Changes in the plantar pressure distribution during gait throughout gestation.

Background: The intention of this investigation was to longitudinally describe and compare the plantar pressure distribution in orthostatic posture and gait throughout pregnancy.

Methods: A prospective longitudinal observational study was conducted with six pregnant women (mean ± SD age, 32 ± 3 years) with a mean ± SD weight gain of 10.0 ± 1.

Prediction and probability of neonatal outcome in isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia using multiple ultrasound parameters.

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy and probabilities of different fetal ultrasound parameters to predict neonatal outcome in isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2010, we evaluated prospectively 108 fetuses with isolated CDH (82 left-sided and 26 right-sided). The following parameters were evaluated: gestational age at diagnosis, side of the diaphragmatic defect, presence of polyhydramnios, presence of liver herniated into the fetal thorax (liver-up), lung-to-head ratio (LHR) and observed/expected LHR (o/e-LHR), observed/expected contralateral and total fetal lung volume (o/e-ContFLV and o/e-TotFLV) ratios, ultrasonographic fetal lung volume/fetal weight ratio (US-FLW), observed/expected contralateral and main pulmonary artery diameter (o/e-ContPA and o/e-MPA) ratios and the contralateral vascularization index (Cont-VI).

Quantitative analysis of renal vascularization in fetuses with urinary tract obstruction by three-dimensional power-Doppler.

Objective: To evaluate the applicability of 3-dimensional evaluation of renal vascularization for predicting postnatal renal function in fetuses with suspected urinary obstruction.

Study Design: Fetuses were evaluated by 3-dimensional power-Doppler histogram, and vascular indices were estimated. Depth between the probe and the renal cortex was also evaluated.

Fetal surgery for severe lower urinary tract obstruction.

Fetal interventions have been proposed for treatment of severe lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO), as this condition is associated with high rates of perinatal mortality and postnatal renal impairment. The rationale for in utero treatment for those cases is based on the possibility of relieving the obstruction, improving the amniotic fluid volume, and preventing renal and bladder damage. Candidates for fetal intervention should be rigorously selected based on the confirmation of severe LUTO (dilated bladder and bilateral hydronephrosis), oligohydramnios or anyhydramnios and 'favorable' fetal urinalysis (dependent on gestational age).

The association of gastroschisis with other congenital anomalies: how important is it?

Objective: To report the prevalence of the association between gastroschisis and other anomalies, their prenatal characteristics and the postnatal follow-up.

Method: Prenatal and postnatal data from all patients with gastroschis prenatally diagnosed between January 1998 and December 2006 were reviewed concerning the presence of associated anomalies.

Results: Gastroschisis was prenatally diagnosed in 108 fetuses.

Effectiveness of fetal cystoscopy as a diagnostic and therapeutic intervention for lower urinary tract obstruction: a systematic review.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of fetal cystoscopy in the prenatal diagnosis of and intervention for congenital lower urinary tract obstruction.

Methods: This study was a literature search using MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, MEDION, Web of Science reference lists and contact with experts. All studies reporting on fetal cystoscopy in lower urinary tract obstruction with data for a 2 × 2 table were selected for review.

Prenatal diagnosis and natural history of fetuses presenting with pleural effusion.

Objective: To describe the natural history of fetuses presenting with pleural effusion.

Methods: Between January 2005 and December 2009 all fetuses diagnosed with pleural effusion were followed up. Fetuses were divided into three groups: I, isolated pleural effusion; II, associated structural anomalies but normal karyotype; and III, chromosomal anomalies.

Early fetal cystoscopy for first-trimester severe megacystis.

Objectives: To report the feasibility of early fetal cystoscopy for the prenatal diagnosis and therapy of severe first-trimester megacystis.

Methods: Between January 2008 and February 2010, early fetal cystoscopy at 16 weeks of gestation was offered to 15 patients whose fetuses presented with severe first-trimester megacystis. All infants were followed up for 6-12 months after birth.

Serological study of selected vector-borne diseases in shelter dogs in central Spain using point-of-care assays.

We evaluated the prevalence of selected vector-borne diseases in 131 dogs in an animal shelter in central Spain using point-of-care assays (SNAP 4DX and SNAP Leishmania; IDEXX Laboratories, Westbrook, ME). The SNAP 4DX detects Dirofilaria immitis (Di) antigen and antibodies against Ehrlichia canis (Ec), Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), and Anaplasma phagocytophylum (Aph); the SNAP Leishmania kit detects antibodies against Leishmania infantum (Li). Dogs were classified as healthy or sick based on physical examination, complete blood counts, and serum chemistry profiles.

Comparison between fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion using a 1.0-mm fetoscope and prenatal expectant management in severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Objectives: To evaluate if fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) for severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) using a 1.0-mm fetoscope improves neonatal outcome.

Method: Between January 2006 and December 2008, a controlled study was conducted at a single center in which FETO was proposed for fetuses with severe isolated CDH (lung-to-head ratio <1.

Prenatal diagnosis of main stem bronchial atresia using 3-dimensional ultrasonographic technologies.

Objective: The purpose of this series was to report the contribution of 3-dimensional ultrasonographic (3DUS) technologies in performing the prenatal diagnosis of main stem bronchial atresia (BA).

Methods: We report 2 cases in which the prenatal diagnosis of main stem BA was performed using 3DUS technologies. Both fetuses presented with extremely enlarged hyperechoic right lungs, shifting the mediastinum to the left, associated with hydrops and polyhydramnios.

Three-dimensional ultrasonographic measurements of the fetal lungs for prediction of perinatal outcome in isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Aim: To evaluate the potential of different lung measurements using three-dimensional ultrasonography (3D-US) to predict perinatal outcome in isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Methods: Twenty-one fetuses presenting isolated CDH were prospectively evaluated by 3D-US between January 2002 and November 2003. Observed/expected total, contralateral and ipsilateral fetal lung volume ratios (o/e-TotFLV, o/e-ContFLV and o/e-IpsiFLV, respectively) were calculated using the rotational technique and ultrasonographic fetal total lung volume to bodyweight ratio (USFLW).

Fetal cystoscopy for severe lower urinary tract obstruction--initial experience of a single center.

Objective: To report the experience with fetal cystoscopy and laser fulguration of posterior urethral values (PUV) for severe lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO).

Methods: Between July 2006 and December 2008, fetal cystoscopy was offered to 23 patients whose fetuses presented with severe LUTO, favorable urinary analysis and gestational age <26 weeks. Fetal urinary biochemistry was evaluated before and after cystoscopy.

Selective fetoscopic laser photocoagulation of superficial placental anastomoses for the treatment of severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

Objective: To report our initial institutional experience with fetoscopic laser photocoagulation of placental anastomoses in severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome using a 1.0 mm endoscope.

Methods: Between July 2006 and June 2008, 19 monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies complicated by severe TTTS (Quintero stages III and IV) underwent fetoscopic laser therapy.

Percutaneous laser ablation of sacrococcygeal teratoma in a hydropic fetus with severe heart failure--too late for a surgical procedure?

Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is the commonest solid fetal tumor. Perinatal prognosis is usually favorable, but sometimes it can be complicated by fetal hydrops being responsible for high risk of mortality. Fetal therapy in such cases has so far not been established.

Quantitative analysis of placental vasculature by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography in normal pregnancies from 12 to 40 weeks of gestation.

Evaluate the distribution and variation of placental vascular indices according to gestational age and placental volume. From March to November 2007, three-dimensional (3D)-power Doppler ultrasound was performed in 295 normal pregnancies from 12 to 40 weeks of gestation. Using the same preestablished settings for all patients, power Doppler was applied to the placenta and placental volume was obtained by the rotational technique (VOCAL).

[Hemodynamic and inflammatory markers of sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome and nocturnal hypoxemia: effects of treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure].

Objective: In this study, we assessed factors associated with cardiovascular risk in patients with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) through analysis of plasma concentrations of N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). In addition, we analyzed the effect of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) on these markers.

Patients And Methods: Forty-two patients with SAHS (mild to moderate in 15 cases and severe in 27) were compared with 14 individuals without SAHS.

Ipsilateral lung volumes assessed by three-dimensional ultrasonography in fetuses with isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Objective: To evaluate the precision of three-dimensional ultrasonography (3DUS) in estimating the ipsilateral lung volume and the potential of this measurement to predict neonatal death in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Methods: Between January 2002 and December 2004, the ipsilateral lung volumes were assessed by 3DUS using the technique of rotation of the multiplan imaging in 39 fetuses with CDH. The observed/expected ipsilateral lung volume ratios (o/e-IpsiFLVR) were compared to the lung/head ratios (LHR) and to the observed/expected total fetal lung volume ratios (o/e-TotFLVR) as well as to postnatal death.

Placental volumes measured by 3-dimensional ultrasonography in normal pregnancies from 12 to 40 weeks' gestation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to construct nomograms of placental volumes according to gestational age and estimated fetal weight.

Methods: From March to November 2007, placental volumes were prospectively measured by ultrasonography in 295 normal pregnancies from 12 to 40 weeks' gestation and correlated with gestational age and estimated fetal weight. Inclusion criteria were healthy women, singleton pregnancies with normal fetal morphologic characteristics on ultrasonography, and confirmed gestational age by first-trimester ultrasonography.

To shunt or not to shunt a pulmonary adenomatoid cystic malformation after 33 weeks of gestation: a case report.

Context: Macrocystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung can cause severe mediastinal shift, hydrops and polyhydramnios, thereby increasing the risk of perinatal deaths. After 33 weeks of gestation, repeated puncturing of the cyst is recommended. We present a case in which a cyst-amniotic shunt was placed instead of performing this procedure.

[Sentinel node biopsy in T2 breast cancers larger than 3 cm and clinically negative axilla compared with the T1-T2 <3 cm standard indication].

Objective: To present our experience in the application of sentinel node (SN) biopsy in patients with breast cancer T > 3 cm without clinical evidence of axillary metastasis.

Material And Method: Retrospective study of 393 cases in the period 2001--2006, divided into group (A) 47 patients with 3-5 cm T2N0 tumours and group (B) 346 patients T < 3 cm, N0. We employed the combined technique with 99mTc-colloidal rhenium sulphide and isosulfan blue dye.

Prenatal diagnosis of posterior mediastinal lymphangioma by two- and three-dimensional ultrasonography.

Lymphangioma is a rare benign tumor characterized by proliferating lymph vessels and composed of large cyst spaces with endothelium-lined channels of varying dimensions. The incidence of lymphangioma is approximately one in 6000 pregnancies. Less than 1% of lymphangiomas are purely mediastinal.

Predicting neonatal deaths and pulmonary hypoplasia in isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia using the sonographic fetal lung volume-body weight ratio.

Objective: The objective of our study was to evaluate the potential of the sonographic fetal lung volume-body weight ratio to predict neonatal deaths and pulmonary hypoplasia in fetuses with isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Subjects And Methods: Between January 2002 and December 2004, 40 fetuses with isolated CDH and 450 control subjects were prospectively evaluated in two centers. Fetal lung volumes were estimated on 3D sonography using the rotational technique and fetal weight on 2D sonography using the Hadlock equation.

Predicting perinatal outcome in isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia using fetal pulmonary artery diameters.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential of fetal pulmonary artery (PA) diameters to predict perinatal death and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Study Design: In this prospective observational study, observed PA (main, right, and left) diameters were measured at the level of the 3 vessels in 21 fetuses with isolated CDH and in 85 controls at 22 to 36 weeks. The observed/expected (o/e) diameters of the main, contralateral, and ipsilateral PAs were calculated by comparing these measurements with reference values obtained in our previous study and correlated with perinatal death and postnatal PAH.