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David M Sherer, Sara Al-Haddad, Regina Cheng, Mudar Dalloul The Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of New York (SUNY), Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USACorrespondence: David M ShererDivision of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of New York (SUNY), Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Box 24, Brooklyn, NY, USATel +1 718 270-2081Fax +1 718 270-4122Email davidmsherer@gmail.comAbstract: The umbilical cord constitutes a continuation of the fetal cardiovascular system anatomically bridging between the placenta and the fetus. This structure, critical in human development, enables mobility of the developing fetus within the gestational sac in contrast to the placenta, which is anchored to the uterine wall. The umbilical cord is protected by unique, robust anatomical features, which include: length of the umbilical cord, Wharton’s jelly, two umbilical arteries, coiling, and suspension in amniotic fluid. These features all contribute to protect and buffer this essential structure from potential detrimental twisting, shearing, torsion, and compression forces throughout gestation, and specifically during labor and delivery. The arterial components of the umbilical cord are further protected by the presence of Hyrtl’s anastomosis between the two respective umbilical arteries. Abnormalities of the umbilical cord are uncommon yet include excessively long or short cords, hyper or hypocoiling, cysts, single umbilical artery, supernumerary vessels, rarely an absent umbilical cord, stricture, furcate and velamentous insertions (including vasa previa), umbilical vein and arterial thrombosis, umbilical artery aneurysm, hematomas, and tumors (including hemangioma angiomyxoma and teratoma). This commentary will address current perspectives of prenatal sonography of the umbilical cord, including structural anomalies and the potential impact of future imaging technologies.Keywords: prenatal ultrasound, umbilical cord, color Doppler imaging

Umbilical cord accidents preceding labor are uncommon. In contrast, nuchal cords are a very common finding at delivery, with reported incidences of a single nuchal cord of approximately between 20% and 35% of all singleton deliveries at term. Multiple loops occur less frequently, with reported incidence rates inverse to the number of nuchal cords involved. Rare cases of up to 10 loops of nuchal cord have been reported. While true knots of the umbilical cord have been associated with a 4-10-fold increased risk of stillbirth, nuchal cord(s) are most often noted at delivery of non-hypoxic non-acidotic newborns, without any evidence of subsequent adverse neonatal outcome. Prior to ultrasound, nuchal cords were suspected clinically following subtle (spontaneous or evoked) electronic fetal heart rate changes. Prenatal sonographic diagnosis, initially limited to real-time gray-scale ultrasound, currently entails additional sonographic modalities, including color Doppler, power Doppler, and three-dimensional sonography, which have enabled increasingly more accurate prenatal sonographic diagnoses of nuchal cord(s). In contrast to true knots of the umbilical cord (which are often missed at sonography, reflecting the inability to visualize the entire umbilical cord, and hence are often incidental findings at delivery), nuchal cord(s), reflecting their well-defined and sonographically accessible anatomical location (the fetal neck), lend themselves with relative ease to prenatal sonographic diagnosis, with increasingly high sensitivity and specificity rates. While current literature supports that single (and possibly double) nuchal cords are not associated with increased adverse perinatal outcome, emerging literature suggests that cases of ≥3 loops of nuchal cords or in the presence of a coexisting true knot of the umbilicus may be associated with an increased risk of stillbirth or compromised neonatal status at delivery. This commentary will address current perspectives of prenatal sonographic diagnosis and clinical management challenges associated with nuchal cord(s) in singleton pregnancies.

Umbilical cord accidents preceding labor are rare. Single and multiple nuchal cords, and true knot(s) of the umbilical cord, are often incidental findings noted at delivery of non-hypoxic non-acidotic newborns without any evidence of subsequent adverse neonatal outcome. In contrast to single nuchal cords, true knots of the umbilical cord, which occur in between 0.04% and 3% of all deliveries, have been associated with a reported 4 to 10 fold increased risk of stillbirth. First reported with real-time ultrasound, current widespread application of color Doppler, power Doppler and three-dimension sonography, has enabled increasingly more accurate prenatal sonographic diagnoses of true knot(s) of the umbilical cord. Reflecting the inability to visualize the entire umbilical cord at prenatal ultrasound assessment, despite detailed second and third-trimester scanning, many occurrences of incidental true knot of the umbilical cord remain undetected and are noted only at delivery. Although prenatal sonographic diagnostic accuracy is increasing, false positive sonographic diagnosis of true knot of the umbilical cord cannot be ruled out with certainty, and must continue to be considered clinically. Notwithstanding the inability to diagnose all true knots, currently there is a clear absence of clinical management guidelines by governing bodies regarding patients in whom prenatal sonographic diagnosis of true knot(s) of the umbilical cord is / are suspected. As a result, in many prenatal ultrasound units, suspected sonographic findings suggestive of or consistent with true knot of the umbilical cord are often disregarded, not documented, and patients are not uniformly informed of this potentially life-threatening condition, which carries an associated considerable risk of stillbirth. This commentary will address current perspectives of prenatal sonographic diagnostic and management challenges associated with true knot(s) of the umbilical cord in singleton pregnancies.

Characteristic phenotypic features of 16p13.3 microduplication include impaired mental development, arthrogryposis-like musculoskeletal anomalies (club-feet, congenital hip dislocation, and camptodactyly of fingers and toes), facial dysmorphology, and at times congenital cardiac disease. Most of the described affected individuals have microduplications involving the CREBBP gene. Findings indicate this gene to be dosage-sensitive and likely involved in the phenotypes of 16p13.3 microduplication syndrome. We describe the incidental finding of 16p13.3 microduplication in a fetus with mid-trimester sonographic examination showing absent nasal bone and transient unilateral hydronephrosis.

Prenatal sonographic depiction of congenital vertical talus (rocker bottom feet), describing a prominent calcaneus and rounded convex appearance of the ventral aspect of the foot, has been reported with fetal Trisomies 18, 13, 9 HOXD10 mutations and recently 2q13 microdeletion. We present a 24 year old in whom mid-trimester sonographic finding of isolated bilateral rocker bottom feet led to diagnosis of 7q11.23 microdeletion-Williams syndrome. This association has not been reported previously. This case emphasizes the critical assessment of detail microarray upon prenatal sonographic notation of abnormal structural fetal features.

Liver herniation commonly associated with omphalocele occurs in only approximately 2.3% to 16% of fetuses with gastroschisis. Liver herniation in such cases is associated with considerably decreased survival rates (43% vs 97% with or without liver herniation, respectively). Rarely, abnormally positioned fetal hepatic vasculature has been reported mainly in association with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. In these rare cases, intrathoracic depiction of hepatic venous vasculature has assisted in confirming intrathoracic displacement of the fetal liver. We present a case of a large gastroschisis with complete herniation of the fetal liver in which prenatal sonography depicted an extracorporeal ductus venosus.

We describe unusual mid-trimester sonography of subtle fetal facial dysmorphic features including; flattened nasofrontal angle with an almost vertically positioned nasal bone, acute nasolabial angle, and convexity of the maxillary areas in a fetus with otherwise normal anatomy. Microarray identified a 64.5 KB interstitial deletion of 2q25.3, which includes one exon of MYT1L. Mutations and deletions in MTY1L have been associated with autosomal dominant intellectual disability, autistic features, and obesity. Association of these features and 2p25.3 microdeletion has not been reported previously. This case emphasizes the importance of detailed microarray analysis following the sonographic recognition of subtle fetal dysmorphic features.

David M Sherer, Crystal Roach, Sarin Soyemi, Mudar Dalloul The Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of New York (SUNY), Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USACorrespondence: David M ShererDivision of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of New York (SUNY), Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Box 24, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USATel +1 718 270-2081Fax +1 718 270-4122Email davidmsherer@gmail.comAbstract: Diagnosis of potential umbilical cord compromise, namely, true knots of the umbilical cord and nuchal cords has been enabled with increasing accuracy with current enhanced prenatal sonography. Often an incidental finding at delivery, the incidence of true knots of the umbilical cord has been estimated at between 0.04% and 3% of deliveries. This condition has been reported to account for a 4 to 10-fold increase of stillbirth and perinatal morbidity of 11% of cases. Nuchal cords, commonly observed at the delivery of uncompromised, non-hypoxic non-acidotic newborns occur more frequently with single nuchal cords noted in between 20% and 35% of all deliveries at term. Multiple nuchal cords are considerably less frequent, with decreasing frequencies inverse to the number of nuchal cord loops. While clearly single (and likely double) nuchal cords are almost uniformly associated with favorable neonatal outcomes, emerging data suggest that cases of ≥ 3 loops of nuchal cords are more likely to be associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcome (either stillbirth or compromised neonatal condition at delivery). We define cases of a true knot of the umbilical cord, cases of ≥ 3 loops of nuchal cords, any combination of a true knot and nuchal cord, or any umbilical cord entanglement (nuchal or true knot) in the presence of a single umbilical artery, in singleton gestations as complex umbilical cord entanglement. Two concurrent developments, the increase in accuracy of prenatal sonographic diagnosis of complex umbilical cord entanglement and recent data confirming fatal compromise of the umbilical circulation in approximately 20% of cases of stillbirth, suggest that establishing governing body guidelines for reporting of potential umbilical cord compromise, and recommendation of consideration for early-term delivery of select cases, may be warranted. This commentary will address current perspectives of prenatal diagnosis and clinical management challenges of complex umbilical cord entanglement.Keywords: prenatal ultrasound, complex umbilical cord entanglement, true knot of the umbilical cord, nuchal cord, clinical management

Placental abruption occurs clinically in approximately 1% of births although placental pathology assessment suggests a higher incidence. Ultrasound rarely plays a role in the diagnosis or clinical management of patients with suspected placental abruption. A patient with an incidental sonographic finding of a large concealed abruption at 36 weeks' gestation, led to induction of labor. This case and the established association of increased stillbirth with placental abruption among patients of advanced maternal age, suggest that at term, following sonographic findings of abruption, consideration should be given to elective delivery of these patients even in the absence of clinical symptomatology.

Umbilical cord accidents preceding labor are rare. Single and multiple nuchal cords, and true knot(s) of the umbilical cord, are often incidental findings noted at delivery of non-hypoxic non-acidotic newborns without any evidence of subsequent adverse neonatal outcome. In contrast to single nuchal cords, true knots of the umbilical cord, which occur in between 0.04% and 3% of all deliveries, have been associated with a reported 4 to 10 fold increased risk of stillbirth. First reported with real-time ultrasound, current widespread application of color Doppler, power Doppler and three-dimension sonography, has enabled increasingly more accurate prenatal sonographic diagnoses of true knot(s) of the umbilical cord. Reflecting the inability to visualize the entire umbilical cord at prenatal ultrasound assessment, despite detailed second and third-trimester scanning, many occurrences of incidental true knot of the umbilical cord remain undetected and are noted only at delivery. Although prenatal sonographic diagnostic accuracy is increasing, false positive sonographic diagnosis of true knot of the umbilical cord cannot be ruled out with certainty, and must continue to be considered clinically. Notwithstanding the inability to diagnose all true knots, currently there is a clear absence of clinical management guidelines by governing bodies regarding patients in whom prenatal sonographic diagnosis of true knot(s) of the umbilical cord is / are suspected. As a result, in many prenatal ultrasound units, suspected sonographic findings suggestive of or consistent with true knot of the umbilical cord are often disregarded, not documented, and patients are not uniformly informed of this potentially life-threatening condition, which carries an associated considerable risk of stillbirth. This commentary will address current perspectives of prenatal sonographic diagnostic and management challenges associated with true knot(s) of the umbilical cord in singleton pregnancies.

Background: In the United States, hyperemesis gravidarum is the most common cause of hospitalization during the first half of pregnancy and is second only to preterm labor for hospitalizations in pregnancy overall. In approximately 0.3-3% of pregnancies, hyperemesis gravidarum is prevalent and this percentage varies on account of different diagnostic criteria and ethnic variation in study populations. Despite extensive research in this field, the mechanism of the disease is largely unknown. Although cases of mortality are rare, hyperemesis gravidarum has been associated with both maternal and fetal morbidity. The current mainstay of treatment relies heavily on supportive measures until improvement of symptoms as part of the natural course of hyperemesis gravidarum, which occurs with progression of gestational age. However, studies have reported that severe, refractory disease manifestations have led to serious adverse outcomes and to termination of pregnancies. Summary: Despite extensive research in the field, the pathogenesis of hyperemesis gravidarum remains unknown. Recent literature points to a genetic predisposition in addition to previously studied factors such as infectious, psychiatric, and hormonal contributions. Maternal morbidity is common and includes psychological effects, financial burden, clinical complications from nutritional deficiencies, gastrointestinal trauma, and in rare cases, neurological damage. The effect of hyperemesis gravidarum on neonatal health is still debated in literature with conflicting results regarding outcomes of birth weight and prematurity. Available therapy options remain largely unchanged in the past several decades and focus on parenteral antiemetic medications, electrolyte repletion, and nutritional support. Most studies of therapeutic options do not consist of randomized control studies and cross-study analysis is difficult due to considerable variation of diagnostic criteria. Key Messages: Hyperemesis gravidarum carries a significant burden on maternal health and US health care. Most published research on pathogenesis is observational and suggests multifactorial associations with hyperemesis gravidarum. Precise, strictly defined criteria for clinical diagnosis are likely to benefit meta-analyses of further research studies regarding pathogenesis as well as therapeutic options.

Prior studies suggest ubiquitous fetal exposure to the endocrine disrupting chemical bisphenol A (BPA). Insufficient information is available on the effects of BPA in underserved urban populations in the US. We describe prenatal BPA exposures in a predominately Afro-Caribbean immigrant population. Maternal third-trimester urinary concentrations of total BPA were measured in 181 mothers in Brooklyn, NY from 2007 to 2009. Mothers aged 18–45 y presenting at a prenatal clinic consented to study participation. Spot urine samples were collected once between the sixth and ninth month of pregnancy. The geometric mean concentration of total BPA was 0.12 μg l−1 (95% CI: 0.05–0.31). Total BPA concentrations were above the limit of detection in 9% of the mothers. Our results suggest that prenatal BPA exposure is low to non-detectable (< 0.02 μg l−1 in urine) among African American and Afro-Caribbean immigrant women residing in Brooklyn, NY. These results contradict evidence of prenatal exposure in prior studies of urban populations. Further studies should be conducted to determine whether there are associations between recent immigrant status and BPA exposures during pregnancy.

Introduction: Prior studies suggest associations between maternal exposure to antimicrobial and paraben compounds with potential adverse birth outcomes. We have previously reported elevated levels ...

In contrast to complete trisomy 8, which occurs in 0.8% of spontaneous pregnancy losses and is usually lethal, trisomy 8 mosaicism (Warkany syndrome 2), occurs in between 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 births and entails a widely variable phenotype including central nervous, ocular, cardiac, gastrointestinal, genitourinary and musculoskeletal abnormalities. Individuals with trisomy 8 mosaicism may exhibit developmental delays and are at increased risk of developing leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. We present an unusual case in which midtrimester sonographic diagnosis of fetal truncus arteriosus type I at 18 weeks' gestation, led to amniocentesis with an initial normal karyotype. Microarray analysis detected fetal trisomy 8 mosaicism. Systematic literature search reveals that the association between truncus arteriosus and trisomy 8 mosaicism has not been reported previously.

A cervical pregnancy is an uncommon ectopic pregnancy that accounts for less than 1% of such gestations. This condition is associated with an extremely high risk of massive hemorrhage and previously often required hysterectomy. The current diagnostic modality of this potentially life-threatening condition is transvaginal sonography, supported at times by magnetic resonance imaging. The definitive diagnostic imaging feature of a cervical pregnancy is the location of a gestational sac in the cervix in the presence of a closed internal uterine cervical os. We report the 3-dimensional transvaginal sonographic findings of a cervical pregnancy at 6 weeks' gestation.

Objective The purpose of this study was to create reference range nomograms of the axial fetal neck circumference (FNC) and fetal neck area (FNA) throughout gestation. Methods This prospective cross-sectional study involved pregnant patients between 14 and 40 weeks' gestation. Inclusion criteria consisted of well-established dates (confirmed by early sonography) and nonanomalous singleton fetuses with intact fetal membranes. Sonographic measurements included biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length, humerus length, transcerebellar diameter, and sonographically estimated fetal weight. Axial FNC and FNA values were calculated as means of 3 separate measurements. The 5th, 50th, and 95th percentiles were estimated at each week of gestational age (GA) by least squares regression for the mean and SD of the FNC and FNA as functions of GA. R(2) and associated P values for the relationships between the FNC, FNA, and other sonographic biometric measurements were calculated. Results The study included 720 consecutive patients. The mean maternal age +/- SD was 27.3 +/- 6.6 years; median gravidity, 3 (range, 1-13); and median parity, 1 (range, 0-10). The following equations were devised: mean FNC (centimeters) = -11.85 + 1.687 x GA (weeks) -0.043 x GA(2) + 0.0004951 x GA(3); SD(FNC) = 3.15 - 0.3823 x GA + 0.01733 x GA(2) - 0.0002179 x GA(3); mean FNA (square centimeters) = 37.29 - 7.0 x GA + 0.4717 x GA(2) - 0.01245 x GA(3) + 0.0001222 x GA(4); and SD(FNA) = 7.08 - 0.9413 x GA + 0.04135 x GA(2) - 0.0004829 x GA(3). Both the FNC and FNA correlated significantly and strongly with biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, humerus length, femur length, transcerebellar diameter, and sonographically estimated fetal weight. Conclusions Current nomograms of the axial FNC and FNA throughout gestation have been provided.

Leiomyomas of the genitourinary tract may originate from the renal pelvis, bladder, urethra, or epididymis. 1 Interestingly, leiomyomas of the bladder are more common among women (76% of cases).2 Development is usually endovesical (63%), yet extravesical (30%) and intramural cases are not rare.3 Patients may be asymptomatic or may have obstructive urinary symptoms, irritative symptoms, hematuria, flank pain, or, rarely, dysmenorrhea or dyspareunia. 2-5 Leiomyomas of the bladder have been reported in association with neurofibromatosis type 1, in which leiomyomas occur most often in the gastrointestinal tract (proximal small bowel) and tend to be multiple.6 Rarely, urinary bladder leiomyomas have been diagnosed during pregnancy 7,8 and in a woman with a previous hysterectomy. 9 Diagnostic imaging modalities used include both transabdominal and transvaginal sonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.10-12 Although asymptomatic, nonobstructive, and nonproblematic leiomyomas may be managed expectantly, treatment is surgical by a transurethral approach, laparoscopy, or laparotomy 1-4 We present color Doppler imaging and 3-dimensional sonographic findings of a woman with a urinary bladder leiomyoma.

Background Prior studies suggest associations between fetal exposure to antimicrobial and paraben compounds with adverse reproductive outcomes, mainly in animal models. We have previously reported elevated levels of these compounds for a cohort of mothers and neonates. Objective We examined the relationship between human exposure to parabens and antimicrobial compounds and birth outcomes including birth weight, body length and head size, and gestational age at birth. Methods Maternal third trimester urinary and umbilical cord blood plasma concentrations of methylparaben (MePB), ethylparaben (EtPB), propylparaben (PrPB), butylparaben (BuPB), benzylparaben (BePB), triclosan (2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxydiphenyl ether or TCS) and triclocarban (1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl) urea or TCC), were measured in 185 mothers and 34 paired singleton neonates in New York, 2007–2009. Results In regression models adjusting for confounders, adverse exposure-outcome associations observed included increased odds of PTB (BuPB), decreased gestational age at birth (BuPB and TCC) and birth weight (BuPB), decreased body length (PrPB) and protective effects on PTB (BePB) and LBW (3′-Cl-TCC) ( p Conclusions This study provides the first evidence of associations between antimicrobials and potential adverse birth outcomes in neonates. Findings are consistent with animal data suggesting endocrine-disrupting potential resulting in developmental and reproductive toxicity.

Prenatal sonographic diagnoses of subcutaneous soft tissue masses include hemangiomas, malformations (capillary, lymphatic, venous, arterial, or mixed), teratomas, and, rarely, sarcomas. 1-5 Prenatally depicted malformations may be seen in association with more complex fetal conditions, including Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber (angio-osteohypertrophy) and Proteus syndromes.6"9 We present an unusual case in which extensive multiple soft tissue tumors encompassing the fetal upper chest, back, nuchal area, and bilateral axillae, considered consistent with multiple large lymphatic malformations noted at 23 weeks' gestation, decreased in size throughout the remainder of gestation. At delivery, relatively small subcutaneous masses remained. Tissue histopathologic findings obtained at biopsy and the neonate's clinical course during which the subcutaneous masses underwent a marked spontaneous decrease in size, were consistent with low-flow mixed lymphatic and venous malformations.

The differential diagnosis of highly vascular, intramural lesions of the myometrium Includes arteriovenous malformation, gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, hemangiomata, sarcoma, and interstitial pregnancy. We present an unusual case in which a patient with irregular uterine hemorrhage in the presence of increasing serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels exhibited transvaginal sonographic and color Doppler imaging findings considered consistent with an interstitial pregnancy. After laparoscopy and curettage yielded normal findings but with the continuously rising serum β-hCG levels and the concern for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, the patient underwent vaginal hysterectomy. Histopathologic findings confirmed choriocarcinoma.

The purpose of this study is to assess whether serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) levels on day 4 following methotrexate (MTX) treatment in patients with ectopic pregnancy predict successful single-dose therapy or the need for subsequent surgical intervention. Retrospective analysis of patients with ectopic pregnancies treated with MTX (50 mg/m (2)) was conducted. Inclusion criteria for MTX management were serum beta-hCG < 15,000 mU/mL, absent fetal cardiac activity, ultrasonographic gestational sac < 3.5 cm, normal liver function tests, hemodynamically stable patient with no evidence of hemoperitoneum, and informed consent. Day 1, 4, and 7 serum beta-hCG levels were obtained. Outcome parameters included successful single-dose MTX management, the requirement for multiple treatments, and whether subsequent surgery was required. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used. P < 0.05 was considered significant throughout. Eighty-three patients were studied. Of these, 60 patients were treated successfully with single doses, 16 patients required two doses, and two patients required three doses of MTX, and five underwent surgical management. Mean day 1 serum beta-hCG levels of patients successfully treated with single-dose MTX was 3938.5 (+/- 589.2 [standard deviation]) versus 1767.65 (+/- 1237.8) mU/mL in patients requiring multiple doses of MTX therapy, ( P < 0.0001). ROC curves for serum beta-hCG levels on days 1, 4, and 7 were 0.449, 0.592, and 0.754, respectively, indicating that only day 7 serum beta-hCG levels were associated with successful single-dose MTX therapy. Serum beta-hCG levels on day 4 of MTX in patients with ectopic pregnancy do not predict successful single-dose therapy or the need for surgery.

Germ cell tumors are most commonly located within the gonads. 1 Rare extragondal locations of these tumors include the retroperitoneum, mediastinum, sacrococcygeum, and central nervous system and are considered to result from aberrant migration of germ cells from the yolk sac during fetal development. 1 - 3 We present the transvaginal sonographic diagnosis of a large retroperitoneal pelvic epidermoid cyst (monodermal teratoma).

Physiologic dilatation of the maternal urinary collecting system occurs in more than 80% of gravidas by mid gestation. 1 Caliceal and ureteral dilation are more common on the right, and, similarly, the degree of caliceal dilatation is more pronounced on the right (15 versus 5 mm). 2 Although most women with hydronephrosis during pregnancy are asymptomatic, a few may have clinical signs and symptoms related to the upper urinary system. 3 When left-sided hydronephrosis is greater than the right, particularly if the patient is symptomatic, the likelihood of a pathologic condition, especially obstructive, should be considered. We present an unusual case in which a large left upper abdominal cystic structure depicted sonographically at mid gestation, initially considered consistent with an ovarian cyst, resulted from marked maternal ureteropelvic obstruction and required nephrostomy.

Objective To assess whether fetal cerebral vascular resistance is affected by the presence of nuchal cord(s) in the third trimester. Methods A set of 115 patients with well-established dates and singleton, appropriate for gestational age (GA), nonanomalous fetuses with nuchal cord(s) diagnosed with prenatalcolorDopplerimaging,between28and41 weeks and 115 controls matched for GA, were studied. Patients with hypertension, diabetes and autoimmune conditions were excluded. Doppler indices were obtained from the umbilical artery (UA) and the fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) upon initial diagnosis of the nuchal cord. Results Of 115 GA-matched pairs of pregnancies, 103 fetuses had a single nuchal cord and 12 a double nuchal cord. No significant differences were noted in patient age, gravidity, parity, sonographically estimated fetal weight (SEFW), and growth centile at ultrasonographic diagnosis. Mean UA systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D) was 2.28 ± 0.32 and 2.36 ± 0.33 (P = 0.03) and UA resistance index (RI) 0.55 ± 0.06 and 0.57 ± 0.06 (P = 0.02) among study and controls, respectively. Mean fetal MCA S/D and RI did not differ significantly between the two groups (fetal MCA S/D 5.01 ± 1.28 and 5.04 ± 1.71 (P = 0.86), and mean fetal MCA RI 0.78 ± 0.06 and 0.78 ± 0.05 (P = 0.88)). No significant differences were noted in GA at delivery, incidence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, birth weight, mode of delivery, neonatal gender, 1 and 5 minute Apgar scores, or UA pH and base excess, between study and control patients. Conclusion Fetal cerebral vascular resistance is not affected by the presence of nuchal cord(s) in the third trimester of pregnancy. Copyright  2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Objective To assess the feasibility of sonographic depiction of the fetal hard palate and secondarily to create nomograms throughout gestation of its sonographic width, length and area. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of pregnant patients between 15 and 41 weeks' gestation. Inclusion criteria consisted of well-established dates (confirmed by early ultrasound), and singleton, non-anomalous fetuses. Sonographic measurements obtained included biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length. Fetal hard palate measurements included maximum width, maximum length and the calculated area. Tables were prepared depicting the estimated mean ± SD and 5th, 50th and 95th centiles at each gestational week between 15 and 41 weeks. Pearson's correlation coefficient and associated P-values for the relationships between fetal hard palate measurements and other sonographic measurements and coefficients of variation for each of the fetal hard palate measurements were calculated. Results The study included 602 consecutive patients. The mean maternal age was 28.7 ± 6.3 years, with median gravidity of 2 (range, 1–12) and parity 1 (range, 0–8). All attempts at obtaining fetal hard palate ultrasound measurements were successful. Mean fetal hard palate width (cm) = −0.73579345 + 0.11370432 × GA − 0.00083919 × GA2 and SD = −0.017842055 + 0.005142475 × GA, where GA is gestational age in weeks. Mean fetal hard palate length (cm) = −0.82020463 + 0.11767777 × GA − 0.00092801 × GA2 and SD = −0.043064317 + 0.006378869 × GA. Mean fetal hard palate area (cm2) = −2.40090641 + 0.17136556 × GA + 0.00097308 × GA2 and SD = −0.603647741 + 0.040740282 × GA. Sonographic measurements of the fetal hard palate width, length and area correlated significantly and strongly with gestational age (all P < 0.001) and significantly but less strongly with femur length (P = 0.004). Conclusion The fetal hard palate may be depicted sonographically with relative ease between 15 and 41 weeks' gestation and measurements of the fetal hard palate width, length and area correlate well with gestational age, biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference, sonographic estimated fetal weight, and femur length. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Cervical pregnancy is an uncommon ectopic pregnancy that accounts for approximately