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Small follicular or functional theca-lutein cysts are a common finding in fetal and neonatal ovaries. After delivery, decrease of hormonal stimulation may lead to spontaneous resolution of the cyst. A high rate of complication has been underlined by recent studies, the most common being ovarian torsion with subsequent loss of the ovary. Because torsion may happen with any size of cyst, however large or small, we suggest in utero decompression even in small fetal ovarian cysts (< 5 cm). We report here three cases of such cysts managed by intrauterine aspiration with good outcome and no further need for neonatal surgery. In all cases cytology of the cyst aspirate demonstrated numbers of granulosa cells and fluid biochemistry showed a high amount of estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone that confirmed the etiology as ovarian. Despite the small size of the cysts, no technical difficulties were encountered and no maternal or fetal morbidity occured. Prenatal management of fetal ovarian cysts remains controversial, however, and our limited experience needs to be assessed on a larger number of cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective In the first trimester of pregnancy, a biparietal diameter ( BPD) below the 5th percentile is a simple marker that enables the prenatal detection of half of all cases of open spina bifida. We hypothesized that relating the BPD measurement to the transverse abdominal diameter ( TAD) might be another simple and effective screening method. In this study we assessed the performance of using the BPD/ TAD ratio during the first trimester of pregnancy in screening for open spina bifida. Methods A total of 20 551 first-trimester ultrasound scans (11-13 weeks' gestation), performed between 2000 and 2013, were analyzed retrospectively; there were 26 cases of open spina bifida and 17 665 unaffected pregnancies with a crown-rump length of 45-84 mm and a record of both BPD and TAD measurements. Results The mean (± SD) BPD/ TAD ratio was 1.00 ± 0.06 for fetuses with spina bifida and 1.13 ± 0.06 for those without ( P < 0.0001). A BPD ≤ 5th percentile enabled the prenatal detection of 46.2% of spina bifida cases, while a BPD/ TAD ratio of ≤ 1.00 detected 69.2%. If we considered cases in which either BPD was ≤ 5th percentile or BPD/ TAD ratio was ≤ 1, we identified 76.9% of cases. In the latter case, the false-positive rate was 5.1%, while that for using a combination of both BPD ≤ 5th percentile and BPD/ TAD ratio ≤ 1 was 0.6%, with a sensitivity of 38.5%. The positive predictive value of using a combination of BPD ≤ 5th percentile and BPD/ TAD ratio ≤ 1 for detecting spina bifida was 8.5%. Conclusions Between 11 and 13 weeks' gestation, relating BPD to TAD improves considerably the diagnostic performance of using BPD measurement alone in screening for open spina bifida. Screening using this marker is simple and applicable to a large population. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which describes and assesses the sonographic findings, evolution and clinical implications of thrombosis of the fetal dural sinuses. It was found that thrombosis of the cerebral venous circulation can occur antenatally and is detectable by fetal real-time and color Doppler ultrasound examination. It notes that a review of the literature supports targeted evaluation of the fetus by ultrasound imaging and magnetic resonance imaging to guide the diagnosis.

An abstract of the conference paper "Congenital laryngeal atresia: prenatal diagnosis and management, about a retrospective French study of 7 cases," by G. Haddad, and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Ultrasound prenatal diagnosis of Pompe disease: is it possible?," by G. Haddad and colleagues is presented.