suggests that there is an early process of mother-to-infant bonding which can go seriously wrong.

METHOD

Forty-four self-selected women who had suffered from at least one episode of postnatal mental illness described an unexpected and often catastrophic failure to love one or more of their babies.

RESULTS

These women reported absent affection, sometimes hate, rejection, neglect or impulses to harm, in relation to at least one of their children. These feelings often began immediately or very shortly after the birth, and with one exception, were specific to one child; such characteristics are best encapsulated by the term 'maternal bonding disorder'. Twenty-nine of the women were multiparae; first-borns were not significantly more likely to be the focus for such feelings. There was no direct evidence of predisposing maternal personality traits or previous experiences. Postnatal mental illness and recalled severe pain during labour were significantly associated with such disorders which, in their severe forms, did not occur in the absence of postnatal mental illness.

CONCLUSIONS

The nature of the link between postnatal mental illness and disorders of maternal bonding remains unclear. Because, in multiparae, the disorder often 'missed' the first child, factors such as maternal personality traits or early childhood experiences cannot be regarded as sufficient causes.

Osteomyelitis pubis occurring after spontaneous vaginal delivery: a case presentation

BACKGROUND

Osteomyelitis pubis is an uncommon disorder. The clinical presentation is similar to that of osteitis pubis, which is a self-limiting condition. However, osteomyelitis pubis necessitates intensive intravenous antibiotic therapy and, frequently, surgery to effect a cure.

CASE

A 33-year-old gravida II para 1001, Filipina vaginally delivered a 3802 gm baby on April 5, 1994. The delivery was complicated by shoulder dystocia. Her postpartum course was complicated by an abscessed tooth and pubic pain that was exacerbated by ambulation. On the twentieth postpartum day, she came to the emergency department with massive cellulitis of the mons veneris and labia majora. The results of an x-ray examination and bone scan were consistent with osteomyelitis of the pubis. The patient did not respond to multiple intravenous antibiotics, and surgical debridement was required.

CONCLUSIONS

A diagnosis of osteomyelitis pubis should be considered for any patient who experiences pubic pain that is exacerbated by walking. Proper therapy consists of intravenous antibiotics and surgical debridement, as necessary, in patients who do not respond to antibiotics.

Deep vein thrombosis in pregnancy and the puerperium: a comprehensive review

Although uncommon during pregnancy and the postpartum period, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and its sequela, pulmonary thromboembolism, remain leading sources of maternal mortality and morbidity. The majority of literature concerning DVT in pregnancy and the postpartum period exists in the medical journals, with only a small amount in nursing journals. This article provides the nursing community a comprehensive review of literature concerning the incidence of both DVT and pulmonary embolism in pregnancy and the postpartum period, identification of risk factors, the effectiveness of available screening and diagnostic tools, and finally, options for treatment and prophylaxis.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is an uncommon condition of unknown aetiology. Diagnosis requires exclusion of other causes of congestive cardiac failure and the demonstration of global ventricular dysfunction on echocardiography. Treatment consists od diuretics, vasodilators, digoxin and anticoagulants. Prognosis is related to recovery of ventricular function. The availability of cardiac transplantation has improved the outlook for those with persistent dysfunction.

[Acute fatty liver of pregnancy complicated by pancreatitis]

A woman with acute fatty liver of pregnancy developed fulminant hepatic failure after delivery, a time when spontaneous recovery was expected. Pancreatitis and multiple organ failure was documented and intensive treatment in a critical care unit was needed to support organ function. She underwent plasmapheresis due to extreme hyperbilirubinemia and coma. She recovered completely.

Treatment of spontaneous coronary artery dissection: report of three cases

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is an extremely rare cause of myocardial infarction. It has been reported mainly in young women during or after pregnancy. The prognosis and treatment of coronary dissection are not clear. We report three cases of spontaneous coronary artery dissection in young women. One of them was pregnant and one was 2 weeks after delivery. The dissection involved the left anterior descending artery (LAD) in two cases and the left main coronary artery in one case. There was no evidence of atherosclerosis on angiography or intracoronary ultrasound in any of the patients. Two of the women were treated by stent implantation with excellent results. This is the first known report of successful coronary stenting of spontaneous coronary artery dissection. The pregnant woman was not a candidate for stent implantation and underwent implantation of the left internal mammary to the LAD without cardiopulmonary bypass. She completed her pregnancy uneventfully.

Postpartum thyroid dysfunction

Four disorders of the postpartum period are associated with thyroid dysfunction. The most common is PPT. Although recovery from thyroid dysfunction often occurs in PPT, many patients eventually develop permanent hypothyroidism. Postpartum Graves' Disease is less common than PPT, but it is not unusual. Whereas antithyroid drugs are indicated for postpartum Graves' Disease, they are not useful in PPT. Although they are rare, lymphocytic hypophysitis and postpartum pituitary infarction are important entities because they cause deficiencies of many critical hormones. The autoimmune nature of PPT, postpartum Graves' disease, and lymphocytic hypophysitis highlights the unique effects of pregnancy on the immune system.

Arterial ischemic strokes associated with pregnancy and puerperium

Physiological changes occurring during pregnancy and puerperium may increase the risk of stroke. However, the incidence rate of ischemic stroke is of 3.8 to 5 in 100,000 pregnancies, i.e. quite similar to that of ischemic strokes occurring in non pregnant women of child bearing age. Whereas eclampsia, choriocarcinoma and amniotic emboli occur only during pregnancy or puerperium, peripartum cardiomyopathy and benign cerebral angiopathy are less specific. All other causes of cerebral ischemia may also occur during pregnancy and puerperium. The management of an ischemic stroke should not differ between pregnant and non pregnant women of child bearing age. Strokes associated with pregnancy require a complete diagnostic work-up including angiography if necessary. Low doses of aspirin (60-80 mg/d) can be used after 3 months of pregnancy. Heparin is the anticoagulant of choice during pregnancy, but warfarin may be used between 13 and 36 weeks of gestation; heparin and warfarin can be used during breast feeding. There is no neurological reason to recommend a systematic use of cesarean section. Subsequent prescription of oral contraceptive therapy is not recommended except in patients with a definite cause of ischemic stroke which is not influenced by hormones.

Co-ordinated care for women with postnatal depression

In many cases, postnatal depression is not identified or treated early enough, often as a result of poor co-ordination between the health professionals involved. This article outlines a project to develop multidisciplinary working to improve the care provision for women with postnatal depression.

Anal canal pressures are low in women with postpartum anal fissure

BACKGROUND

Anal sphincter hypertenia is commonly thought to underlie development of anal fissure, yet anal fissure is particularly common after childbirth, a time when anal canal pressure may be reduced. This paradox was investigated by a prospective study of the effect of parturition on the pelvic floor.

METHODS

Anal manometry was performed 6 weeks before and after delivery in 209 primigravid women with no pre-existing history of anorectal disease. Postpartum studies only were performed on a further 104 primiparae. Anal fissure was diagnosed by history and direct examination.

RESULTS

Some 29 women (9 per cent) developed postpartum anal fissure. Antepartum anal canal resting and squeeze pressures were similar in women who did and those who did not develop fissure. Resting and squeeze anal canal pressures decreased post partum in both groups. Postpartum constipation was more common in those with fissure (62 per cent) than in those without (29 per cent) (chi 2 = 10.6, 1 d.f., P < 0.01). The mode of delivery or use of epidural analgesia did not affect the incidence of fissure.

CONCLUSION

Postpartum anal fissure is associated with reduced anal canal pressures, and surgical interference with the anal sphincter mechanism should be avoided.

Post partum psychosis: a clinical study

In this study of 192 cases of post partum psychosis, the mean age of cases was 24.2 years. A past history of post partum psychosis was present in 16 cases (8.3%). As per the RDC categories, a majority of patients had unspecified functional psychosis and developed psychosis after the birth of first child. There was a positive correlation between the birth of female child and psychosis. The majority of cases developed psychosis within first 2 weeks after delivery. There were several other statistically significant differences when these cases were compared with non-puerperal, disease-matched controls.

Postpartum bilateral subdural hematomas following spinal anesthesia: case report

BACKGROUND

Intracranial subdural hematoma is an exceptionally rare complication of spinal anesthesia. We report a case of this infrequent event and consider the influence of cerebral atrophy as a predisposing factor.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This 18-year-old woman with severe headaches was admitted to the hospital 42 days after delivery. She had a history of normal pregnancy and uneventful labor and delivery. The epidural anesthesia was satisfactory. Computed tomography showed bilateral chronic subdural hematomas that were surgically removed. An early follow-up scan showed marked resolution of the hematomas and a small sized brain with large subarachnoid space. A late follow-up scan confirmed the diagnosis of brain atrophy.

CONCLUSIONS

Persistence of headache and gradual progression despite treatment must be regarded as a sign of intracranial complication following spinal anesthesia. In this case, cerebral atrophy is considered to be a contributory factor for the development of subdural hematoma following dural puncture.