Reproducibility of renal volume measurement in adults using 3-dimensional sonography.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the interobserver reproducibility of renal volume measurement performed by 3-dimensional (3D) sonography.

Methods: We conducted an exploratory, quantitative, observational, and descriptive cross-sectional study. We calculated ranges, means, and standard deviations of the renal volumes obtained with 3D sonography by 2 different examiners from a sample of 30 patients.

Assessment of fetal behavior using four-dimensional ultrasonography: current knowledge and perspectives.

In the last decades, the development of real-time ultrasonography has allowed the direct view of the fetus in the uterus, as well as assessing its activity. The advent of three-dimensional ultrasonography (3D) at the end of the 80s initiated a new era in diagnostic imaging for Obstetrics, dramatically increasing the possibility of studying the fetus. Recently, a new technique allowing the 3D image to be transformed into real-time was introduced: the four-dimensional (4D) ultrasonography.

Radiological findings in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by recurrent upper airway obstruction occurring at the level of the pharynx during sleep. Although cephalometric analysis is an important method in the diagnosis of craniofacial deformities, CT and magnetic resonance imaging have been highlighted as the major imaging methods to investigate the possible causes of OSA, which, in most cases, is multifactorial. Magnetic resonance and CT both allow an excellent evaluation of the various anatomical planes of the site of obstruction, which enables better clinical assessment and surgical approach.

Short cervix syndrome: current knowledge from etiology to the control.

Background: Preterm delivery is one of the most serious public health problems and is the most important factor relating to neonatal morbidity and mortality. The strategies for preventing it include understanding the risk factors, with specific interventions. Recently, uterine cervix measurements using ultrasonography and vaginal administration of progesterone have gained importance in predicting and secondarily preventing spontaneous preterm delivery.

Reproducibility of three-dimensional power Doppler placental vascular indices in pregnancies between 26 and 35 weeks.

Purpose: Assess intra and interobserver reproducibility of three-dimensional power Doppler (3DPD) placental vascular indices in normal pregnancies between 26 and 35 weeks.

Methods: Thirty 3D volumes were captured by one observer and stored for analysis. Vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI) were calculated from the spherical placental tissue samples obtained through the automatic Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis (VOCAL).

Placental blood flow measured by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound at 26 to 35 weeks gestation in normal pregnancies.

Objective: To evaluate placental vascular indices, in pregnancies between 26 and 35 weeks, using three-dimensional power Doppler (3DPD) ultrasound and the effect of placental location on these indices.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 283 patients. The placental vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization and flow index (VFI) was obtained using the VOCAL program.

Embryo vascularization by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography at 7-10 weeks of pregnancy.

Aim: Assess vascular indices of 7-10 week embryos using three-dimensional power Doppler (3DPD) and correlate them with the crown-rump length (CRL).

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 65 healthy pregnancies between 7 and 10 weeks. The three-dimensional volume of the embryo was obtained using an endocavitary volumetric transducer and the VOCAL (Virtual Organ Computer-aided Analysis) method, with a 12 degree rotation angle and 15 sequential planes.

[Prediction of birth weight by three-dimensional ultrasonography using fetal upper arm volume: preliminary results].

Purpose: to evaluate the accuracy of fetal upper arm volume, using three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS), in the prediction of birth weight.

Methods: this prospective cross-sectional study involved 25 pregnancies without structural or chromosomal anomalies. Bidimensional parameters (biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference and femur length) and the 3DUS fetal upper arm volume were obtained in the last 48 hours before delivery.

Nomogram of fetal middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity at 23-35 weeks of gestation in a Brazilian population: pilot study.

Objective: To establish normative data for the peak systolic velocity of the middle cerebral artery (MCA-PSV) of fetuses in the second half of pregnancy using multiples of the median and percentile reference range.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 90 healthy fetuses at between 23 and 35 weeks of gestation. A bi-dimensional axial scan of the brain, including the thalami and cavitas septi pellucidi was obtained.

Comparison of the two-dimensional and multiplanar methods and establishment of a new constant for the measurement of fetal lung volume.

Objectives: To compare the two-dimensional (2D) and multiplanar methods in the measurement of lung volume in normal fetuses, to obtain a new constant to be incorporated into the 2D equation, and to apply the new equation in fetuses with pulmonary hypoplasia (PH) confirmed postnatally.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 51 pregnant women at between 20 and 35 weeks of gestation. The ellipsoid formula (x x y x z x 0.

Placenta: angiogenesis and vascular assessment through three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography.

The placenta is fundamental for fetal development. It combines the functions of an endocrine organ, kidneys, lungs and intestines, purifying catabolites, oxygenating and nourishing the conceptus. Its fetal portion is the largest part develops from the chorionic sac.

Correlation of the fetal cerebellar volume with other fetal growth indices by three-dimensional ultrasound.

Objective: To verify the correlation of fetal cerebellar volume by three-dimensional ultrasound (3D US) with other indices of fetal growth in normal fetuses.

Methods: This was a longitudinal prospective study involving 52 normal pregnant women between 20 and 32 weeks of gestation. The assessments of the fetal cerebellar volume were carried out at intervals of two weeks, and the method used was VOCAL (virtual organ computer-aided analysis) with a 30 degrees rotation angle.

Ultrasound assessment of the fetal biophysical profile: what does an radiologist need to know?

Proposed by Frank Manning about 26 years ago, fetal biophysical profile has been incorporated to the propaedeutics of non-invasive fetal well being assessment in high-risk gestations. Despite the existence of other methods for assessing fetal vitality, as Doppler flowmetry, the biophysical profile continues to be important in estimating the risk of hypoxia and perinatal morbimortality for those fetuses. In the present article, the authors review the regulatory mechanisms of fetal biophysical activities, as well as physiological and pathological factors that interfere with them.

Comparison of two- and three-dimensional ultrasonography in lung volume measurement of normal fetuses.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the two- and three-dimensional methods for measuring fetal lung volume of normal fetuses.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 51 normal pregnant women between 20 and 35 weeks. The ellipsoid formula (X*Y*Z*0.

Postnatal evaluation of schizencephaly by transfontanellar three-dimensional sonography.

Schizencephaly is a rare anomaly of neuronal migration characterized by the presence of brain clefts that communicate with the lateral ventricles. Type I is characterized by clefts with fused lips or margins, not communicating with the subarachnoid space. Type II is characterized by longer clefts that communicate with the subarachnoid space.

Comparison of two- and three-dimensional ultrasonography in the evaluation of fetal heart: image quality and time spent in the exam.

Objectives: To compare fetal heart evaluation done through two-dimensional (2DUS) and three-dimensional ultrasonography (3DUS) as to optimal plane imaging, image quality, and time needed to perform the examination.

Methods: Prospective study involving 12 normal pregnant women, with gestational ages ranging from 22 to 26 weeks, scanned with a VOLUSON 730 with a convex 4.0-7.

Reference intervals for the cross sectional area of the umbilical cord during gestation.

Objective: To establish reference values for the sonographic cross-sectional area of the umbilical cord during gestation and to correlate them with fetal anthropometric parameters.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed involving 312 normal pregnant women at gestational ages 24-39 weeks. Measurement of the cross-sectional area of umbilical cord was performed on a plane adjacent to the insertion of the cord into fetal abdomen.

Diagnosis of uteroperitoneal fistula through color Doppler hysterosonography.

Introduction: Uterine fistulas are infrequent pathologic entities characterized by abnormal communication of the uterus with any other organ or structure through a perforation formed due to traumatic and infectious conditions among others. The use of hysterosonography as method of diagnosis for that pathologic entity has few descriptions in medical literature. MEDLINE search resulted in only two cases reporting the use of HS in the diagnosis of uterine fistula.

XI VOCAL (eXtended Imaging VOCAL): a new modality for three-dimensional sonographic volume measurement.

Introduction: The important technological evolutions that three-dimensional ultrasonography devices have gone through in the last years have brought great benefits for the volumetric measurement of fetal organs and structures. In clinical practice, three-dimensional volumetry has helped to identify abnormalities in fetal compartment and other related organs, assisting in the diagnosis and risk estimation of several pathological conditions in fetal medicine.

Aim: The authors describe a new methodology for volumetric calculation through three-dimensional ultrasonography called eXtended Imaging VOCAL (XI VOCAL), which is part of the software Three-dimensional eXtended Imaging (3DXI).

Treatment of twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence by septostomy and amniodrainage: a case report.

Introduction: An acardiac fetus is the most severe malformation seen in humans. It is an extremely rare complication, occurring in approximately 1% of all monozygotic twin gestations, with an incidence of about 1 in 35,000 births. This malformation happens as a result of the syndrome of reversed arterial perfusion of the acardiac twin from the other normal fetus (pump twin), due to the presence of arterio-arterial anastomoses in a monochorionic placenta.

[Diagnosis of uterine synechiae in patients with recurrent miscarriages: contribution of transvaginal hysterosonography].

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of uterine synechiae in patients with recurrent miscarriages and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound and of hysterosonography.

Methods: Sixty non-pregnant patients with a history of at least three previous consecutive miscarriages were evaluated by transvaginal ultrasound, hysterosonography and hysteroscopy to detect uterine synechiae. Hysteroscopy was considered the gold standard.

Septostomy with amniodrainage in the treatment of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: a 16-case report.

Objective: To report the treatment results of 16 monochorionic and diamniotic gestations cases, which had complications due to the twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), the neonatal and other possible complications of the septostomy associated to the amniodrainage.

Method: Based on ultrasonographic findings, 16 pregnant women were diagnosed with the twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). These cases were divided in two groups: one of them included the fetuses without hydrops and the second included the "recipient" fetuses with hydrops.

[Discordant nuchal translucency in monochorionic twin pregnancy. A case report].

The twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome is a serious anomaly occurring from vessels anastomosis between the fetal-planetary circulations of monochorionic twin pregnancies with a high perinatal morbidity and mortality. In the first trimester, the presence of discordant increase of the nuchal translucency associated a reverse blood flow in the ductus venosus are marks of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. In this report, we related a case of monochorionic twin pregnancy in the first trimester in that the first diagnostic signal this syndrome was an increase of the measurement of nuchal translucency, associated the reverse blood flow in the ductus venosus of receiving fetus.