Fetal midgut volvulus: report of eight cases.

Objective: To evaluate whether prenatal diagnosis of intestinal midgut volvulus (a rare condition due to the small bowel loops twisting) can improve the prognosis of the newborns.

Methods: In our Prenatal Diagnosis Center, eight cases of intestinal volvulus observed between 2007 and 2014 were retrospectively considered. Ultrasonographic signs can be direct and specific (whirlpool sign, coffee bean sign) or indirect and non-specific (abdominal mass, dilated bowel loops, pseudocysts, ascites, polyhydramnios).

Trisomy 18: Fetal ultrasound findings at different gestational ages.

The aim of this article is evaluate the sonograhic findings in fetuses with trisomy 18 at different gestational ages. The cases were recruited from pregnant women, who underwent to prenatal diagnosis in the period from October 1995 to September 2006. Seventy-one fetuses with trisomy 18 were diagnosed.

Synthesis and evaluation of antifungal activity of naphthoquinone derivatives.

3-Arylamino-2-phenylsulfinylnaphthoquinones, 2,3-diarylthio-naphthoquinones and 2-phenylsulfinyl-3-arylthio-1,4-dihydronaphtalenes are synthesized and tested against five fungi. The activities of these products were better than amphotericine B against all the strains except for Candida albicans.

Fetal nasal bone and trisomy 21 in the second trimester.

Objectives: To assess the feasibility of measuring nasal bone length in the second trimester of pregnancy and to confirm if fetal nasal bone absence or hypoplasia is a marker for Down syndrome.

Methods: Fetal nasal bone assessment was performed in 439 consecutive singleton pregnancies at high risk of Down syndrome between 15 and 21 weeks. All ultrasound examinations were performed transabdominally by five skilled sonographers.

Anomalies of the fetal venous system: a report of 26 cases and review of the literature.

Objective: To evaluate sonographic appearance, natural history, and neonatal outcome of fetal venous anomalies.

Methods: We performed an observational study, including all fetuses affected by abnormalities of the venous system diagnosed by ultrasound during the prenatal period.

Results: 26 fetuses were identified.