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Janoudi G, Uzun (Rada) M, Boyd ST, Fell DB, Ray JG, Foster AM, Giffen R, Clifford TJ, Walker MC. Do Case Reports and Case Series Generate Clinical Discoveries About Preeclampsia? A Systematic Review. Int J Womens Health 2023; 15:411-425. [PMID: 36974131 PMCID: PMC10039711 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s397680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. The management of preeclampsia has not changed much in more than two decades, and its aetiology is still not fully understood. Case reports and case series have traditionally been used to communicate new knowledge about existing conditions. Whether this is true for preeclampsia is not known. Objective To determine whether recent case reports or case series have generated new knowledge and clinical discoveries about preeclampsia. Methods A detailed search strategy was developed in consultation with a medical librarian. Two bibliographic databases were searched through Ovid: Embase and MEDLINE. We selected case reports or case series published between 2015 and 2020, comprising pregnant persons diagnosed with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia. Two reviewers independently screened all publications. One reviewer extracted data from included studies, while another conducted a quality check of extracted data. We developed a codebook to guide our data extraction and outcomes assessment. The quality of each report was determined based on Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist for case reports and case series. Results We included 104 case reports and three case series, together comprising 118 pregnancies. A severe presentation or complication of preeclampsia was reported in 81% of pregnancies, and 84% had a positive maternal outcome, free of death or persistent complications. Only 8% of the case reports were deemed to be of high quality, and 53.8% of moderate quality; none of the case series were of high quality. A total of 26 of the 107 publications (24.3%) included a novel clinical discovery as a central theme. Conclusion Over two-thirds of recent case reports and case series about preeclampsia do not appear to present new knowledge or discoveries about preeclampsia, and most are of low quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghayath Janoudi
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Stephanie T Boyd
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Deshayne B Fell
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Joel G Ray
- Departments of Medicine, Health Policy Management and Evaluation, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, St Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Angel M Foster
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Tammy J Clifford
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Canadian Institute of Health Research, Government of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mark C Walker
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- International and Global Health Office, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Newborn Care, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- BORN Ontario, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Correspondence: Mark C Walker, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Centre for Practice Changing Research, Box 241, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada, Tel +1 613-798-5555 x76655, Email
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Kannarkat GT, Moghekar A. Before and after: lumbar puncture complicated by cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Neurol Sci 2021; 43:1469-1470. [PMID: 34817730 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05773-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- George T Kannarkat
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
| | - Abhay Moghekar
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
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Chambers DJ, Bhatia K, Columb M. Postpartum cerebral venous sinus thrombosis following obstetric neuraxial blockade: a literature review with analysis of 58 case reports. Int J Obstet Anesth 2021; 49:103218. [PMID: 34598860 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijoa.2021.103218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare complication of pregnancy. It usually presents with a headache and may mimic a post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) in women who receive a neuraxial block. METHODS Medline, CINAHL and EMBASE databases were searched to identify postpartum cases of CVST following neuraxial block. The aim was to delineate the characteristics, presentation, investigations, and outcomes of postpartum women who presented with CVST. RESULTS Forty-nine articles with 58 case reports were identified. Forty-two women (72.4%) had an epidural attempted whilst 16 women (27.6%) received a spinal anaesthetic. Accidental dural puncture (ADP) was reported in 17 women (40.5%). Headache was the presenting symptom in 57 women (98.3%); 26 women (44.8%) also experienced seizures. Post-dural puncture headache was reported in 46 (79.3%) and an epidural blood patch was performed in 26 women (44.8%). Superior sagittal sinus, transverse sinus, and cortical veins were the most common sites of thrombosis. The median time to diagnosis was 6.5 days from delivery. Magnetic resonance imaging was the most common diagnostic neuro-imaging modality. Full neurological recovery was reported in 48 (82.8%), whilst neurological deficits were reported in six (10.3%) women. DISCUSSION The diagnosis of CVST may be overlooked in women who present with headache following neuraxial block. A change in character of headache with loss of postural element, and focal neurological signs are the key clinical features that could help anaesthetists differentiate headache of CVST from PDPH. The high reported rates of ADP and PDPH lend support to their possible association with CVST.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - K Bhatia
- Saint Mary's Hospital, Manchester University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
| | - M Columb
- Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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Don't Forget Rare Causes of Postpartum Headache! Cases Report and Literature Review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 57:medicina57040376. [PMID: 33924718 PMCID: PMC8069772 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57040376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Headache is a common finding in the postpartum period, caused by a spectrum of different conditions. Most headaches in the postpartum period are self-limiting and benign in etiology, but there are some potentially serious causes to be considered. We disclose two cases of postpartum headache, initially considered as post-dural puncture headache (PDPH), that evolved into a harmful condition and showed that an expanded differential diagnosis for headache in the postpartum is mandatory, requiring a high level of attention from health professionals. In fact, a careful examination of the medical history, physical examination, and the recognition for the need for early neuroradiological imaging should increase diagnostic accuracy.
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CVT in the Peripartum Period: A Diagnostic Dilemma. Case Rep Obstet Gynecol 2020; 2020:7656232. [PMID: 32047680 PMCID: PMC7007741 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7656232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Women in the peripartum period can develop headache with a variety of etiologies that require a multidisciplinary approach if unresponsive to treatment (Stella et al. 2007). Neuroimaging needs to be undertaken even occasionally in the absence of focal neurologic signs to rule out life-threatening causes of headache. We present the case of a 23-year-old woman who presented postpartum with severe frontal headache without other neurologic symptoms. Treatment was initiated for tension type, then subsequently postdural puncture headache (PDPH), and finally preeclampsia. When CT venogram was obtained ten days later, the diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) was made. She was started on anticoagulation and achieved complete recovery.
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