Prenatal diagnosis and outcome of fetuses with isolated agenesis of septum pellucidum: cohort study and meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the postnatal outcome of children with a prenatal diagnosis of apparently isolated agenesis of the septum pellucidum (ASP).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of cases of prenatally diagnosed ASP followed in two tertiary centers and a meta-analysis combining data from the cohort study with data from published studies identified in a systematic review were carried out. Only cases with apparently isolated ASP on antenatal ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging and with available postnatal follow-up data were considered eligible for inclusion.

Glial Periorbital Heterotopia: A Rare Type of Ocular Mass.

Congenital orbital masses are rare disorders. A wide variety of lesions, including malignant and benign tumors, may develop around the orbit; hemangioma, lymphangioma, and optic nerve meningioma are the most common. Counseling for the prognosis and postnatal treatment depends on antenatal suspicion.

Outcome of non-visualization of fetal gallbladder on second-trimester ultrasound: cohort study and systematic review of literature.

Objectives: To investigate the ultrasound characteristics and outcome of fetuses with non-visualization of the fetal gallbladder (NVFGB) followed in our tertiary university hospital, and to provide a comprehensive review of the literature on prenatal findings and outcome of NVFGB.

Methods: NVFGB was defined as non-visualization of the gallbladder on two targeted ultrasound examinations performed within a 1-week period. First, we reviewed the medical records of NVFGB cases managed in our center over a 9-year period.

Increased incidence of obstetric complications in women carrying mitochondrial DNA mutations: a retrospective cohort study in a single tertiary centre.

Objective: To investigate the obstetric outcome of women carriers of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) disorder mutation.

Design: A retrospective cohort study in a single tertiary centre.

Setting: A review of the obstetric history of women referred for prenatal screening of a mitochondrial disorder was performed.

Fetal intra-abdominal umbilical vein varix: retrospective cohort study and systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To investigate the ultrasound characteristics and outcome of pregnancies with fetal intra-abdominal umbilical vein varix (FIUVV).

Methods: Cases of FIUVV managed at our tertiary university hospital over an 8-year period were reviewed. Information retrieved included gestational age and diameter of the umbilical varix at diagnosis, increase in varix diameter, associated ultrasound or chromosomal anomalies and pregnancy outcome.

Prenatal Risk Factors and Outcomes in Gastroschisis: A Meta-Analysis.

Background And Objective: Gastroschisis is a congenital anomaly with increasing incidence, easy prenatal diagnosis and extremely variable postnatal outcomes. Our objective was to systematically review the evidence regarding the association between prenatal ultrasound signs (intraabdominal bowel dilatation [IABD], extraabdominal bowel dilatation, gastric dilatation [GD], bowel wall thickness, polyhydramnios, and small for gestational age) and perinatal outcomes in gastroschisis (bowel atresia, intra uterine death, neonatal death, time to full enteral feeding, length of total parenteral nutrition and length of in hospital stay).

Methods: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched electronically.

A standardized approach for the assessment of the lower uterine segment at first trimester by transvaginal ultrasound: a flash study.

Objectives: To evaluate the reproducibility of a standardized approach to lower uterine segment (LUS) imaging by transvaginal ultrasound at 11-14 weeks.

Methods: This was a "flash" study lasting for 1 month. Obstetrician-sonographers performing more than 50 first trimester ultrasounds per year participated.

Clinical course and outcome of antenatally detected atrioventricular block: experience of a single tertiary centre and review of the literature.

Objective: The objective is to study the course and outcome of fetuses with congenital atrioventricular block (AVB) in a single centre.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of cases diagnosed prenatally with second and third degree AVB. The clinical characteristics and outcome of fetal AVB were evaluated including in utero treatment.

Secondary bladder herniation in isolated gastroschisis justifies increased surveillance.

Objectives: To assess the perinatal outcome of fetuses with gastroschisis complicated by secondary bladder herniation. POPULATION AND MATERIALS: This was a retrospective study of all cases of isolated gastroschisis associated with bladder herniation managed at our institution. Prenatal ultrasound, obstetrical and perinatal information were collected.

The value of daily fetal heart rate home monitoring in addition to serial ultrasound examinations in pregnancies complicated by fetal gastroschisis.

Objectives: To audit the practice of daily fetal heart rate home monitoring (FHM) in pregnancies complicated by fetal gastroschisis (GS).

Methods: Prenatal records and pregnancy outcome were reviewed of all cases with fetal GS between 1999 and 2010, managed with a consistent protocol, which included weekly fetal cardiotocography and ultrasound examinations after 30 weeks, and option of daily FHM. Data were collected including gestational age (GA) at FHM and the presence of fetal heart rate anomaly.

Is complex gastroschisis predictable by prenatal ultrasound?

Objective: To establish a correlation between prenatal ultrasound findings and postnatal outcome in neonates with gastroschisis (GS).

Design: Retrospective case-control study.

Setting: Prenatal ultrasound reports, labour and neonatal intensive care unit notes, and paediatric surgical clinic records were reviewed.

Increased uterine artery pulsatility index at 34 weeks and outcome of pregnancy.

Objectives: To evaluate pregnancy outcome in patients with increased uterine artery (UtA) pulsatility at 34 weeks' gestation as an isolated finding.

Methods: Normotensive women attending at 34 weeks' gestation for fetal growth assessment were enrolled in the study if fetal growth was appropriate for age and mean UtA pulsatility index (PI) was persistently above the 95(th) centile for gestational age. Patients were excluded with any of the following conditions: multiple pregnancy, sonographic suspicion of fetal anomaly or fetal growth restriction, history of chronic maternal disease, hypertensive disorder or diabetes in the current pregnancy or one or more adverse events in their past obstetric history.

Maternal cardiac function in normal twin pregnancy: a longitudinal study.

Objective: To investigate maternal cardiac function in a cohort of uncomplicated twin gestations assessed longitudinally.

Methods: Women with twin pregnancies were enrolled prospectively and underwent serial maternal echocardiography at 20-23 weeks, 26-29 weeks and 30-33 weeks of gestation. Patients were excluded if any of these complications occurred after recruitment: delivery < 34 weeks; pre-eclampsia or gestational hypertension; small-for-gestational age neonates (birth weight of one or both twins < 5(th) centile for gestational age).

Maternal cardiac function in complicated twin pregnancy: a longitudinal study.

Objective: To evaluate longitudinally a cohort of twin pregnancies and to assess whether the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcome may be related to specific maternal cardiac findings.

Methods: Women with twin pregnancies were enrolled prospectively and underwent serial maternal echocardiography at 20-23 weeks, 26-29 weeks and 30-33 weeks of gestation. Patients were excluded if delivery took place prior to 34 weeks.

Accuracy of three-dimensional ultrasound in diagnosis and classification of congenital uterine anomalies.

Objective: To assess the accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound in the diagnosis of congenital uterine anomalies.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: University hospital.

Three-dimensional transvaginal sonography in local staging of cervical carcinoma: description of a novel technique and preliminary results.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of three-dimensional multiplanar sonography in the local staging of cervical carcinoma.

Methods: Between January 2005 and May 2006, 14 patients with invasive cervical carcinoma underwent transvaginal volume ultrasound examination prior to primary surgery. Parametrial invasion was evaluated in the coronal plane, while both bladder and rectal invasion were evaluated in the sagittal plane.