G. Sglavo

Abnormal or delayed development of the posterior membranous area of the brain: anatomy, ultrasound diagnosis, natural history and outcome of Blake's pouch cyst in the fetus

To review the normal and pathological development of the posterior membranous area (PMA) in the fetal brain, to define sonographic criteria with which to diagnose a Blakes pouch cyst (BPC) in the fetus and to review the ultrasound features, associations and outcome of 19 cases of BPC seen at our center over the last 5 years.

Cardiac screening by STIC: can sonologists performing the 20-week anomaly scan pick up outflow tract abnormalities by scrolling the A-plane of STIC volumes?

To assess whether medically qualified sonologists with low‐to‐intermediate scanning experience are able to detect major abnormalities of the outflow tracts by reviewing the A‐plane of cardiac volume datasets acquired with spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC).

Transposition of the great arteries in the fetus: assessment of the spatial relationships of the arterial trunks by four‐dimensional echocardiography

Coronary arterial abnormalities can be one of the few negative prognostic indicators in transposition of the great arteries (TGA), and their occurrence is related to the type of spatial relationship of the great arteries. The main objective of this study was to assess whether the use of the reconstructed en‐face view with color Doppler imaging of the four cardiac valves can demonstrate the different types of spatial relationship of the arterial trunks in fetuses with TGA, in order to derive the risk of coronary abnormalities. A secondary end‐point was the evaluation of the type of coronary arterial branching pattern.

Aberrant right subclavian artery: incidence and correlation with other markers of Down syndrome in second-trimester fetuses

To assess the incidence of aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) and other strong markers of Down syndrome and their correlation in a large population of second‐trimester Down syndrome fetuses assessed in a tertiary referral center.

Cardiac troponin T and amino-terminal pro-natriuretic peptide concentrations in fetuses in the second trimester and in healthy neonates.

Abstract We measured the concentrations of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and amino-terminal pro-natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in umbilical cord blood during the second trimester (20–25weeks of gestation) and at delivery in 109 uncomplicated pregnancies to define reference values. Using the 97.5th percentile, the upper reference limits for cTnT and NT-proBNP were 0.308ng/mL and 5402pg/mL in fetuses in the second trimester, and 0.038ng/mL and 1690pg/mL in healthy neonates, respectively. We also evaluated whether labor and delivery mode affected the concentrations of the two analytes. We found significantly higher (p<0.001) umbilical blood NT-proBNP and cTnT levels at 20–25weeks of gestation than at term. In addition, within the term group, NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly higher in women delivering by elective cesarean section than in women delivering spontaneously (p<0.001), and higher than in women delivering by cesarean section during active labor. This indicates that the decrease in NT-proBNP levels is probably due to labor rather than delivery mode. Finally, we confirmed the at-birth reference values previously established for cTnT and NT-proBNP. Clin Chem Lab Med 2006;44:834–6.

Diagnosis of femoral hypoplasia–unusual facies syndrome in the fetus

Femoral hypoplasia–unusual facies syndrome (FHUFS) is a rare condition characterized by a variable degree of unilateral or bilateral femoral hypoplasia associated with facial clefting and other minor malformations. The prenatal diagnosis of this condition is possible, but so far has been reported prospectively in only two cases. We review all cases of FHUFS reported in the literature and also describe three cases detected prenatally in the mid‐trimester, underlining the variable expression of the syndrome. The reported association with maternal diabetes mellitus and differential diagnosis with other syndromes characterized by femoral hypoplasia are also discussed. Copyright

Struma ovarii associated with hyperthyroidism, elevated CA 125 and pseudo‐Meigs syndrome may mimic advanced ovarian cancer

T. Wataganara*†, A. Sutanthaviboon†, S. Ngerncham‡ and C. Vantanasiri† †Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital and ‡Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Prannok Road, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok, Thailand 10700 *Correspondence. (e-mail: sitwg@mahidol.ac.th) DOI: 10.1002/uog.5326 Published online 11 June 2008

Normal and abnormal development of the fetal anterior fontanelle: a three-dimensional ultrasound study.

To describe the methodology for correct visualization of the anterior fontanelle using three‐dimensional ultrasound, to report its normal development during gestation, and to compare this with abnormal development.

Fetuses with Down syndrome have an enlarged anterior fontanelle in the second trimester of pregnancy

Neonates with Down syndrome are known to have an enlarged anterior fontanelle. The aim of this study was to assess whether fetuses diagnosed with Down syndrome in the second trimester have larger anterior fontanelles in comparison with normal euploid fetuses.

Role of four‐dimensional ultrasound (spatiotemporal image correlation and Sonography‐based Automated Volume Count) in prenatal assessment of atrial morphology in cardiosplenic syndromes

To assess the diagnostic role of four‐dimensional ultrasound using spatiotemporal image correlation and Sonography‐based Automated Volume Count (STIC‐SonoAVC) in the identification of the morphology of the atrial appendages in cases with cardiosplenic syndrome.