Erratum: Four chamber view plus three-vessel and trachea view for a complete evaluation of the fetal heart during the second trimester (Journal of Perinatal Medicine (2006) 34, (309))

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Four chamber view plus three-vessel and trachea view for a complete evaluation of the fetal heart during the second trimester

Objective: To test the efficacy of a recently introduced ultrasonic scanning plane (three vessel and trachea view -3VTV- plus color flow mapping -3VTVC) on a low-risk population for detection of congenital heart disease (CHD). Patients and setting: Antenatal clinic dealing with local low-risk population. All antenatal patients having a second trimester scan in a 1 year period. All patients had a 3VT plus 3VTC views added to routine four chamber view. Postnatal examinations were performed according to standard hospital protocol. Results: 2847 patients were examined. The plane was achievable in all 23 fetuses with CHD detected, three false negative (aortic coarctation) and two false positive. Sensitivity of the examination was 88.5%, as high as more sophisticated and difficult targeted cardiac scanning. The extra time necessary to perform the test was minimal. Conclusion: 3VTV and 3VTCV were satisfactory used as imaging planes in a busy antenatal clinic in a low-risk population. They could be easily added to the four chamber view as routine screening for CHD and increase the detection rate to 90%. Copyright © by Walter de Gruyter

Role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound to define prognosis and predict response to biotherapy in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

The incidence of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is progressively increasing. Most cases arise from the digestive system, where ileum, rectum and pancreas represent the commonest site of origin. Liver metastases are frequently detected at diagnosis or during the follow-up. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is used in patients with pancreatic NETs (P-NETs) and liver metastases from P-NET but its role has not been standardized. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate CEUS in patients with P-NETs and liver metastases from P-NET both as prognostic factor and predictor of response to therapy with somatostatin analogues (SSAs)

Late preterm births: A retrospective analysis of the morbidity risk stratified for gestational age

Purpose: Late-preterm births are considered functionally mature but, several line of evidences suggest that, compared with term neonates, they have a higher risk of complications. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of maior clinical complications of late preterm infants born in our division, compared to those born at term. Methods: We retrospectively analysed late preterm deliveries occurred in a twenty-months period. Late preterms were divided in 3 sub-groups according to gestational age at delivery: 34 0/6, 35 0/6, 36 0/6 weeks of gestation. The incidence of maior clinical complications was evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed by using the Z- test. Results: Among term deliveries 17.24% were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and 69.01% presented one major adverse outcome: 25.35% jaundice, 25.35% hypoglycemia, 11.26% RDS, 4.22% intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), 4,22% anemia. The incidence of IVH was significantly higher only at 340/6 weeks of gestation compared to term infants. The incidence of anemia and RDS was significantly higher at 34 0/6 and 35 0/6 weeks of gestation, but it was not significantly different at 36 weeks of gestation, compared to full-term infants. Finally, the incidence of hypoglycemia and jaundice results significantly higher in all the 3 sub groups of late preterms, compared to full term infants. Conclusions: Results demostrated an increased risk of morbidity in the late preterm period. Results also showed that the gestational age at delivery of late preterms can influence the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. © 2014 Bjornson et al

Late preterm births: a retrospective analysis of the morbidity risk stratified for gestational age

Purpose: Late-preterm births are considered functionally mature but, several line of evidences suggest that, compared with term neonates, they have a higher risk of complications. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of maior clinical complications of late preterm infants born in our division, compared to those born at term. Methods: We retrospectively analysed late preterm deliveries occurred in a twenty-months period. Late preterms were divided in 3 sub-groups according to gestational age at delivery: 34 0/6 , 35 0/6 , 36 0/6 weeks of gestation. The incidence of maior clinical complications was evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed by using the Z- test. Results: Among term deliveries 17.24% were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and 69.01% presented one major adverse outcome: 25.35% jaundice, 25.35% hypoglycemia , 11.26% RDS , 4.22% intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), 4,22% anemia. The incidence of IVH was significantly higher only at 340/6 weeks of gestation compared to term infants. The incidence of anemia and RDS was significantly higher at 34 0/6 and 35 0/6 weeks of gestation, but it was not significantly different at 36 weeks of gestation, compared to full-term infants. Finally, the incidence of hypoglycemia and jaundice results significantly higher in all the 3 sub groups of late preterms, compared to full term infants. Conclusions: Results demostrated an increased risk of morbidity in the late preterm period. Results also showed that the gestational age at delivery of late preterms can influence the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes