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Three- and four-dimensional (3D/4D) ultrasonography with spatio-temporal image correlation (4D-STIC) allows obtaining fetal cardiac volumes and their static and real-time analysis in multiplanar and rendering modes. Cardiac biometrics and Doppler-echocardiographic parameters for evaluation of fetal heart function, including cardiac output and stroke volume, can be analyzed using M-mode, two-dimensional (2D), and 3D/4D cardiac ultrasound. In recent years, functional echocardiography has been used to study fetuses without a structurally cardiac defect but who are at risk of heart failure due to the presence of extra-cardiac conditions, such as, fetal growth restriction, tumors/masses, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, fetal anemia (Rh alloimmunization), congenital infections, or maternal diabetes mellitus. The assessment of cardiac function provides important information on hemodynamic status and can help optimize the best time for delivery and reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality. Since 2003, with the advent of the 4D-STIC software, it is possible to evaluate the fetal heart in multiplanar, and rendering modes. This technology associated with virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) enables determining the ventricular volume (end-diastole, end-systole), the stroke-volume, the ejection fraction, and the cardiac output of each ventricle. Since 2004, several studies demonstrated that the 4D-STIC and VOCAL had good reproducibility to measure cardiac volumes This study reviews published studies that evaluated the fetal cardiac function by 3D ultrasound using 4D-STIC and VOCAL software.

Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries is a rare and complex congenital heart disease. It essentially occurs with atrioventricular and ventriculoarterial discordance, in which the great vessels become parallel. Cases of corrected transposition of the great arteries are more frequently associated with other cardiac anomalies. In the fetus, corrected transposition of the great arteries may not be diagnosed on obstetric cardiac ultrasound, especially in the absence of other cardiac malformations (isolated corrected transposition of the great arteries). In this manuscript, we describe a case of isolated corrected transposition of the great arteries diagnosed in utero, and highlight the clues to make this diagnosis.

Congenital megalourethra is abnormal dilation of the penile urethra due to aplasia of erectile tissue, leading to lower urinary tract obstruction. This condition should be considered when fetal penis with typical dilation is seen on prenatal scan. The dilated structure, however, can be easily missed or misinterpreted as the umbilical cord. Perinatal prognosis is poor due to direct consequences on urinary and respiratory systems, or due to severe associated anomalies. A large number of survived cases experience urinary sequelae and renal impairment. We report one case of fetal congenital megalourethra diagnosed at 17 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy.

The study presents a pictorial essay of acrania-exencephaly-anencephaly sequence using two-(2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography, documenting the different phenotypic characterization of this rare disease. Normal and abnormal fetuses were evaluated during the first trimester scan. The International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology practice guidelines were adopted to standardize first trimester anatomical ultrasound screening. The guidelines outline the importance of systematic fetal head and brain examination including the formation of cranial bones, choroid-plexus and ventricles. Acrania-exencephaly-anencephaly sequence and/or other neural tube defects, such as meningoencephalocele, may be identified during a routine 11–14 week scan. Early first trimester detection of acrania-exencephaly-anencephaly sequence with the characterization of different related phenotypes, 2D and 3D ultrasound imaging as well as differential diagnosis are also presented in this pictorial essay. The main diagnostic ultrasound features of the disease may be characterized by findings of acrania with increased amniotic fluid echogenicity; “Mickey-Mouse” bi-lobular face, cystic, elongated, irregular and overhanging head morphology. Lightening techniques have also been added to 3D ultrasound to enhance anatomical details. Moreover, discordant amniotic fluid echotexture in the setting of twin pregnancies may be the first sign of acrania-exencephaly-anencephaly sequence. Extracranial malformations, aneuploidy and genetic syndromes associated with acrania-exencephaly-anencephaly sequence are also reported and described. First trimester neuroscan by an expert sonographer with appropriate training together with the application of standardized protocol are essential for a high detection rate of this rare type of neural tube defect malformation during a scan performed at 11 and 13 weeks and 6 days.

Twin molar pregnancy with a hydatidiform mole and a coexisting live fetus is a rare form of gestational trophoblastic disease associated with an increased risk of obstetric complications and poor perinatal outcome. Prenatal diagnosis is essential for couple counseling and follow-up in Tertiary Reference Centers. Magnetic resonance imaging is important for the diagnostic differentiation of placental mesenchymal dysplasia and exclusion of myometrial invasion. Here we present a case of twin molar pregnancy with a hydatidiform mole and a coexisting live fetus diagnosed at gestational week 14 using two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. We also describe the obstetric management and postmolar follow-up.

This study aimed to evaluate the levator hiatus area (LHA) at rest and during the performance of maximal pelvic floor muscle (PFM) contractions, during the abdominal hypopressive technique (AHT), and during the combination of PFM contractions (PFMCs) and the AHT. The study included 17 healthy nulliparous women who had no history of pelvic floor disorders. The LHA was evaluated with the patients in the lithotomy position. After a physiotherapist instructed the patients on the proper performance of the PFM and AHT exercises, 1 gynecologist performed the 3-dimensional translabial ultrasound examinations. The LHA was measured with the patients at rest. The PFMC alone, the AHT alone or the AHT in combination with a PFMC with 30 seconds of rest between the evaluations were performed. Each measurement was performed 2 times, and the mean value was used for statistical analysis. The Wilcoxon test was used to test the differences between the 2 maneuvers. Similar values were observed when comparing the LHA of the PFM at rest (12.2 ± 2.4) cm2and during the AHT (11.7 ± 2.6) cm2(P= 0.227). The AHT+ PFMC (10.2 ± 1.9) cm2demonstrated lower values compared with AHT alone (11.7 ± 2.6) cm2(P= 0.002). When comparing the PFMC (10.4 ± 2.1) cm2with the AHT + PFMC (10.2 ± 1.9) cm2, no significant difference (P= 0.551) was observed. During PFMC, the constriction was 1.8 cm2; during the AHT, the constriction was 0.5 cm2; and during the AHT + PFMC, it was 2 cm2. The LHA assessed by 3-dimensional ultrasound did not significantly change with AHT. These results support the theory that AHT does not strengthen PFM.

Epignathus teratomas are rare tumors that originate in the region of the palate or pharynx and are known as Rathke pouch. They may be associated with other malformations such as a cleft palate and bifid tongue or nose. The prenatal diagnosis can be established by two-dimensional ultrasonography showing a heterogeneous mass protruding through the mouth of the fetus. The three-dimensional ultrasonography in rendering mode permits better understanding of this anomaly by the parents, facilitating the counseling. The importance of prenatal diagnosis lies in the fact that this tumor may obstruct the airways, thus leading to death at birth due to respiratory insufficiency. We report a case of prenatal diagnosis of epignathus teratoma in the 30th week of pregnancy by two-dimensional ultrasonography. We focus on the importance of three-dimensional ultrasonography in rendering mode for demonstrating the spatial relationships of the tumor with the oral cavity and provide correlations between the ultrasound images and the anatomopathological findings.

The aim was to describe our experience in three cases of fetal intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) diagnosed prenatally. This was a retrospective and descriptive study between 2007 and 2010 that included analysis on three cases of ICH from our prenatal care based on information in the records (medical history and imaging studies). One fetus died in utero at 35 weeks of pregnancy and had ICH classified as grade IV. In another case, birth occurred prematurely, at 28 weeks; this newborn died 36 hours after birth and was also classified as ICH grade IV. The third case was born at term, but transfontanellar ultrasound showed a serious cerebral lesion compatible with encephalomalacia. The cases of ICH diagnosed prenatally had poor prognosis due to serious cerebral lesions. Diagnosing ICH prenatally is important for counseling the parents about the poor neonatal prognosis. The short-term postnatal outcome in cases of ICH is usually poor for fetuses with high-grade and/or progressive lesions.