Pulmonar ARFI elastography and ultrasonography of canine fetal hydrops: case report / Elastografia ARFI e ultrassonografia pulmonar de fetos com hidropsia fetal canina: relato de caso

This case report describes diagnostic and prognostic applicability of pulmonary acoustic radiation force impulse elastography and ultrasonography in canine hydrops fetalis. We also explore these methods' potential in prediction of postnatal respiratory dysfunction. Two pregnant bitches (English bulldog [case 1] and French bulldog [case 2]) were referred for sonographic evaluation in their last week of pregnancy. Ultrasound showed that in each bitch, one fetus presented with lung alterations (hyperechogenicity, irregular surface, and pleural effusion) and anasarca. The other fetuses of the litter were normal, and they were observed as light gray and dark blue on pulmonary elastography. Their shear-wave velocity was 0.75m/s. Fetuses with hydrops were observed as medium gray and dark blue, and the average shear-wave velocities were 1.05m/s (case 1) and 1.12m/s (case 2). Findings were compatible with increased lung rigidity. Six neonates of English bulldog and two of French bulldog showed no signs of clinical abnormalities during neonatal assessment. One puppy in each gestation presented with anasarca and respiratory distress, and died approximately 24 hours after birth. Novel ultrasound techniques (elastography) for assessing pulmonary tissues in abnormal fetuses in veterinary obstetrics can promote early, safe, and non-invasive diagnosis of canine prenatal and neonatal alterations.(AU)

Este relato de caso descreve a aplicabilidade diagnóstica e prognóstica da elastografia ARFI e ultrassonografia pulmonar em fetos caninos com hidropisia, como um método potencial para predizer a disfunção respiratória pós-natal nesses conceptos. Duas cadelas gestantes (Buldogue Inglês - caso 1 e Buldogue Francês - caso 2) foram encaminhadas para avaliação ultrassonográfica na última semana de gestação. Pela ultrassonografia foram observadas, em cada cadela, um feto apresentando alterações pulmonares (hiperecogenicidade, superfície irregular e derrame pleural) e anasarca. Outros fetos não apresentaram anormalidades. Os fetos normais apresentaram elastograma pulmonar cinza-claro e azul-escuro e velocidade de cisalhamento de 0,75m/s. Os fetos com hidropisia apresentaram tonalidades cinza-média e azul-escura e velocidade de cisalhamento de 1,05m/s (caso 1) e 1,12m/s (caso 2). Esses achados são compatíveis com o aumento da rigidez pulmonar. Seis neonatos Buldogue Inglês e dois Buldogues Franceses não mostraram sinais de anormalidades clínicas na avaliação neonatal. Um filhote de cada gestação apresentou anasarca e dificuldade respiratória, vindo a óbito cerca de 24 horas após o nascimento. O uso das novas técnicas de ultrassonografia (elastografia) para avaliação de tecidos pulmonares em feto anormal, em obstetrícia veterinária, pode promover o diagnóstico precoce, seguro e não invasivo de alterações pré-natais e neonatais em conceptos caninos.(AU)

Clinical value of fetal system ultrasound union real-time three-dimensional ultrasound to diagnose the abnormalities of fetal palms and feet / 重庆医学

Objective To explore the clinical value of fetal syetem ultrasound union real-time three-dimensional ultrasound to diagnose the abnormalities of fetal palms and feet in medium-term pregnancy.Methods The results of fetal syetem ultrasound u-nion real-time three-dimensional ultrasound in 23 675 cases during dmedium-term pregnancy in our department from January 2009 to November 2013 were retrospectively analyzed,including 47 350 palms and feet.Results If using the fetal syetem ultrasound u-nion real-time three-dimensional ultrasound to examine fetal palms and feet more than three times,the display rate of palms and feet was 100.0%,while the first-time display rate of finger and toes was 81.2%,second-time display rate was 97.2% and the third-time and more display rate more thatn 99.8%.136 cases hand-foot deformity were diagnosed,including 37 cases of hand gesture abnor-malities,6 cases of finger abnormalities,93 cases of food abnormalities,and the main abnormality was strephexopodia.Of all the 136 cases,there were 2 cases also with Trisomy 18,4 cases with Trisomy 21.Conclusion Malformations of fetal palms and feet can be detected by fetal system ultrasound combined with real-time three-dimensional ultrasonography during the second trimester,which is important indicators of prenatal screening for chromosomal abnormalities.

Clinical value of prenatal ultrasonography in diagnosis of fetal abnormalities in fertilization-embryo transfer during early trimester / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To evaluate the value of prenatal ultrasonography in diagnosis of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) fetal abnormalities during early trimester. Methods A total of 685 IVF-ET pregnant women received Doppler color ultrasound in our hospital during 11-13+6 weeks of pregnancy from January 2010 to December 2010; the number of fetal, polyembryony chorion, and gestational age were examined; and the abnormal structures were screened. Based on findings of sonographic markers, chorionic villi sampling was done for some fetals. Amniocentesis or selective reduction was done when triplet or one of the twins found with lethal abnormality. All the cases were followed up for pregnancy process and clinical results. Results Among the 685 IVF-ET pregnant women, 440 had singleton pregnancy (64. 23%), 244 had twin pregnancy (35. 62%), and only one had triplet pregnancy (0. 15%). Seven fetal abnormalities were detected in singleton pregnancies during early trimester, and five cases were clinically confirmed. Six fetal abnormalities were detected in twin pregnancies during early trimester, and three cases were clinically confirmed. Excluding the triplet pregnancy, the total incidence rate of abnormal fetal was 0. 86%(8/928), with two cases confirmed by chromosomal abnormality screening and two cases receiving selective reduction operation. Conclusion Standardized prenatal ultrasonography during early trimester(11-13+6 weeks) can improve the accurate screening rate of fetal abnormalities for IVF-ET pregnancy, and can help to deal with multiple pregnancy and abnormal fetals.

Efeitos embriotóxicos do veneno de serpentes Crotalus durissus terrificus / Embriotoxic effects of Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom

Introdução - A atividade neurotóxica, miotóxica e coagulante do veneno das serpentes Crotalus durissus terrificus (VCdt) são responsáveis pelas altas taxas de mortalidade observada em acidentes envolvendo estas serpentes. Estes acidentes, quando ocorrem na gravidez, podem levar ao aborto devido à interferência com a homeostasia materna e/ou à embrioletalidade, por efeito direto do veneno. Materiais e Métodos - Este trabalho estudou os efeitos tóxicos do VCdt, administrado nas doses de 75 mg/kg ou 200 mg/kg por via subcutânea em camundongas no terceiro dia da sua gestação (período de pré-implantação). O grupo controle foi tratado da mesma forma que os experimentais, porém com solução salina. No último dia da gestação as fêmeas foram submetidas a eutanásia e observadas as possíveis malformações ósseas e viscerais de sua prole. Resultados e Conclusão - Os resultados mostraram que a administração da menor dose do VCdt não causou alterações significantes no desenvolvimento ósseo e visceral dos animais. No entanto, quando expostos a maior dose este promoveu aumento significante das anomalias e malformações, sugerindo que o envenenamento com esta dose no período inicial da gestação altera o desenvolvimento normal da prole de camundongos.

Introduction - The neurotoxic, myotoxic and coagulant activities of Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom (VCdt) are responsible for the mortality rates observed in accidents involving the rattlesnake. Accidents during women pregnancy are a challenge, since animal venoms could led to pregnancy interruption as a consequence of maternal homeostasis disorder and/or a direct embryotoxic effect of the venom. Materials and Methods - In order to evaluate the possible embryotoxic effects of VCdt, doses of 75 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg of the venom were administered by subcutaneous route at day 3 of mice pregnancy (preimplantation period). The control group received saline in the same volume and during the same period as their respective experimental groups. The animals were submitted to euthanasia at term. Results and Conclusion - The treatment of the females during the preimplantation period did not cause significant changes in fetuses development, but the higher dose of the venom increased the number of anomalies or malformations of the fetuses.These results suggest that the VCdt in the higher dose (200 mg/kg) altered the normal development of the concept after implantation.

Relations between results of chromosomal analysis and fetal abnormalities determined by ultrasound

Background: Abnormal chromosome may be abnormal in number or structure of chromosomes related to normal chromosomes or sex chromosomes. One sign of abnormal chromosomes that we can observe during pregnancy is the abnormal ultrasound images. Objectives: To discover the relations between the chromosomal abnormalities and some fetal abnormalities determined by ultrasound. Subjects and method: A prospective descriptive study combined with a retrospective study on 250 pregnant women with fetal abnormalities from Aug 2006 to Aug 2008. Results: Among 250 pregnant women with fetal abnormalities determined by ultrasound taken amniocentesis, rate of late amniocentesis (over 20 weeks) was the highest (50.8%), while rate of ideal amniocentesis (16-20 weeks) only accounted for 29.6%. Abnormal chromosomal rate of multiple abnormalities of fetus statistically significant were higher than that of mono abnormal of fetus (46.8% vs. 18.5%/ p<0.0l). Conclusion: Abnormal phenotype determined by ultrasound; rate of chromosomal disorder was 27.2%.

Fetal abnormalities in the fetal anomaly clinic at Siriraj Hospital.

In order to reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality rates, a Fetal Anomaly Clinic has been set up at Siriraj Hospital. The aims are to identify abnormal fetuses and manage them in an appropriate way before delivery. From 1st May, 2000 to 30th April, 2002, 142 pregnancies with fetal abnormalities out of 10,386 pregnant women examined were found at the Fetal Anomaly Clinic, Siriraj Hospital. There were 32 fetuses (22.5%) with CNS abnormalities and neural tube defects with a mean gestational age at diagnosis of 18.6 weeks, 12 fetuses (8.5%) with gastrointestinal abnormalities with a mean gestational age at diagnosis of 17.1 weeks, 12 cases (8.5%) with cardiovascular and pulmonary abnormalities with a mean gestational age at diagnosis of 24.8 weeks, 10 cases (7%) with skeletal abnormalities with mean gestational age at diagnosis of 26.7 weeks,15 cases (10.6%) with chromosome abnormalities with a mean gestational age at diagnosis of 21.7 weeks, 18 cases (12.6%) of KUB abnormalities with a mean gestational age at diagnosis of 25.6 weeks and 43 cases (30.3%) of other abnormalities with a mean gestational age at diagnosis of 24.5 weeks. Counsellings was given before making a decision and all abnormalities were confirmed by autopsy, amniocentesis, paediatric neonatologists or paediatric surgeons.