The normal 14-18 gestational weeks "parasagittal complex" view of the fetal brain. A 3D transvaginal neurosonographic study.

Objective: To study the early second trimester development of brain hemispheres, lateral ventricles, choroid plexus, and ganglionic eminence/basal ganglia complex (GEBG).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of TVUS 3D volumes of 14-18 gestational weeks (GW) fetuses. Hemispheres were analyzed for wall thickness, choroid plexus extension, GEBG height and length, lamination pattern (intermediate zone and the subplate border, IZ-SP), ventricle height, width, and angle.

Improving renal phenotype and evolving extra-renal features of 17q12 deletion encompassing the gene.

Background: deletion/intragenic mutations are the most commonly identified genetic cause of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) suggested by fetal ultrasound findings such as: parenchymal hyperechogenicity, overt cystic changes or gross morphological urinary system (UT) abnormalities. The postnatal evolution of these 17q12 deletions encompassing the gene-associated findings has not been assessed in depth.

Methods: In this observational study, we present postnatal follow-up findings in 5 of 6 cases (one pregnancy was terminated on parental request) of fetal-onset cystic/hyperechogenic kidneys eventually diagnosed with 17q12 microdeletion encompassing the gene between 2009 and 2017.

A unique brain germinal matrix involvement in cytomegalovirus infected fetuses: A retrospective neurosonographic analysis with outcome correlation.

Objective: To study the clinical significance of brain germinal matrix (GM) changes in cytomegalovirus (CMV) infected fetuses.

Method: This is a retrospective analysis. Group A; isolated GM finding, with or without lenticulostriatal vasculopathy (LSV).

Normal cavum veli interpositi at 14-17 gestational weeks: three-dimensional and Doppler transvaginal neurosonographic study.

Objectives: To provide evidence to support the hypothesis that the midline cyst-like fluid collection that is frequently observed on fetal brain ultrasound (US) imaging during the early second trimester represents a normal transient cavum veli interpositi (CVI).

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 89 three-dimensional normal fetal brain volumes, acquired by transvaginal US imaging in 87 pregnant women between 14 and 17 gestational weeks. The midsagittal view was studied using multiplanar imaging, and the maximum length of the fluid collection located over (dorsal to) the tela choroidea of the third ventricle was measured.

The early pattern of human corpus callosum development: A transvaginal 3D neurosonographic study.

Objective: To provide an in-vivo description of early corpus callosum (CC) development.

Methods: We reviewed 3D US volumes acquired transvaginally (TVUS) through the anterior fontanelle, between 14 to 17 weeks. The following landmarks were recognized: tela-choroidea (TC), foramina of Moro, early CC and the evolving cavum septi pellucidi.

Ultrasound imaging of the fetal secondary palate: Methodological description of a two-dimensional approach and a case series.

Objective: The study aims to describe our two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound approach to visualize the fetal secondary palate and plot its growth curve and to describe and demonstrate its clinical implementation.

Methods: This is a two parts retrospective study. First, we measured the antero-posterior length of the bony secondary palate, from the soft to hard palate interface (SHPI) line to the alveolar ridge, blindly by two operators during routine scans of low-risk fetuses, and plot a longitudinal growth curve.

Early Transient Prenatal Ultrasound Features of Choanal Atresia.

We present a case series of early second-trimester prenatal ultrasound (US) features in 4 fetuses with a confirmed diagnosis of choanal atresia. The clinical characteristics and outcomes evaluated included prenatal US findings, genetic analyses, postmortem autopsies (2 cases), and computed tomographic findings. A transient large nasal cavity was detected by US in all 4 fetuses.

Detection Rate and Sonographic Signs of Trisomy 21 Fetuses at 14-17 Weeks of Gestation.

Background: Early prenatal ultrasound is an important part of prenatal screening in Israel. No studies have described the rate of trisomy 21 [T21] identification at 14-17 weeks gestation.

Objectives: To describe the rate of T21 identification by transvaginal sonograms (TVS) at 14-17 weeks gestation.

Intrapartum sonographic assessment of labor.

Fetal head progression during labor is difficult to assess. Digital examination has been shown to be an inaccurate method. Utilizing the ultrasound technology in the delivery room can standardize the way we assess head progression.

Ultrasonographic evidence of intra-abdominal umbilical vein dilatation: is it a true varix?

Fetal intraabdominal umbilical vein (FIUV) dilatation, or varix, is a rare ultrasonographic (US) finding of focal dilatation of the umbilical vein. This article describes FIUV tortuosity in cases with suspected varix and provides ultrasonographic criteria for its diagnosis. Cases of suspected FIUV varix referred to our unit for final diagnosis and follow-up were studied.

A prospective follow-up of two 21/7 cycles followed by two extended regimen 84/7 cycles with contraceptive pills containing ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone.

Background: Continuous use of combined oral contraceptives is currently attracting growing interest as a means of improving menstrual related symptoms and reducing the number of bleeding days.

Objectives: To evaluate bleeding patterns, menstrual symptoms and quality of life with an extended 84/7 oral contraceptive regimen versus 21/7 cycles.

Methods: In two consecutive run-in cycles, 30 microg ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg drospirenone tablets taken on days 1-21 were followed by a tablet-free period from days 22 to 28 of each cycle and then by two 84 day cycles of pill use with a 7 day tablet-free interval.

Embryo transfer using the SureView catheter-beacon in the womb.

Objective: To compare the performance of the SureView catheter, a new ultrasonic embryo transfer (ET), with the classic Wallace catheter during ultrasound-guided ET.

Design: Prospective, randomized study.

Setting: Private, academically affiliated clinic.

Combined clinical and ultrasonographic work-up for the diagnosis of retained products of conception.

Retained products of conception (RPOC) present a major clinical challenge. We assessed the accuracy of an evaluation protocol based on clinical management and transvaginal ultrasonographic evaluation for the detection of retained products of conception. This combined clinical and sonographic evaluation protocol offers a high sensitivity for the accurate diagnosis of RPOC.

Cervical mucus status can be accurately estimated by transvaginal ultrasound during fertility evaluation.

Examinations of the cervical mucus for determining its quantity and physical characteristics are used to provide a clinical marker for the timing of ovulation. We propose that transvaginal ultrasound, which is routinely used as a tool for monitoring follicular growth in patients undergoing ovulation induction, might also be used simultaneously for estimating cervical mucus measurements. With no additional effort or expense, these data may help to optimize individual patient management.

Evacuating retained products of conception in the setting of an ultrasound unit.

Women who have retained products of conception are usually referred for curettage or hysteroscopy, both performed in most cases under general anesthesia in an operating theater and sometimes requiring hospitalization. We propose that for most of these patients the procedure can be just as safely and effectively carried out in an obstetric ultrasound unit.

Estradiol valerate as a possible endocrine reproductive disruptor: evidence from an in vivo rat model.

We used an in vivo rat model to demonstrate that low-dose intradermal exposure to E(2) valerate has an inverse effect on the female's estrus cycle pattern and can significantly reduce litter size. These results suggest that, under certain circumstances, environmental exposure to exogenous estrogens may play a role as an endocrine disruptor and adversely affect reproductive outcome.

Antibubble trajectory during embryo transfers in donor egg IVF does not predict success.

Transient motion of embryo transfer-associated antibubbles was observed. This prospective study was performed to determine if this antibubble movement can predict a successful outcome. Transabdominal ultrasound-guided embryo transfers were performed in 187 recipients receiving identical hormone replacement therapy.

The clinical significance of postpartum transperineal ultrasound of the anal sphincter.

Background And Objective: To evaluate the clinical significance of postpartum anal sphincter damage by transperineal ultrasonography (TPUS) performed on the day of delivery.

Methods: Continence questionnaires were handed out and TPUS was performed on 154 consecutive primiparous women 6-24h after vaginal delivery. At 2 and 6 months later, complaints and sphincteric sonographic appearance were reassessed.

Cervical length, multifetal pregnancy reduction, and prediction of preterm birth.

Purpose: To evaluate the application of transvaginal sonography assessment of cervical length before fetal reduction for predicting spontaneous preterm birth in triplet gestations reduced to twins.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the ultrasound unit of a university-affiliated municipal hospital. The study cohort consisted of 25 women with triplet gestations following ovulation induction or assisted-reproduction techniques who underwent fetal reduction to twins.

Feto-feto-fetal transfusion syndrome in monozygotic monochorionic triamniotic triplets: vascular evaluation by a cast model.

A unique cast model of the placenta in a rare case of feto-feto-fetal triplet transfusion syndrome (FFFTTS) allowed the demonstration of why the transfusion syndrome developed in one fetus and not in the other two in that single placenta. The vasculature anatomy of a monochorionic triamniotic triplet placenta with FFFTTS of three healthy infants (one donor, two recipients) born in the 35th week of gestation was cast by means of dental casting materials. After the cast hardened, the tissue was corroded, revealing the cast blood vessels.

Nomograms for the sonographic measurement of the fetal philtrum and chin.

Objective: To generate nomograms for the sonographic measurement of the fetal philtrum and chin during pregnancy.

Design: A prospective, cross-sectional study in normal singleton pregnancies.

Subjects: One hundred and fifty-three fetuses between 13 and 42 weeks of gestation were studied.

Cervical length in the early second trimester for detection of triplet pregnancies at risk for preterm birth.

Objective: Preterm triplet delivery is common and has a tremendous impact on neonatal mortality and morbidity. We aimed at assessing early second-trimester cervical length as a means of detecting triplet pregnancies at risk for preterm birth.

Methods: Cervical length was measured in triplet pregnancies during weeks 14 to 20.

The effect of early epidural block administration on the progression and outcome of labor.

This study was undertaken to prospectively evaluate the effect of early administration of epidural bupivacaine (0.25%) on the progression and outcome of labor in 60 nulliparous patients. Patients were randomly divided into two groups.