SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether a single measurement of vascular endothelial growth factor could distinguish between intrauterine pregnancy and ectopic pregnancy and to correlate the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor with serum levels of progesterone andβ-human chorionic gonadotropin in each subgroup. METHODS: Ninety patients with a positive human chorionic gonadotropin test and either abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding were selected; pregnancies were singletons, spontaneously conceived, 42–56 days of gestational age. All patients had a transvaginal ultrasound examination and were divided into three subgroups: abnormal intrauterine pregnancy, tubal pregnancy, and normal intrauterine pregnancy. Tubal pregnancies were surgically treated and histologically confirmed. Blood samples were collected for the determination of β-human chorionic gonadotropin, progesterone, and vascular endothelial growth factor and their concentrations were compared in each subgroup. Receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated by comparing the subgroup of tubal pregnancy to the other groups. A Fisher discriminant function analysis was performed. The level of significance was 5%. RESULTS: One-way analysis of variance revealed a significant correlation between the different subgroups and β-human chorionic gonadotropin, progesterone, and vascular endothelial growth factor serum levels (p<0.001). Vascular endothelial growth factor concentration was significantly higher for patients with tubal pregnancy than for other subgroups (p<0.05). β-Human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone levels were higher in the subgroup with normal intrauterine pregnancies compared with the subgroups with tubal and abnormal intrauterine pregnancies (p<0.05). Serum vascular endothelial growth factor level >188.7 ng/mL predicted tubal pregnancy with 96.7% sensitivity, 95.0% specificity, 90.6% positive predictive value, and 98.3% negative predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: Serum vascular endothelial growth factor could be a marker in discriminating intrauterine pregnancy from tubal pregnancy; its levels are increased in women with ectopic pregnancy compared with women with normal and abnormal intrauterine pregnancies.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to emphasize the importance of legal and bioethical knowledge in maintaining medical confidentiality, especially in situations when there is a diagnosis of HIV infection. METHODS: A literature review of studies published in the Scientific Electronic Library Online and National Library of Medicine databases was performed. Sixteen studies available in full, online, and free, published between 2010 and 2020, were selected. RESULTS: The studies highlighted that, despite the ethical duty to breach confidentiality for the protection of third parties, many doctors are reluctant to reveal this secret due to the power of stigmatization and social discrimination related to the diagnosis of HIV infection, which affects integrity, counseling, and capability to treat patients. CONCLUSION: HIV diagnosis implies bioethical and legal questions. Respect for medical confidentiality is a matter to be discussed, as there is a need to protect the privacy of the patient, at the same time the responsibility to preserve the health of others.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the opinion of freshmen and fifth-year students of the University of Sao Paulo School of Law in relation to the respect for maternal autonomy and knowledge of the existence and the need to protect the unborn child. METHODS: Information was obtained from a questionnaire; responses were compared with appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS: In total, 403 students answered the questionnaire, 75.2% being first-year students; 58.6% of the students were against State intervention in maternal autonomy, with no difference between groups. However, 55.1% of students were in favor of the defense of the welfare of the unborn, with the statistical difference between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among the first-year students, there is a contradiction about respect for maternal autonomy. Among the fifth-year students, most of them were unreservedly in favor of respect for maternal autonomy.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to identify the characteristics of use of the deceased in invasive training and the bioethical principles that govern this practice. In this context, it has become imperative to deduce which professional skills are critical to develop. METHODS: A prospective study investigated a cadaver’s use in medical (and related) schools through a questionnaire, which was made available for 48 hours on social networks (Facebook and LinkedIn) to groups of doctors and medical students using a communication app (WhatsApp). The inclusion criteria were being a medical student or a doctor. Cases in which the answers to the questionnaire were inadequate, or when the student had reason to withdraw, were excluded. Each participant could only answer the questionnaire once, and could not modify the responses after submitting it. RESULTS: A disproportionate relationship was found regarding the replacement of the newly deceased by other means (such as dummies and simulators). This outcome suggests that there is no substitution, concomitant with the importance of a prior request for consent from the patient and/or subsequent consent from family members. CONCLUSION: According to the findings, the significance of—and need for—training is undeniable. Hence, it is urgent to normalize the practice and definition of the ethical limitations of medical conduct.

Pregnancy of unknown location is a situation in which a positive pregnancy test occurs, but a transvaginal ultrasound does not show intrauterine or ectopic gestation. One great concern of pregnancy of unknown location is that they are cases of ectopic pregnancy whose diagnosis might be postponed. Transvaginal ultrasound is able to identify an ectopic pregnancy with a sensitivity ranging from 87% to 94% and a specificity ranging from 94% to 99%. A patient with pregnancy of unknown location should be followed up until an outcome is obtained. The only valid biomarkers with clinical application and validation are serum levels of the beta fraction of hCG and progesterone. A single serum dosage of hCG is used only to determine whether the value obtained is above or below the discriminatory zone, that means the value of serum hCG above which an intrauterine gestational sac should be visible on ultrasound. Serum progesterone levels are a satisfactory marker of pregnancy viability, but they are unable to predict the location of a pregnancy of unknown location: levels below 5 ng/mL are associated with nonviable gestations, whereas levels above 20 ng/mL are correlated with viable intrauterine pregnancies. Most cases are low risk and can be monitored by expectant management with transvaginal ultrasound and serial serum hCG levels, in addition to the serum progesterone levels. To minimize diagnostic error and intervene during progressive intrauterine gestation, protocol indicates active treatment only in situations when progressive intrauterine pregnancy is excluded and a high possibility of ectopic pregnancy exists.

RESUMO A fístula vesicouterina é uma condição rara. Sua incidência, no entanto, vem aumentando, devido à maior incidência de cesáreas. A presença de feto vivo dentro da bexiga por meio de uma fístula vesicouterina constutui situação extremamente rara. Relatamos o caso de uma mulher com duas cesarianas anteriores encaminhada para o hospital devido à dor pélvica leve e sangramento genital. Na hospitalização, o exame físico estava normal. A ultrassonografia revelou saco gestacional inserido na parede anterior do útero com feto vivo de aproximadamente 13 semanas, com movimento corporal ativo e frequência cardíaca normal. O abdômen fetal, ao redor da cintura, estava preso na abertura de uma fístula vesicouterina de modo que a cabeça e o tronco fetais estavam totalmente dentro da cavidade da bexiga, enquanto os membros inferiores permaneciam na cavidade uterina. A laparotomia foi realizada, o trajeto fistuloso foi excisado, o feto (que estava sem batimento cardíaco) foi removido ao abrir a bexiga, sendo a cavidade uterina esvaziada. Além disso, foram reparados os defeitos na bexiga e no útero. O pós-operatório transcorreu sem intercorrências. Feto vivo dentro da bexiga é uma condição rara, e a continuidade da gravidez é improvável, sendo que a correção vesicouterina pode ser feita no momento da intervenção cirúrgica.

ABSTRACT Vesicouterine fistula is a rare condition. Its incidence, however, has been increasing due to the higher incidence of cesarean sections. The presence of a live fetus inside the bladder who passed through a vesicouterine fistula is an extremely rare situation. We report a case of woman who underwent two previous cesarean sections, was referred to a hospital due to mild pelvic pain and genital bleeding. At the moment, physical examination was normal. Ultrasound scan revealed a gestational sac inserted into the anterior wall of the uterus, with a living fetus of approximately 13 weeks, with active body movement and normal heart rate inside it. The fetal abdomen, around the waist, was stuck at the opening of a vesicouterine fistula, so that the fetal head and trunk were entirely into the bladder cavity, while lower limbs remained at the uterine cavity. Laparotomy was performed, the fistulous tract was excised, the fetus (without heart beating) was removed on opening the bladder, and the uterine cavity was emptied. The defects in the bladder and uterus were repaired. The postoperative period was uneventful. A live fetus inside the urinary bladder is a rare condition the continuation of pregnancy is unlikely and the vesicouterine correction can be made by the time of surgical intervention.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the depth of trophoblastic infiltration and serum vascular endothelial growth factorconcentration in patients with an ampullary pregnancy. METHODS: This prospective cross-sectionalstudy involved 34 patients with an ampullary ectopic pregnancy who underwent salpingectomy between 2012 and 2013. Maternal serum vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations were measured using Luminex technology. Trophoblastic invasion was classified histologically as follows: stage I, limited to the tubal mucosa; stage II, reaching the muscle layer; and stage III,involving the full thickness. The qualitative data were compared using Fisher's exact test. The nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to evaluate differences in serum vascular endothelial growth factor among the degrees of trophoblastic invasion. ROC curves were constructed to determine vascular endothelial growth factor cut-off values that predict the degree of tubal invasion based on the best sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: Eight patients had stage I trophoblastic invasion, seven had stage II, and 19 had stage III. The median serum vascular endothelial growth factorconcentration was 69.88 pg/mL for stage I, 14.53 pg/mL for stage II and 9.08 pg/mL for stage III, with a significant difference between stages I and III. Based on the ROC curve, a serum vascular endothelial growth factor concentration of 25.9 pg/mL best differentiated stage I from stages II and III with asensitivity of 75.0%, specificity of 76.9%, and area under the curve of 0.798. CONCLUSIONS: The depth of trophoblastic penetration into the tubal wall isassociated with serum vascular endothelial growth factor concentration in ampullary pregnancies.

RESUMO A síndrome de hiperestimulação ovariana é a combinação do aumento dos ovários, devido à presença de múltiplos cistos e de hiperpermeabilidade vascular, com subsequente hipovolemia e hemoconcentração. Relata-se um caso de síndrome espontânea em uma gestação única. Trata-se de gravidez espontânea com 12 semanas de idade gestacional. A gravidez ocorreu sem intercorrências até 11 semanas de idade gestacional. Após, a gestante passou a se queixar de distensão abdominal progressiva, associada com desconforto abdominal. A paciente não relatava outros sintomas. A ultrassonografia de rotina no primeiro trimestre mostrou ovários aumentados com múltiplos cistos e ascite. No momento da internação, a paciente apresentava-se hemodinamicamente estável, com β-hCG sérico de 24.487mUI/mL, hormônio estimulante da tireoide de 2,2µUI/m e T4 livre de 1,8ng/dL, ou seja, valores dentro dos parâmetros normais. Porém, os níveis de estradiol estavam elevados (10.562pg/mL). Durante a internação, a paciente recebeu albumina, furosemida e enoxaparina profilática. A alta hospitalar ocorreu no sexto dia de internação.

ABSTRACT The ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is the combination of increased ovarian volume, due to the presence of multiple cysts and vascular hyperpermeability, with subsequent hypovolemia and hemoconcentration. We report a case of spontaneous syndrome in a singleton pregnancy. This was a spontaneous pregnancy with 12 weeks of gestational age. The pregnancy was uneventful until 11 weeks of gestational age. After that, the pregnant woman complained of progressive abdominal distention associated with abdominal discomfort. She did not report other symptoms. In the first trimester, a routine ultrasonography showed enlarged ovaries, multiples cysts and ascites. Upon admission, the patient was hemodynamically stable, her serum β-hCG was 24,487mIU/mL, thyroid-stimulating hormone was 2.2µUI/mL and free T4 was 1.8ng/dL. All results were within normal parameters. However, levels of estradiol were high (10,562pg/mL). During hospitalization, she received albumin, furosemide and prophylactic dose of enoxaparin. The patient was discharged on the sixth hospital day.