In-utero evaluation of the fetal umbilical-portal venous system among fetuses with persistent right umbilical vein: Two-and three-dimensional ultrasonographic study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the anatomy of the portal system in fetuses with persistent right umbilical vein (PRUV).

Methods: Prospective observational study of fetuses diagnosed with PRUV. All patients underwent a comprehensive portal system anatomy scan supplemented by two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) color doppler modalities.

Dynamic esophageal patency assessment: an effective method for prenatally diagnosing esophageal atresia.

Background: Esophageal atresia is a major anomaly with a low prenatal detection rate. We propose a sonographic method termed dynamic esophageal patency assessment.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the feasibility and performance of the dynamic esophageal patency assessment in a high-risk population.

Diaphanospondylodysostosis: Refining the prenatal diagnosis of a rare skeletal disorder.

Diaphanospondylodysostosis (DSD) is a rare autosomal recessive skeletal disorder, characterized mainly by ossification defects in vertebrae, thorax malformations, renal cystic dysplasia and usually death in the perinatal period. DSD is caused by mutations in the bone morphogenetic protein-binding endothelial regulator (BMPER) gene. We describe the prenatal findings of a non-consanguineous Jewish couple (shared Balkan origin), with three affected fetuses that presented with malformations in the spine and chest, reduced ossification of the skull and spine, horseshoe kidney and increased nuchal translucency.

The added value of f-TAPSE in the surveillance of pregnancies complicated by fetal and placental tumors.

Introduction: Fetal and placental tumors are associated with high prevalence of obstetrical complications and poor fetal outcome. The aim of our study was to assess the added value of serial fetal Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (f-TAPSE) measurements for monitoring cardiac function in cases of fetal and placental tumors.

Methods: Serial measurements of f-TAPSE were performed prospectively in fetuses referred for fetal and placental tumors.

Early Diagnosis of Bladder Exstrophy: Quantitative Assessment of a Low-Inserted Umbilical Cord.

Objectives: Bladder exstrophy is a rare severe congenital malformation. Early prenatal diagnosis is scarcely described in the literature. Low insertion of the umbilical cord is a constant anatomic feature of bladder exstrophy.

Prenatal Anogenital Distance Is Shorter in Fetuses With Hypospadias.

Objectives: Recent research provides evidence that anogenital distance may serve as a novel metric to assess reproductive potential in men. In children, a shorter anogenital distance was linked with cryptorchidism, hypospadias, and micropenis. Scarce data exist in the literature regarding anogenital distance measurement in the fetus.

Detailed transabdominal fetal anatomic scanning in the late first trimester versus the early second trimester of pregnancy.

Objectives: To compare visualization rates for early targeted organ scanning at gestational ages ranging from 11 weeks 3 days to 13 weeks 2 days versus 14 weeks 3 days to 16 weeks 2 days.

Methods: We conducted a prospective longitudinal study of patients who presented for nuchal translucency (NT) screening and targeted organ scanning. Extended targeted organ scanning, including the central nervous system, face and neck, chest, heart (including complete echocardiography), digestive system, abdominal wall, urinary system, skeleton, and umbilical cord with its insertion and placenta, was performed on gravidas in 2 age ranges.

Three-dimensional and four-dimensional ultrasound applications in fetal medicine.

Purpose Of Review: To describe the state of the science of three-dimensional/four-dimensional ultrasound (3D/4DUS) applications to fetal medicine.

Recent Findings: 3D/4DUS applications are many and varied. Their use in fetal medicine varies with the nature of the tissue to be imaged and the challenges each organ system presents, versus the advantages of each ultrasound application.

Fetal head circumference and length of second stage of labor are risk factors for levator ani muscle injury, diagnosed by 3-dimensional transperineal ultrasound in primiparous women.

Objective: We evaluated rate of levator ani muscle (LAM) avulsion among primiparae using 3-dimensional transperineal ultrasound to identify possible risk factors for such trauma.

Study Design: We conducted a prospective observational study. Three-dimensional transperineal ultrasound was performed on all subjects.

First and early second trimester fetal heart screening.

Purpose Of Review: This review describes the recent advances in timing and effectiveness of first and early second trimester fetal echocardiography screening.

Recent Findings: Fetal echocardiography can now be reliably performed from 11 weeks' gestation owing to improvements in ultrasound transducers and processors. Three-dimensional and four-dimensional ultrasound modalities in image acquisition and postprocessing analysis, including spatio-temporal image correlation, rendering three-dimensional power Doppler and high definition power flow Doppler, and B-flow have further improved our capabilities in this area.

Three-dimensional power Doppler (3DPD) ultrasound in the diagnosis and follow-up of fetal vascular anomalies.

Objective: This study was undertaken to examine the value of 3-dimensional power Doppler (3DPD) ultrasound imaging in diagnosis and follow-up of fetal vascular anomalies.

Study Design: In 174 women undergoing early second-trimester targeted organ scanning, followed by a midtrimester second scan in a university hospital setting, 3DPD was applied to the fetal intra-abdominal and intrathoracic vessels.

Results: In 137 of 174 fetuses (75%) in the earlier scan, and in 164 of 174 fetuses (95%) in the later scan, 3DPD ultrasound successfully visualized the fetal vessels.