The types of connections between the portal sinus and main portal vein in foetuses / Tipos de conexiones entre el seno portal y la vena porta principal en fetos

In the prenatal period, the three types of connections between the portal sinus and main portal vein have been published in the literature: T, X and H-shaped. The T type is the most frequent in the literature, and the aim of our study is to define the percentage of the connection types during the prenatal period in our population. In this prospective study, 237 women between 20 and 38 weeks of pregnancy without a foetal anomaly or pregnancy-related complications were included, and the precordial veins of the foetuses were examined using a wide-band color Doppler technique. The types of connections were determined by two specialists according to the shape of the colour coded vessels in Doppler examinations. The criteria of Czubalski & Aleksandrowicz (2000) were used. All of the connection types in patients were confirmed using video clips and were stored in the picture archiving and communication system. In 237 patients, the types of connection were determined by the first specialist as 189 foetuses (79.7 %) with the X-shaped or side-to-side connection, 16 foetuses (6.8 %) with the T-shaped or end-to-side type and 32 foetuses (13.5 %) with the H-shaped or parallel-coursed vessels connected with a short segment. The most common types of connections between the portal sinus and main portal vein in foetuses are X shaped or side-to-side, which is contrary to previous studies.

En el período prenatal, se han publicado en la literatura los tres tipos de conexiones entre el seno portal y la vena porta principal: en forma de T, X y H. El tipo T es el más frecuente, y el objetivo de nuestro estudio fue definir el porcentaje de tipos de conexión durante el período prenatal en nuestra población. En este estudio prospectivo, se incluyeron 237 mujeres entre 20 y 38 semanas de embarazo, sin anomalías fetales o complicaciones relacionadas con el embarazo, y se examinaron las venas precordiales de los fetos utilizando una técnica Doppler de banda ancha. Los tipos de conexiones fueron determinados por dos especialistas según la forma de los vasos codificados por color en los exámenes Doppler. Se utilizaron los criterios del estudio de Czubalski & Aleksandrowicz. Todos los tipos de conexión en los pacientes se confirmaron mediante videoclips y se almacenaron en el sistema de comunicación y en archivo de imágenes. En 237 pacientes, el primer especialista determinó en 189 fetos (79,7 %) la conexión en forma de X o de lado a lado; en 16 fetos (6,8 %) la forma de T o Tipo de extremo a lado; y en 32 fetos (13,5 %) los vasos en forma de H o paralelos, conectados con un segmento corto. Los tipos más comunes de conexiones entre el seno portal y la vena porta principal en los fetos son en forma de X o de lado a lado, lo que es contrario a estudios anteriores.

Accuracy of chest radiography for positioning of the umbilical venous catheter / Acurácia da radiografia de tórax para o posicionamento do cateter venoso umbilical

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of the simultaneous analysis of three radiographic anatomical landmarks - diaphragm, cardiac silhouette, and vertebral bodies - in determining the position of the umbilical venous catheter distal end using echocardiography as a reference standard. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational study, with the prospective inclusion of data from all neonates born in a public reference hospital, between April 2012 and September 2013, submitted to umbilical venous catheter insertion as part of their medical care. The position of the catheter distal end, determined by the simultaneous analysis of three radiographic anatomical landmarks, was compared with the anatomical position obtained by echocardiography; sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were calculated. Results: Of the 162 newborns assessed by echocardiography, only 44 (27.16%) had the catheter in optimal position, in the thoracic portion of the inferior vena cava or at the junction of the inferior vena cava with the right atrium. The catheters were located in the left atrium and interatrial septum in 54 (33.33%) newborns, in the right atrium in 26 (16.05%), intra-hepatic in 37 (22.84%), and intra-aortic in-one newborn (0.62%). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the radiography to detect the catheter in the target area were 56%, 71%, and 67.28%, respectively. Conclusion: Anteroposterior radiography of the chest alone is not able to safely define the umbilical venous catheter position. Echocardiography allows direct visualization of the catheter tip in relation to vascular structures and, whenever possible, should be considered to identify the location of the umbilical venous catheter.

Resumo Objetivos: Avaliar a acurácia da análise simultânea dos três marcos anatômicos radiográficos - diafragma, silhueta cardíaca e corpos vertebrais - na determinação da posição da extremidade distal do cateter venoso umbilical com a ecocardiografia como padrão de referência. Métodos: Estudo transversal, observacional, com inclusão prospectiva de dados de todos os neonatos nascidos em uma maternidade pública de referência, entre abril de 2012 e setembro de 2013, submetidos à inserção de cateter venoso umbilical como parte do atendimento clínico. A posição da extremidade distal do cateter, determinada pela análise simultânea dos três marcos anatômicos radiográficos, foi comparada com a posição anatômica obtida pela ecocardiografia. Sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo, valor preditivo negativo e acurácia foram calculados. Resultados: Dos 162 recém-nascidos avaliados por ecocardiografia, somente 44 (27,16%) estavam com o cateter em posição ótima, na porção torácica da veia cava inferior ou na junção da veia cava inferior com o átrio direito. Os cateteres foram localizados no átrio esquerdo e no septo interatrial em 54 (33,33%), no átrio direito em 26 (16,05%), no intra-hepático em 37 (22,84%) e na aorta em um recém-nascido (0,62%). A sensibilidade, especificidade e acurácia da radiografia para detectar cateter na zona-alvo foram de 56%, 71% e 67,28%, respectivamente. Conclusão: A radiografia anteroposterior de tórax isolada não é capaz de definir com segurança a posição do cateter venoso umbilical. A ecocardiografia permite a visibilização direta da ponta do cateter em relação às estruturas vasculares e, sempre que possível, deve ser considerada para localização do cateter venoso umbilical.

Rol de los marcadores ecográficos secundarios de primer trimestre para la detección de trisomía 21 / Role of first trimester secondary ultrasound markers for trisomy 21 detection

OBJETIVO: Analizar los resultados de los marcadores ecográficos secundarios (hueso nasal, onda a del ductus venoso y regurgitación tricuspídea) y valorar su efectividad para la detección de trisomía 21 y su utilidad para la reducción del número de pruebas invasivas. MÉTODOS: Tras la realización del test combinado de primer trimestre a toda paciente con un riesgo entre 1/101-1/1000 se realizó la valoración de los marcadores secundarios. RESULTADOS: Desde Enero de 2014 a Mayo de 2015 se realizaron 2.660 test combinados del primer trimestre valorándose la edad materna, la traslucencia nucal y la PAPP-A y ßhCG, teniendo una sensibilidad del 90% y una tasa de falsos positivos del 3,2%. Hubo 10 fetos con trisomía 21. La sensibilidad de hueso nasal, ductus venoso y regurgitación tricuspídea fue del 22,2%, 50% y 50% y la especificidad del 99,8%, 96,9% y 98,8% respectivamente. La sensibilidad global del test contingente fue del 90%, con una reducción de la tasa de falsos positivos al 1,6%, lo que se reduciría de 171 a 148 el número de amniocentesis. CONCLUSIÓN: El test contingente es una buena herramienta para reducir la tasa de falsos positivos respecto al test combinado sin disminuir la tasa de detección y con ello reducir la tasa de pruebas invasivas.

AIMS: To analyze the results of the secondary sonographic markers (nasal bone, wave ductus venosus and tricuspid regurgitation) and evaluate its effectiveness for the detection of trisomy 21 and thus reduce the number of invasive tests. METHODS: After completing the first trimester combined test, all patients with a risk between 1/101-1/1000 were evaluated the secondary sonographic markers. RESULTS: From January 2014 to May 2015 2660 combined test being assessed maternal age, nuchal translucency and PAPP-A and ßhCG were performed, with a sensitivity of 90% and a false positive rate of 3.2%. 10 fetuses with trisomy 21 were observed. The sensitivity of nasal bone, ductus venosus and tricuspid regurgitation was 22.2%, 50% and 50% and specificity was 99.8%, 96.9% and 98.8% respectively. The overall sensitivity of contingent test was 90%, with a reduction in false positive rate to 1.6%, which would decrease the number of amniocentesis from 171 to 148. CONCLUSION: The contingent test is a good tool to reduce the rate of false positives with respect to the combined test without decreasing the detection rate and thereby reduce the rate of invasive testing.