J Reprod Med
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To clarify whether preoperative treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists offers substantial advantages to patients undergoing conservative or definitive surgery for uterine leiomyomas. ⋯ The available data seem to support the use of GnRH agonist treatment before surgery for uterine leiomyomas in selected circumstances. Administration of GnRH agonist for only two or three months preoperatively seems to achieve all the advantages of this treatment, limiting side effects and cost.
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Review
Differentiating lymphocytic adenohypophysitis from pituitary adenoma in the peripartum patient.
Lymphocytic adenohypophysitis (LAH) is an autoimmune disorder of the pituitary gland with a predilection for the peripartum period and often mimics a pituitary adenoma. We sought to define the clinical, endocrinologic and radiographic characteristics differentiating peripartum LAH from pituitary adenoma to enable the use of noninvasive diagnosis and appropriate therapy. From published reports and our own case, the clinical histories and laboratory and radiographic studies of 45 patients fulfilling the diagnosis of peripartum LAH were reviewed. ⋯ Abnormalities in thyroid and/or adrenal function were also more common in patients with LAH (57.5% vs. 2.5%, P < .001). There were no distinguishing characteristics on radiographic studies. History and endocrinologic evaluation can differentiate between LAH and pituitary adenoma in the peripartum patient.
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Review Case Reports
Streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome as an unusual complication of laparoscopic tubal ligation. A case report.
Toxic shock-like syndrome due to Streptococcus pyogenes is an unusual occurrence. Previously reported cases have been the result of focal infections with S pyogenes. We present a case in which manipulation of a colonized mucosal surface during laparoscopic tubal ligation was the presumed cause of the sepsis syndrome. Whereas other reports of this syndrome have all noted concurrent infections with S pyogenes, in this instance it was unclear if toxin-mediated disease was initiated by mild endometritis or iatrogenic manipulation of a colonized mucosal surface.
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Oral contraceptives are a reliable and convenient method of birth control. Nevertheless, physicians are reluctant to use them in women over 35 because of concerns about increased risks of cardiovascular disease, stroke and cancer despite evidence to the contrary. Well-designed studies have shown that the incidence of thromboembolic disease is related to the estrogen dose and that the risk of thromboembolism is highest in women who smoke. ⋯ Oral contraceptives have been shown to protect against endometrial and ovarian cancer. The risk of breast cancer appears to be increased only minimally among current oral contraceptive users. Thus, oral contraceptives offer a safe and effective means of birth control in women over 35, especially in the absence of other risk factors.
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Schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumors that may originate at any anatomic site. Usually they are found on the peripheral nerves of the head, neck or flexor surfaces of the upper extremities. ⋯ Only two previous cases of a pelvic schwannoma complicating pregnancy have been presented in the English-language literature. We present a third case.