First-line noninvasive management of cytomegalovirus primary infection in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: To introduce a first-line noninvasive antenatal management of maternal cytomegalovirus (CMV) primary infection based on ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Amniocentesis (AC) is used as a second-line tool in cases of abnormalities compatible with fetal CMV infection on US and/or MRI screening. METHODS: Between January 2011 and October 2018, pregnant women referred with a CMV primary infection on antibody screening were followed up by monthly US scans and a brain MRI at approximately 32 weeks. In cases with US and/or MRI abnormalities compatible with congenital CMV infection, AC was performed to confirm the diagnosis. RESULTS: Ninety pregnant women with a primary CMV infection were included (89 singleton and one twin pregnancy). The first-line screening by US and/or MRI was normal for 72 of 91 fetuses (79%). At birth, 19 of these 72 neonates (26%) had a positive urine sample for CMV but were asymptomatic. US and/or MRI abnormalities were identified in 19 fetuses (21%). AC confirmed a fetal CMV infection in 16 fetuses (84%); 12 pregnancies were terminated, and four were continued, with three symptomatic neonates at birth and one poor neurodevelopmental outcome at postnatal follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: First-line noninvasive management of maternal CMV primary infection based on serial US scans and brain MRI can be offered to identify fetuses with severe symptomatic congenital CMV infection and reduce the number of ACs without compromising the fetal outcome.

Endovascular Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms: Initial Experience in a Low-Volume Center.

OBJECTIVE: Endovascular treatment (EVT) is the first-line treatment for ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms (IA). EVT may be performed by interventional neuroradiologist (INR) with different levels of experience. This study aimed at evaluating clinical and anatomic results of IA embolisations performed by a INR with a short experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Within a 26-month period, 35 IA embolisations were managed by a young INR, 26 of these IA being ruptured. Different EVT techniques were used: coiling alone, stent-assisted coiling and remodeling techniques. Initial angiographic results, clinical outcomes and mid-term anatomic results were evaluated. RESULTS: Out of 35 procedures, there were seven per-procedural complications leading to one ischemic stroke and one death. Immediate post-procedural complete occlusion was obtained in 91% of procedures (32/35). Good clinical results (modified Rankin Scale Score of 0 or 1) were obtained in 79% of patients (26/33). In a mean follow-up time of 9.5 months, stable occlusion was shown in 88% of IA (21/24). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that IA embolisation may be performed by a recently trained INR with good clinical and anatomical outcomes.

Sternal cleft: prenatal multimodality imaging.

Sternal clefts have been reported sporadically, but there are no reports describing complete investigations of the malformation. We describe a child with isolated inferior sternal cleft diagnosed at 33 weeks of gestation and thoroughly investigated by prenatal US, MRI and CT and preoperative US. Our report highlights the importance of accurate and in-depth investigation by multimodality imaging that allows detection of accompanying serious anomalies and, hence, forms the basis for informed parental counselling and for postnatal interdisciplinary care.

Shunting the intervillous space: new concepts in human uteroplacental vascularization.

OBJECTIVE: It is supposed that the intervillous space is not perfused by maternal blood during the first trimester, suggesting vascular shunts in the myometrium. We therefore attempted to provide arguments for a functional vascular anastomotic network located in the placental bed during human pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Three-dimensional (3D) sonography, laboratory analyses, and anatomic studies (hysterectomy specimens, uteroplacental vascular cast) were performed. RESULTS: Color Doppler showed a vascular network with anastomotic aspect located in the placental bed. A vascular cast of a uterus, obtained after postpartum hemorrhage, demonstrated a vascular anastomotic network in the myometrium. Higher PO2 levels in the uterine vein compared with the intervillous space confirmed the functional nature of this shunt. Low resistances in the uterine arteries during the first week after delivery suggested that this vascular network remains functional after placental expulsion. CONCLUSION: Our studies have yielded functional and anatomic evidence of an arteriovenous shunt located in the subplacental myometrium.