Search

This is a case series on the abnormal sonographic appearance and outcome of the fetal hyaloid artery (HA) detected during between 1987 and 2015 at one medical center. Fifteen cases were detected during fetal anatomy scans, usually performed at 14 to 16 weeks' gestation. Three other cases were diagnosed following referral for a second opinion. In nine fetuses, the HA regressed normally throughout pregnancy. Of them, eight neonates had normal outcomes and one had cataract at the same eye. All nine other cases ended with adverse outcomes. Failure of the HA to regress in the third trimester appears to be an indicator of congenital blindness.

Bladder exstrophy is a rare severe congenital malformation. Early prenatal diagnosis is scarcely described in the literature. Low insertion of the umbilical cord is a constant anatomic feature of bladder exstrophy. The aim of our study was to assess whether early measurements of the umbilical cord insertion-to-genital tubercle length may serve as quantitative measurements for a low-inserted umbilical cord in cases of bladder exstrophy.The umbilical cord insertion-to-genital tubercle length was prospectively measured in all cases referred for a nonvisualized urinary bladder before 18 weeks' gestation. Final diagnoses were compared with prenatal measurements.Fifteen fetuses were evaluated for a nonvisualized bladder at a mean gestational age of 15.7 weeks (range, 14-17 weeks). Of them, 6 cases were diagnosed with bladder exstrophy, and 9 cases had a normal urinary bladder. All cases with bladder exstrophy had an umbilical cord insertion-to-genital tubercle length below the fifth percentile for gestational age, whereas cases with a normal bladder had a normal measurement.Fetuses with bladder exstrophy have an umbilical cord insertion-to-genital tubercle length below the fifth percentile of the general population. This measurement may serve as a complementary objective sonographic parameter in the prenatal assessment and counseling of cases suspected of having bladder exstrophy during early pregnancy.

The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics and outcomes of fetuses with a diagnosis of nonobstructive diffuse dilated bowel loops.We conducted a retrospective study of all pregnancies with fetal diagnosis of nonobstructive diffuse dilated bowel loops over 14 years in a large tertiary referral center. Fetomaternal and neonatal characteristics and outcomes were assessed.Seven fetuses had sonograms showing diffuse dilated bowel loops; none of them had intestinal obstruction after labor. The median gestational age at diagnosis was 33 weeks 1 day (range, 27 weeks-34 weeks 1 day). The median gestational age at delivery was 34 weeks 1 day (range, 32 weeks 4 days-39 weeks 1 day). Four cases had premature rupture of membranes beyond 32 weeks. Four among the 7 had gastrointestinal manifestations. Three cases presented with hematochezia, which resolved with conservative treatment. One fetus had intractable diarrhea, had a diagnosis of rare microvillus inclusion disease, and died of sepsis after 92 days. Not a single case of Hirschsprung disease was observed in our group.Nonobstructive diffuse dilated bowel loops diagnosed in the second half of pregnancy are associated with premature rupture of membranes and premature labor. As neonatal gastrointestinal complications may be anticipated, prenatal parental counseling with a neonatologist and pediatric gastroenterologist should be conducted.

Recent research provides evidence that anogenital distance may serve as a novel metric to assess reproductive potential in men. In children, a shorter anogenital distance was linked with cryptorchidism, hypospadias, and micropenis. Scarce data exist in the literature regarding anogenital distance measurement in the fetus. The aim of our study was to assess whether intrauterine measurement of fetal anogenital distance could assist in the differential diagnosis of male genital anomalies.Anogenital distance was prospectively measured in all cases referred for suspected isolated abnormal male genitalia. Final diagnoses, confirmed by a pediatric urologist, were compared with anogenital distance prenatal measurements.Fifty-two cases were referred for evaluation because of suspected male external genital malformation during a 12-month period. Cases with normal-appearing genitalia, associated major malformations, and early severe fetal growth restriction were excluded from the study. Postnatal examination revealed 14 cases of hypospadias in varying severity and 8 cases of a buried penis. All fetuses with hypospadias had an anogenital distance measurement below the fifth percentile. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between the normal mean anogenital distance for gestational age versus those with hypospadias (mean ± SD, 16.90 ± 4.08 and 11.68 ± 3.31 mm, respectively; P = .001). No significant difference was found between the normal mean anogenital distance for gestational age versus those with a buried penis (18.85 ± 2.76 and 19.46 ± 3.41 mm; P = .700).Fetuses with hypospadias have a statistically significant shorter anogenital distance compared with the general population. Therefore, anogenital distance may serve as a complementary objective sonographic parameter in the prenatal assessment and counseling of male external genital anomalies.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate a novel sonographic scoring system for risk assessment of complications in patients suspected of having morbidly adherent placenta. METHODS This retrospective study evaluated the association between maternal complications and a grayscale sonographic scoring system for adherent placenta before surgery. Criteria for adherent placenta included uteroplacental and uterobladder demarcation lines and the presence of lacunae. Placentas were classified into 4 stages: stage 0, normal placentation; stage 1, low probability of adherence; stage 2, moderate possibility of adherence; and stage 3, high suspicion of adherence. Placental adherence as assessed by a surgical team, estimated blood loss, and postoperative hospitalization days were determined for each group, as well as the rates of the need for packed blood cells, cryoprecipitate units, and hysterectomy. RESULTS One hundred nine women were included in the study. Twenty-six (23.8%) women were given a score of stage 0, 22 (20.2%) stage 1, 28 (25.7%) stage 2, and 33 (30.3%) stage 3. Linear regression analysis demonstrated that the sonographic staging was the only variable significantly associated with the number of packed cells or cryoprecipitate units transfused (P< .001) and a clinical diagnosis of adherent placenta (P< .001). In addition, both sonographic staging and a history of cesarean delivery were significantly associated with hysterectomy (P = .01; P = .03, respectively), treatment with any blood products (P< .001; P= .01), and the duration of postoperative hospitalization (P< .001; P = .006). CONCLUSIONS A scoring system based on simple grayscale parameters may be effective for antenatal risk assessment of maternal complications in cases of suspected morbidly adherent placenta.

The objectives of this series were to describe the prenatal sonographic findings of a fetal isolated prominent left brachiocephalic vein with its in utero natural history and neonatal outcome and to discuss the differential diagnosis, especially with a total or partial anomalous pulmonary venous return malformation. We reviewed all cases referred to 2 tertiary medical centers with the presenting finding of a prominent, upper thorax transverse vein entering the superior vena cava. The primary suspicion of a subjective dilated left brachiocephalic vein, as a part of a supracardiac anomalous pulmonary venous return malformation, was investigated by a systematic anatomic evaluation. After exclusion of other cardiac and structural anomalies, we followed the pregnancies and their outcomes. Eight cases were recruited during a 7 year period. The mean maternal age was 31 years, and the mean gestational age at the time of diagnosis was 17 weeks. In 7 cases, the dilatation was not evident during 6 weeks of follow up. In 1 case, the dilatation was evident until delivery at 39 weeks and was not apparent on postnatal echocardiography or spiral computed tomography. All neonates developed without any heart or other complications. We conclude that after exclusion other malformations, a prominent left brachiocephalic vein is a benign transient phenomenon that does not persist post-partum in the neonate.

The pituitary gland is crucially important in the function of the endocrine axis. So far, antenatal depiction of the pituitary gland was possible only using magnetic resonance imaging. We describe antenatal visualization of the pituitary gland using 2- and 3-dimensional sonography. The appearance of the gland on sonography seems to be superior compares to prenatal magnetic resonance imaging. In cases with midline anomalies of the brain, face, or cranium, depiction of the pituitary gland is feasible and recommended.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of fetuses with the finding of an umbilical cord cyst during nuchal translucency examination in a low-risk population. Methods A retrospective study was conducted in a large tertiary referral academic center over a 3-year period. All fetuses with umbilical cord cysts during the nuchal translucency scan were recruited, and their medical data concerning the pregnancy and neonatal course were analyzed. Results Eight fetuses (0.7%) had a diagnosis of an umbilical cord cyst among the 1080 nuchal translucency examinations. The mean cyst diameter was 19 mm (range, 10-38 mm). The male to female ratio was 6:2. Isolated umbilical cord cysts were found in 5 cases (62.5%), and in all, the nuchal translucency measured less than 2 mm; the cysts resolved; and the outcomes were normal. Three fetuses (37.5%) had additional associated malformations. In all of them, the cysts persisted during pregnancy. Two of them had increased nuchal translucency (3.2 and 4.2 mm). In these 2 cases, 1 fetus had a hypoplastic left heart with a normal karyotype, and the other had multiple malformations and trisomy18. Both pregnancies were terminated. The third case, with normal nuchal translucency, had an ectopic kidney and a patent urachus, which closed spontaneously at 23 weeks and resulted in a normal pregnancy outcome. Conclusions A favorable outcome is expected when an umbilical cord cyst diagnosed during late first trimester presents as an isolated finding associated with normal nuchal translucency and resolves later on.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to establish in utero reference ranges for the fetal umbilical cord insertion-to-genital tubercle length in early gestation. METHODS A prospective cross-sectional study was performed on 140 normal low-risk singleton pregnancies between 12 and 18 weeks' gestation. The umbilical cord insertion-to-genital tubercle length was measured in a midsagittal section with high-resolution transvaginal or transabdominal sonography. The mean and 95% prediction limits were defined for each gestational week and analyzed by regression equations and correlation coefficients. RESULTS Adequate measurements were obtained in 134 patients. The umbilical cord insertion-to-genital tubercle length as a function of gestational age was expressed by the following regression equation: umbilical cord insertion-to-genital tubercle length = -3.079452 + 1.09 × week (R(2) = 0.7117). The correlation R(2) = 0.7117 was found to be highly statistically significant (P < .001). The normal mean and 95% prediction limits were defined for each gestational week. During the study period, 2 cases were referred to our unit because of nonvisualization of the urinary bladder. The umbilical cord insertion-to-genital tubercle lengths in these cases were below the 95th percentile, confirming the diagnosis of bladder exstrophy. CONCLUSIONS The normative data established in this study may be helpful for early pre-natal diagnosis congenital bladder exstrophy.