Fetal transposition of the great arteries: 3D virtual and physical models from ultrasound datasets.

Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a cyanotic congenital heart disease characterized by ventriculoarterial discordance and atrioventricular concordance with the great arteries in a parallel relationship. Prenatal diagnosis of TGA has implications for postnatal outcomes, allowing for planned delivery and perinatal management. Three-dimensional virtual or physical models of fetal TGA allow better understanding of fetal cardiac anomalies by parents and interactive discussion among the multidisciplinary team (obstetricians, pediatricians, maternal-fetal specialists, pediatric cardiologists, and cardiovascular surgeons), as well as continuing medical education.

Fetal tetralogy of Fallot: Three-dimensional virtual and physical models from ultrasound scan data findings.

Three-dimensional reconstructions provide a spatial view of the congenital heart disease with a better understanding of the pathology for parents and allow interactive discussion among the medical team (maternal-fetal medicine specialist, neonatology, pediatric cardiology, and cardiovascular surgeon) and improve both objective knowledge and learner satisfaction for medical students.

Ebstein anomaly: 3D virtual and physical models from obstetrical ultrasound data.

3D virtual and physical models from ultrasound scan data allow a 3D spatial view of congenital heart anomalies, interactive discussion among a multidisciplinary team, and improved parental counseling. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of 3D physical and virtual models of a fetal Ebstein anomaly.

Is there a role for magnetic resonance imaging in cesarean scar pregnancy after the first trimester?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide additional information in cases of cesarean scar pregnancy beyond the first trimester. MRI and 3D reconstructions can demonstrate the relationships between the uterus, cervix, bladder, and placenta, improving the spatial perspective of the pelvic anatomy in cases requiring surgical management. MRI and 3D reconstructions can also provide more comprehensive images for parental counseling, virtual and face-to-face multidisciplinary team discussion, and medical record storage.

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal left ventricular diverticulum: 3D virtual and physical reconstruction models.

Congenital diverticulum is a very rare congenital heart disease. 3D virtual and physical models from ultrasound scan data provide a spatial visualization and better understanding of congenital heart disease to the parents and support possible surgical procedures.

Imaging features for the evaluation of skin and nail infections.

Clinical manifestations of dermatological and musculoskeletal conditions can sometimes overlap, leading to confusion in diagnosis. Patients with nail and skin infections may undergo imaging examinations with suspicions of muscle, tendon, or joint injuries. Dermatological infections often involve soft tissues and musculoskeletal structures, and their etiology can range from fungi, bacteria, viruses, to protozoa. Relying solely on physical examination may not be sufficient for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning, necessitating the use of complementary imaging exams. The objective of this paper is to present and discuss imaging findings of the main infectious conditions affecting the nail apparatus and skin. The paper also highlights the importance of imaging in clarifying diagnostic uncertainties and guiding appropriate treatment for dermatological conditions.

Cytomegalovirus and Pregnancy: A Narrative Review.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common congenital infection worldwide, affecting between 0.7% and 1% of all live births. Approximately 11% of infected newborns are symptomatic at birth, and between 30% and 40% of these are at risk of developing long-term neurological sequelae. Until recently, the lack of an effective treatment did not justify universal testing of pregnant women. In recent years, however, valacyclovir at a dose of 8 g/day has been shown to be effective in preventing vertical transmission, and ganciclovir has been shown to be effective in preventing long-term sequelae in the treatment of symptomatic neonates. The aim of this article is to review congenital CMV infection, from its epidemiology to its treatment, using the most recent studies in the literature, and to help in the decision to modify protocols for universal testing of pregnant women according to the possibilities of each locality.

Placenta acrreta spectrum-first trimester, 2D and 3D ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging findings.

BACKGROUND: The term placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is commonly used to describe abnormal trophoblastic invasion of the myometrium, serosa, or organs adjacent to the uterus. It is of great obstetric importance because of its high morbidity, risk of hemorrhage, admission to the intensive care unit, risk of hysterectomy, and high risk of iatrogenic pelvic lesions and even death. These risks are minimized when prenatal diagnosis is performed. Prenatal diagnosis of PAS is based on imaging findings suggestive of abnormal and pathologically adherent placentation, including placental lacunae (intraplacental sonolucent spaces), disruption of the bladder-uterine serosa interface, turbulent flow on color Doppler, and bridging vessels. OBJECTIVE: In this article, we review the major prenatal imaging features of PAS using diagnostic modalities (first trimester, two-dimensional ultrasound, three-dimensional ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging) for the diagnosis of PAS.

Evolution of Fetal Cardiac Imaging over the Last 20 Years.

The purpose of this article is to describe the evaluation of a variety of congenital heart diseases (CHDs) using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound with different software, such as Cristal Vue, Realistic Vue, LumiFlow, and Spatiotemporal Image Correlation (STIC), with HDlive and HDlive Flow Silhouette modes. These technologies provide realistic images of the fetal heart and cardiac vessels using a fixed virtual light source that allows the operator to freely select a better light source position to enhance the cardiovascular anatomical details. In addition, Fetal Intelligent Navigation Echocardiography (FINE) technology, also known as "5D Heart" or "5D", is a technology that enables the automatic reconstruction of the nine standard fetal echocardiographic views and can alert non-specialists to suspected CHD. Through the use of artificial intelligence, an ultrasound machine is able to perform automatic anatomical and functional measurements. In addition, hese technologies enable the reconstruction of fetal cardiac structures in realistic images, improving the depth perception and resolution of anatomic cardiac details and blood vessels compared to those of standard two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound.

Vaginal leiomyoma: Advantages of clinical sonovaginography and ultrasound dynamic evaluation of uterine cervix-related lesions.

Evaluation of vaginal leiomyoma by dynamic transvaginal ultrasound improves the diagnosis, with the impact on surgical planning, and surgical outcomes. Sonovaginography using three-dimensional ultrasound allows the assessment of spatial relationship between the cervix and the tumor.

Prenatal diagnosis of closed gastroschisis: What to expect in the most severe form of gastroschisis? Case report and literature review.

Closed gastroschisis (CG) and vanishing gastroschisis (VG) are the most severe forms of evolution of the malformation. In this case, a fetus presented with gastroschisis at 13 weeks, and the gastroschisis was not visualized at 22 weeks of gestation. Distal ileum, cecum, and ascending colon atresia were diagnosed at surgery, and the child is fully enteral-fed at 5 months of age. In a literature review of 43 cases of prenatal diagnosis of CS-VG, intrauterine death occurred in 4.5% of cases. 79.6% of the cases underwent surgical treatment. Of these cases, 20% of cases died due to complications of treatment, 26% were still under treatment and 54% are alive with enteral feeding. In 77% of the cases, the closure of the umbilical ring occurred after 26 weeks of gestation and the absence of prenatal diagnosis of CG-VG during pregnancy has a risk of 71% of death.

Clinical Presentations and Diagnostic Imaging of VACTERL Association.

Background: VACTERL association consists of Vertebral, Anorectal, Cardiac, Tracheo-Esophageal, Renal, and Limb defects. The diagnosis depends on the presence of at least three of these structural abnormalities. Methods: The clinical presentation and diagnostic prenatal imaging of VACTERL association are comprehensively reviewed. Results: The most common feature is a vertebral anomaly, found in 60-80% of cases. Tracheo-esophageal fistula is seen in 50-80% of cases and renal malformations in 30% of patients. Limb defects including thumb aplasia/hypoplasia, polydactyly, and radial agenesis/hypoplasia are present in 40-50% of cases. Anorectal defects, like imperforate anus/anal atresia, are challenging to detect prenatally. Conclusion: The diagnosis of VACTERL association mostly relies on imaging techniques such as ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance. Differential diagnosis should exclude similar diseases such as CHARGE and Townes-Brocks syndromes and Fanconi anemia. New insights into genetic etiology have led to recommendations of chromosomal breakage investigation for optimal diagnosis and counseling.

Prenatal diagnosis of Pallister-Hall syndrome: ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and three-dimensional reconstructions of phenotypical findings.

Pallister - Hall syndrome is a rare malformation that involves the presence of a suprasellar hamartoma and associated malformations. Prenatal diagnosis is also rare, and few cases have been reported using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 35-year-old G5P2A2 woman at the 35th week of gestation was referred to our service. Fetal MRI showed an isointense image in the suprasellar region, pushing the brainstem up and backward, and compressing the vermis and cerebellum on T2-weighted images. On T1-weighted images, the hypointense signal of the tumor was similar to that of the brain parenchyma. Ultrasound images showed a suprasellar mass, which was more echogenic than the normal cerebral parenchyma, posteriorly pushing the brain stem, with involvement of the vermis of the tumor and compression of the posterior fossa. Three-dimensional reconstruction using MRI scan data showed a space view of the tumor and its relationships with the other brain tissues allowing better understanding by parents and multidisciplinary team.

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: Prenatal Diagnosis Using Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging-A Report of Two Cases.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multiple system neurocutaneous syndrome with a genetic disorder caused by different mutations in TSC1 or TSC2. Usually, TSC causes tumors in the heart, brain, kidneys, eyes, and lungs. However, tumors can also develop in any other organs. The prenatal diagnosis of TCS is based on the identification of fetal cardiac tumors by ultrasound and brain subependymal nodules, usually identified by fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We present two case reports of the prenatal diagnosis of TCS using both ultrasound and MRI, which were confirmed by clinical and radiological methods in the postnatal period accordingly.

Ultrasound and fetal magnetic resonance imaging: Clinical performance in the prenatal diagnosis of orofacial clefts and mandibular abnormalities.

Cleft lip, with or without cleft palate, is the most common congenital craniofacial anomaly and the second most common birth defect worldwide. Micrognathia is a rare facial malformation characterized by small, underdeveloped mandible and frequently associated with retrognathia. Second- and third-trimester prenatal ultrasound is the standard modality for screening and identification of fetal orofacial abnormalities, with a detection rate in the low-risk population ranging from 0% to 73% for all types of cleft. The prenatal ultrasonography detection can also be performed during the first trimester of pregnancy. Given the potential limitations of obstetric ultrasound for examining the fetal face, such as suboptimal fetal position, shadowing from the surrounding bones, reduce amniotic fluid around the face, interposition of fetal limbs, umbilical cord and placenta, and maternal habitus/abdominal scars, the use of adjunct imaging modalities can enhance prenatal diagnosis of craniofacial anomalies in at-risk pregnancies. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a potentially useful second-line investigation for the prenatal diagnosis of orofacial malformations with a pooled sensitivity of 97%. In this review, we discuss the role of ultrasound and fetal MRI in the prenatal assessment of abnormalities of the upper lip, palate, and mandible.

Biomodelling and 3D technologies: A novel technique for subungual glomus tumor evaluation.

Subungual glomus tumors often remain undiagnosed for several years with patients seeing an average of 2.5 dermatologists before the diagnosis is confirmed. We describe the use of biomodelling and 3D technologies that allows the detection of tumoral recurrences more easily, as well as providing supplementary information for the radiologist report, such as select anatomical structure analysis, images with 360° rotation and visualization in transparency mode for detailed anatomic analysis.

Prenatal and Postnatal Zika Intrauterine Infection: Diagnostic Imaging Techniques and Placental Pathology.

Introduction: Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus (arthropod-borne virus) in the genus Flavivirus and Flaviviridae family. In November 2015, several cases of microcephaly in Northeastern of Brazil suggested ZIKV involvement. Case Report: A 33-year-old primigravida developed fever and cutaneous rash at 7th week of gestation (WGA). The ultrasound and MRI examination showed head circumference < 5th centile and enlargement of lateral ventricles. The infant was delivered at 39th WGA with microcephaly. Microscopy of the placenta showed chronic villitis and intervillitis, nodular stromal fibrosis in the stem villi, and vascular thickening. Postnatal CT showed collapsed cranium due to growth impairment of the suprathalamic brain, multiple cerebral calcifications, parenchymal atrophy, and ventricular dilatation. Now, at 6 years old, the child suffers from severe neurologic symptoms, including seizures. Conclusion: This case gathers images of prenatal and postnatal period, and placental histopathology. The long-term follow-up highlights the dramatic neurological sequelae induced by ZIKV.

Fetal Hands: A Comprehensive Review of Prenatal Assessment and Diagnosis Over the Past 40 Years.

Fetal skeletal dysplasias involving limbs and hands are rare congenital malformations. Prenatal two-dimensional ultrasound diagnosis of fetal limb defects has a sensitivity of about 30%; however, an increased detection rate may be obtained using three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound in the rendering mode. 3-D ultrasound may be used as a complementary method providing additional information. Currently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with the emergence of ultrafast imaging techniques and new sequences, allows for better diagnosis of several fetal skeletal dysplasias such as limb reduction defects and neuromuscular disorders. 3-D volumetric images from ultrasound or MRI scan data allow 3-D ultrasound reconstructions of virtual/physical models, and virtual reality can help researchers to improve our understanding of both normal and abnormal fetal limb/hand anatomy. In this article, we review the embryological development of fetal hands and their main anomalies including prenatal diagnostic methods, genetic counseling, the role of orthopedic and plastic surgery reconstruction, and new perspectives in fetal surgery.