Application of the fetal adrenal volume evaluated by three-dimensional ultrasound in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction and its correlation with adverse perinatal outcomes / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the fetal adrenal gland volume (AGV) and corrected adrenal gland volume (cAGV) in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) fetuses and observe their associations with the adverse perinatal outcomes.Methods:From February 2021 to August 2022, 32 IUGR fetuses who underwent fetal ultrasound examination in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were prospectively selected as the IUGR group, and 32 normal fetuses matched for gestational age during the same period were selected as the control group. Three-dimensional ultrasound was used to obtain fetal adrenal volume images, and the virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) was used to measure AGV, then the cAGV was calculated. The values of AGV and cAGV were appropriately compared between the IUGR and the control groups. The pregnancy outcomes were noted. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to evaluate the relationship between the cAGV and adverse perinatal outcomes in IUGR fetus, with maternal age and the CPR included as covariates to control for confounding factors.Results:A total of 32 fetuses with IUGR and 32 controls were involved in this prospective study. There was no significant difference in the AGV between these two groups ( P=0.417). The cAGV of the IUGR fetus was substantially larger than that of the normal fetus ( P=0.034). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for maternal age and fetal CPR, the fetal cAGV was noticeably associated with the fetal distress (adjusted OR=0.005, 95% CI=0.000-0.587, P=0.029) and the total adverse perinatal outcomes (adjusted OR=0.014, 95% CI=0.000-0.475, P=0.018). Conclusions:The value of cAGV is increased in the IUGR fetuses and associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. The evaluation of fetal AGV could be beneficial to monitoring and managing IUGR fetuses.

Study on renal artery blood flow parameters of fetuses with isolated borderline oligohydramnios and maternal and infant pregnancy outcomes / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the changes of fetal renal artery blood flow parameters in fetuses with isolated borderline oligohydramnios (IBO) in the middle and third trimesters by Doppler ultrasound, and to assess its correlations with maternal and infant pregnancy outcomes.Methods:Twenty-seven IBO fetuses (IBO group) and 27 gestational age-matched normal fetuses (control group) from April to October 2019 in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University underwent prenatal ultrasound examination during the middle and third trimesters. Renal artery blood flow parameters, including renal artery pulsatility index (RAPI), volume corrected renal artery pulsatility index (vcRAPI) and pregnancy outcomes were measured and compared between the two groups. Once diagnosed IBO, patients were recommended to the obstetric clinic for consultation and intervention. The correlation between RAPI, vcRAPI measured before intervention and prepartum amniotic fluid volume and pregnancy outcomes was analyzed, the ROC curve was plotted to find the better predictor.Results:The vcRAPI of the IBO group was higher than that of the control group ( P=0.015). In the IBO group, the vcRAPI measured before intervention was higer in those fetuses who were still IBO before delivery( P=0.048). In the IBO group, the correlation of the vcRAPI measured before intervention and IBO before delivery was statistically significant ( OR=2.41, 95% CI=1.06-5.43, P=0.035). The ROC curve showed that the sensitivity of vcRAPI to IBO was 0.67, the specificity was 0.75( P=0.002). Conclusions:Compared with RAPI, The vcRAPI may reflect the increase in fetal renal artery perfusion resistance of IBO group more timely. The higher vcRAPI before intervention in the IBO group have difficulty in recovering amniotic fluid volume before delivery.Increased vcRAPI is a better predictor of IBO before delivery.

Diagnosis and treatment for incarceration of retroverted uterus during pregnancy: a report of four cases / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the diagnosis and treatment for incarceration of retroverted uterus in pregnant women.Methods:This study retrospectively recruited four gravidas with incarcerated retroverted uterus indicated by prenatal ultrasonography in Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from August 2016 to February 2020. Clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of these cases were described.Results:Vaginal bleeding or discharge were the main symptoms of the four cases and prenatal ultrasound suggested incarcerated retroverted uterus. Obstetric examination was performed for all cases, except one due to small gestational age, and bulging posterior fornix was found in one case. Three cases were diagnosed in the third trimester and one at 14 gestational weeks. In light of gestations, symptoms, and anterior uterine muscle thickness, three patients underwent planned cesarean sections with a median abdominal incision and a superior transverse uterine incision after fetal lung maturation acceleration. Uterus involution was good, and the incisions healed well in these three cases, with all neonates in good condition. Following a two-week knee-chest position treatment, the position of her uterus and bladder turned normal in case 4.Conclusions:Considering the atypical clinical presentations, clinicians should be aware of incarceration of retroverted uterus when related symptoms or signs were presented. Placenta previa might be the comorbidity and should be differentially diagnosed. The timing of a cesarean section is supposed to be determined based on multiple factors. Moreover, a median abdominal incision and a superior transverse uterine incision are recommended, and an anatomic landmark is often required for the latter's accurate position.

Z-scores analysis of kidney volume in normal fetuses in second and third trimester / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To explore the variation of renal volume with gestational age(GA), biparietal diameter(BPD), abdominal circumference(AC), femur length (FL) and the Z value calculation formula.Methods:Five hundred and eighty singleton pregnancy women from 20th to 38th gestational weeks in Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were enrolled. Two dimensional ultrasound was performed to record fetal growth parameters and renal longitudinal, transverse, anteroposterior diameters. Renal volume was calculated using ellipsoid volume equation: Volume =6/π×length×width×thickness. Using GA, BPD, AC, FL as independent variables and renal volume as dependent variables, the regression analyses of the mean and the standard deviation(SD) for each parameter were calculated separately. The Z-scores were calculated by the formula: Z-scores=(actual measurements of renal volume-predictive value of renal volume)/SD of predictive value.Results:Five hundred and forty-three cases of normal singleton fetuses were involved.The left and right renal volume were increased along with GA, BPD, AC, FL. Quadratic polynomial regression equations were each fitted to the models( r=0.775, 0.771, 0.811, 0.738, P<0.001; r=0.747, 0.735, 0.754, 0.745, P<0.001, respectively). The SD increased with the increases of independent variables and could be modeled with a simple linear regression( r=0.146, 0.225, 0.071, 0.155, P<0.001; r=0.091, 0.157, 0.091, 0.123, P<0.001, respectively). Z-scores were calculated and proved normally distributed after Shapiro-Wilk test( P>0.05). Conclusions:The normal Z-score reference range of fetal renal volume is established to help assess the normal renal growth and identify fetal renal abnormalities.

Volume-corrected renal artery pulsatility index in normal fetuses during the second and third trimester of gestation / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To measure the normal single fetal volume-corrected renal artery pulsatility index (vcRAPI) in the middle and late pregnancy, and to determine the normal reference range of vcRAPI and to observe its correlation with gestational age.Methods:The sagittal and transverse sections of the kidneys of normal single pregnant fetuses at 22 to 36 gestational weeks in the Second Xiangya Hospital from January to July 2019 were prospectively obtained by two-dimensional ultrasound. Estimated renal volume was calculated as length× transverse × antero-posterior×π/6. Pulse Doppler was used to detect the renal artery pulsatility index (RAPI) at the renal hilum in coronary section. The vcRAPI was obtained by dividing the RAPI by the ipsilateral estimated renal volume. The normal reference range of vcRAPI was established, and the scatter diagram of its relationship with gestational age was drawn. Multiple regression models were fitted to select the best fitting curve and to obtain the relevant formulas.Results:A total of 540 normal fetuses were enrolled and the normal reference value range of vcRAPI was established. The vcRAPI of both kidneys was negatively correlated with gestational age ( r=-0.793, -0.780; all P<0.001). The left kidney parameters and gestational age were best fitted with S-curve, and the right kidney parameters were best fitted with power curve. There was no difference between the right and left kidney vcRAPI values( P>0.05). Conclusions:The vcRAPI of normal fetuses decreases with gestational age, indicating that renal perfusion increases with gestational age. In this study, normal reference range of vcRAPI is established to provide reference basis for prediction and monitoring of complicated pregnancy.

The clinical research of Z-scores in assessing fetal coarctation of aorta / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To develop Z-scores for the aortic arch in normal fetuses as a reference for fetuses with suspected coarctation of aorta(CoA).Methods:The aortic arch inner diameters of 610 normal fetuses and 59 CoA fetuses from May 2010 to March 2015 in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were measured at the long axis of the aortic arch view. Gestational age(GA), femur length(FL) as the independent variable, the aortic arch inner diameters as the dependent variable, Z-scores were created relating the aortic arch inner diameters to the GA and FL. Z-score=[ln(measured diameter)-ln(predicted diameter)]/root MSE. Z-scores of the CoA fetuses were calculated with the above regression, and compared with the Z-scores of the control group.Results:A simple linear regression model was the best description of the data in each case and correlations between FL and the aortic arch inner diameters were excellent ( P<0.001). There was no significant difference in Z-scores calculated with FL or GA as independent variables ( P>0.05). Z-scores of the control group was between -2 and + 2, Z-scores of the CoA group was significantly lower and below -2( P<0.001). Conclusions:Z-scores of fetal aortic arch are sensitive indicators of fetal coarctation, and are of clinical importance for the diagnosis and follow-up study of CoA.

Maternal oxygen therapy for fetus with congenital heart disease / 中华围产医学杂志

Intrauterine hypoxia occurs in the fetus with congenital heart disease (CHD) due to abnormal cardiovascular anatomy and hemodynamic changes, which could affect fetal growth and development. Maternal oxygen therapy has been used in various perinatal cardiovascular diseases, including hypoplastic left heart syndrome, atrial septum aneurysm, coarctation of the aorta, and others. Maternal oxygen therapy may improve the prognosis of the fetus with CHD and predict the neonatal outcomes by dilating the fetal pulmonary vessels, increasing pulmonary blood flow to affect abnormal cardiovascular anatomy and hemodynamic changes.

Z-score analysis of brain fissure depth in normal fetuses / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective@#To construct the Z-score models for normal fetal brain fissures.@*Methods@#Four hundred and eighty-seven pregnant woman who underwent prenatal ultrasonography from January to August 2018 in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were collected randomly for analysis, and all the fetuses(18-38 weeks) were healthy. The calacarine fissure, pariet-ooccipital fissure, sylvian fissure of the fetuses were measured and they were chosed as the dependent variables, while the independent variable were the gestational age and biparietal diamete, as well as femur length. The regression analyses of the mean(M) and the standard deviation(SD) for each parameter were performed separately. Two observers randomly measured the brain fissures depth two hours apart to evaluate the interobserver repeatability.@*Results@#The brain fissure depth in normal fetuses during geatational age between 18 to 38 weeks can be evaluated by Z-score model.Positive correlations were found between the depth of calacarine fissure, pariet-ooccipital fissure, sylvian fissure and gestational age, biparietal diameter and femur length.@*Conclusions@#Z-score can intuitively reflect the development of brain fissure more accurate, and is valuable, and can be used as a powerful supplement to the traditional method.

Z-score analysis of brain fissure depth in normal fetuses / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To construct the Z-score models for normal fetal brain fissures.Methods Four hundred and eighty-seven pregnant woman who underwent prenatal ultrasonography from January to August 2018 in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were collected randomly for analysis,and all the fetuses(18-38 weeks) were healthy.The calacarine fissure,pariet-ooccipital fissure, sylvian fissure of the fetuses were measured and they were chosed as the dependent variables,while the independent variable were the gestational age and biparietal diamete,as well as femur length.The regression analyses of the mean(M) and the standard deviation(SD) for each parameter were performed separately. Two observers randomly measured the brain fissures depth two hours apart to evaluate the interobserver repeatability.Results The brain fissure depth in normal fetuses during geatational age between 18 to 38 weeks can be evaluated by Z-score model.Positive correlations were found between the depth of calacarine fissure,pariet-ooccipital fissure,sylvian fissure and gestational age,biparietal diameter and femur length. Conclusions Z-score can intuitively reflect the development of brain fissure more accurate,and is valuable, and can be used as a powerful supplement to the traditional method.

Prenatal echocardiography in the diagnosis of fetal double aortic arch / 中华超声影像学杂志

To explore the way of prenatal echocardiography in the diagnosis of fetal double aortic arch . Methods T he data of fetuses diagnosed as double aortic arch in 6 prenatal centers in Hunan in echocardiograms performed at 20－36 weeks of gestation from 2013 to 2018 were reviewed . T he characteristics of echocardiographic with double aortic arch , and the associated malformations were observed ,the clinical outcome were analyzed . Results T he main echocardiographic features of the double aortic arch were three‐vessel‐tracheal view s ,which showed a bifurcation of the ascending aorta and a ring consisted of aortic right and left arch . From this retrospective analysis , 29 double aortic arches were identified ,which 8 cases ( 28% ) combined with cardiac defect and extracardiac abnormalities , 1 case with 22q11 deletion . Among them ,5 cases were confirmed by autopsy ,24 cases were diagnosed by computed tomography angiography ( 8 cases were confirmed by operation ) . Conclusions Systematic prenatal echocardiography in the diagnosis of fetal double aortic arch has significant clinical value in the cliagnose of double aortic arch ,w hether it is associated with other malformations and is important for assessing fetal prognosis .

Prenatal echocardiographic diagnosis and differential diagnosis of fetal double outlet ventricle / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical value of prenatal diagnosis of fetal double outlet ventricle . Methods T he data of double outlet ventricle from fetal echocardiography in Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University and Changde Women and Children Health Hospital of Hunan Province from January 2000 to August 2018 were collected . T he statistical method was used to analyze characteristics of echocardiography ,related‐intracardiac and extracardiac abnormalities ,postnatal echocardiography ,surgery and autopsy findings . Results Ninety‐four fetuses were diagnosed with double outlet ventricle ,including 84 cases of double outlet right ventricle ( DORV ) and 10 cases of double outlet left ventricle ( DOLV ) . T he pregnancy was terminated in 45 cases . Autopsy was offered to all patients after termination of pregnancy ,42 cases were consistent with prenatal diagnosis ,1 case was tetralogy of fallot ,2 cases were transposition of great artery . Forty‐nine cases were decided to continue the pregnancy ,32 cases of them were confirmed by postpartum surgery ,17 cases were confirmed by postnatal echocardiography . Echocardiographic findings of fetal double outlet ventricle was characterized by the origin of the both great arteries arising predominantly or completely( ＞50% ) from the same ventricle . Conclusions Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of double outlet ventricular has important clinical value ,facilitate appropriate prenatal counseling and postnatal management and it should be differentiated with transposition of the great arteries ,tetralogy of fallot and ventricular septal defect .

Changes of blood flow in posterior cerebral artery in fetus with complete transposition of great arteries by pulsed Doppler ultrasound / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To study the changes of blood flow in posterior cerebral artery ( PCA ) in complete transposition of great arteries (CTGA) through the application of the pulsed Doppler . Methods Twenty CTGA fetuses ( CTGA group) and 20 healthy control fetuses ( control group) were involved ,the blood flow indexes peak systolic velocity ( Vs) ,end-diastolic velocity ( Vd) ,pulsatility index ( PI) ,resistance index ( RI) ,velocity-time integral ( VTI) of PCA-S1 ,PCA-S2 and MCA of the fetuses in the two groups were detected by pulsed Doppler . The differences in blood flow indexes between CTGA fetuses and healthy controls were analyzed by independent t -test . The rates of abnormal resistance in PCA-S1 and MCA in CTGA fetuses were compared through Chi-square test ( χ2 test) . Results Compared with control group ,the MCA-PI ,MCA-RI ,PCA-S1-PI and PCA-S1-RI of CTGA group decreased significantly( all P < 0 .05) ,MCA-VTI ,PCA-S1-VTI ,PCA-S2-VTI increased significantly ( all P < 0 .05) ,but no significant difference was found in PCA-S2-PI ,PCA-S2-RI ,Vs and Vd of the MCA and the PCA ( all P > 0 .05 ) . The rate of abnormal resistance in the MCA was significantly lower than that in the PCA-S1 in CTGA group ( P <0 .05) . Conclusions The pulsed Doppler can be used to study the changes of blood flow in PCA of CTGA fetuses and the differences of specific hemodynamic alterations may occured in different segments of the PCA in CTGA fetuses ,indicating a tendency to protect the PCA-supplying areas of the brain when ischemia and hypoxia .

Analysis on clinical data in 36 cases of recurrent glioblastoma retreatment / 重庆医学

Objective To study the factors influencing prognosis in the patients with recurrent glioblastoma muhiforme (GBM) and to investigate the effect of retreatemt.Methods The retrospective analysis method was adopted to collect the clinical and follow up data in 36 cases of recurrent GBM retreatment in the neurosurgery department of this hospital from March 2008 to March 2013.The prognosis influencing factors were analyzed.Results The univariate analysis results showed that the gender,resection degree,treatment mode and initial scheme had the influence on the progression free survival(P＜0.05).The resection degree had an impact on the overall survival(P＜0.05).The multivariate analysis results showed that KPS score,resection degree and treatment mode had effect on the progression free survival(P＜0.05).The resection degree had an influence on the overall survival (P＜0.05).Conclusion If the patients with recurrent GBM still hasthe chance of operation whole excision,the re-treatment can reach the effect for relieving the symptoms,improving the quality of life and prolonging the survival period.

Blood flow parameters of posterior cerebral artery in normal pregnancy during middle and late stage / 中南大学学报(医学版)

To study the blood flow parameters for 2 anatomical segments of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) in normal singleton fetal.
 Methods: The blood flow velocity parameters peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), time-average maximum velocity (TAMAXV), velocity time integral (VTI) and resistance parameters systolic peak velocity and end diastolic velocity ratio (S/D), pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI) for 2 anatomical segments in PCA were recorded. The first segment of the PCA (PCAS1) was recorded between the origin of PCA and the proximal part of the posterior communicating artery. The second segment of the PCA (PCAS2) was recorded at the distal part of the posterior communicating artery. The blood parameters in both PCAS1 and PCAS2 were analyzed by using Pearson correlation and multiple curves fitting with gestational age (GA). Paired student's t test was performed to compare the difference in blood parameter between PCAS1 and PCAS2.
 Results: The blood flow velocity parameters in both PCAS1 and PCAS2 were increased with the GA (P0.05). Resistance parameters in PCAS1 were higher than those in PCAS2 (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: The blood flow velocity parameters in both PCAS1 and PCAS2 are increased with GA. The resistance parameters in both PCAS1 and PCAS2 do not change with GA. Study on the velocities and resistance in these 3 arterial branches provides a more comprehensive evaluation on the process of brain circulation.

Blood flow parameters in fetal anterior cerebral artery during the second and third trimester of gestation / 中南大学学报(医学版)

To investigate hemodynamic parameters in 2 anatomical segments (S1 and S2) of anterior cerebral artery (ACA) in normal pregnancy during the second and third trimester of gestation.
 Methods: The peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), time-average maximum velocity (TAMAXV), peak systolic velocity/end diastolic velocity (S/D), resistance index (RI), and pulsation index (PI) in S1 and S2 of fetal anterior cerebral artery (ACA) in 288 normal pregnant women were detected by power Doppler and pulsed Doppler. Multiple regression models were fitted to estimate the relation between Doppler variables and gestational age. The differences of hemodynamic parameters between ACAS1 and ACAS2 were compared.
 Results: The PSV, EDV, and TAMAXV of ACAS1 and ACAS2 were positively correlated with the weeks of pregnancy (P0.05). The PSV, TAMAXV, S/D, PI, and RI of ACAS1 were significantly higher than those of ACAS2, while EDV in ACAS1 was lower than that in ACAS2 (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: The velocity parameters (PSV, EDV, TAMAXV) of the 2 anatomical segments (ACAS1 and ACAS2) are increased with the increase of gestational age in normal pregnant fetus during the second and third trimester of gestation, and the resistance parameters (S/D, PI, RI) are not significantly correlated with gestational age. Distribution of blood flow is different in the blood supply territory between ACAS1 and ACAS2.

Feasibility of three-dimensional ultrasound in assessment of fetal cardiac ventricular wall volume / 中国医学影像技术

Objective To explore the feasibility of spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) and virtual organ computeraided analysis (VOCAL) in assessment of fetal cardiac ventricular wall volume.Methods Two hundred and forty-seven normal singleton pregnancies from 22 week to 32+6 week were analyzed.The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess intra-observer and inter-observer concordance.The ventricular wall volume of 14 fetuses with cardiac disor ders were evaluated.Results There was good correlation between the mean wall volume and gestational age (GA):The volume of left cardiac ventricular wall=-6.542 + 0.339 × GA (r2 =0.98),while the volume of right cardiac ventricular wall=-7.509+0.384 × GA (r2 =0.74).The intra-observer and inter-observer concordance in assessing the volume of the right (ICC=0.994,0.888) and left ventricular wall (ICC=0.995,0.972) were good.The volume of the right and left ventricular wall were altered (＜5th percentile and/or ＞95th percentile) in 6 fetuses of 14 fetuses with cardiac disorders.Conclusion The reference ranges for the volume of the right and left ventricular wall can be calculated with three-dimensional ultrasound using STIC and VOCAL,and the reproducibility is good.

Feasibility of three-dimensional ultrasound in assessment of fetal cardiac ventricular wall volume / 中国医学影像技术

Objective To explore the feasibility of spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) and virtual organ computeraided analysis (VOCAL) in assessment of fetal cardiac ventricular wall volume.Methods Two hundred and forty-seven normal singleton pregnancies from 22 week to 32+6 week were analyzed.The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess intra-observer and inter-observer concordance.The ventricular wall volume of 14 fetuses with cardiac disor ders were evaluated.Results There was good correlation between the mean wall volume and gestational age (GA):The volume of left cardiac ventricular wall=-6.542 + 0.339 × GA (r2 =0.98),while the volume of right cardiac ventricular wall=-7.509+0.384 × GA (r2 =0.74).The intra-observer and inter-observer concordance in assessing the volume of the right (ICC=0.994,0.888) and left ventricular wall (ICC=0.995,0.972) were good.The volume of the right and left ventricular wall were altered (＜5th percentile and/or ＞95th percentile) in 6 fetuses of 14 fetuses with cardiac disorders.Conclusion The reference ranges for the volume of the right and left ventricular wall can be calculated with three-dimensional ultrasound using STIC and VOCAL,and the reproducibility is good.

Prenatal ultrasonic diagnosis of fetal isolated levocardia / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical application valve of prenatal ultrasound in diagnosis of fetal isolated levocardia ( IL ) . Methods Thirty-eight IL fetuses diagnosed in three prenatal diagnosis centers from 2000 to 2016 were reviewed with their prenatal ultrasound features and cardiac and extracardiac malformations . Results Thirty-eight IL cases included 19 cases of left isomerism ( LI) ,14 cases of right isomerism( RI) and 5 non-classified cases . The overall incidence of malformations in IL patients was 97 .4％with 94 .7％ in LI patients and 100％ in RI patients . The incidence of cardiac malformations was 92 .1％with 84 .2％ in LI patients and 100％ in RI patients . The most common congenital heart diseases were:right ventricle outlet obstruction , univentricular physiology and atrioventricular septal defect . Anomalous pulmonary venous connection was more commonly seen in LI patients than in RI patients . The most common extracardiac malformation was duodenal obstruction( 86 .9％ ) . Inferior vena cava interruption and polysplenia were more commonly seen in LI patients .Juxtaposition of aorta and inferior vena cava and asplenia were more commonly seen in RI patients . Conclusions IL is very rarely seen in population with high incidence of congenital heart diseases and extracardiac malformations .

Echocardiographic diagnosis for ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy in foetus and the pathologically comparative study / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the echocardiographic diagnosis for ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy (NCCM) in foetus and to analyze the pathologic features of NCCM.
@*METHODS@#A total of 9 patients with fetal NCCM were examined by prenatal echocardiography from 2004 to 2013, which was compared with postnatal echocardiography or autopsy to analyze the fetal characteristic of myocardial ultrastructure.
@*RESULTS@#The results of echocardiography displayed an excessive muscle trabecular meshwork and muscle trabecular crypt, and the ventricular myocardium and non-compaction/compaction ratio was ≥2.0. Among the 9 fetuses of NCCM, 6 fetuses were involved in left ventricle, 2 in both left and right ventricles and 1 in right ventricle. Two fetuses were confirmed by postnatal echocardiography, the remaining 7 patients were chosen to terminate their pregnancies, which were confirmed by autopsy later. Muscle biopsies revealed the abnormal myocardial mitochondria, sarcomeres and myocardial fibrosis.
@*CONCLUSION@#It is feasible to accurately diagnose NCCM by prenatal echocardiography. Fetal NCCM most often involves the left ventricle, but it can involve the right ventricle or both, too. The myocardial ultrastructure of fetal NCCM possesses certain unique characteristics, such as the low maturation of the mitochondria, sarcomeres and myocardial fibers.

Assessment of global cerebral blood flow perfusion in fetuses with congenital heart diseases by three-dimensional ;power Doppler ultrasound / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To investigate global cerebral blood flow perfusion in fetuses with congenital heart disease (CHD)by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound (3D PD).Methods The vascular index (VI),flow index (FI)and vascular/flow index (VFI)in the global cerebral were prospectively compared in 1 12 fetuses with CHD and 1 12 normal fetuses using 3D PD.Correlations between the 3D PD indices and neurodevelopment scores were assessed.Results Compared with the controls,the VI,FI and VFI of the global brain were significantly increased in fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and left sided obstructive lesions (LSOLs)(P <0.001).The mean psychomotor development index (PDI) and mental development index (MDI)scores were significantly lower than normal (P < 0.001 ).FI was positively correlated with PDI (r =0.342,P =0.029)and MDI (r =0.339,P =0.030).Conclusions Global cerebral blood flow perfusion was significantly increased in most fetuses with CHD and had association with neurodevelopment scores.3D PD ultrasound might help to identify cases of brain vasodilatation earlier and inform parental counseling.