Outcomes of Intrauterine Interventions in Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion (TRAP) Sequence: A Systematic Review of the Literature Over the Past 35 Years.

Twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence is an uncommon disease affecting monochorionic twin pregnancies. The diagnosis can be made by ultrasound allowing to plan optimal antenatal management. An electronic search was conducted from inception to July 2024 to systematically evaluate and compare the outcomes of different intrauterine interventions in this condition.

Three-Dimensional Ultrasound for Physical and Virtual Fetal Heart Models: Current Status and Future Perspectives.

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common congenital defect, occurring in approximately 1 in 100 live births and being a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Of note, approximately 25% of these defects are classified as critical, requiring immediate postnatal care by pediatric cardiology and neonatal cardiac surgery teams. Consequently, early and accurate diagnosis of CHD is key to proper prenatal and postnatal monitoring in a tertiary care setting.

Influence of pre-existing maternal diabetes mellitus on fetal myocardial performance index and systolic-to-diastolic duration ratio: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of pre-existing maternal diabetes mellitus on fetal myocardial performance index and systolic-to-diastolic duration ratio.

Methods: Prospective cohort study included 179 pregnant women between 20 and 36w6d, divided into 3 groups: Group 1 (120, normal), Group 2 (31, type 1 diabetes mellitus), and Group 3 (28, type 2 diabetes mellitus). Systolic-to-diastolic duration ratio was calculated as the sum of isovolumic contraction time and ejection time divided by the sum of isovolumic relaxation time and ventricular filling time.

Intrauterine Testicular Torsion: Two Prenatally Diagnosed Cases and Review of the Literature.

The third-trimester ultrasound diagnosis in two fetuses with isolated testicular torsion is described. Pregnancy courses were uneventful and routine second-trimester scans had shown no structural anomalies. Antenatal ultrasound performed at 32 + 3 and 33 + 0 weeks' gestation showed signs consistent with the diagnosis of isolated left spermatic cord torsion in both cases (absent flow across the testicular artery, hyperechogenic small rounded mass in the hemiscrotum representing the twisted testes, and hydrocele).

Fetal Face: Enhancing 3D Ultrasound Imaging by Postprocessing With AI Applications: Myth, Reality, or Legal Concerns?

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) platforms is revolutionizing the performance in managing metadata and big data. Medicine is another field where AI is spreading. However, this technological advancement is not amenable to errors or fraudulent misconducts.

The Use of 3D Printing in Fetal Surgery for Surgical Planning: A Scoping Review.

: We sought to identify in which clinical scenarios 3D printed models are used to plan for fetal surgeries as well as the main purpose and the imaging method utilized for the models. In addition, we describe benefits and shortcomings of the models, as well as potential future improvements. : In this scoping review, data were collected retrospectively from scientific databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, Scopus, and the Web of Science platform) and screened by title, abstract, and full text against strict criteria.

Cesarean section incision along the posterior uterine wall - an obstetric and surgical complication of an obstructed pelvis due to previous endometriosis.

Pelvic endometriosis is a well-known clinical risk factor for pelvic inflammation and adhesions. We present a complex case of a woman undergoing a cesarean section where the traditional incision on the anterior lower uterine segment was not possible due to a congested pelvis. The newborn was delivered using a posterior uterine wall incision with rotation of the round ligament.

Placental and umbilical cord anomalies detected by ultrasound as clinical risk factors of adverse perinatal outcome: Case series review of selected conditions. Part 1: Placental abnormalities.

Background: The aim of this extended review of multicenter case series is to describe the prenatal ultrasound features and pathogenetic mechanisms underlying placental and umbilical cord anomalies and their relationship with adverse perinatal outcome. From an educational point of view, the case series has been divided in three parts; Part 1 is dedicated to placental abnormalities.

Methods: Multicenter case series of women undergoing routine and extended prenatal ultrasound and perinatal obstetric care.

Influence of Cesarean Section Scar on the Mean Pulsatility Index of the Uterine Artery Doppler between 20 and 34 Weeks of Gestation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the cesarean section scars on the mean pulsatility index (PI) of the uterine artery Doppler between 20 and 34 weeks of gestation. A secondary objective was to assess the association between previous cesarean section and adverse maternal/perinatal outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with pregnant women who had their deliveries between March 2014 and February 2023.

Fetoscopic Release of Amniotic Bands Based on the Evidence-A Systematic Review.

The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the perinatal outcomes of fetuses who underwent fetal surgery for the management of Amniotic Band Syndrome (ABS). A systematic review of studies reporting on the perinatal outcome of fetuses undergoing fetoscopic release of amniotic bands according to the (PRISMA) guidelines was performed. The MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs) Mimicking Primary Ovarian Tumors or Metastasizing to the Ovaries: A Systematic Literature Review.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a rare neoplasm, sometimes mimicking primary ovarian tumors (OTs) and/or metastasizing to the ovaries (M-OT). We performed a systematic literature review (SLR) of OTs and M-OTs, investigating differences in recurrence-free and overall survival. Our SLR was performed according to PRISMA guidelines, searching in Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from inception until 21 April 2024.

Asymptomatic acute massive abruptio placenta at 30 weeks' gestation in a primigravida with no risk factors - clinical presentation and management.

Abruptio placenta can be a catastrophic event with a high association with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. We present a case of massive abruptio placenta occurring in a young asymptomatic mother at 30 weeks' gestation. Although electronic fetal monitoring and ultrasound allowed a prompt diagnosis of an 8 × 5 cm retroplacental hematoma, the fetus died at the time of emergency cesarean section.

Fetoscopic Tracheal Occlusion for Isolated Severe Left Diaphragmatic Hernia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the fetoscopic tracheal occlusion in patients with isolated severe and left-sided diaphragmatic hernia. Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed (Medline) databases were searched from inception to February 2024 with no filters or language restrictions. We included studies evaluating the outcomes of fetoscopic intervention compared to expectant management among patients with severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia exclusively on the left side.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Umbilical Cord Angiomyxoma: Case Studies and Literature Review of 45 Cases.

We describe two cases of umbilical cord (UC) angiomyxoma diagnosed prenatally by sonography in the second trimester of pregnancy. In both cases, a complex mass was detected at the placental insertion site, characterized by an echoic nodule surrounding the umbilical vessels and distal edematous Wharton's jelly. Follow-up scans showed that the mass grew mainly at the expense of its edematous component, with normal uteroplacental Dopplers throughout the remaining of the pregnancy.

Prenatal diagnosis and in utero treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia: An up-to-date comprehensive review.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a term that encompasses a wide range of conditions that affect the adrenals. Diagnosis and treatment before birth are important as irreparable birth defects can be avoided, decreasing the need for surgical intervention later in life, especially regarding genitalia anomalies. Although early implementation of dexamethasone in the prenatal treatment of CAH has been controversial, there is recent evidence that this treatment can reduce long-term complications.

Occult invasive cervical cancer, FIGO stage III, with a negative Pap smear test - clinical presentation and brief review of the literature.

Occult cervical cancer is rare and is diagnosed incidentally after a simple hysterectomy. The staging upon histological examination is usually International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I, rarely higher with negative preoperative diagnostic tests such as a Pap smear. The clinical case in question is a rare case of cervical carcinoma diagnosed at the time of hysterectomy with a negative exo-endocervical Pap smear, diagnostic tests including transvaginal ultrasound, abdominal magnetic resonance imaging and abdominal computed tomography with a diagnosis of degenerating myoma or suspected sarcoma.

Parvovirus B19 Infection and Pregnancy: Review of the Current Knowledge.

Parvovirus B19, a member of the family, is a human pathogenic virus. It can be transmitted by respiratory secretions, hand-to-mouth contact, blood transfusion, or transplacental transmission. Most patients are asymptomatic or present with mild symptoms such as erythema infectiosum, especially in children.

Cytomegalovirus and Pregnancy: A Narrative Review.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common congenital infection worldwide, affecting between 0.7% and 1% of all live births. Approximately 11% of infected newborns are symptomatic at birth, and between 30% and 40% of these are at risk of developing long-term neurological sequelae.

Area of the Fetal Ascending and Descending Aorta by Spatiotemporal Image Correlation in the Rendering Mode: Reproducibility and Comparison with Pregestational Diabetic Mothers.

Background: The objective of this study was to assess the ascending and descending aorta area measurements by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound using spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) in the rendering mode comparing these measurements with pregestational diabetic mothers and assessing the reproducibility of the method.

Methods: We carried out a retrospective cross-sectional study with 58 normal and nine fetuses from pregestational diabetic mothers between 20 and 33 + 6 weeks of gestation. Fetal heart volumes were acquired at the level of four-chamber view to obtain the reconstructed planes for the ascending and descending aorta areas in the rendering mode.

Umbilical Cord Diseases Affecting Obstetric and Perinatal Outcomes.

(1) The aim of this article is to describe the physiopathology underlying umbilical cord diseases and their relationship with obstetric and perinatal outcomes. (2) Methods: Multicenter case series of umbilical cord diseases with illustrations from contributing institutions are presented. (3) Results: Clinical presentations of prenatal ultrasound findings, clinical prenatal features and postnatal outcomes are described.

3D ultrasound angioscan with MV-Flow™: Enhancing fetal brain low-flow microvascular neuroimaging.

MVFlow™ is a 3D algorithm that enhances the study of the microvasculature, useful in the study of tumoral lesions or in assessing the slow-flow of the placenta vessels and the developing fetal brain. It may improve the study of the corpus callosum in normal fetuses and be applied in the characterization of brain pathologies.