Role of prenatal magnetic resonance imaging in fetuses with isolated mild or moderate ventriculomegaly in the era of neurosonography: a multicenter study

Obiettivi: Analizzare, in feti con riscontro all’ecografia prenatale di ventricolomegalia isolata, il ruolo della risonanza magnetica fetale (RM) nell’identificazione di ulteriori anomalie cerebrali associate. Determinare se l’incidenza di tali anomalie associate sia correlata al grado ed alla lateralità della ventricolomegalia; stimare l’incidenza di anomalie associate diagnosticabili solo dopo la nascita e non identificate dalle metodiche di diagnostica prenatale (RM ed ecografia). Metodi: Studio multicentrico, retrospettivo, di coorte, in 15 centri in Italia, Regno Unito e Spagna. su gravide sottoposte a RM dopo riscontro alla neurosonografia multiplanare di ventricolomegalia isolata, fra gennaio 2010 e marzo 2019. Scopo principale: stabilire la prevalenza di anomalie del sistema nervoso centrale (SNC) individuabili esclusivamente tramite RM. Scopo secondario: stimare l’incidenza di anomalie aggiuntive identificate esclusivamente alla nascita. Risultati: sono stati inclusi 556 feti con diagnosi ecografica di ventricolomegalia isolata. Epoca gestazionale media al momento della RM: 26.7±4.4 settimane. Dei feti inclusi nello studio, il 36.5% (95% CI 32.6-40.4; 203/556) era affetto da VM bilaterale, il 63.5% (95% CI 59.4-67.4; 353/556) monolaterale. La VM è apparsa lieve (10-12 mm) nell’80.0% dei casi (95% CI 76.5-83.2; 445/556) e moderata (13-15 mm) nel 20.0% (95% CI 16.9- 23.5; 111/556). I risultati della regressione logistica hanno evidenziato che BMI materno (OR: 0.85, 95% CI 0.7- 0.99, p= 0.030), presenza di VM moderata (OR: 5.8, 95% CI 2.6-13.4, p<0.001) ed esecuzione di RM dopo la 24^ settimana (OR: 4.1, 95% CI 1.1-15.3, p= 0.038) correlano in maniera indipendente con l’individuazione di anomalie aggiuntive alla RM. Conclusioni: Fra i feti con ventricolomegalia apparentemente isolata valutati mediante neurosonografia, la percentuale di anomalie associate riscontrate esclusivamente alla risonanza magnetica fetale è risultata più bassa di quanto riportato finora. La maggior parte dei difetti evidenziati tramite RM rientra nelle categorie dei disordini della migrazione neuronale e delle emorragie, particolarmente difficili da diagnosticare all’ecografia.Objectives: To assess the role of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting associated anomalies in fetuses presenting with mild and moderate isolated ventriculomegaly (VM) undergoing multiplanar ultrasound (US) evaluation of fetal brain. Methods: Multicenter, retrospective, cohort study involving 15 referral fetal medicine centers in Italy, United Kingdom, and Spain. Inclusion criteria: fetuses affected by isolated VM on US, undergoing detailed assessment of fetal brain via a multiplanar approach. Primary outcome: to report the rate of additional CNS anomalies detected exclusively at prenatal MRI and missed at US; secondary aim: to estimate the incidence of additional anomalies detected exclusively after birth and missed at prenatal imaging. Results: 556 fetuses with a prenatal diagnosis of isolated fetal VM on US were included. Additional structural anomalies were detected at prenatal MRI and missed at US in 5.4% (95% CI 3.8-7.6) of cases. Fetuses with an associated anomaly detected only at MRI were more likely to have moderate compared to mild VM (60.0% vs 17.7%, p<0.001), while there was no significant difference between the proportion of cases with bilateral VM between the two groups (p=0.2). The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that maternal body mass index (OR: 0.85, 95% CI 0.7-0.99, p= 0.030), presence of moderate VM (OR: 5.8, 95% CI 2.6-13.4, p<0.001) and gestational age at MRI ≥24 weeks of gestation (OR: 4.1, 95% CI 1.1-15.3, p= 0.038) were independently associated with the probability of detecting associated anomalies at MRI. Associated anomalies were detected exclusively at birth and missed at prenatal imaging in 3.8% of cases. Conclusions: The rate of associated fetal anomalies missed at US and detected only at fetal MRI in fetuses with isolated mild and moderate VM undergoing neurosonography is lower than that previously reported. The large majority of these anomalies are difficult to detect on ultrasoun

A prenatal standard for fetal weight improves the prenatal diagnosis of small for gestational age fetuses in pregnancies at increased risk

Objective: Our aim was to assess diagnostic accuracy in the prediction of small for gestational age (SGA &lt;10th centile) and fetal growth restricted (FGR) (SGA &lt;3rd centile) fetuses using three different sonographic methods in pregnancies at increased risk of fetal growth restriction: 1) fetal abdominal circumference (AC) z-scores, 2) estimated fetal weight (EFW) z-scores according to postnatal reference standard; 3) EFW z-scores according to a prenatal reference standard. Methods: Singleton pregnancies at increased risk of fetal growth restriction seen in two university hospitals between 2014 and 2015 were studied retrospectively. EFW was calculated using formulas proposed by the INTERGROWTH-21st project and Hadlock; data derived from publications by the INTEGROWTH-twenty-first century project and Hadlock were used to calculate z-scores (AC and EFW). The accuracy of different methods was calculated and compared. Results: The study group included 406 patients. Prenatal standard EFW z-scores derived from INTERGROWTH-21st project and Hadlock and co-workers performed similarly and were more accurate in identifying SGA infants than using AC z-scores or a postnatal reference standard. The subgroups analysis demonstrated that EFW prenatal standard was more or similarly accurate compared to other methods across all subgroups, defined by gestational age and birth weight. Conclusions: Prenatal standard EFW z-scores derived from either INTERGROWTH-21 st project or Hadlock and co-workers publications demonstrated a statistically significant advantage over other biometric methods in the diagnosis of SGA fetuses

multicenter cohort study

Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.Objective: Monochorionic (MC) triplet pregnancies are extremely rare and information on these pregnancies and their complications is limited. We aimed to investigate the risk of early and late pregnancy complications, perinatal outcome and the timing and methods of fetal intervention in these pregnancies. Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of MC triamniotic (TA) triplet pregnancies managed in 21 participating centers around the world from 2007 onwards. Data on maternal age, mode of conception, diagnosis of major fetal structural anomalies or aneuploidy, gestational age (GA) at diagnosis of anomalies, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), twin anemia–polycythemia sequence (TAPS), twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence and or selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) were retrieved from patient records. Data on antenatal interventions were collected, including data on selective fetal reduction (three to two or three to one), laser surgery and any other active fetal intervention (including amniodrainage). Data on perinatal outcome were collected, including numbers of live birth, intrauterine demise, neonatal death, perinatal death and termination of fetus or pregnancy (TOP). Neonatal data such as GA at birth, birth weight, admission to neonatal intensive care unit and neonatal morbidity were also collected. Perinatal outcomes were assessed according to whether the pregnancy was managed expectantly or underwent fetal intervention. Results: Of an initial cohort of 174 MCTA triplet pregnancies, 11 underwent early TOP, three had an early miscarriage, six were lost to follow-up and one was ongoing at the time of writing. Thus, the study cohort included 153 pregnancies, of which the majority (92.8%) were managed expectantly. The incidence of pregnancy affected by one or more fetal structural abnormality was 13.7% (21/153) and that of TRAP sequence was 5.2% (8/153). The most common antenatal complication related to chorionicity was TTTS, which affected just over one quarter (27.6%; 42/152, after removing a pregnancy with TOP < 24 weeks for fetal anomalies) of the pregnancies, followed by sFGR (16.4%; 25/152), while TAPS (spontaneous or post TTTS with or without laser treatment) occurred in only 4.6% (7/152) of pregnancies. No monochorionicity-related antenatal complication was recorded in 49.3% (75/152) of pregnancies. Survival was apparently associated largely with the development of these complications: there was at least one survivor beyond the neonatal period in 85.1% (57/67) of pregnancies without antenatal complications, in 100% (25/25) of those complicated by sFGR and in 47.6% (20/42) of those complicated by TTTS. The overall rate of preterm birth prior to 28 weeks was 14.5% (18/124) and that prior to 32 weeks' gestation was 49.2% (61/124). Conclusion: Monochorionicity-related complications, which can impact adversely perinatal outcome, occur in almost half of MCTA triplet pregnancies, creating a challenge with regard to counseling, surveillance and management.publishersversionpublishe

Role of prenatal magnetic resonance imaging in fetuses with isolated mild or moderate ventriculomegaly in the era of neurosonography: international multicenter study

Objectives To assess the role of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting associated anomalies in fetuses presenting with mild or moderate isolated ventriculomegaly (VM) undergoing multiplanar ultrasound evaluation of the fetal brain. Methods This was a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study involving 15 referral fetal medicine centers in Italy, the UK and Spain. Inclusion criteria were fetuses affected by isolated mild (ventricular atrial diameter, 10.0–11.9 mm) or moderate (ventricular atrial diameter, 12.0–14.9 mm) VM on ultrasound, defined as VM with normal karyotype and no other additional central nervous system (CNS) or extra‐CNS anomalies on ultrasound, undergoing detailed assessment of the fetal brain using a multiplanar approach as suggested by the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology guidelines for the fetal neurosonogram, followed by fetal MRI. The primary outcome of the study was to report the incidence of additional CNS anomalies detected exclusively on prenatal MRI and missed on ultrasound, while the secondary aim was to estimate the incidence of additional anomalies detected exclusively after birth and missed on prenatal imaging (ultrasound and MRI). Subgroup analysis according to gestational age at MRI (< 24 vs ≥ 24 weeks), laterality of VM (unilateral vs bilateral) and severity of dilatation (mild vs moderate VM) were also performed. Results Five hundred and fifty‐six fetuses with a prenatal diagnosis of isolated mild or moderate VM on ultrasound were included in the analysis. Additional structural anomalies were detected on prenatal MRI and missed on ultrasound in 5.4% (95% CI, 3.8–7.6%) of cases. When considering the type of anomaly, supratentorial intracranial hemorrhage was detected on MRI in 26.7% of fetuses, while polymicrogyria and lissencephaly were detected in 20.0% and 13.3% of cases, respectively. Hypoplasia of the corpus callosum was detected on MRI in 6.7% of cases, while dysgenesis was detected in 3.3%. Fetuses with an associated anomaly detected only on MRI were more likely to have moderate than mild VM (60.0% vs 17.7%; P < 0.001), while there was no significant difference in the proportion of cases with bilateral VM between the two groups (P = 0.2). Logistic regression analysis showed that lower maternal body mass index (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 0.85 (95% CI, 0.7–0.99); P = 0.030), the presence of moderate VM (aOR, 5.8 (95% CI, 2.6–13.4); P < 0.001) and gestational age at MRI ≥ 24 weeks (aOR, 4.1 (95% CI, 1.1–15.3); P = 0.038) were associated independently with the probability of detecting an associated anomaly on MRI. Associated anomalies were detected exclusively at birth and missed on prenatal imaging in 3.8% of cases. Conclusions The incidence of an associated fetal anomaly missed on ultrasound and detected only on fetal MRI in fetuses with isolated mild or moderate VM undergoing neurosonography is lower than that reported previously. The large majority of these anomalies are difficult to detect on ultrasound. The findings from this study support the practice of MRI assessment in every fetus with a prenatal diagnosis of VM, although parents can be reassured of the low risk of an associated anomaly when VM is isolated on neurosonography

Real-Time Volume Contrast Imaging in the A Plane with a Four-Dimensional Electronic Probe Facilitates the Evaluation of Fetal Extremities in Midtrimester Sonograms

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of real-time volume contrast imaging in the A plane (VCI-A) of fetal extremities, compared with conventional two-dimensional ultrasound (2D). Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial of 100 patients undergoing midtrimester sonography. The fetal limbs were imaged with either 2D or VCI-A with a four-dimensional (4D) electronic probe. Time required for the examination, number of images stored, and quality of the documentation were compared. During the study, 6 fetuses with abnormal extremities were scanned with both 2D and VCI-A, and the diagnostic accuracy and quality of the images were also compared. Results: In the VCI-A group, the fetal extremities were imaged more rapidly (2.3 \ub1 1.1 vs. 3.3 \ub1 0.9 min, p < 0.0001), less images were required to document the examination (5.6 \ub1 1.4 vs. 7.3 \ub1 1.6), and an optimal documentation was more frequently obtained (84 vs. 54%, p < 0.0001) compared with the 2D group. In malformed fetuses, a precise diagnosis was achieved with both techniques, although images obtained with VCI-A were found to be of superior quality. Conclusions: Real-time VCI-A with a 4D electronic probe is an effective tool for imaging the fetal extremities in midtrimester examinations and carries some advantages over conventional 2D sonography

An innovative test for non-invasive Kell genotyping on circulating fetal DNA by means of the allelic discrimination of K1 and K2 antigens

Objective: The aim of this study was to present a new method for fetal Kell genotyping by means of the allelic discrimination of K1 and K2 in real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods: Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction incorporating an allele-specific primer was developed for detecting the K allele of KEL. Results: By means of this method, the K1/K2 genotype was able to be determined in all blood samples analyzed. Results using cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) from two Kell-negative pregnant women confirmed the Kell-positive genotype of fetuses. The real-time PCR analysis also allowed the determination of the fetal fraction using the quantification of Kell-positive DNA. Conclusion: An efficient and reliable strategy for Kell genotyping is herein presented. The method was optimized on cffDNA to create a non-invasive prenatal test which could be routinely used for the prevention of hemolytic disease of the fetus and the newborn (HDFN)

Intrapartum Ultrasound to Differentiate Flexion and Deflexion in Occipitoposterior Rotation

Objective: To evaluate the ability of intrapartum ultrasound to differentiate occipitoposterior (OP) rotation with normal flexion of the head from deflexion, to compare the accuracy of ultrasound with the digital examination, and to assess the outcome of labor according to the type of presentation. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study of patients with abnormal labor because of either prolongation and/or abnormal cardiotocography and OP rotation who underwent intrapartum sonography. Results: Normal flexion was inferred in 36/42 cases by a longitudinal sonographic view of the fetal face demonstrating the chin approaching the chest. In the remaining 6, deflexion was diagnosed by visualizing the chin separate and distant from the chest. In 3 of these cases, the orbits were at the same level of the pubis suggesting brow presentation. In the remaining 3 cases, the orbits were above the pubis, and sinciput presentation was inferred. Head deflexion was diagnosed more accurately with ultrasound than clinically and always required a cesarean section versus 36% of cases with OP flexed presentation (p = 0.0052). Conclusions: Fetuses with abnormal labor and OP rotation had deflexed presentations in 14% of cases and were never delivered vaginally. Sonography was far more accurate than the digital examination

The use of intrapartum ultrasound to diagnose malpositions and cephalic malpresentations

Fetal malpositions and cephalic malpresentations are well-recognized causes of failure to progress in labor. They frequently require operative delivery, and are associated with an increased probability of fetal and maternal complications. Traditional obstetrics emphasizes the role of digital examinations, but recent studies demonstrated that this approach is inaccurate and intrapartum ultrasound is far more precise. The objective of this review is to summarize the current body of literature and provide recommendations to identify malpositions and cephalic malpresentations with ultrasound. We propose a systematic approach consisting of a combination of transabdominal and transperineal scans and describe the findings that allow an accurate diagnosis of normal and abnormal position, flexion, and synclitism of the fetal head. The management of malpositions and cephalic malpresentation is currently a matter of debate, and individualized depending on the general clinical picture and expertise of the provider. Intrapartum sonography allows a precise diagnosis and therefore offers the best opportunity to design prospective studies with the aim of establishing evidence-based treatment. The article is accompanied by a that demonstrates the sonographic technique and findings

Subpubic Arch Angle and Mode of Delivery in Low-Risk Nulliparous Women

Objective: To assess whether subpubic arch angle (SPA) measurement before labor onset can predict labor outcome among low-risk pregnant women. Methods: 3D ultrasound volume was transperineally acquired from a series of nulliparous women with uncomplicated pregnancy at term before the onset of labor. SPA was measured offline using Oblique View Extended Imaging (OVIX) on each volume performed by an investigator not involved in the clinical management. Labor outcome was prospectively investigated in the whole study group. Results: Overall, 145 women were enrolled in the study. Of these, 83 underwent spontaneous vaginal delivery, whereas obstetric intervention was performed in 62 cases (Cesarean section in 40 and vacuum extraction in 22). The SPA appeared to be significantly narrower in the women submitted to obstetric intervention compared with those undergoing spontaneous vaginal delivery (116.8 ± 10.3° vs. 123.7 ± 9.6°, p < 0.01). At multivariate analysis SPA and maternal age were identified as independent predictors of the mode of delivery. On the other hand, the duration of labor did not show a significant relationship with SPA. Conclusions: In low-risk nulliparous women at term gestation, SPA measurement obtained by 3D ultrasound before the onset of labor seems to predict the likelihood of an obstetric intervention but not the duration of labor