Breast cancer or metastasis? An unusual case of metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma to the breast

Background: Metastases to the breast from extramammary malignancies are very rare, and ruling out the diagnosis of primary breast tumor is important in order to decide on clinical management and predict prognosis. Case presentation: Clinical examination revealed in a 49-year-old hairdresser a 3-cm hard lump adherent to the underlying layers in the right breast. Trucut biopsy was performed. Histology showed a solid proliferation of medium-sized neoplastic polygonal cells. Immunohistochemical analysis showed tumor cells diffusely positive for cytokeratin 8/18 and calretinin and focally positive for cytokeratin 5/6 and Wilms’ tumor 1, e-cadherin, and human bone marrow endothelial-1. Estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors were negative. The final diagnosis was metastatic epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma. Conclusions: Immunohistochemistry is an important tool for a conclusive diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Owing to the degree of histological and immunohistochemical overlap, a high level of clinical suspicion is essential in order to avoid unnecessary mutilating surgery

Management of severe epistaxis during pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature

Epistaxis is a common problem during pregnancy. Few cases of severe epistaxis, not associated with nasal lesions or clotting disorders, were described in the literature. We reported a case of severe epistaxis in a pregnant patient, exploring all the different possible management options

Epirubicin. A new entry in the list of fetal cardiotoxic drugs? Intrauterine death of one fetus in a twin pregnancy. Case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND: Current knowledge indicate that epirubicin administration in late pregnancy is almost devoid of any fetal cardiotoxicity. We report a twin pregnancy complicated by breast cancer in which epirubicin administration was causatively linked to the death of one twin who was small for gestational age (SGA) and in a condition of oligohydramnios and determined the onset of a transient cardiotoxicity of the surviving fetus/newborn. CASE PRESENTATION: A 38-year-old caucasic woman with a dichorionic twin pregnancy was referred to our center at 20 and 1/7 weeks for a suspected breast cancer, later confirmed by the histopathology report. At 31 and 3/7 weeks, after the second chemotherapy cycle, ultrasound examination evidenced the demise of one twin while cardiac examination revealed a monophasic diastolic ventricular filling, i.e. a diastolic dysfunction of the surviving fetus who was delivered the following day due to the occurrence of grade II placental abruption. The role of epirubicin cardiotoxicity in the death of the first twin was supported by post-mortem cardiac and placental examination and by the absence of structural or genomic abnormalities that may indicate an alternative etiology of fetal demise. The occurrence of epirubicin cardiotoxicity in the surviving newborn was confirmed by the report of high levels of troponin and transient left ventricular septal hypokinesia. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings we suggest that epirubicin administration in pregnancy should be preceded by the screening of some fetal conditions like SGA and oligohydramnios that may increase its cardiotoxicity and that, during treatment, the diastolic function of the fetal right ventricle should be specifically monitored by a pediatric cardiologist; also, epirubicin and desamethasone for lung maturation should not be closely administered since placental effects of glucocorticoids may increase epirubicin toxicity

Stone disease in pregnancy: imaging-guided therapy

Renal colic is the most frequent nonobstetric cause for abdominal pain and subsequent hospitalization during pregnancy. The physio-anatomical changes in the urinary tract and the presence of the fetus may complicate the clinical presentation and management of nephrolithiasis. Ultrasound (US) is the primary radiological investigation of choice. Magnetic resonance urography (MRU) and low-dose computed tomography (CT) have to be considered as a second- and third-line test, respectively. If a study that uses ionizing radiation has to be performed, the radiation dose to the fetus should be as low as possible. The initial management of symptomatic ureteric stones is conservative during pregnancy. Intervention will be necessary in patients who do not respond to conservative measures. Therefore, it is crucial to obtain a prompt and accurate diagnosis to optimize the management of these patients.Teaching Points.• In pregnancy, renal colic is the most frequent nonobstetric cause for abdominal pain and hospitalization.• Magnetic resonance urography should be considered when ultrasound is nondiagnostic.• Low-dose CT should be considered as a last-line test during pregnancy

Obstetric and perinatal outcomes of teenage pregnant women: a retrospective study

<p><strong>Background:</strong> teenage pregnancy is a worldwide social problem. The aim of this study is to provide more data for a better understanding of the possible maternal and foetal risks associated with teenage pregnancies.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> the hospital records of all pregnant women, aged between 14 and 19, from the obstetric registers of the Policlinico Umberto I Hospital in Rome, between 2000 and 2010, have been completely reviewed (n=184). For each pregnant woman socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric history, pregnancy and birth outcomes were also determined. Our results were compared with a control group composed of 150 primigravida adult women aged 20-29 years who delivered at the Policlinico Umberto I Hospital in Rome in the same period.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> the mean age ± SD of the study group was 17.9 ± 1.2, while that of the control group was 25.4 ± 2.4. The control group had a significantly lower risk of preterm delivery (p=0.000). The rate of low birth weight babies born to the young mothers was significantly higher than that of babies born to the adult mothers (p=0.036). The study group had a lower risk of instrumental delivery and a higher proportion of spontaneous delivery (p=0.000). Finally, we observed a statistically significant difference of the APGAR score at the fifth minute between the two groups (p=0.004).</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> our results seemed to confirm the outcomes of previous studies for adolescent pregnant women, mainly regarding the increased risks of preterm deliveries and low birth weight babies, the higher incidence of spontaneous vaginal delivery and the lower incidence of instrumental delivery.</p

Obstetric and perinatal outcomes of teenage pregnant women: a retrospective study

Background: teenage pregnancy is a worldwide social problem. The aim of this study is to provide more data for a better understanding of the possible maternal and foetal risks associated with teenage pregnancies. Methods: the hospital records of all pregnant women, aged between 14 and 19, from the obstetric registers of the Policlinico Umberto I Hospital in Rome, between 2000 and 2010, have been completely reviewed (n=184). For each pregnant woman socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric history, pregnancy and birth outcomes were also determined. Our results were compared with a control group composed of 150 primigravida adult women aged 20-29 years who delivered at the Policlinico Umberto I Hospital in Rome in the same period. Results: the mean age ± SD of the study group was 17.9 ± 1.2, while that of the control group was 25.4 ± 2.4. The control group had a significantly lower risk of preterm delivery (p=0.000). The rate of low birth weight babies born to the young mothers was significantly higher than that of babies born to the adult mothers (p=0.036). The study group had a lower risk of instrumental delivery and a higher proportion of spontaneous delivery (p=0.000). Finally, we observed a statistically significant difference of the APGAR score at the fifth minute between the two groups (p=0.004). Conclusions: our results seemed to confirm the outcomes of previous studies for adolescent pregnant women, mainly regarding the increased risks of preterm deliveries and low birth weight babies, the higher incidence of spontaneous vaginal delivery and the lower incidence of instrumental delivery

Zigzag Fetal Heart Rate Pattern in an Uncomplicated Pregnancy with Dual Intrauterine Infection Detected During Labor with Intact Membranes: A Case Report

Background: Histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA) is a placental inflammatory condition characterized by neutrophilic infiltration of the fetal membranes, often occurring without overt clinical signs or symptoms. Risk factors include prolonged labor, premature rupture of membranes (PROM) exceeding 12 h, nulliparity, labor dystocia, and lower socioeconomic status. Although HCA frequently presents as a subclinical condition, its early diagnosis remains challenging. Nevertheless, HCA is associated with an increased risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity, including early-onset neonatal sepsis, cerebral palsy, and long-term neurodevelopmental impairment. We report the case of a 29-year-old primigravida at 40 + 0 weeks of gestation, admitted for decreased fetal movements. Discussion: Cardiotocographic (CTG) monitoring revealed a &ldquo;zigzag pattern&rdquo; in the absence of maternal fever, leukocytosis, or tachycardia. Due to the CTG findings suggestive of possible fetal compromise, in addition to reduced fetal movements, an emergency cesarean section was performed. Intraoperative findings included heavily meconium-stained amniotic fluid, then the examination of the placenta confirmed acute HCA with a maternal inflammatory response, without evidence of fetal inflammatory response. Conclusion: This case highlights the crucial role of CTG abnormalities, particularly the &ldquo;zigzag pattern,&rdquo; as an early marker of subclinical intrauterine inflammation. Early recognition of such patterns may facilitate timely intervention and improve perinatal outcomes in cases of histologic chorioamnionitis

Evaluating the acute abdomen in the pregnant patient

Acute abdominal pain in pregnancy presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Ultrasound remains the primary imaging investigation of the pregnant abdomen because of its availability, portability, and lack of ionizing radiation. MR imaging has been shown to be useful in the diagnosis of gynecologic and obstetric problems and in the setting of acute abdomen during pregnancy. MR imaging is often used when ultrasound is inconclusive. Computed tomography is the investigation of choice when there is a life-threatening situation and in case of traumatic injuries, when a rapid diagnosis is required