G. Morganelli

Reliability of new three-dimensional ultrasound technique for pelvic hiatal area measurement

To assess the reproducibility of a new technique for three‐/four‐dimensional (3D/4D) ultrasound imaging of the pelvic floor: OmniView™ volume contrast imaging (VCI) for measurement of the pelvic hiatal area on maximum contraction and Valsalva maneuver. In addition, we aimed to study the intermethod agreement between the new technique and the 3D/4D render method.

Reliability of a new 3D ultrasound technique for pelvic hiatal area measurement

To assess the reproducibility of a new technique for three‐/four‐dimensional (3D/4D) ultrasound imaging of the pelvic floor: OmniView™ volume contrast imaging (VCI) for measurement of the pelvic hiatal area on maximum contraction and Valsalva maneuver. In addition, we aimed to study the intermethod agreement between the new technique and the 3D/4D render method.

Electronic spatiotemporal image correlation improves four‐dimensional fetal echocardiography

To compare the efficiency of electronic spatiotemporal image correlation (eSTIC) with that of conventional STIC to acquire four‐dimensional (4D) fetal cardiac volumes of diagnostic quality.

Is curved three‐dimensional ultrasound reconstruction needed to assess the warped pelvic floor plane?

Caudal distension of the female pelvic floor is common and results in perineal descent and a caudally curved levator hiatus (warping). Image reconstruction of the pelvic floor using currently available ultrasound techniques involves a linear approach (flat‐plane reconstruction). We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, reproducibility and potential usefulness of a new three‐dimensional (3D) technique capable of reconstructing a curved plane of the levator hiatus.

Is curved three-dimensional ultrasound reconstruction needed to assess the warped pelvic floor plane?: Curved plane tracing of the pelvic floor

Caudal distension of the female pelvic floor is common and results in perineal descent and a caudally curved levator hiatus (warping). Image reconstruction of the pelvic floor using currently available ultrasound techniques involves a linear approach (flat‐plane reconstruction). We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, reproducibility and potential usefulness of a new three‐dimensional (3D) technique capable of reconstructing a curved plane of the levator hiatus.

Is a curved 3D ultrasound reconstruction needed to assess the “warped” pelvic floor plane?

Caudal distension of the female pelvic floor is common and results in perineal descent and a caudally curved levator hiatus (warping). Image reconstruction of the pelvic floor using currently available ultrasound techniques involves a linear approach (flat‐plane reconstruction). We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, reproducibility and potential usefulness of a new three‐dimensional (3D) technique capable of reconstructing a curved plane of the levator hiatus.

Cardiotocographic findings in the second stage of labor among fetuses delivered with acidemia: a comparison of two classification systems

BACKGROUND The RCOG classification system of CTG trace is widely used for the analysis of the fetal heart rate during the first and second stage of labor. Other authors proposed specific classification systems for the second stage traces. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the accuracy of RCOG and Piquard cardiotocographic patterns classification systems in predicting fetal acidemia in the second stage of labor. STUDY DESIGN This was a nested retrospective case-control study including fetuses delivered with metabolic acidemia in the second stage of labor and a matched group of non-acidemic fetuses as controls. Cases and controls were selected from the electronic medical records of the University Hospital of Bologna between 2008 and 2013. The last 60min of the cardiotocograms recorded during the second stage of labor were independently classified by a senior consultant and a trainee according to RCOG and Piquard classifications. The inter-observer agreement and the accuracy of the two classifications in predicting fetal acidemia were evaluated. RESULTS In all, 82 acidemic fetuses and 164 controls were recruited in the study period. Regarding the CTG traces assessment, the inter-observer agreement was moderate for both the categorizations (RCOG κ=0.584). Unclassifiable CTG patterns were more frequent among acidemic fetuses vs controls either at RCOG and at Piquard evaluation (26.8% vs 7.9%, p<0.001). Both systems yielded a moderate and comparable ability to predict fetal acidemia (RCOG ROC AUC=0.731; 95% CI 0.660-0.795; Piquard ROC AUC=0.773; 95% CI 0.704-0.833. DeLong z-test=1.186, p=0.236). CONCLUSIONS RCOG and Piquard systems have a moderate accuracy in identifying acidemic fetuses during the second stage of labor. The occurrence of unclassifiable findings seems significantly more common among the acidemic fetuses.

Sequential analysis of the normal fetal fissures with three‐dimensional ultrasound: a longitudinal study

To perform a sequential analysis of the main cortical fissures in normal fetuses using 3D ultrasound.