Search

Objective: The study focused on the safety of electrosurgical devices in endoscopic fetal surgery. The thermic effects of monopolar electric waves were studied in vitro in order to obtain safety indications in terms of mode of intramniotic application of electrical devices (time and number of shots; volts; and distance from tissues to be preserved)., Study Design: A glass model filled with saline solution, and an electrical device with resistor and voltage supply, were constructed to reproduce the physical effects of thermic conductivity in vitro; a Swan-Ganz thermic sensor was used to measure the temperature inside the beuta. Different series of tests were carried out., Results: The maximal increase (8.60 +/- 0.04 degrees C) takes place at the external surface of the resistor (distance: 0 cm), while at 2 cm, the temperature of the saline solution does not change., Conclusions: Our tests demonstrate that in order to avoid any kind of risk during electrosurgical procedures on fetuses, the electrode must be placed at least 0.5 cm from delicate tissues., ((c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The article examines the benefits of three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound examination in evaluating fetal central nervous system. It illustrates different strategy of 3D ultrasound examination used in measuring the fetal central nervous system. The three basic elements of 3D ultrasound include the section used in starting volume acquisition, rotation angle of the mechanical sweep of the motorized probe, and the acquisition quality adopted by ultrasound operator during obstetric examinations.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel approach to the visualization of the fetal secondary palate using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound. Methods Sonographic examinations were performed in normal fetuses and in one fetus with cleft lip and palate. To avoid acoustic shadowing from the alveolar ridge, the secondary palate was insonated at a 45° angle in the sagittal plane, and 3D ultrasound was used to reconstruct axial and coronal planes. Results The secondary palate was successfully visualized in 10 of 15 normal fetuses, both in the axial and coronal planes. In the fetus with cleft lip and palate the lesion of the secondary palate was clearly demonstrated, particularly in the coronal plane. Conclusion Angled insonation and 3D ultrasound allow clear visualization of normal and cleft secondary palate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To identify criteria useful for differentiating closed from open spina bifida antenatally. Patients and methods A retrospective study of cases of spina bifida diagnosed in a referral center between 1997 and 2004. Results Of 66 cases of fetal spina bifida diagnosed at a median gestational age of 21 (range, 16-34) weeks, detailed follow-up was available for 57. Of these, open defects were found in 53 (93.0%) and closed defects in four (7.0%). Closed spina bifida was associated in two cases with a posterior cystic mass with thick walls and a complex appearance, while in two cases the spinal lesion could not be clearly differentiated from an open defect, particularly at mid-gestation. Open spina bifida was always associated with typical alterations of cranial anatomy, including the so-called `banana' and `lemon' signs, while in closed spina bifida the cranium was unremarkable. When the data were available, levels of amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein were always abnormally elevated with open spina bifida and within normal limits with closed forms. Conclusion In this study 7% of cases of spina bifida diagnosed in utero were closed. The differentiation between open and closed forms is best shown by the sonographic demonstration of abnormal or normal cranial anatomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of a simplified approach to the evaluation of the midline structures of the fetal brain using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound. Methods Sonographic examinations were performed in normal fetuses and in cases with anomalies involving the midline cerebral structures. Two-dimensional (2D) median planes were obtained by aligning the transducer with the anterior fontanelle and midline sutures by either transabdominal or transvaginal scans. Median planes were also reconstructed using 3D ultrasonography from volumes acquired from transabdominal axial planes of the fetal head (3D median planes), by either multiplanar analysis of static volumes or volume contrast imaging in the coronal plane (VCI-C). 2D and 3D median planes were compared qualitatively and quantitatively by measuring the corpus callosum and cerebellar vermis. Results 2D median planes could be visualized in 54/56 normal fetuses. 3D median planes were obtained in all, usually more easily and rapidly. There was a good correlation between 2D and 3D images. Measurements of the corpus callosum and cerebellar vermis were highly correlated, with mean variations of 6% and 14%, respectively. The abnormal group included 13 fetuses (five with partial or complete agenesis of the corpus callosum, six with posterior fossa malformations, two with a combination of these two anomalies). In all cases the diagnosis could be made by both 2D and 3D views and was always confirmed by postnatal investigation. Although 2D median views were of better quality, 3D images were always adequate for diagnosis, both in normal and abnormal fetuses. Conclusions 3D median planes are obtained more easily than 2D ones, and allow an accurate diagnosis of normal cerebral anatomy and anomalies. The 3D approach may be valuable particularly for rapid assessment of fetal cerebral anatomy in standard examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]