Investigating congenital malformations and ovarian cysts

Project researcher: Dr Athanasios Tyraskis, Academic Foundation doctor

Athanasios' two fields of research during his AFP were:

• the epidemiology of congenital malformations, in the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU), and
• the clinical investigation of outcomes and treatment options for prenatally diagnosed ovarian cysts.

In the NPEU, the team investigated subcategories within UK-wide, prospectively gathered data on Oesophageal Atresia and Tracheoesophageal Fistula. This was in order to determine what the current standards of treatment are for these rare cases, and to determine treatment outcomes. A second project investigated late post-surgical mortality in neonatal surgery. This included patients from multiple studies carried out by the NPEU, and the team performed statistical modelling in order to identify risk factors for late mortality which may be useful in predicting at-risk patients.

Athanasios also was involved in clinical research in multiple centres investigating outcomes of ovarian cysts diagnosed prenatally. This being exceedingly rare and there being no evidence base for different treatment options, the research team first attempted to consolidate the literature by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis. Subsequently, they gathered data on all patients diagnosed prenatally with ovarian cysts and followed them up, through gestation and postnatally, until an outcome was reached. To Athanasios, it was particularly exciting to work on a topic with little evidence to back treatment and to try to identify evidence for specific treatment methodologies.

November 2015