Prediction of Fetal Biliary Atresia Based on Second and Third-Trimester Ultrasound Characteristics.

Objective:  To explore the diagnostic performance of prenatal ultrasound in the prediction of biliary atresia (BA).

Methods:  We prospectively collected cases of suspected biliary abnormalities in the 2 trimester of pregnancy and performed a series (at least 3) of prenatal ultrasound examinations in the 2 and 3 trimester. The presence of the gallbladder was examined each time, and its size and shape were assessed if the gallbladder was visible.

Non-invasive dynamic observation of placental vascular anastomoses in monochorionic twins: Assessment using three-dimensional sonography combined with tomographic ultrasound imaging.

Introduction: Three-dimensional (3D) sonography combined with tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI) to observe placental vascular anastomoses in monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies was evaluated.

Methods: Women with MCDA twin pregnancies at a gestational age of 16-32 weeks were enrolled in this retrospective study. Placental anastomoses were detected using two-dimensional (2D) and 3D sonography.

TAZ and myostatin involved in muscle atrophy of congenital neurogenic clubfoot.

Background: Muscular atrophy is the basic defect of neurogenic clubfoot. Muscle atrophy of clubfoot needs more scientific and reasonable imaging measurement parameters to evaluate. The Hippo pathway and myostatin pathway may be directly correlated in myogenesis.

Evaluation of right ventricular volume and systolic function in normal fetuses using intelligent spatiotemporal image correlation.

Background: Heart defects are the most common congenital malformations in fetuses. Fetal cardiac structure and function abnormalities lead to changes in ventricular volume. As ventricular volume is an important index for evaluating fetal cardiovascular development, an effective and reliable method for measuring fetal ventricular volume and cardiac function is necessary for accurate ultrasonic diagnosis and effective clinical treatment.

Dilated cavum septi pellucidi as sole prenatal ultrasound defect: Case-base analysis of fetal outcomes.

Objectives: This retrospective study was undertaken to examine fetuses with dilated cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) as an isolated finding and to identify factors impacting postnatal outcomes.

Study Design: Fully documented cases of dilated CSP as a sole prenatal defect were selected for study. Recorded data included serial sonographic examinations, fetal MRI studies, chromosomal testing, screening for infection, and postnatal follow-up.

An investigation of the standardization of fetal cavum septi pellucidi measurements using three-dimensional volumes of the fetal head.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure the maximal width, middle width, and length of the cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) in normal fetuses, and compare these measurements obtained in the transthalamic (TT) plane with those obtained in the transventricular (TV) plane.

Method: A prospective study was conducted of normal singleton fetuses, ranging from 18 to 36 weeks in gestational age. In each case, a three-dimensional volume of the fetal head was obtained in the TT plane for further offline measurements, then the maximal width, middle width, and length of the CSP in both the TT and TV planes were measured.

Utility of indirect sonographic signs (including cavum septum pellucidum ratio) in midgestational screening for partial agenesis of corpus callosum.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of indirect sonographic signs in detecting partial agenesis of the corpus callosum (pACC) at midgestation, focusing on the cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) ratio.

Methods: A retrospective case-controlled study of singleton pregnancies was conducted, examining fetuses diagnosed with isolated pACC and normal controls. At midgestational age, fetal head volumes were imaged with 3D US and stored for the evaluation of indirect sonographic findings in axial planes.

Relationships of serum placental growth factor and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 with fetal and uterine artery Doppler indices in pre-eclampsia.

Objective: To compare serum placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) concentrations among women with pre-eclampsia and healthy control women and to evaluate the associations of serum PlGF and sFlt-1 with fetal and uterine artery Doppler indices in pre-eclampsia.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study of 33 women with pre-eclampsia and 33 normotensive pregnant women attending a university hospital in China between January and November 2014. Serum PlGF and sFlt-1 were assayed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays.

Three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound evaluation of placental blood flow in normal monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies.

Background: Monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies are at higher risk of adverse outcomes and complications, which are attributed to the influence of placental morphology in MCDA twins. Monitoring of placental function is an important index for clinical decisions. The aim of our study was to evaluate the placental blood flow estimated using three-dimensional power Doppler (3D-PD) ultrasound and the vascular indices distribution with gestational age (GA) in normal MCDA twin pregnancies.

Carotid arterial wall stiffness correlates positively with impedance of the umbilical and uterine arteries in women with preeclampsia.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether the stiffness of the arterial walls of women with preeclampsia (PE) differs from that of healthy controls and to evaluate its association with fetal and uterine artery Doppler variables and perinatal outcomes in PE.

Methods: We enrolled 30 women with PE and 30 normotensive pregnant women. Carotid artery stiffness and Doppler variables of the uterine, umbilical, and fetal middle cerebral arteries and the ductus venosus were measured in both groups.

A method for quantitative 2-dimensional sonographic analysis of the fetal conus medullaris position.

Objective: This study explored the use of 2-dimensional (2D) ultrasound scans for the quantitative assessment of the fetal conus medullaris (CM) position and its correlation with gestational age (GA).

Methods: This was a prospective study. We identified the first sacral vertebra (S1) by intersection of 2 lines in 2D scans, then counted upward from S1 to determine the CM level and recorded the number of ossified sacral vertebral bodies.

Presence of chromosomal abnormalities in fetuses with isolated ventriculomegaly on prenatal ultrasound in China.

Background: The purpose of our study was to compare the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities of fetuses with isolated fetal ventriculomegaly (VM) to that of fetuses with the sole risk factor of being born to mothers of advanced age.

Method: This prospective study included two groups. Group 1 included fetuses with isolated VM and were further categorized according to maternal age, fetal gender, laterality of VM (unilateral or bilateral), evolution of VM (resolved or persistent or progressive), and the gestational age at the time of diagnosis (<28w or ≥28w).

Quantitative assessment of placental perfusion by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound for twins with selective intrauterine growth restriction in one twin.

Objective: We quantitatively assessed placental perfusion using three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound for twins with selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR) in one twin.

Study Design: A prospective cross-sectional study was performed for 104 normal monochorionic diamniotic twins and 30 twins with sIUGR. Twins with sIUGR were divided into two groups: in group I (19 twins), both fetuses had continuous forward end-diastolic blood flow in the umbilical artery; in group II (11 twins), the smaller fetus had a loss or a reverse end-diastolic blood flow in the umbilical artery, but the larger fetus had continuous forward end-diastolic blood flow.

Measurement of normal fetal cerebellar vermis at 24-32 weeks of gestation by transabdominal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging: A prospective comparative study.

Objectives: Fetal cerebellar vermis may be assessed by ultrasound (US) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and median-plane views are best for evaluation. The purpose of this study was to compare measurements of normal fetal vermis at 24-32 weeks of gestation obtained in median plane by transabdominal 2D-US, 3D-US, and MRI.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted, examining normal singleton fetuses between 24 and 32 weeks of gestation.

Prenatal Assessment of the Position of Fetal Conus Medullaris as a Predictor of Fetal Spinal Lesions.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare two different methods in assessment of the position of fetal conus medullaris (CM) and to explore the significance for assessment of CM.

Methods: This study included both normal fetuses and those with the diagnosis of fetal spinal lesions. The position of fetal CM was performed sonographically using two methods: location of CM in relation to the vertebral body (CM level) and measurement of the conus sacrum (CS) distance.

The Value of Prenatal Ultrasonographic Diagnosis of Diastematomyelia.

Objectives: To evaluate the value of prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of diastematomyelia, and to provide a basis for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of fetal diastematomyelia.

Methods: Four fetuses with suspected diastematomyelia based on prenatal ultrasonography are presented. Detailed prenatal ultrasonography was performed to examine spinal cord abnormalities.

Identification of fetal cardiac anatomy and hemodynamics: a novel enhanced screening protocol.

Background: Prenatal cardiac screening is of great importance as it contributes to appropriate neonatal management and helps parents to make a decision regarding their pregnancy. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficiency of a newly proposed screening protocol in the detection of fetal congenital heart disease (CHD).

Methods: This was a prospective study.

Abnormal Connection of the Ductus Venosus to a Dilated Coronary Sinus Imaged by Prenatal Echocardiography: Case Report.

We describe a case of a fetus with an ectopic connection of the ductus venosus to a dilated coronary sinus that was diagnosed at ShengJing Hospital of China Medical University. A dilated coronary sinus was initially detected with prenatal echocardiography. Neither a persistent left superior vena cava nor an anomalous pulmonary venous connection was present.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Fetal Interrupted Aortic Arch Type A by Two-Dimensional Echocardiography and Four-Dimensional Echocardiography with B-Flow Imaging and Spatiotemporal Image Correlation.

Background: Fetal interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a rare cardiac anomaly and its prenatal diagnosis is challenging. The purpose of our report is to evaluate the use of two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and 4D echocardiography with B-flow imaging and spatiotemporal image correlation (4D BF-STIC) in detecting IAA type A (IAA-A).

Materials & Methods: Twenty-three cases of confirmed IAA-A identified by fetal echocardiography were involved in the study.

Evaluation of the development of the fetal anal sphincter with tomography ultrasonography imaging.

The aim of the study described here was to examine the potential of tomography ultrasonography imaging (TUI) in evaluation of the fetal anal sphincter. In this prospective cross-sectional study of the fetal anal sphincter with TUI, 326 singleton pregnancies (mean age = 28 y, range: 22-38 y) were scanned at 19-40 wk of gestation. The fetal anal region and ischium were revealed in 320 of 326 patients (98.

Evaluation of normal fetal ductus venosus using B-flow imaging with spatiotemporal image correlation and traditional color Doppler echocardiography.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of using four-dimensional echocardiography with B-flow and spatiotemporal image correlation (4DBF-STIC) imaging technology to detect fetal ductus venosus (DV), and establish the normal reference range for the ductus venosus diameter at 18-40 weeks gestation.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study to detect the DV in 354 normal fetuses at 18-40 weeks of gestation using color Doppler echocardiography (CDE) and 4DBF-STIC imaging. CDE was performed on an oblique transverse plane of the fetal abdomen, with scanning around the long-axis view of the aortic arch.

Four-dimensional echocardiography with spatiotemporal image correlation and inversion mode for detection of congenital heart disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of 4-D echocardiography with inversion mode and spatiotemporal image correlation (IM-STIC) in the detection of normal and abnormal fetal hearts. We retrospectively studied 112 normal fetuses and 16 fetuses with a confirmed diagnosis of congenital heart disease. Two volumes were acquired from each of the fetuses using transverse and sagittal sweeps.

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal unilateral lung agenesis complicated with cardiac malposition.

Background: Fetal unilateral lung agenesis, complicated with cardiac shifting, is a rare anomaly, the diagnosis of which remains a challenge for many sonographers in routine screening programs. The present study describes a systematic approach for the diagnosis of fetal unilateral lung agenesis and cardiac malpositions in routine prenatal screening.

Methods: A total of 18 cases of fetal unilateral lung agenesis complicated with cardiac malposition were reviewed.

Value of 3-dimensional sonography for prenatal diagnosis of vertebral formation failure.

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to explore the value of 3-dimensional sonography for diagnosis of vertebral formation failure in the developing fetus and to formulate antenatal sonographic diagnostic criteria for suspected vertebral formation failure based on a comparison of sonographic characteristics of the disorder with normal sonographic findings and other imaging data.

Methods: This study included sonographic data from 30 healthy fetuses and 13 fetuses suspected to have vertebral formation failure. Three-dimensional reconstruction of sagittal sections of the physiologic curves of the cervicothoracic and lumbosacral regions of the healthy fetuses was performed, and reconstruction was also performed on selected areas of interest when vertebral malformation was suspected.