Diagnostic value of ultrasound in fetal posterior fossa anomalies at 11-13 + 6 gestational weeks / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of ultrasound in posterior fossa anomalies (PFA) at 11-13 + 6 gestational weeks by measuring brainstem (BS), brainstem-to-occipital bone (BSOB) diameter and BS/BSOB ratio. Methods:A total of 209 normal fetuses (control group) were randomly selected from Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, between March 2018 and November 2021. Reference ranges for BS, BSOB diameter and BS/BSOB ratio were obtained on the mid-sagittal view of the fetal profile and the relationship of three parameters and crown-rump length (CRL) was investigated. The intra- and inter-observer reliabilities were determined by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) in 30 normal fetuses. Fourteen fetuses diagnosed with PFA in the same period including 10 cases of cystic posterior fossa malformations (cPFM) and 4 cases of open spine bifida (OSB) were retrospectively selected to compare BS, BSOB diameter and the BS/BSOB ratio with control group.Results:BS and BSOB diameters were successfully obtained in all control fetuses (100%), and the intra- and inter-observer reliabilities for BS and BSOB diameters were good (ICC=0.877, 0.846 and 0.939, 0.895). In the control group, BS and BSOB diameter linearly correlated with CRL ( r=0.867, 0.794; all P<0.001), while the BS/BSOB ratio was 0.75 (0.71, 0.79). There were significant differences of BSOB diameter and BS/BSOB ratio between control group and PFA group (all P<0.05). Except for one isolated vermian hypoplasia (VH), the BSOB diameters in 9 (90%) cases of cPFM were above the 95th percentile of the calculated normal range and were below the 5th percentile in 4(100%) cases of OSB.Except for one isolated VH, the BS/BSOB ratio in 9 (90%) cases of cPFM was below the 5th percentile of the calculated normal range. The BS/BSOB ratio in 4 (100%) cases of OSB was above the 95th percentile of the calculated normal range. Conclusions:The measurements of BS and BSOB diameter are feasible with good repeatability. Abnormal BSOB diameter and BS/BSOB ratio are suggestive for PFA. The posterior fossa of isolated VH can be normal in the first trimester.

Quantitative evaluation of normal fetal posterior fossa anatomy using transabdominal three-dimensional ultrasound / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To analyze the consistency and repeatability for quantitative evaluation of normal fetal posterior fossa anatomy using transabdominal three-dimensional ultrasound, and assess the clinical value.Methods:The midsagittal planes of fetal brain from 127 normal singleton fetuses with 22-34 weeks of gestation were obtained using transabdominal three-dimensional ultrasound between May, 2020 and May, 2021. The quantitative three-dimensional indicators were measured by two observers, then were measured twice by one of the two observers. The double blind was performed in course of measuring procedures. The intraobserver and interobserver agreements were evaluated. The relationships between three-dimensional indicators and gestational age were analyzed.Results:The quantitative three-dimensional indicators expressing the size of vermis, including area, perimeter, suprainferior diameter and anteroposterior diameter, had positive correlations with advanced gestational age ( r=0.934, 0.936, 0.920, 0.879; all P<0.001). The intra- and interobserver reproducibilities of measurements were very good with all intraclass correlation coefficients >0.80 (all P<0.001). Brainstem-vermis (BV) angle and Brainstem-tentorium (BT) angle had negative and positive correlations with advanced gestational age respectively ( r=-0.317, 0.366; both P<0.001). The intra-and interobserver reproducibilities of measurements were moderate or poor. Conclusions:The quantitative three-dimensional indicators describing the size of vermis are worthy of clinical application for evaluation of fetal posterior fossa owing to the excellent reproducibility and simple and feasible method of measurement. BV angle and BT angle are not applicable for junior physicians due to the poor reproducibility of measurement.

Sonographic features of Joubert syndrome in first or second trimester: report of two fetuses / 中华围产医学杂志

We report two cases of Joubert syndrome initially tentatively diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound in the first or second trimester which were thereafter confirmed by whole exome sequencing (WES). Case 1 was one of the twins who presented with increased intracranial transparency (IT) and thinner brainstem at 12 +1 gestational weeks. Ultrasound at 18 +2 weeks found multiple intracranial malformations, "molar tooth sign (MTS)" at the midbrain-hindbrain junction level in the cerebral cross section, and bilateral ventriculomegaly. Enlarged and echogenic kidneys and oligohydramnios were also detected. In case 2, ultrasound image at 17 +5 weeks of gestation indicated multiple intra-and extra cranial and extracranial malformations, MTS in the midbrain-hindbrain junction plane, bilateral ventriculomegaly, unclear cavum septum pellucidum. Extracranial anomalies were bilateral multicystic enlarged kidneys, invisible bladder, and oligohydramnios. Both fetuses underwent amniocentesis, which showed normal karyotype and no copy number variation was detected. However, variation of the TMEM67 gene (c.312+5G>A at introns 2 and c.1175C>G at exon12) was detected in both fetuses by WES, supporting the diagnosis of Joubert syndrome. Selective reduction and termination of pregnancy were performed on case 1 and case 2 at 18 +5 and 19 weeks of gestation, respectively.

Analysis on the reasons of contrast agent reflux during transvaginal real-time three-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To discuss the possible reasons of contrast agent reflux during transvaginal real-time three-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (TVS RT-3D-HyCoSy),and in order to provide scientific evidences for reducing the contrast agent reflux.Methods The sonographic features of contrast reflux were observed in the images of 167 infertile patients who underwent TVS RT-3D-HyCoSy, and the association of the incidence rate of the reflux with tubal patency,the types of infertility,endometrial thickness,menstrual clean days,abnormal uterine cavity,the history of intrauterine operations,pelvic operations and ectopic pregnancies were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of the reflux during TVS RT-3D-HyCoSy was 41 .3%.The incidence rates of reflux in unilateral patency and bilateral obstruction were 4.929 and 9.21 5 times of that of bilateral patency respectively.The incidence rate of reflux in the secondary infertility cases was significantly higher than that of primary ones(P <0.05).Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the reflux is associated with the tubal patency,the endometrial thickness and the history of intrauterine operations,and none of the other factors.Conclusions TVS RT-3D-HyCoSy could differentiate the images of reflux better;the proper timing of the contrast examination and avoiding the damage of endometrium would reduce the incidence of the reflux.

Safety of Ultrasound-guided Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction in the Second Trimester / 中国医学影像学杂志

PurposeTo evaluate the safety and feasibility of transabdominal ultrasound guided multifetal pregnancy reduction performed in the second trimester.Materials and Methods Forty-three women receiving embryo implantation were divided into two groups according to whether they have received multifetal pregnancy reduction including 16 in the reduction group in the second trimester to reduce multiple fetuses to twins, and 27 with twin pregnancy and no reduction. The pregnancy outcome was compared.Results In the reduction group, 1 patient had miscarriage because of intrauterine infection; 1 patient lost one of the retained fetuses in two days after reduction and delivered the remaining fetus. In the other 14 cases, 8 delivered and 6 were still in pregnancy. This group had 17 newborns, all without neonatal death or birth defects. In the non-reduction group, there was 1 spontaneous abortion. In 2 patients, 1 of the twin embryos stopped development. 1 case had a spontaneous abortion, the other 24 cases delivered uneventfully. There were 50 newborns in this group with 3 birth defects and no neonatal death. There was no statistically significant difference in gestational age at delivery, birth weight, and the incidence of maternal and neonate complications (P>0.05).Conclusion Multifetal reduction improves pregnancy outcomes, similar to non-reduction twin pregnancy. It is safe and feasible to perform multifetal pregnancy reduction in the second trimester.

Retrospective Analysis on Turnover Ratio of Drug Stock in Our Hospital during 2010-2013 / 中国药师

Objective:To study the medicine storage management mode in our hospital. Methods: The medicine sales and inventory data were obtained from 2010 to 2013 by the HIS of our hospital. Medicine storage turnover ratio was calculated by using Microsoft Excel. The efficiency in the inventory management was evaluated by medicine storage turnover ratio. The storage control in our hospital was analyzed by the relevant references. Results: The medicine storage turnover ratio from 2010 to 2013 in our hospital was improved to 20. 06 times, the turnover days was reduced to 18 days which met the criteria for the review of the grade A class 3 hospital. Conclusion: The medicine storage management should be scientifically adjusted on the basis of the clinical characteristics and the use of medicines in the hospital. In this way, the improvement of medicine storage turnover ratio, the optimized control of the medicine stocks and the improvement of the social and economic benefit of the hospital will be realized.

Ovarian Malignant Teratoma:Ultrasound Findings and Misdiagnosis Analysis / 中国医学影像学杂志

Purpose To analyze the ultrasound manifestation of ovarian malignant teratoma, and to evaluate its diagnostic value and explore reasons for its misdiagnosis. Materials and Methods A retrospective study was conducted on the ultrasound findings of 25 patients with ovarian malignant teratoma confirmed surgically and pathologically (22 with immature teratoma, 3 with teratoma with malignant transformation). Their ultrasound imaging features were summarized and the reasons for misdiagnosis were further analyzed. Results The ultrasound imaging of 22 immature teratoma cases were divided into three types, namely, predominant solid components, predominant fluid components and mixed components of fluid and solid. All displayed calcification-like strong echo scattering in the low echo;color Doppler showed rich blood signal, little signal or no blood flow signal. Preoperative ultrasound presented1 case of immature teratoma (4.5%), 8 cases of ovarian tumors (malignant) (36.4%) and 13 cases of other diagnosis (59.1%). As to the 3 cases of teratoma with malignant transformation, the ultrasound imaging showed 2 cases were composed by fluid and solid components and that 1 case was mature cystic teratoma;typical hypoecho suggested malignant transformation. Preoperative ultrasound did not present teratoma with malignant transformation. Conclusion The ultrasound findings of ovarian malignant teratoma seem to be complicated and variable;thus the preoperative diagnosis rate is low though it still shows certain characteristics.