bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Premature contractions: possible influence of sonographic measurement of cervical length on clinical management
Authors: Rageth J. C. , Kernen B. , Saurenmann E. , Unger C. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIn a retrospective case control study with historical controls, the influence of the introduction of vaginal sonographic cervical length measurement on the utilization of hospital services and pregnancy outcome of gravid women at risk of preterm delivery was examined.Prior to the introduction of vaginal ultrasonography to measure cervical length, we registered 76 hospitalizations totalling 1827 hospitalization days due to premature cervical ripening and/or premature labor in 1991 and 1992. In 1994, and 1995, after vaginal ultrasonography was introduced and intravenous tocolysis was limited to cases with cervical shortening to less than 3 cm, there were 64 admissions resulting in just 869 hospitalization days. Long‐term hospitalizations (over 10 days) were reduced from 55 to 25 cases (p < 0.0001) and the median length of hospital stay decreased from 18 to 8 days (p < 0.0001). The number of preterm births ( ≤ 37 weeks) remained stable: 12 cases in 1991–1992 and 13 cases in 1994–1995.In conclusion, vaginal sonographic measurement of cervical length provides an objective criterion for cervical shortening with premature labor. The method could therefore be a suitable means of reducing unnecessary therapeutic interventions in gravid women with premature contractions and/or cervical dilatation. A prospective randomized trial to confirm these findings is suggested. Copyright © 1997 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Giant glioependymal cyst resembling holoprosencephaly on prenatal ultrasound: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Pelkey T. J. , Ferguson J. E. , Veille J.‐C. , Alston S. R. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe report the earliest in utero presentation of a ‘giant’ glioependymal cyst detected on routine prenatal ultrasound at 22 weeks estimated gestational age. The clinicopathologic features of these rare lesions are reviewed as well as previous reports of glioependymal cysts detected in utero. The effects of large intracranial cysts on neurodevelopment are discussed as well as the differential diagnosis of infantile intracranial cysts and therapeutic alternatives. Copyright © 1997 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Early sonographic diagnosis of Jarcho‐Levin syndrome: a prospective screening program in one family
Authors: Eliyahu S. , Weiner E. , Lahav D. , Shalev E. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of early diagnosis of Jarcho‐Levin syndrome by ultrasound examination of the fetus.Over a period of 5 years, nine women from one Arab family, known to carry an autosomal recessive form of the disease, were prospectively and repeatedly examined using ultrasound. Out of eight pregnancies, four fetuses were diagnosed as being affected by the disease as early as 12 gestational weeks. Three elected to terminate the pregnancy before viability and one was born at term. There were no misdiagnoses.We conclude that early prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of Jarcho‐Levin syndrome is feasible, although later sonographic confirmation is often warranted. Copyright © 1997 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ultrasonography of the ureter during laparoscopic gynecological surgery
Authors: Helin‐Martikainen H.‐L. , Kirkinen P. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the ultrasonographic appearance and normal function of the ureter during gynecological surgery. The study group consisted of 14 gynecological patients scheduled for laparoscopy and 12 patients scheduled for laparotomy. Under standardized anesthesia conditions before pelvic surgery, the appearance, location, dimensions and peristaltic activity of the ureter were examined using a 7.5‐MHz flexible laparoscopic linear transducer probe. Imaging of the ureter was possible in all cases. The ureteral lumen, mucosa, sub‐epithelial connective tissue and muscular layer could be imaged as a tubular structure with low‐level echoes. The separate layers, however, could not be differentiated by ultrasonography. The ureteral diameters at resting phase did not differ between the open surgery and laparoscopy groups. During peristaltic activity the maximal diameter was smaller in the laparoscopy group. The mean number of peristaltic waves was 23 ± 7 waves per 5 min and this did not differ significantly between the open and laparoscopic surgery groups. Intermittent periods of retrograde flow were detected in 21 of the 26 patients. As seen in this study, ureteral location and function can be ultrasonographically evaluated during surgery and laparoscopic conditions do not have much influence on the ureter. The role of laparoscopic ultrasonography in lowering the incidence of ureteral complications in gynecological surgery needs further study. Copyright © 1997 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Restrictive dermopathy and associated prenatal ultrasound findings: case report
Authors: van der Stege J. G. , van Straaten H. L. M. , van der Walt A. C. , van Eyck J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractRestrictive dermopathy is a lethal autosomal recessive skin disease. Prenatal diagnosis has not yet been reported. We present a case of restrictive dermopathy and describe the associated prenatal sonographic findings. A continuously open mouth was the most striking feature and this sonographic finding may be a marker of a skin disease. Copyright © 1997 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Transvaginal ultrasonographic characterization of ovarian masses: comparison of five scoring systems in a multicenter study
Authors: Ferrazzi E. , Zanetta G. , Dordoni D. , Berlanda N. , Mezzopane R. , Lissoni G. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe aim of this work was to test and compare the accuracy of five different morphological scoring systems to identify malignant ovarian masses in a prospective multicenter study. Four of the systems had previously been reported by Granberg, Sassone, De Priest and Lerner and the fifth is newly developed.A total of 330 ovarian neoplasms were collected in three different centers, which adopted the same diagnostic procedures. Of these, 261 masses were benign (mean diameter 50 ± 26 mm) and 69 were malignant (mean diameter 69 ± 33 mm) (prevalence 21%). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the multicenter score was 0.84. This was significantly better than the areas of the other four scores which ranged from 0.72 to 0.75. The cut‐off levels derived from the five ROC curves achieved a sensitivity that ranged from 74% (Sassone score) to 88% (De Priest score ≥ 5), and a specificity from 40% (De Priest) to 67% (multicenter); the highest positive predictive value was 41% (multicenter). With a cut‐off level of 9, the accuracy of the multicenter score was significantly better than the scores of Granberg and De Priest (McNemar's test p < 0.0001). Similar results were obtained in 207 ovarian masses of ≤ 5 cm in mean diameter, and when 19 borderline and 11 stage 1 cancers only were considered. For the clinical purposes of a screening test we also checked a possible cut‐off level of ≥ 8, which increased the sensitivity to 93% with a drop of specificity to 56%. With the use of the same criteria for the scores of the different authors, the following values were obtained for sensitivity: 96%, 81%, 93% and 90%; and for specificity: 23%, 56%, 28% and 49%.The multicenter score performed well at distinguishing malignant from benign lesions, and was better than the other four traditional scores, for both large and small masses. This was mainly due to the introduction of two criteria that allowed correction for typical dermoids and endohemorrhagic corpora lutea. A completely reliable differentiation of benign from malignant masses cannot be obtained by sonographic imaging alone. Copyright © 1997 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Radiographic: evaluation of breech presentation: is it necessary?
Authors: Fontenot T. , Campbell B. , Mitchell‐Tutt E. , Read J. , Milligan D. , Miller F. , Lewis D. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of ultrasound in identifying fetal position and cervical spine flexion in breech presentations. Radiographic and ultra‐sonographic determinations of the type of presentation (frank, complete or incomplete) and degree of cervical spine flexion in 52 breech presentations were compared. The angle of flexion was defined as the angle between the fetal mandible and main axis of the cervical spine and categorized as full flexion, military, partial extension and full extension. Ultrasound was concordant with radio‐graphic assessment of the type of presentation in 77% and the angle of flexion in 64% of the subjects and was even more accurate in those in labor. All cases predicted as having full flexion (< 90°) of the cervical spine by ultrasound had an angle of flexion ≤ 90° on radiographic assessment. Of subjects in labor, ultrasound accurately identified the type of breech presentation in all cases. In addition, sonographic identification of full flexion of the cervical spine excludes cases of fetal neck extension and precludes the need for radiographic assessment prior to a trial of labor. Copyright © 1997 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Transvaginal gray‐scale imaging of ureteral jets in the evaluation of ureteral patency
Authors: Haratz‐Rubinstein N. , Murphy K. E. , Monteagudo A. , Timor‐Tritsch I. E. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe have previously reported on the value of transvaginal color Doppler evaluation of the ureteral jets to confirm ureteral patency. In this study, we attempt to validate the simple and widely available gray‐scale ultrasound technique to perform the same task. Fifty consecutive patients without a history of urinary complaints were recruited. The presence or absence of the right and left ureteral jets was registered using gray‐scale imaging, comparing the technique to color Doppler as the ‘gold standard’.The time to the detection of the first jet as well as the total scanning time were documented for each side. The jets were seen with equal frequency on both the right and the left sides (34 observations each). In 24 patients, both jets were visualized. The median time to detection of the first jet was 47 s (range 34–79 s) for the right jet and 53 s (36–84 s) for the left jet (p = 0.42). The median total scanning time was 176 s (139–259 s). Gray‐scale imaging was associated with a sensitivity of 68% and a positive predictive value of 100%. Although color Doppler results may be more attractive because of their impressive color‐coded appearance, the major disadvantage of this technique is that it requires sophisticated and costly equipment.Transvaginal gray‐scale imaging is a reliable and useful test for the detection of ureteral jets in the bladder. It can be used as a first‐line diagnostic tool, particularly in settings where color Doppler is not available. Its benefits include safety, low cost, convenience and simplicity. With a positive predictive value of 100%, this test may be used in the postoperative patient, especially when ureteral patency is in question. Copyright © 1997 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Early detection of reversed diastolic umbilical flow: should we offer karyotyping?
Authors: Comas C. , Carrera M. , Devesa R. , Muñoz A. , Torrents M. , Cusi V. , Ribas I. , de la Iglesia C. , Carrera J. M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIn normal pregnancy, end‐diastolic flow appears in the umbilical artery around the 13th week of gestation, with a velocity which increases progressively with advancing gestation. The detection of reversed flow in the umbilical artery, the highest expression of an increase in placental vascular resistance, is extremely uncommon in the first half of gestation and, in three of the four cases reported in the literature, there were chromosomal abnormalities. We report a new case of reversed end‐diastolic flow in the umbilical artery in a 13‐week fetus with increased nuchal translucency thickness, megacystis and tachycardia. Cytogenetic analysis of chorionic villi (and amniocytes revealed trisomy 13. The findings provide further evidence for a possible association between reversed end‐diastolic flow in the umbilical artery and chromosomal abnormalities. However, the effectiveness of this potential marker in an unselected population requires further evaluation. Copyright © 1997 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Three‐dimensional ultrasonography of normal fetal lung volume: a preliminary study
Authors: Laudy J.A.M. , Janssen M.M.M. , Struyk P.C. , Stijnen T. , Wladimiroff J.W. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe objective of this preliminary study was to evaluate three‐dimensional ultrasonographic lung volume measurement in the normally developing fetus in the second half of pregnancy.Total fetal lung volume was determined by subtraction of fetal heart volume from thoracic volume, using the perpendicular transverse, sagittal and frontal planes of the fetus. Technically acceptable lung volume measurements were obtained in 29 out of 34 women with an uncomplicated pregnancy. A statistically significant increase in normal fetal lung volume was established with advancing gestational age and with increasing fetal estimated weight, demonstrating an approximately seven‐fold rise in fetal lung volume during the second half of pregnancy.Three‐dimensional ultrasonography can be applied for estimation of fetal lung volume. Whether this technique is useful in the prenatal prediction of pulmonary hypoplasia remains to be determined. Copyright © 1998 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Examination of a low‐cost pocket Doppler device for fetal assessment
Authors: Lockett M. , Bisits A. , Giles W.B. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate a pocket Doppler device (Multi Dopplex II) for the waveform analysis of umbilical artery systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratios and resistance index (RI).A prospective, paired study was undertaken in a perinatal ultrasound unit in a tertiary referral hospital. Forty‐three high‐risk pregnant women beyond 16 weeks' gestation had fetal umbilical artery flow velocity waveforms recorded with both Multi Dopplex II and duplex Doppler devices and the waveform analyses were calculated.The Multi Dopplex II falsely indicated absent diastolic flow in two cases and failed to produce a flow velocity waveform in the presence of maternal obesity, poly‐hydramnios and some cases of anterior placenta (n = 8). As well as this, the limits of agreement overall for both S/D ratio and RI were wide (for S/D ratio, −1.6 to 2.2 and for RI, −0.20 to 0.20). Even though the levels of agreement were better for the third trimester (for S/D ratio, −0.8 to 1.1 and for RI, −0.10 to 0.20), we concluded that the limits of agreement were too wide for clinical use. Copyright © 1998 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Intra‐abdominal sacrococcygeal mature teratoma or fetus in fetu in a third‐trimester fetus
Authors: Montgomery M. L. , Lillehei C. , Acker D. , Benacerraf B. R. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThis case report describes a fetus with a large intra‐abdominal, complex, vascular mass, displacing the normal intra‐abdominal organs due to its large size. Extension to the presacral area was also identified, facilitating the diagnosis of a sacrococcygeal teratoma. Because of its highly mature nature, this was considered a fetus in fetu which was totally intra‐abdominal. Copyright © 1998 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Early transvaginal ultrasonographic diagnosis of Beemer‐Langer dysplasia: a report of two cases
Authors: den Hollander N. S. , van der Harten H. J. , Laudy J. A. M. , van de Weg P. , Wladimiroff J. W. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe early second‐trimester sonographic diagnosis of two infants with short rib (polydactyly) dysplasia type IV (Beemer‐Langer dysplasia) is presented. In addition to short ribs, this syndrome is characterized by short limbs with or without polydactyly. There are often associated defects, particularly neural tube anomalies. The occurrence of consanguinity and of four affected siblings in this family support autosomal recessive inheritance. Copyright © 1998 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
The instantaneous measurement of multiple Doppler spectra in the investigation of ovarian masses
Authors: Shapiro I. , Friedman Z. , Lysyansky P. , Leibovitz Z. , Degani S. , Ohel G. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe use of Doppler indices of tumor vascularity as markers for malignancy has been a subject of debate, with inconsistencies in specificity and sensitivity as well as in the diagnostic cut‐off values. Part of the discrepancy might be explained by the limited number of vessels selected within the tumor for Doppler evaluation. A typical sample of three or four vessels may not be sufficiently large for correct representation of the vasculature of the tumor, which may contain many vessels. The existing conventional Doppler (color and spectral) techniques clearly have limitations.We present here a novel Doppler modality, namely two‐dimensional spectral Doppler imaging (SDI), which allows the acquisition of many Doppler spectra within a few seconds. The operator selects a region of interest within a color Doppler image. The Doppler sequence is initiated and the entire selected region is automatically scanned for about 20 s until all spectral Doppler data have been acquired and processed. The system computer generates a color‐coded map of the desired Doppler indices overlaid on the gray‐scale image. The system also displays a cumulative histogram or a table of the requested Doppler index from all the sections in the tissue. The whole process is automatically performed by the system computer, without any need for operator intervention. The system provides the examiner with a ‘fishing net’ for Doppler indices, instead of the ‘fishing hook’ used in current techniques. Copyright © 1998 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Doppler assessment of tracheal fluid flow during fetal breathing movements in cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Kalache K. D. , Chaoui R. , Hartung J. , Wernecke K. D. , Bollmann R. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this investigation was to examine the characteristics of breathing‐related fluid flow in the trachea of human fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia in the hopes of developing a standard for the prenatal diagnosis of the degree of severity of the resulting pulmonary hypoplasia. Our ultimate goal is the prediction of postnatal mortality in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.Subjects and methodsThe study comprised six cases of isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia (one on the right side; five on the left) varying in gestational age from 26 to 36 weeks. Four of the patients survived after surgical repair and two died during the neonatal period owing to lung hypoplasia. Color Doppler was used to visualize the fluid displacement in the trachea generated by fetal breathing movements. Spectral Doppler was then used to analyze the fluid flow velocity waveforms. More than 40 continuous breathing cycles (inspiration + expiration) were recorded for each case. We distinguished between regular and irregular patterns.ResultsOnly the regular breathing phases, defined as five or more consecutive cycles of symmetric appearance, were considered for analysis. The inspiration and expiration times, the peak velocity of inspired and expired fluid and the volume obtained by integration of the tracheal fluid flow displaced during fetal breathing were compared with those of five healthy fetuses for each gestational age. Only the tracheal volume flow was helpful in predicting outcome. In normal pregnancies this parameter increased from 0.21 ± 0.10 ml/breath (mean ± SD) at 26 weeks to 1.37 ± 0.48 ml/breath at 36 weeks of gestation. A significantly low (p < 0.05) volume flow was found only in the fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia with a lethal postnatal outcome, whereas this parameter was normal in all survivors.ConclusionsOur preliminary observations suggest that the tracheal volume flow during fetal breathing activity is related to lung growth. In fetuses with severe lung hypoplasia one would expect a significant reduction in this parameter as an expression of deficient fetal lung growth. The displaced fluid volume per breath in the trachea of human fetuses as assessed by Doppler ultrasound may be a useful predictor of outcome in cases of isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Copyright © 1998 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Fetal ascites associated with an imperforate hymen: sonographic observation
Authors: Jacquemyn Y. , De Catte L. , Vaerenberg M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe report a case of fetal ascites in which no abnormalities other than an imperforate hymen were noted. The ascites resolved after abdominal tap and incision of the hymen. A possible mechanism for an association between imperforate hymen and fetal ascites is proposed. Copyright © 1998 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology