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Abstract Objective To evaluate the relationship between surgical outcomes and ultrasound measurement of placental extension beyond the cervical os in women with placenta previa. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies with placenta previa undergoing third-trimester ultrasound and delivering at our institution from 2002 through 2011. For study purposes, an investigator measured placental extension, defined as the placental distance from the internal os across the placenta continuing out to the lowest placental edge. If morbidly adherent placentation was suspected, women were excluded. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were developed for pertinent surgical outcomes, and multivariate analysis was performed to determine the placental extension with the best predictive discriminatory zone. Results In total, 157 women had placenta previa, ultrasound, and delivery data: 86 (55%) had a placental extension of 2,000 mL, blood transfusion, and rate of peripartum hysterectomy. After multivariate analysis, only peripartum hysterectomy and surgical time > 90 minutes remained significant, p ≤ 0.05 and p ≤ 0.01, respectively. Conclusion In women with placenta previa, the placental extension ultrasound measurement of ≥40 mm is a predictor of adverse surgical outcomes.

Abstract Introduction Current medical education promotes enhanced integration of various disciplines and early exposure to clinically relevant topics. Against this background, we have developed a team-based learning (TBL) module for medical students in the preclerkship period that integrates embryology, anatomy, and radiology of the head and neck region. Methods The module, which includes prereading assignments, readiness assurance tests, and an application exercise, focuses on the development of the head and neck region. Students were asked to consolidate their knowledge of the topic—acquired as part of their regular curriculum—and to apply this knowledge to cases of cervical cysts and cleft lip/palate. Results The TBL module was developed for a class of 234 students. The students performed well in the TBL module. Although many students perceived the session as time-consuming, the majority of students evaluated it as relevant for their understanding of the course material and a valuable adjunct to their course. Discussion To our knowledge, as of this writing, no TBL modules have been published that focus on the integration of complex embryological topics with anatomy and radiology and that are suitable for medical students at the beginning of their education. Therefore, the presented TBL module fills a gap in material available to educators in the field.

Conclusion: This case describes an uncommon presentation of neurocysticercosis that should be considered in gravidas with acute mental status changes.

As fetal gestational age increases, other modalities such as ultrasound have demonstrated increased levels of heterogeneity in the normal placenta. In this study, we introduce and apply ROI-based texture analysis to a retrospective fetal MRI database to characterize the second-order statistics of placenta and to evaluate the relationship between heterogeneity and gestational age. Positive correlations were observed for several Haralick texture metrics derived from fetal-brain specific T2-weighted and gravid uterus T1-weighted and T2-weighted images, confirming a quantitative increase in placental heterogeneity with gestational age. Our study shows the importance of identifying baseline MR textural changes at certain gestational ages from which placental diseased states may be compared. Specifically, when evaluating for placental invasion or insufficiency, findings should be evaluated in the context of the normal placental aging process, which occurs throughout gestation.