Multimodality 3-dimensional volumetric ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology with an emphasis in HDlive technique.

HDlive (high-definition live or real-time US), a new ultrasound software, combines a movable virtual adjustable light source in a software that calculates the proportion of light reflecting through surface structures, depending on light direction. The light source can be manually positioned to illuminate the desired area of interest. The ultrasound technician can control light intensity to create shadows that enhance image quality.

Endometrial receptivity: evaluation with ultrasound.

An adequate endometrial receptivity is a crucial factor for embryo implantation. We describe endometrial morphology (endometrial appearance or pattern, endometrial thickness, volume, and delimitation), based on the concepts and possibilities of the new ultrasound modalities (3-dimensional/4-dimensional ultrasound, automatic volume calculation, virtual organ computer-aided analysis, tomographic ultrasound image, inverse mode, and 3-dimensional Doppler angiography) as markers of endometrial receptivity.

Fetal megacystis: differential diagnosis.

The purpose of our retrospective observational series was to determine whether the sonographic characteristics of fetal megacystic bladders can be used to reliably establish the most likely diagnosis in fetuses with this condition. The sonographic records of pregnant patients referred to our institutions over a 10-year period who were found on initial 2-dimensional sonography to be carrying fetuses with megacystis were examined for evidence of a keyhole sign, bladder thickness, amniotic fluid index, and fetal sex. When available, 3-/4-dimensional sonography, Doppler angiography, tomographic ultrasound imaging, virtual organ computer-aided analysis, and automatic volume calculation were used as part of the detailed fetal anatomic survey.

Ultrasound markers of fetal infection, Part 2: Bacterial, parasitic, and fungal infections.

Up to 1% of all pregnancies have clinically overt intra-amniotic bacterial infections, and an even larger percentage of pregnant women may be affected by silent infections. Although most pregnant women with overt intra-amniotic bacterial infection have experienced prolonged rupture of membranes (PROM), symptomatic and most silent nonviral intra-amniotic infections may occur with intact membranes. The etiology of intra-amniotic infection after PROM is almost always polymicrobial and consists of genital tract pathogens, such as group B streptococci, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, mycoplasmas, aerobic Gram-negative bacilli, such as the coliforms, and facultative and anaerobic endogenous organisms, such as peptococci, peptostreptococci, and Bacteroides species.

Androgen insensitivity syndrome: in utero diagnosis by four-dimensional sonography and amniotic fluid karyotype.

We describe a fetus with androgen insensitivity syndrome diagnosed at 16 weeks' gestation with two-dimensional (2D) and four-dimensional (4D) sonography and karyotype analysis in a 37-year-old pregnant woman. Two-dimensional (2D) sonography revealed a female phenotype. Karyotype analysis revealed an unremarkable 46,XY chromosomal complement.

Ultrasound markers of fetal infection part 1: viral infections.

Diagnosis of fetal infection has depended on identification of pathogens by means of microbiological cultures, immunologic techniques, and special molecular biology techniques that can identify organisms known or suspected of being associated with adverse outcomes of pregnancy. Rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), for example, are capable of gaining access to the amniotic cavity and producing fetal infection, even when amniotic membranes are intact. Intrauterine invasion by viruses can be associated with maternal symptoms of infection or can be completely silent.

Multiple congenital contractures (congenital multiple arthrogryposis).

Arthrogryposis, is the occurrence of joint contractures of variable etiology that start prenatally. Arthrogryposis may result from neurologic deficit, neuromuscular disorders, connective tissue abnormalities, amniotic bands, [figure: see text] or fetal crowding. Arthrogryposis may result from no apparent hereditary causes (neuropathic, for example) or may be the result of hereditary factors (myopathic form, for example).

Two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasound of fetal anasarca: the glass baby.

Fetal edema was recognized in the past as a complication of alloimmune disease. More recently, fetal edema is frequently seen in conditions that cause non-immune fetal hydrops with increased soft tissue thickness. Classically there is a halo pattern around fetal head, neck, thorax, and abdomen.

Two-dimensional and three-dimensional sonography of conjoined twins.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the diagnostic capabilities of 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) sonography for the study of conjoined twins.

Methods: Four pregnant women with an initial 2D sonographic diagnosis of conjoined twins were examined with color Doppler sonography, 3D multiplanar sonography, and orthogonal plane imaging and 3D surface rendering.

Results: All 4 cases of conjoined twins were initially diagnosed with either transvaginal or transabdominal 2D sonography.

Two- and three-dimensional ultrasound in malformations of the medullary canal: report of four cases.

A comparison between two-dimensional (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography was made in four fetuses diagnosed with neural tube defect (NTD) in the first half of pregnancy. 3D ultrasonography (orthogonal and multiplanar systems) proved to be an excellent complement to 2D, particularly when using orthogonal planes. When using the 3D multiplanar surface imaging system, excellent images of the malformations can be rapidly obtained.