HNF1A gene p.I27L is associated with co-existing preeclampsia in gestational diabetes mellitus

The association of the FTO gene and HNF1α gene on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia remains unclear. This is the first study to examine whether HNF1α gene and FTO gene were associated with having GDM and preeclampsia in Turkish women. Healthy pregnant women (n = 101) and women with GDM (n = 169) were included. GDM was divided into two groups as GDM-only (n = 90) and GDM-preeclampsia (n = 79). Genotyping of HNF1α gene p.I27L, p.A98V, and p.S487N, and FTO gene rs9939609 SNPs were performed using RT-PCR. The frequency of p.S487N, p.A98V, and FTO genotype were similar between the groups (p > .05). p.I27L GG-wild, GT, and TT genotype were 56.5%, 36.6%, and 6.9% in controls; 40.0%, 51.1%, and 8.9% in GDM-only; and 26.6%, 51.9%, and 21.5% in GDM-preeclampsia (p = .034). TT and GT genotype was more frequent in GDM-preeclampsia than in controls (p < .05). GT genotype was increased in GDM-only compared with controls (p < .05). TT genotype was more frequent in GDM-preeclampsia than in GDM-only (p < .05). p.I27L TT genotype was independently associated with increased blood pressure (BP) and urinary protein. p.I27L TT genotype was associated with increased preeclampsia risk in patients with GDM by increasing BP and urinary protein.

MDCT Assessment of the Cochlear-Carotid Interval

The close anatomic course between the cochlea and the carotid artery presents a possible surgical risk during increasingly popular cohlear implant surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the normal range of the this region termed "cohlear- carotid interval" (CCI) by 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) in the population. The study investigated 1105 patients who had undergone temporal MDCT. The CCI measured by two observers from 0.5 mm thick coronal images with confirmation on axial and sagittal planes. Among 1105 patients and 2210 temporal sides CCI measured 0.0 mm unilaterally in eight (0.7%) and bilaterally in two patients (0.1%) with a score of ten in the total population (0.9%). Total scores ranged from 0.0 to 6 mm for right CCI and 0.0 to 5.9 mm for left CCI. The CCI showed no significant relationship with sex (P=.096) and there were no significant differences between readers (P=.457) and sides (P=.879). A positive correlation (r=0.741) was found between right and left CCI. The present study demonstrated that the CCI varies considerably between 0.0 mm and 6 mm independently of sex in the population. Understanding the importance of CCI and preoperative knowledge of thin or absent bone allows the radiologist to play a crucial role in alerting the surgeon to prevent penetration of the carotid canal during cochlear implant surgery.

Secondary Corpus Callosum Abnormalities Associated with Antiepileptic Drugs in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Epilepsy is more than a grey-matter disorder affecting large white matter connections of the brain with seizure generation and propagation. The mechanism for such changes remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the microstructural changes in the corpus callosum in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients and whether these abnormalities are related to antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy. Ten TLE patients receiving AED therapy, ten TLE patients with no therapy and ten controls were included in the study. The regions of interest in the corpus callosum were outlined to each Witelson region (WR). Fractional anisotrophy (FA), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), three main diffusivity values (λ1, λ2, λ3) and tractography were acquired from each WR. DTI indices of these tracts and each WR were compared between the three subject groups and correlates examined with clinical variables that included duration of epilepsy, gender, AED type and AED therapy exposure. In TLE subjects with receiving AED therapy significantly (p<0.05) decreased FA and increased ADC values of corpus callosum were obtained when compared to the other groups. There was no significant relationship between AED type and DTI indices. Analysis of eigen values in the splenium of corpus callosum (WR7) showed λ1 values were significantly decreased in relation to AED medication duration (p<0.05). FA values of rostrum and corpus showed a reduction with duration of epilepsy. TLE is associated with abnormal integrity of corpus callosum white matter tracts. AED therapy may cause additional damage on secondary degeneration and medication time effects especially on the splenium of corpus callosum.

Abdominal sacrohysteropexy in young women with uterovaginal prolapse: results of 20 cases

OBJECTIVE

To report the results of abdominal sacrohysteropexy with polypropylene mesh in young women who wish to retain their uteri following uterovaginal prolapse.

STUDY DESIGN

Twenty young women underwent abdominal sacrohysteropexy and concomitant reconstructive surgery. The preoperative and postoperative protocols included a urogynecologic history, physical examination, voiding diary, 1-hour pad test, cough stress test, multichannel urodynamic studies and administration of a validated, prolapse-specific symptom inventory and quality of life instrument.

RESULTS

Of the 20 patients with marked uterovaginal prolapse, 13 had urodynamic stress incontinence. Anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapse and urodynamic stress incontinence recurred in 1 of 20 patients (5%) at a mean follow-up of 25 months. Nineteen patients stated that their sex life had improved, although 3 of them had dyspareunia. One patient was dissatisfied owing to persistent dyspareunia. The postoperative values on the symptom inventory and quality of life scores were significantly lower than the preoperative values. The low scores suggest satisfaction and no symptoms of prolapse.

CONCLUSION

Abdominal sacrohysteropexy is effective and safe in the treatment of uterovaginal prolapse in women who wish to retain their uteri. It maintains a durable anatomic restoration, normal vaginal axis and sexual function. The success rate is excellent for correcting prolapse, and the complications are minimal.

The midurethral polypropylene sling for stress incontinence: 22-month results of 81 patients

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to review a cost-effective procedure called the midurethral polypropylene sling (MPS) in the treatment of urodynamic stress incontinence (USI).

STUDY DESIGN

A self-fashioned sling (7.5 x 1 cm) was created from a polypropylene mesh with two lengthening polypropylene sutures at the ends. The sutures are carried through the rectus fascia by a special needle carrier. The sling is placed around the urethra and its sutures are tied on the fascia. The procedure was performed on 81 patients. Of these patients, 73 had USI. The remaining 8 patients with uterine prolapse, who did not have USI, underwent the MPS prophylactically. Of 81 patients, 35 underwent the MPS alone, 46 underwent the MPS and abdominal or vaginal procedures.

RESULTS

Three patients had bleeding in excess of 300 ml necessitating a vaginal tamponade. One had hematoma and the other underwent a laparotomy. Urinary retention for more than 3 days was observed in 6 of the patients who had the MPS alone, in 7 of the patients who had both MPS and abdominal procedures, and in 13 of the patients who had MPS with vaginal procedures. The sling was cut in 3 patients due to persistent urinary retention. Of 73 patients with USI, 70 were completely cured (95.9%) at a mean of 22 months' follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The cure rates and complications of the MPS were comparable to those of the tension-free vaginal tap (TVT) procedure for the treatment of USI. The procedure costs about US$ 9. We conclude that the MPS can be considered as an alternative to the TVT procedure.

A new, simple, safe, effective and cost-effective procedure for genuine stress incontinence: midurethral polypropylene sling

We developed a cost-effective procedure for genuine stress incontinence (GSI) that has the advantages of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT). The midurethral polypropylene sling procedure (MPS) is carried out under local anaesthesia. A self-fashioned sling (7.5 x 1 cm) was created from a polypropylene mesh with two lengthening polypropylene sutures at the ends. The sutures are carried through the rectus fascia using a needle and the sling is placed around the urethra. Ten patients underwent the MPS and were followed up for a mean of 6.2 months. All patients were cured. The short-term results of the MPS were comparable to those of the TVT. The procedure costs approximately US dollar 9. We conclude that the MPS can be considered as an alternative to the TVT procedure.