Innovative cardiovascular casting technique features the complex malformation of berry syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal diagnosis of Berry syndrome, a rare combination of cardiac anomalies including aortopulmonary window (APW), aortic origin of the right pulmonary artery (RPA), interrupted aortic arch (IAA), hypoplastic aortic arch, or coarctation of the aorta (COA), poses a significant challenge. Due to the rarity of the disease, and the limited case reports available to features the complex malformation of Berry syndrome postpartum, this article introduces an innovative approach to visually showcase this unusual disease. The proposed method provides a comprehensive display of the structural deformities, offering valuable insights for clinical practitioners seeking to comprehend this condition. CASE PRESENTATION: In this report, we present a case where fetal echocardiography aided in diagnosing Berry syndrome, which was later confirmed through postpartum cardiovascular casting. Our experience highlights the importance of using the three-vessel view to diagnose APW and aortic origin of the right pulmonary artery. Additionally, obtaining true cross-sectional and sagittal views by continuously scanning from the three-vessel-trachea view to the long-axis view of the aortic arch is necessary to image IAA or coarctation of the aortic arch. CONCLUSIONS: Early and accurate prenatal diagnosis of Berry syndrome is feasible and our cardiovascular cast can perfectly display the microvascular morphology of the fetal heart, which may have great application prospects for postpartum diagnosis and teaching of complex cardiac abnormalities.

Comparative study of microvascular structural changes in the gestational diabetic placenta.

AIMS: Microvascular morphology and pathological changes in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) placentas and normal placentas were observed via vascular casting technology, electron microscopy, and pathological detection technology. Vascular structure and histological morphology changes in GDM placentas were examined to generate basic experimental data for the diagnosis and prognostic determination of GDM. METHODS: This case-control study involving 60 placentas, 30 from healthy controls and 30 from patients with GDM. Differences in size, weight, volume, umbilical cord diameter, and gestational age were assessed. Histological changes in the placentas in the two groups were analyzed and compared. A placental vessel casting model was constructed using a self-setting dental powder technique, to compare the two groups. The placental cast microvessels of the two groups were compared using scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in maternal age or gestational age between the GDM group and the control group (p > .05). The size, weight, volume, and thickness of the placentas in the GDM group were significantly greater than those in the control group, as was umbilical cord diameter (p < .05). Immature villus, fibrinoid necrosis, calcification, and vascular thrombosis were significantly greater in the placental mass in the GDM group (p < .05). The terminal branches of the microvessels in diabetic placenta casts were sparse, with significantly fewer ends and lower villous volume (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Gestational diabetes can cause gross and histological changes in the placenta, particularly placental microvascular changes.