Ultrasound antenatal detection of urinary tract anomalies in the last decade: outcome and prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study has been undertaken to determine the frequency and pattern of urinary tract anomalies diagnosed by ultrasound, to correlate the prenatal with postnatal diagnoses and to identify prognostic factors. METHODS: The Ultrasound Unit's database was reviewed for fetal urinary tract anomalies detected between January 2002 and June 2012. Prenatal diagnoses made by ultrasound were confirmed by postnatal ultrasound, as well as with surgical reports. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. p values <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 838 fetal malformations were prenatally diagnosed by ultrasound with a frequency of 21% of urinary tract anomalies (177/838). Renal pelvis dilatation and hydronephrosis accounted for more than half of the cases (52%). The most frequent postnatal diagnoses were also urinary tract dilatations. The prenatal diagnoses corresponded to the postnatal ones in 88.8% of cases. There was a highly significant association between anterior-posterior renal pelvis diameter above 10 mm in the last ultrasound performed before the birth and the need for surgery (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: We emphasize the high degree of reliability of prenatal ultrasound in the establishment of diagnosis of urinary tract malformations and the prediction of postnatal outcomes.

[Twin pregnancy with a complete hydatiform mole and a viable co-twin]. / Gravidez gemelar com uma mola hidatiforme completa e um co-gémeo viável.

A complete hydatiform mole coexisting with a live, viable twin is a rare event. The diagnosis is challenging, and is normally achieved only at second trimester. It may be associated with thyrotoxicosis, vaginal bleeding, preeclampsia, fetal death or persistent throphoblastic disease. The authors describe the case of a pregnant woman presenting with first trimester bleeding. Ultrasound revealed a twin pregnancy with a viable twin and another placenta apparently detached. At 16 gestational weeks ultrasound revealed a live fetus with a normal placenta and a separate vacuolated and vascularized mass. Facing the hypothesis of gestational trophoblastic disease, the couple chose pregnancy interruption. Given the rarity of this situation, a high index of suspicion is needed to achieve the diagnosis. Despite the existence of case reports with good fetal and maternal outcome, the decision of pregnancy continuation should be made by the informed parents.

A existência de uma gravidez gemelar bicoriónica com uma mola hidatiforme completa e um co-gémeo viável é um evento raro, sendo o diagnóstico habitualmente realizado no segundo trimestre. Pode associar-se a tirotoxicose, pré-eclâmpsia, hemorragia vaginal, doença persistente do trofoblasto e morte fetal. Os autores descrevem o caso de uma grávida com hemorragia do primeiro trimestre. As imagens ecográficas foram interpretadas como uma gravidez gemelar bicoriónica com um embrião vivo e outra placenta com imagem de descolamento. Às 16 semanas visualizou-se um feto vivo com placenta posterior e uma massa vacuolada anterior, vascularizada. Perante a hipótese de doença do trofoblasto o casal optou pela interrupção da gravidez. O exame anatomo-patológico confirmou o diagnóstico. Perante a raridade desta entidade clínica, é necessário um elevado índice de suspeição para estabelecer oseu diagnóstico ecográfico. Apesar de estarem descritos casos com um bom desfecho materno e neonatal, a decisão de continuação da gravidez deve ser tomada pelos progenitores.

Ureterocele: antenatal diagnosis and management.

Ureteroceles are cystic dilations of the intravesical submucosal ureter. Most cases are associated with complete ureteral and renal duplication, and association with ureterohydronephrosis is frequent. The authors describe the 4 cases of fetal ureterocele diagnosed from March 2008 to March 2012. Mean gestational age at diagnosis was 23 weeks (16-34 weeks). One of 4 cases progressed to severe hydronephrosis with megacystis and was referred to a Fetal Medicine Center for fetoscopy and laser ureterocelotomy. The remaining 3 cases did not need fetal therapy. Mean gestational age at delivery was 37 weeks. One case abandoned follow-up; 2 children were submitted to cystoscopic ureterocele incision and the child submitted to fetal therapy needed heminephrectomy due to recurrent urinary tract infections. In those 3 cases renal function was preserved. When a fetal ureterocele is diagnosed, close sonographic surveillance should be offered to monitor the possible urinary tract obstruction and assess the need for prenatal intervention. Fetal diagnosis is important to program the timing of delivery and postnatal care.

Limb constriction secondary to pseudoamniotic band syndrome after selective fetoscopic laser surgery: report of a case with a favorable outcome.

Pseudoamniotic band syndrome (PABS) is an iatrogenic complication that causes entanglement of fetal parts in a constrictive sheet of detached or ruptured amniotic membrane after an invasive procedure, namely amniocentesis, amnioreduction or septostomy in twins. The incidence and risk factors for PABS after fetoscopy-guided laser have not been documented [Winer et al.: Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008;198:393.e1-393.e5]. We report a case of monochorionic biamniotic twin pregnancy submitted to selective fetoscopic laser photocoagulation for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome at 16 weeks of gestation. The procedure was complicated by the death of one of the fetuses at 24 weeks of gestation. Moreover, the surviving twin was diagnosed postnatally with pseudoamniotic band syndrome, presenting with affected limbs. The newborn was submitted to surgical correction of these lesions with a successful outcome and was discharged on day 15.

Prenatal diagnosis of persistent urogenital sinus with duplicated hydrometrocolpos and ascites--a case report.

We report a successful case of persistent urogenital sinus associated with a duplicated nonsyndromic form of hydrometrocolpos and ascites diagnosed prenatally. Though urogenital malformations are extremely rare and variable in presentation, the conjugation of those anomalies in a newborn is reported here for the first time. Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis was suspected at 25 weeks' gestation and MRI imaging supported the diagnosis. Periodic ultrasound surveillance was conducted until birth at 35 weeks' gestation by cesarean section. The presumptive diagnosis was confirmed after birth. One month later, the newborn underwent reconstructive surgical intervention with good outcome.

Prenatal diagnosis of a congenital postaxial longitudinal limb defect: a case report.

Introduction. Although congenital longitudinal fibular deficiency is one of the most common long bone deficiencies, there are few published cases of its prenatal diagnosis. Case report. A right longitudinal deficiency of the fibula associated with tibial shortening, foot equinovalgus, and absence of the fourth and fifth foot rays diagnosed at 22 weeks gestation is described. Sequential ultrasonographic surveillance was performed without obstetric complications. The anomaly was confirmed after birth, and conservative orthopaedic management was decided. Conclusion. Though rarely seen, postaxial longitudinal limb defect may be detected by ultrasound. The correct approach can only be decided after birth, when the functional impact of the anomaly can be fully evaluated.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of fetal ovarian cysts: five cases in five years.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of ultrasonographically diagnosed fetal ovarian cysts within a 5-year period. METHODS: This was a retrospective evaluation of the prenatal and postnatal medical records of the five cases of fetal ovarian cyst diagnosed at our institution from January 2002 to December 2006. RESULTS: The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 31.6 weeks. One of the patients had type I diabetes and another had chronic hypertension and preeclampsia. The mean cyst diameter at diagnosis was 38.3 mm (range 29-60 mm). When diagnosed, four of the cysts were simple and the other was septated. During pregnancy, the septated cyst and two of the simple cysts became hemorrhagic. Postnatally the septated cyst and two of the simple cysts underwent spontaneous remission; the other two cases, corresponding to hemorrhagic cysts, were surgically removed after birth. CONCLUSIONS: The best clinical approach to a fetal ovarian cyst is controversial. In this small series, three of the five cysts regressed spontaneously, including a hemorrhagic one. Once a fetal ovarian cyst is diagnosed, ultrasonographic monitoring should be provided in order to identify complications and define the best therapeutic approach.