Ultrasound diagnosis of hematotrachelos: a case report.

Hematotrachelos, the engorgement of the cervix uteri with retained blood, is discussed with reference to clinical presentation, ultrasonographic findings, and etiologies. Other disease processes related to hematotrachelos such as hematometra, hematocolpos, and hydrocolpos are also reviewed.

Early diagnosis of placenta previa.

Ultrasound was used as a diagnostic tool in 859 patients for the localization of the placenta in the second trimester prior to genetic amniocentesis. A greater incidence of total placenta previa was found in the study group (5.6%) than is reported for the general population (0.

Second trimester placenta previa. An apparently normal placentation.

Placental positions in 214 patients scheduled for genetic amniocentesis were reviewed. Forty-five percent were found to have ultrasound findings of a low-lying placenta or partial or total placenta previa. At term, none of these patients required intervention for bleeding or placenta previa.

The gray scale appearance of the normal pregnancy from 4 to 16 weeks of gestation.

Since the advent of gray scale, more detail is available on sonograms and the products of conception are more readily seen. The gestational sac can be seen at about the fifth week of gestation and the fetal parts can be recognized around the seventh week of gestation. The gestational sac, fetal parts, and the placenta can be followed all the way through pregnancy without any "blind periods.

Recognition of the hydropic fetus by gray scale ultrasound.

The use of gray scale B mode provides more effective visualization for sonographic evaluation of fetal ascities. Two cases of severely Rh isoimmunized fetuses with hydrops and one fetus with hydrops secondary to chylous ascites are presented to show the ultrasonic features of diagnosis of fetal edema and ascities. Thus, ultrasonic evaluation in known cases of Rh isoimmunization or diabetes provides additional information on the status of the fetus in utero and rapid recognition of fetal hydrops.