OBJECTIVE: To measure the uterine cervical length by using transvaginal ultrasonography in patients with clinical signs compatible with preterm labor threat, and correlating each individual measurement with spontaneous pregnancy interruption within seven days. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sonographic examinations were performed in 72 patients with clinical signs compatible with preterm labor threat. RESULTS: Sensitivity was 90.5%, specificity, 98%, positive predictive value, 95%, and negative predictive value, 96%. A standard uterine cervix length of 15 mm was considered as a predictive value for preterm labor. CONCLUSION: It seems to be possible to foresee preterm delivery in patients whose cervical length is < 15 mm. Such observation could contribute to a timely corticosteroid administration to accelerate fetal lung maturity.

Keywords: Transvaginal ultrasonography, Preterm labor, Uterine cervical length, Preterm labor diagnosis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the endothelial function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis by means of brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-eight patients, 32 with rheumatoid arthritis and 36 in the control group, underwent brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (B-mode ultrasound for evaluating cardiovascular risk). Afterwards, the correlation among brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation, C-reactive protein, and disease duration in patients with rheumatoid arthritis was evaluated. RESULTS: The brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery in rheumatoid arthritis corresponded to 5.6 ± 9.69%, and in the control group, to 23.24 ± 5.65%, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.00001). C-reactive protein result was 4.8 ± 9.1 mg/l. The correlation among age, brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation, and C-reactive protein in patients with rheumatoid arthritis has not shown a statistically significant result. CONCLUSION: Women with rheumatoid arthritis present a significant endothelial dysfunction when compared with normal women.

Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, Endothelial dysfunction, Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation

Objective: To evaluate endothelial function in patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis by measuring brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (BAFMD) and intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid and brachial arteries. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional, case-control study in which endothelial function was evaluated by measurement of BAFMD and IMT of carotid and brachial arteries and presence or absence of risk factors in 112 patients distributed as follows: women with risk factors (n = 49), women control group (n = 24), men with risk factors (n = 21), men control group (n = 18). Results: BAFMD was significantly compromised in the group with risk factors as compared with the control group, regardless of sex: in women, 15.2 Χ 25.3 (p < 0.01); in men, 11.8 Χ 16.8 (p < 0.02). On the other hand, IMT was not significant both for the carotid and brachial arteries, regardless of sex: brachial artery in women, 0.3 Χ 0.3 (p < 0.06); brachial artery in men, 0.36 Χ 0.23 (p < 0.07); carotid artery in women, 0.6 Χ 0.4 (p < 0.07); carotid artery in men, 0.85 Χ 0.38 (p < 0.08). The significance level was set at 5% (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Measurement of BAFMD was effective for detecting endothelial impairment in a population with risk factors for atherosclerosis.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Endothelial dysfunction; Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation; Intima-media complex of the carotid and brachial arteries.

Gestational trophoblastic disease is an abnormality of pregnancy that encompasses a group of diseases that differ from each other in their propensity for regression, invasion, metastasis, and recurrence. In the past, it was common for patients with molar pregnancy to present with marked symptoms: copious bleeding; theca lutein cysts; uterus larger than appropriate for gestational age; early preeclampsia; hyperemesis gravidarum; and hyperthyroidism. Currently, with early diagnosis made by ultrasound, most patients are diagnosed while the disease is still in the asymptomatic phase. In cases of progression to trophoblastic neoplasia, staging—typically with Doppler flow studies of the pelvis and chest X-ray, although occasionally with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging—is critical to the choice of an appropriate antineoplastic therapy regimen. Because it is an unusual and serious disease that affects women of reproductive age, as well as because its appropriate treatment results in high cure rates, it is crucial that radiologists be familiar with gestational trophoblastic disease, in order to facilitate its early diagnosis and to ensure appropriate follow-up imaging.

Keywords: Hydatidiform mole; Gestational trophoblastic disease; Radiology.