Management of the acute abdomen in pregnancy: a review. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2008;20:534-539. [PMID: 18989127 DOI: 10.1097/gco.0b013e328317c735]

Autoimmune pancreatitis with IgG-4 cholangiopathy in a pregnant woman: A case report

Diagnosis and management of autoimmune pancreatitis during pregnancy. Autoimmune pancreatitis is a rare and life-threatening condition with increased maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Autoimmune pancreatitis may result in a mass-forming lesion in the pancreas resembling pancreatic cancer; therefore, meticulous and careful investigations must be done to avoid misdiagnosing autoimmune pancreatitis as pancreatic cancer. Since autoimmune pancreatitis improves dramatically to steroid therapy, accurate diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis can avoid unnecessary procedures, surgeries, and pancreatic resection. A case of a pregnant lady in her third trimester was presented with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. On examination, there was tenderness in both epigastric and right hypochondrium associated with elevated serum amylase, liver transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and immunoglobulin G4. Both abdominal ultrasound and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed a pancreatic head lesion with dilation in both pancreatic duct and common bile duct. Steroid was initiated that resulted in rapid and dramatic responsiveness. Acute pancreatitis is uncommon during pregnancy, and autoimmune pancreatitis is a very rare form of acute pancreatitis; therefore, a clear and rapid assessment, diagnosis, and management plan are necessary to avoid maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.

The diagnostic use of magnetic resonance imaging for acute abdominal and pelvic pain in pregnancy

OBJECTIVES

Acute abdomino-pelvic pain in pregnancy represents a diagnostic challenge. In many cases, radiological and laparoscopic diagnostic modalities are hazardous or contraindicated. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is not commonly used for this indication and the results are not widely published.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A single-center retrospective observational study.

POPULATION

34 cases of pregnant women with abdomino-pelvic pain who underwent MRI as an additional modality when clinical, laboratory and ultrasound (USS) findings were indeterminate.

METHODS

Case notes were reviewed where pregnant women underwent a MRI investigation for abdominal-pelvic pain. Primary Obstetric indications for an MRI eg placenta accreta were excluded.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The differential diagnosis after; 1) history and physical examination and 2) with the addition of USS and 3) with the further addition of an MRI were all individually compared to the eventual diagnosis.

RESULTS

The diagnoses reached by MRI corresponded with the final diagnosis in 22 out of 23 cases. In the remaining 11 cases MRI accurately ruled out presence of pathology. MRI was inaccurate in 1 case.

CONCLUSION

The additional use of MRI was more accurate than clinical assessment and USS combined. The accurate exclusion of pathology in 11 cases is particularly significant. MRI should be considered in cases of abdomino-pelvic pain in pregnant women.

Management of acute abdomen in pregnancy: current perspectives

Acute abdomen in pregnancy represents a unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Acute abdominal pain in pregnancy can occur due to obstetric factors as well for reasons that are unrelated to pregnancy. The diagnostic approach of acute abdomen during pregnancy can be tricky owing to the altered clinical presentations brought about by the anatomical and physiological changes of gestation along with the reluctance to use certain radiological investigations for fear of harming the fetus. Delay in diagnosis and treatment can lead to adverse outcomes for both the mother and fetus. In this article, we attempt to review and discuss the various etiologies, the current concepts of diagnosis, and treatment, with a view to developing a strategy for timely diagnosis and management of pregnant women presenting with acute abdominal pain.

Uterine rupture in a primigravid patient, an uncommon but severe obstetrical event: a case report

BACKGROUND

A spontaneous rupture of the unscarred uterus in a primigravid patient is extremely rare and is associated with high perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 34-year-old white primigravid woman, 31 + 3 weeks of gestation, presented with pre-eclampsia and developed a sudden acute abdomen. An emergency laparotomy was performed and a uterine rupture was found as the cause of the event. A stillborn girl was born.

CONCLUSION

A rupture of the pregnant uterus should always be considered in a pregnant woman presenting with abdominal pain, even in a primigravid patient.

Acute Abdomen in the 17th Week of Twin Pregnancy due to Ovarian Torsion - A Late Complication of IVF

Background: A 32-year-old woman with tubal factor infertility due to bilateral laparoscopic salpingectomy conceived twins with in vitro fertilization (IVF). She developed moderate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome which was treated with anticoagulant therapy. The subsequent course of the twin pregnancy was normal until the 17th week of gestation when she presented to hospital because of a sharp pain in the right lower abdomen which ceased after admission. Case: Except for a single incident of vomiting, patient had no other subjective symptoms. The clinical examination showed tenderness of the lower right abdominal segment on palpation. The surgeon and the urologist found no signs of an acute surgical or urologic condition, and laboratory findings were within normal reference ranges for pregnant women. Two days after admission the pain reappeared; it was now much stronger and colic-like. The pain was initially located supraumbilically but subsequently spread diffusely across the lower abdomen. Abdominal guarding was present and laboratory findings showed an increase in inflammatory parameters. An enlarged and edematous right ovary was found on transvaginal ultrasound. Conclusion: Exploratory laparotomy via a vertical midline abdominal transection revealed a torqued necrotic right ovary with elements of inflammation and inflammatory adhesions involving the entire pelvis. The patient underwent right-sided ovariectomy and adhesiolysis. Recovered was normal and the patient was delivered of healthy twins in the 37th week of gestation.

[The results of open and laparoscopic appendectomy in pregnant women with acute appendicitis]

AIM

To compare conventional and laparoscopic appendectomy in pregnant women.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 86 patients with acute appendicitis who were surgically treated. In group 1 (42 women) laparoscopic approach was used, in group 2 (44 patients) - laparotomy.

RESULTS

Postoperative complications were observed in 2 (4.8%) and 3 (6.8%) patients in groups 1 and 2 respectively. All complications related to Clavien-Dindo class I-II. There were no premature births and abortions in laparoscopy group. In case of conventional surgery premature births and abortions were observed in 2 (4.5%) and 1 (2.27%) observations respectively. Other women had timely childbirth in terms of 36-41 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Risk of delay exceeds risk of vain appendectomy. All pregnant women with acute appendicitis should be examined by obstetrician-gynaecologist, surgeon, urologist, anesthesiologist. If acute appendicitis can not be excluded based on clinical data the patient should be operated. Diagnostic laparoscopy and laparoscopic appendectomy are advisable in case of pregnancy up to 24 weeks. Woman should be under observation of obstetrician-gynaecologist in perioperative period to prevent premature birth and abortion.

Comparison of Laparoscopic Appendectomy with open appendectomy in Treating Children with Appendicitis

Objective:

To analyze feasibility and curative effect of laparoscopic appendectomy in the treatment of pediatric appendicitis and compare it with open appendectomy.

Methods:

Two hundred and sixty patients were selected for this study and randomly divided into open appendectomy group (130 cases) and laparoscopic appendectomy group (130 cases). Patients in open appendectomy group underwent traditional open appendectomy, while patients in laparoscopic appendectomy were treated with laparoscopic appendectomy. Incision length, blood loss during operation, duration of operation, time to leave bed, anus exhausting time, time to take food, catheter drainage time, urinary catheterization time, time of using antibiotics, use of pain killer and incidence of complications such as incision infection, residual abscess and intestinal obstruction were compared between two groups.

Results:

We found relevant indexes including length of incision, amount of bleeding and duration of operation in laparoscopic appendectomy group were better than open appendectomy group after surgery; and differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Indexes such as time to out of bed, time to take food, exhaust time, drainage time, catheterization time and application time and use of antibiotics in laparoscopic appendectomy group were all superior to open appendectomy group, and differences had statistical significance (P<0.05). Incidence of complications in laparoscopic appendectomy group was much lower than open appendectomy group and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic appendectomy has advantages of small trauma, sound curative effect, low incidence of complications and rapid recovery and can effectively relieve pain of children suffering from appendicitis. Hence it is worth promotion and should be preferred.

Investigation and Management of Adnexal Masses in Pregnancy

Adnexal masses can be found in 0.19 to 8.8% of all pregnancies. Most masses are functional and asymptomatic and up to 70% resolve spontaneously in the second trimester. The main predictors of persistence are the size (>5 cm) and the imagiological morphocomplexity. Those that persist carry a low risk of malignancy (0 to 10%). Most malignant masses are diagnosed at early stages and more than 50% are borderline epithelial neoplasms. Ultrasound is the preferred method to stratify the risk of complications and malignancy, allowing medical approach planning. Pregnancy and some gestational disorders may modify the levels of tumor markers, whereby their interpretation during pregnancy should be cautious. Large masses are at increased risk of torsion, rupture, and dystocia. When surgery is indicated, laparoscopy is a safe technique and should ideally be carried out in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Adult pancreatic hemangioma in pregnancy--concerns and considerations of a rare case

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic tumors in pregnancy are rare but clinically challenging. Careful diagnostic workup, including appropriate imaging examinations, should be performed to evaluate surgery indications and timing . In the present case a diagnosis of an adult pancreatic hemangioma was made. We were not able to identify a similar case in the very sparse literature on this rare disease.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 30-year-old woman at 12 weeks of gestation was diagnosed with a large pancreatic tumor having a cystic pattern based on imaging. Although the preoperative diagnosis was uncertain, patient preference and clinical symptoms and signs suggested surgery. Open distal pancreatic resection including splenectomy was performed, and complete resection of the large cystic tumor was successfully achieved, with no postoperative complications. Although a solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasm (SPEN) was suspected, specimen morphology, including immunohistochemistry, supported the diagnosis of an adult benign pancreatic hemangioma.

CONCLUSION

Although mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) and adenocarcinoma are the most common pancreatic tumors during pregnancy, various other malignant and benign lesions can be encountered. This report adds to the very small number of pancreatic hemangiomas reported in the literature and involves the first patient diagnosed with this rare condition during pregnancy. Careful clinical considerations regarding diagnostic workup and treatments are required to ensure that mother and child receive the best possible care.

Acute abdomen in pregnancy due to isolated Fallopian tube torsion: The laparoscopic treatment of a rare case

In the last years, operative laparoscopy became a standard approach in gynaecology and general surgery. Even in pregnancy its use is becoming more widely accepted. In fact, it offers advantages similar to those in no pregnant women, associated with good maternal and fetal outcomes. Around 0.2% of pregnant women require abdominal surgery. The most common indications of laparoscopy in pregnancy are cholelithiasis complications, appendicitis, persistent ovarian cyst and adnexal torsion. Authors describe a very rare case of acute abdomen due to isolated Fallopian tube torsion in a 24^th weeks pregnant woman, managed by laparoscopic salpingectomy.

Imaging for acute pelvic pain in pregnancy

Acute pelvic pain in pregnancy presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Standard imaging techniques need to be adapted to reduce harm to the foetus from X-rays because of their teratogenic and carcinogenic potential. Ultrasound remains the primary imaging investigation of the pregnant abdomen. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been shown to be useful in the diagnosis of gynaecological and obstetric problems during pregnancy and in the setting of acute abdomen during pregnancy. MRI overcomes some of the limitations of ultrasound, mainly the size of the gravid uterus. MRI poses theoretical risks to the foetus and care must be taken to minimise these with the avoidance of contrast agents. Teaching Points • Ultrasound and MRI are the preferred investigations for acute pelvic pain during pregnancy. • Ultrasound remains the primary imaging investigation because of availability and portability. • MRI helps differentiate causes of acute pelvic pain when ultrasound is inconclusive.

Magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of acute abdominal pain in pregnancy

The investigation of acute abdominal pain in pregnancy is challenging. The use of ultrasound may be limited due to the patient's change in body habitus and computed tomography is not desirable due to fetal irradiation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has thus become increasingly popular in the evaluation of such patients, due to its lack of ionizing radiation, multiplanar capability and high contrast resolution. This review will detail the MRI technique required to image the pregnant abdomen and describe the MRI features of common causes of acute abdominal pain in pregnancy.

An assessment of medical students' awareness of radiation exposures associated with diagnostic imaging investigations

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed students' awareness of radiation exposures and determined the impact a curriculum in clinical radiology (CICR) had on awareness. METHODS: Six hundred seventy medical students at one medical school were studied. CICR was delivered in yearly modules over the 5-year programme. Five hundred twenty-three students (years 1-5), exposed to increasing numbers of CICR modules and 147 students beginning medical school (year 0), represented the study and control groups, respectively. Students completed a multiple choice questionnaire assessing radiation knowledge and radiology teaching. RESULTS: Most students in the study population received CICR but 87% considered they had not received radiation protection instruction. The percentage of correctly answered questions was significantly higher in the study population than the control group (59.7% versus 38%, p < 0.001). Students who received CICR achieved higher scores than those who did not (61.3% compared with 42.8%, p < 0.001). Increasing exposure to CICR with each year of medical education was associated with improved performance. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of students' awareness of radiation exposures in diagnostic imaging demonstrates improved performance with increasing years in medical school and/or increasing exposure to CICR. Findings support the Euroatom 97 directive position, advocating implementation of radiation protection instruction into the undergraduate medical curriculum.

Genetic and environmental influences on the risk of acute appendicitis in twins

BACKGROUND

Acute appendicitis is common but the aetiology is unclear. This study examined the heritability of acute appendicitis.

METHODS

The study included twin pairs with known zygosity born between 1959 and 1985. Individuals with acute appendicitis were found by record linkage with the Swedish Inpatient Register. Comparing monodizygotic and dizygotic twins, the similarity and relative proportions of phenotypic variance resulting from genetic and environmental factors were analysed. Risks of acute appendicitis explained by heritability and environmental effects were estimated.

RESULTS

Some 3441 monozygotic and 2429 dizygotic twins were identified. Almost no genetic effects were found in males (8 (95 per cent confidence interval 0 to 50) per cent), but shared (31 (0 to 49) per cent) and non-shared (61 (47 to 74) per cent) environmental factors accounted for this risk. In females, the heritability was estimated as 20 (0 to 36) per cent and the remaining variation was due to non-shared environmental factors (80 (64 to 98) per cent). For the sexes combined, genetic effects accounted for 30 (5 to 40) per cent and non-shared environmental effects for 70 (60 to 81) per cent of the risk.

CONCLUSION

Acute appendicitis has a complex aetiology with sex differences in heritability and environmental factors.

Damage control surgery by keeping the abdomen open during pregnancy: favorable outcome, a case report

BACKGROUND

Acute abdomen in advanced pregnancy is one of the most challenging surgical situations. In life-threatening situations, despite optimal management, foetus distress and preterm delivery may occur. Although laparostomy is a useful treatment of abdominal sepsis, its successful management has not been reported previously in pregnant women.

CASE

30-year-old woman at 23 week of pregnancy was investigated for non-specific abdominal pain. Surgical exploration revealed extensive ischemic bowel necrosis. Multiple segmental resections were performed and abdomen was left open with vacuum assisted dressing, maintained for 48 hours. At the third surgical look the continuity was restored and abdominal wall closed. The foetal condition stayed unperturbed under pharmacologic tocolysis. Pregnancy was carried to full term delivery.

CONCLUSION

Open abdomen strategy can be successfully applied in pregnant woman.

[Laparoscopy during pregnancy: experience of the French university hospital of Clermont-Ferrand]

OBJECTIVE

To describe perioperative management and perinatal outcome for patients undergoing laparoscopy during pregnancy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of all cases of laparoscopy during pregnancy performed in our university hospital over a period of six years (from February 2000 to February 2006).

RESULTS

We observed 34 cases managed from five to 30 weeks of gestation (11 cases of adnexal torsion, ten adnexal masses, eight appendicitis, one cholecystitis, one sigmoid volvulus, one pelvic peritonitis, two heterotopic pregnancies). Open laparoscopy was used in 12 cases. Conversion was required in two cases mainly due to adherences (one borderline lesion at 16 weeks and one tubal cyst torsion at 24 weeks). No maternal complication was observed. One miscarriage occurred at Day 1 (peritonitis, five weeks of gestation) and one patient opted for abortion. No threatened preterm labour occurred after the perioperative course and no neonate required admission in neonatology unit.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

This study illustrates safety and efficacy of laparoscopy in management of surgical diseases in the gravid patient. Emergent indications are the most common, highlighting the need for all physicians to know specific recommendations related to laparoscopy during pregnancy.