Early fetal heart ultrasonography as additional indicator for chromosomopathies.

OBJECTIVE: First trial of estimating values of scans of fetal heart structures (FHS) in first trimester of pregnancy, as more primary facts of possible chromosomopathies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 2,643 fetuses that were examined in first trimester of pregnancy on Sono CT convex (C5-2MHz), endovaginal (ev 8-4MHz), and linear transducers (L12-5MHz) during a period of eight years. Fetal heart was evaluated using appropriate software with broad-band transducers and color Doppler, Sono CT, and HD ZOOM technologies. The scan was performed by three experienced physicians. FHS were based on: left and right ventricle morphology; AV valves (atrioventricular) position and existence of primal ostium; relationship of left ventricle outflow tract (LVOT) and right ventricle outflow tract (RVOT) and great vessels on three vessel view (3VV) and estimation of ductal and aortic arch. RESULTS: Several developments, one being the ability to identify fetuses at risk for cardiac defects combining nuchal translucency (NT), ductus venosus (DV) Doppler, and evaluation of tricuspid regurgitation, have prompted reconsideration of the role of the first trimester prognostic factor of fetal evaluation. In low-risk pregnancies group, 36 (1.8%) fetuses were found to have congenital heart disease (CHD), and in high-risk pregnancies the number of fetuses with CHD was 75 (12%). Genetic amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) was performed in all fetuses with CHD. Forty-two (37.8%) fetuses with CHD were found to have chromosomal anomalies. Out of 111 fetuses with CHD 39 (35.1%) had an nuchal translucency (NT) above three mm. Out of 42 fetuses with chromosomal anomalies and CHD, 29 (69%) had an increased NT. CONCLUSION: Using first trimester fetal echosonography constitutes a further step in the earlier recognition of chromosomopathies, even in low risk groups. Still further steps are necessary as all facts of good clinical practice. In order to offer further benefits during pregnancies, improvements in diagnostics are still required.

Interobserver variability and positive predictive value for ultrasonographic BI-RADS categories requiring pathohistological evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was an analysis of interobserver variability and positive predictive value (PPV) for BI-RADS categories requiring pathohistological evaluation: 4A, 4B, 4C, and 5. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Interobserver variability for each of descriptors as well as PPV for final BI-RADS categories requiring pathohistological evaluation was measured in a retrospective study which included 30 ultrasonographic reports, with pathohistological verification, randomly selected from ultrasonographic reports from Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia where about 1,100 breast cancers are verified every year. Ten observers, seven gynecologists, and three radiologists, independently rated each ultrasonographic report according to the fourth edition of BI-RADS atlas. Interobserver variability was measured with k coefficient. RESULTS: There was most conformity for a category of orientation (k = 0.79). Substantial degree of conformity was also present for both boundary (k = 0.71) and shape (k = 0.65) categories. Moderate degree of conformity was achieved for posterior features (k = 0.54) and margins (k = 0.41) descriptors, while there was poor conformity in echogenicity (k = 0.38). In case of a final score, common conformity for all BI-RADS 4A, 4B, 4C, and 5 categories was (k = 0.51); it was the greatest for category 5 (k = 0.50), and it was less for categories 4C (k = 0.37), 4B (k = 0.32), and 4A (k = 0.29). CONCLUSIONS: Interobserver conformity for ultrasonographic descriptors and final evaluation of BI-RADS 4A, 4B, 4C, and 5 categories is good. PPV implies that not only division into categories 4 and 5, but also classification into categories 4 and subcategories 4A, 4B, and 4C are justified and clinically applicable.

Influence of regularity of checkups during pregnancy on prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria and maternal behaviors regarding urinary infection prevention.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: T0 investigate how the regularity of checkups in pregnancy influences maternal behavior regarding habits in prevention of urinary tract infection (UTI), the level of information, and finally the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 223 women with regular and 220 women with irregular checkups in pregnancy were given the questionnaire on the following issues: frequency of sexual intercourses during pregnancy, the regularity of bathing and changing of underwear, the direction of washing the genital region after urinating, the regularity of antenatal visits to gynecologist, and the subjective experience concerning the quality of the information received by the healthcare provider. RESULTS: AB was present significantly more frequent in group of participants with irregular controls during pregnancy compared to group with regular checkups in pregnancy. The prevalence of AB was higher in those women who had irregular prenatal checkups. Maternal behaviors related with the risk of urinary infections are more frequent among women with irregular prenatal care. CONCLUSION: Results of the present study emphasize the importance of regular prenatal care in AB prevention.

The absence of the vomer in the first and early second trimester of pregnancy - a new marker of trisomy 21 and trisomy 13.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to measure the two frontomaxillo-facial (FMF) angles: the FMF-vomer (FMF-v) and the FMF-palate (FMF-p), and to visualize the vomer in the 1(st) and early 2(nd) trimester, in order to ascertain whether they can be used as markers for trisomy 21 and trisomy 13. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 2D ultrasound scan was performed in the 340 normal and 12 abnormal pregnancies, using the linear, convex and endovaginal probes. RESULTS: We visualized the FMF angles within 1 to 5 minutes in 253 (72 %) of cases by using the linear probe. FMF-v angle was significantly smaller that the FMF-p angle (79.8° vs. 89.7°, 71.5° vs. 84.5° for the two trimesters, respectively), and that the value of both angles decreased in the second trimester. There was not one single case of trisomy in which vomer could be identified in the 1 (st) and early 2 (nd) trimester. The FMF-p angle failed to present difference between normal cases and the ones with trisomy (89.5°). There was not one single case of trisomy (21 or 13) in which vomer or FMF-v could be identified in the first or early second trimester. The diagnostic accuracy of vomer as a marker for trisomy was 0.985. CONCLUSION: If the vomer cannot be visualized in the 1 (st) and early 2 (nd) trimester, it is important to check the karyotype, and it is not necessary to measure the FMF-p angle. The high resolution probe (L 12 - 5 Mhz) enables easier assessment of the vomer.