K E Y W O R D S:

The objective of this study was to evaluate size, bilaterality, histopathologic origin, and the serum levels of some tumor markers in patients with mature cystic teratomas (MCTs) of the ovary. Retrospective study of 80 patients operated at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Turkey, between the years 1998 and 2003 was performed. The mean age was 33.1 +/- 11.3 years (median 34; range 15-69). The mean tumor diameter was 7.2 +/- 4.5 cm (median 5; range 3-20). The mean serum CA19-9 level was 101.2 +/- 179.7 IU/mL (range 1-841, normal value < 37), the mean serum CA125 level was 32.0 +/- 37.8 U/mL (range 2.2-205, normal value < 35), the mean carcino-embryogenic antigen (CEA) level was 1.46 +/- 1.20 ng/mL (range 0.2-4.8, normal value 3.4), and the mean serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level was 2.7 +/- 3.0 ng/mL (range 0.1-10.5, normal value <8.1). The elevated rate of CA19-9, CA125, CEA, and AFP was 38.8% (31/80), 25% (18/72), 9.1% (4/44), and 8.7% (4/46), respectively. The bilaterality rate was 27.5% (22/80). Patients with an elevated serum CA19-9 level showed significantly higher bilaterality rate (51.6% versus 12.2%, P < 0.05) than the patients with low levels. Likelihood ratio for bilaterality was 2.8 for CA19-9 and 4.6 for CA125. Bilateral teratomas showed a significantly higher rate of ectodermal component than the unilateral ones (100% versus 74.3%, P < 0.05). Ovarian MCTs were diagnosed especially during the reproductive period. CA19-9 may be the only important marker in the diagnosis of MCTs. Elevated levels of CA19-9 and CA125 may be an indicator of bilaterality. Since levels of CA19-9 and CA125 may be elevated in both benign and malignant conditions, interpretation of these findings must be made in light of the clinical condition of the patient.

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Pre-eclampsia is a condition observed during pregnancy and threatens the life of both mother and foetus. There are studies, which suggest platelets play a major role in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. The aim of this study is to compare the complete blood count (CBC) parameters, especially platelet count and mean platelet volume (MPV), in pre-eclamptic and normal pregnant women and to evaluate whether these parameters have a prognostic significance in determining the severity of eclampsia. The study and control groups consist of 56 pre-eclamptic and 43 normal pregnant women, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference according to CBC, platelet count and MPV when pre-eclamptic and severely pre-eclamptic patients were compared with controls. As a result, we observed no prognostic significance of CBC, platelet count and MPV on the presence and/or severity of pre-eclamptic condition. There are conflicting results especially on the significance of MPV in the literature, and possibly this confliction is due to the difference between methods and/or equipments used for automated blood count.

Background/Aim: There are controversies about the routine use of oronasopharyngeal suction (ONPS) in healthy infants. This study aimed to compare the effects of oronasopharyngeal suction with those of no suction in normal, term infants delivered by cesarean section. Methods: 140 term, healthy newborns of uncomplicated pregnancies were prospectively randomized to one of two groups according to the use of ONPS procedure. Differences in oxygen saturation levels, heart rates, and Apgar scores were determined. Results: The mean SaO₂ values through the 2nd and 6th min of life were significantly higher in the no suction group (p < 0.001). The maximum time to reach SaO₂ of ≧92% (6 vs. 11 min) and ≧86% (5 vs. 8 min) saturation were shorter in the no suction group than in the ONPS group. The mean heart rates were consistently and significantly lower in the no suction group during the first 6 min except the second one. All neonates without suction had an Apgar score of 10 at the 5th min, while the mean ± SD for ONPS group was 9.34 ± 0.48 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Although findings remained on statistical level and did not lead to clinically adverse outcomes, there is no statistical or physiological basis for oronasopharyngeal suction as a systematic procedure in healthy, term infants delivered by cesarean section.