Emphysematous Chorioamnionitis Diagnosed by Ultrasonography

ABSTRACT

Preterm labor, cervical cerclage (especially when performed as an emergency procedure), and diabetes mellitus are all associated with an increased risk of chorioamnionitis. It might be expected that the combination of all 3 could lead to especially severe infection. We report such a case. A woman with a history of two spontaneous midtrimester abortions had had cervical cerclage performed at 13 weeks. She was referred at 24 weeks' gestation with preterm labor, and the cervix was found to be dilated. An emergency repeat cerclage was performed. The following day, ultrasonography revealed the presence of intra-amniotic gas. Infection was confirmed by the presence of a purulent cervical discharge, a neutrophilia with a left shift, and an elevated C-reactive protein level. The cervical stitch was removed and labor induced. The infant was liveborn, but succumbed to the complications of prematurity and sepsis. E. coli was isolated. In her subsequent pregnancy, severe gestational diabetes was diagnosed and following pregnancy, permanent diabetes mellitus was confirmed. The combination of infection, diabetes, and intact membranes may lead to a particularly severe form of chorioamnionitis, with the production of gas within the amniotic cavity. Infection should be excluded before emergency cervical cerclage, especially in the woman with diabetes mellitus.

Keywords

Chorioamnionitis - cervical cerclage - diabetes.