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Objective:To analyze the fetal ultrasonographic features of malformation of cortical development (MCD) during the second trimester, and explore and summarize the relevant diagnostic clues, so as to improve the ability of diagnosis and differential diagnosis of fetal MCD.Methods:A total of 313 fetuses with brain abnormalities suspected on ultrasound in Chengdu Women′s and Children′s Central Hospital from April 2018 to August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The fetuses were examined using MRI. The ultrasonographic characteristics of fetal MCD were summarized, and the fetal ultrasound and MRI imaging data were compared for fetal MCD.Results:Nineteen fetuses were diagnosed with MCD from 313 fetuses(6.07%, 19/313). Seventeen cases of MCD were identified by ultrasonography and subsequently validated by fetal MRI, including 6 cases of schizencephaly, 2 cases of hemimegalencephaly(HMEG), 3 cases of periventricular nodular heterotopia(PVNH), 3 cases of lissencephaly, 2 cases of microcephaly and 1 case of polymicrogyria(PMG). There were 3 cases with two concurrent MCD, 1 case of HMEG, and MRI increased the diagnosis of left parietal PMG; 1 case of lissencephaly, and MRI increased the diagnosis of PVNH. The other case was PMG, and MRI increased the diagnosis of lissencephaly. Two cases of fetal MCD were not indicated by ultrasonography, one of which was diagnosed as tuberous sclerosis and another one as schizencephaly by MRI, both due to ventriculomegaly.Conclusions:Various types of MCD in the second trimester have ultrasonographic characteristics. Abnormal lateral ventricles, intracranial structural changes such as sulci and gyrus can provide reliable ultrasound diagnostic clues for fetal MCD.
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Objective:To study the ultrasonographic characteristics of embryos/fetuses with normal or abnormal central nervous system (CNS) from 7 to 13 +6 weeks of gestation using high resolution two-dimensional ultrasound combined with HD-live silhouette technology and provide a reference for early diagnosis of CNS abnormalities. Methods:Eighty normal embryos/fetuses during 7-13 +6 weeks and 41 fetuses with CNS malformations in early pregnancy during 11-13 +6 weeks were selected to observe the ultrasonographic features of embryos/fetuses with normal or abnormal CNS using transvaginal high resolution two-dimensional ultrasound and HD-live silhouette technology. Descriptive analysis was performed on the results. Results:From seven weeks of gestational age, high resolution two-dimensional ultrasound combined with HD-live silhouette technology can clearly and stereoscopically show the prosencephalon, mesencephalon and rhombencephalon. The rhombencephalon changed the most in the brain development of embryos. At nine weeks of gestation, cleared structures of pons curvature, the fourth ventricle and cisterna magna were observed. The developing cerebellum and the original Blake pouch cyst were seen at 10 weeks of gestation. From 11 to 13 +6 weeks, the most remarkable change was the choroid plexus of the fourth ventricle changed from perpendicular to parallel to the long axis of the neural tube. Of the 41 fetuses with CNS malformation, 16 (39.0%) were exencephaly, 11 (26.8%) were holoprosencephaly, five (12.2%) were encephalocele, four (9.7%) were anencephaly, three (7.3%) were fourth ventricle dilatation, and two (4.9%) were open spina bifida. Conclusions:High resolution two-dimensional ultrasound combined with HD-live silhouette technology can clearly and stereoscopically display the morphological changes in embryonic embryos/fetuses with development of normal CNS at 7-13 +6 weeks, which is helpful to better understand the origin of CNS embryonic abnormalities and provide diagnostic clues for the early detection of CNS abnormalities.
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Objective To summarize the prenatal ultrasonographic characteristics of anomalous origin of one pulmonary artery from the aorta( AOPA ) ,and describe the diagnostic and clinical outcomes of fetal AOPA . Methods Echocardiographic characteristics of 3 fetuses with AOPA were reviewed . The ultrasonographic features were comparatively analyzed with postpartum autopsy findings . The relevant literature were reviewed and the experience of prenatal diagnosis of AOPA were summarized . Results In 3 cases with AOPA ,2 cases were the proximal type and anomalous origin of right pulmonary artery from the aorta ,of them ,one was accompanied with coarctation of the aorta , the other was accompanied with aortopulmonary window . One case was the distal type and anomalous origin of left pulmonary artery from the left innominate aorta ,it was only associated with mirror right aortic arch and right ductus arteriosus . Ultrasound characteristics were no bifurcation in distal pulmonary artery ,main trunk of pulmonary artery extends directly to one branch ,the other branch originated from the ascending aorta or left innominate artery . Three cases were confirmed by postpartum autopsy . Conclusions There are some characteristic signs on ultrasonic features of AOPA . Prenatal ultrasound has important value for diagnosis of AOPA .
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Objective To summarize the prenatal ultrasonographic characteristics of unroofed coronary sinus( URCS) for improving the prenatal echocardiography diagnostic accuracy of URCS . Methods The retrospective review for prenatal ultrasonogram of 7 fetuses was applied ,which were diagnosed as URCS . The prenatal ultrasonographic characteristics of 7 fetuses with URCS were reviewed and comparatively analyzed with postpartum autopsy findings or postnatal echocardiography . The relevant literatures referring to the prenatal diagnosis of URCS were reviewed . The experience of prenatal diagnosis of URCS were summarized . Results In 7 cases with URCS ,5 cases of completely URCS were associated with right atrial isomerism syndrome and confirmed by postpartum autopsy ,and 2 cases of partially URCS were only with persistent left superior vena cava and confirmed by postnatal echocardiography . The karyotype analysis of 2 cases of partially URCS on amniotic fluid was normal . Conclusions There are some characteristic signs in ultrasonic features of URCS . URCS can be diagnosed by prenatally ultrasonography . A long axial section of the coronary sinus is the most important view for prenatal ultrasonic diagnosis of U RCS .
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Objective To explore the value of three-vessel and trachea(3VT) view plus aortic arch coronal section in ultrasonic diagnosis and classification of fetal right aortic arch(RAA).Methods Echocardiography data and follow-up results of 44 fetuses with RAA were retrospectively analyzed.Sonographic features on 3VT view and aortic arch coronal section were summarized.Results Among 44 fetuses with RAA,27 cases(61.36%) were RAA with aberrant left subclavian artery(ALSA) and the left ductus arteriosus(LDA) connecting the ALSA and U-shaped vascular ring was formed;17 cases(38.64%) were mirror right aortic arch(MRAA).Among 17 cases with MRAA,3 cases were with LDA connecting the descending aorta(DAO) and U-shaped vascular ring was formed;1 case was with LDA connecting the left innominate artery(LINA),8 cases were with absent ductus arteriosus(ADA),5 case were with right ductus arteriosus(RDA),no vascular ring was formed.Parts of MRAA were combined with other complex intracardiac abnormalities.RAA-ALSA-LDA were rarely combined with intracardiac abnormalities.Conclusions 3VT view is simple and intuitive for diagnosing RAA.Aortic arch coronal section has great clinical value in determining the concrete type of RAA.