All News

Advances in the treatment for breast cancer have allowed for better outcomes and decreased mortality rates. Tamoxifen, the oldest and most frequently prescribed selective estrogen receptor modulator approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, has shown great efficacy, and studies of tamoxifen treatment lasting 5 years now have follow-up efficacy data that go past one decade. To better understand the evidence, the Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group (EBCTCG) conducted a meta-analysis of 20 trials to ascertain the protective effects of tamoxifen in reducing recurrence and death ratios.

Laparoscopic Myomectomy uses a small telescope placed through the belly button along with several small instruments to remove fibroids from the uterus. The technique of actually removing the fibroid from the uterus is similar to that of an abdominal myomectomy except we use small instruments placed through the abdominal wall. Once the fibroid is freed from the uterus it needs to be removed from the abdomen. In order to remove a large fibroid from a small incision we use an instrument called a morcellator, to cut it into pieces small enough to be removed through the small incisions.

In the United States, 20% of preschoolers are overweight and, of those, 50% are obese. Children who are obese are more likely to be obese in adulthood and thus are at greater risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. A baby’s risk of becoming overweight or obese is reduced with each month of breastfeeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that healthy babies be given only breast milk for the first 6 months of life.

When an adverse outcome and missed diagnosis occur, problems in the organization of care and issues with communication between caregivers are frequently the true cause rather than an isolated error made by one practitioner. In recent years, seeking to capitalize on frustration with the health care delivery, plaintiff’s lawyers have sought to identify disagreements among providers in patient management and/or errors within the patient care management system. Allegations that nonphysician personnel should have recognized a problem with the care plan and accessed the “chain of command” in an effort to alter the clinical course are included in these types of claims.

What are echogenic intracardiac foci (EIF)? EIF are small, echogenic lesions seen (on sonography) inside the left or right ventricles of the fetal heart within the papillary muscles or chordae tendinae. These lesions are not attached to the wall of the ventricles.

Surgery in the medical office setting can confer benefits for both the physician and the patient, as it can control costs, allow for flexibility in scheduling, and increase overall convenience.

A faulty copy of the gene RAD51D significantly increases the likelihood of developing ovarian cancer, according to a study published online August 7 in Nature Genetics. MORE

Soy supplements may not alleviate menopausal symptoms or prevent loss of bone mineral density, a new study from the Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Florida, suggests. MORE

A preoperative skin prep protocol that combines a 3-minute povidone iodine scrub with povidone iodine paint prevents postcesarean infectious complications such as endometritis and wound infections better than povidone iodine paint alone, a new study from the University of Pennsylvania reports. MORE

Pulse oximetry screening for arterial oxygen saturation can detect critical congenital heart defects in newborns that antenatal ultrasonography overlooks, British researchers report in a study published online August 5 in The Lancet. MORE

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was developed in 1987 for screening postpartum women in outpatient, home visiting settings, or at the 6-8 week postpartum examination. It has been utilized among numerous populations, including US women and Spanish-speaking women in other countries.

Biophysical Profile and Color Doppler Ultrasound in the High Risk Pregnancy Presented by: Dr. Farzad Afzali Kasra Ultrasound Clinic   • BPP is applying to detect prenatal asphyxia • Doppler ultrasound is a modality for detecting fetal hypoxia and acidosis • Doppler can also predict later pre- eclampsia at the 24-26 gestational weeks.   • Hypoxia: Low oxygen tension • Asphyxia: Low oxygen and high CO2 • Ischemia: Drop in blood flow Comment So, Doppler ultrasound can predict fetal distress sooner than BPP   • Prediction of the effect of an asphyxial insult on the fetus requires a measure of:

• The following guidance is evidence based. • Developed by the National Collaborating Centre for Women's and Children's Health • Developed at October 2003, valid till 2007 • The grading scheme used for the recommendations (A, B, C, D, good practice point [GPP], and NICE 2002)

Condition in which the cervix fails to retain the conceptus during pregnancy. Cervix length less than?? Premature ripening of the cervix Definition

Test your ob/gyn knowledge in our DailyDx.

The US Department of Health and Human Services announced on August 1, 2011, that women will receive preventive health services at no additional cost. This historic new guideline is an effort to improve use of preventive services and to reduce health care costs related to preventable diseases and conditions.

Proper functioning of the placenta-the life support system for the fetus-is crucial for a healthy pregnancy and healthy fetus. When placenta disorders arise, so does the likelihood of neurologic abnormalities in the fetus. Specifically, two population-based studies have shown an association between placental infarction and cerebral palsy (CP).

Mammography screening should be offered annually to women beginning at age 40 years, according to a new recommendation by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College).1 This change was brought about by the high incidence of breast cancer in the United States. Early detection of breast cancer has the potential to reduce the number of breast cancer–related deaths. The College previously recommended that women aged 40 years receive mammograms every 1 to 2 years and women aged 50 years have mammograms annually.

The CDC has released a report on the state of breastfeeding support in US hospitals, Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care, which found that less than 4% of US hospitals provided the full range of support a mother needs to be able to breastfeed, and only about one quarter of the hospitals support mothers and babies at discharge with the services they need, be it a follow-up visit, a phone call from hospital staff, or referrals to lactation consultants, WIC, and other important community support systems.

With the rate of diabetes and prediabetes/glucose intolerance increasing, it is imperative for clinicians to help reduce the risk of their patients developing full-blown diabetes as well as to help patients manage the illness.