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To determine the differences in outcomes between mild and moderate isolated ventriculomegaly (IVM).We conducted a prospective cohort study on 94 fetuses with IVM and evaluated the neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months of age using the ASQ-3 and BSID-I neurodevelopmental assessment tools. Progression of VM was defined as an increase in the width of the ventricular by at least 3 mm during sequential ultrasound monitoring. The population was divided into two groups according to ventricular width: mild (10-12 mm) and moderate (12.1-15 mm), which were further evaluated for VM progression in utero separately.Neurodevelopmental assessments at 12 months were the main form of evaluations. Neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) was defined as a mental development index (MDI) or psychomotor development index (PDI)85. There were no significant differences in NDI values between the mild and moderate groups (There were likely no differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes between mild and moderate IVM. In fetuses with mild to moderate VM, intrauterine progression may be a poor prognostic factor for neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Objectives This study aims to follow up on low-lying conus medullaris (CM) cases and explore the correlation between the CM location and the final prognosis. Methods We retrospectively collected 37 cases diagnosed with low-lying CM during pregnancy in the Peking University First Hospital from January 2019 to December 2020. The location of CM was confirmed by 3D ultrasonography, and clinical data, including postnatal outcomes, were recorded. When the conus medullaris was below L3 (excluding L3), it was diagnosed as low-lying conus medullaris, regardless of gestational age. The short-term postnatal outcome included assessment of symptoms and signs of motor and sensory neuron dysfunction. Results The average gestational weeks of low-lying diagnosis was between 23 and 24 weeks. Among 37 cases, nine (24.3%) were complicated with spine dysraphism (3 cases of open spina bifida, 6 cases of tethered cord syndrome). Apart from 7 cases of pregnancy termination, the remaining 30 live births had a good prognosis in the short term, though 5 out of 6 cases of tethered cord syndrome underwent surgical release. The mean location of cases of open spinal dysraphism (n = 3) and those of closed dysraphism/tethered cord syndrome (n = 6) was at Lumber vertebra 5 (L5) and between L5 and Sacral vertebra 1 (S1), respectively, which showed statistical significance compared with the postnatally normal group. When we set Lumber 4.25 as the cut-off value to predict the diagnosis of spine dysraphism (mainly involving open spinal dysraphism and closed spinal dysraphism/tethered cord syndrome), the sensitivity was 66.7. At the same time, the specificity was 96%, along with the area under the curve (AUC) at 0.877. Conclusion The second trimester finding of low CM is associated with spinal defects, mainly open spinal dysraphism and closed spinal dysraphism/tethered cord syndrome. Careful assessment of the fetal spine should be considered especially when the location of CM is lower than L4.

Purpose Exogenic adenomyoma of the cervix is very rare. To date, very few cases have been reported, and the presentation and diagnosis are not clear. The aim of this study was to present 2 cases of exogenic adenomyoma of the cervix and summarize what is known about this disease by conducting a literature review of reported findings. Methods The clinical data from 2 cases of women with exogenic adenomyoma of the cervix admitted to Peking University First Hospital were analyzed retrospectively, and a systematic literature review was carried out. Results In our cases, exogenic adenomyoma of the cervix presented as a mass with mixed solid and cystic lesions in the pelvis and could not be separated from the cervix. Postoperative examination of the surgical specimen using pathological tests confirmed the tumors were composed of a proliferation of endocervical glands and smooth muscle, based on which exogenic adenomyoma of the cervix was confirmed. Conclusions Exogenic adenomyoma of the cervix should be considered in the diagnosis, in cases of mixed solid and cystic pelvic masses found in close relationship with the cervix.

Objective. Exploring the use of echo-tracking (ET) for evaluating changes in carotid artery wall elasticity after smoking cessation. Methods. Carotid artery ultrasound examination was performed in 67 male patients before and after smoking cessation treatment, for measurement of intimal media thickness (IMT), and ET measurement of wall elasticity variables, ie, wall stiffness index (β), pressure-strain elastic modulus (Ep), compliance (AC), augmentation index (AI), and local pulse wave velocity (PWVβ). We also measured heart rate (HR), systolic pressure (Ps), diastolic pressure (Pd), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride level (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Results. Hyperlipemia and/or arterial hypertension and/or hyperglycemia were absent in 22 (group A1) and 12 (group B1) and present in 19 (group A2) and 14 (group B2) of the patients with successful (group A, n = 41) and unsuccessful (group B, n = 26) treatment, respectively. In the A1 group, there was no significant difference in AI before and after smoking cessation, whereas β, Ep, and PWVβ decreased, and AC increased (p < 0.05). None of these variables changed after smoking cessation in groups A2, B1, and B2. There was no change in IMT in either group. HR decreased and HDL increased in the A1 group, without change in Ps, Pd, TC, TG, and LDL. There was no change in HR, Ps, Pd, TC, TG, LDL, and HDL in groups A2, B1, and B2. Conclusions. ET can be used to evaluate quantitatively the impact of smoking cessation on common carotid artery wall elasticity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2012