Echogenic foci in fetal heart from a pediatric cardiologists point of view.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the occurrence and the significance of echogenic foci in the fetal heart and to assess the prognosis of the fetus and child. SETTING: Department of Pediatrics and Prenatal Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Ostrava. DESIGN: Original article. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted between 2008-2017. Fetal echocardiography was performed in the second trimester of pregnancy in the study population. The identification of echogenic heart foci, and their follow up during and after the pregnancy were performed by a pediatric cardiologist. RESULTS: In the monitored period, a total of 27,633 fetuses were examined. Isolated cardiac hyperechogenic foci were detected in 3% (829/27,633) of the fetuses. The foci was found in 93%, 5%, and 2% in the left ventricle, mainly in valvular apparatus of the mitral valve, in the both ventricles, and in the right ventricle, respectively. In 1% (11/829) of the fetuses with cardiac echogenic foci, the others concomitant pathologies (tricuspid regurgitation, extrasystoles, renal pathology) were found. No genetic abnormalities were detected in the fetuses with cardiac hyperechogenic foci. CONCLUSION: The echogenic focus in fetal heart is a relatively common, mostly insignificant finding, with any serious consequences for the fetus and the child.

[Tubo-ovarian abscess in the 39th week of pregnancy (case report)]. / Tuboovariální absces ve 39. týdnu gravidity (kazuistika).

OBJECTIVE: A case of tubo-ovarian abscess in a patient with term pregnancy. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nemocnice s poliklinikou Karviná Ráj. CASE REPORT: I hereby report a case of a patient in her 39th week of pregnancy hospitalized for abdominal pain and vomiting. Due to unclear aetiology and growing dynamics of inflammatory markers the ending of the pregnancy by induction of labour was indicated. Postpartum examination performed through computed tomography determines the cause of current problems. Conservative therapy of the diagnosed adnexal abscess, however, is insufficient. In the fourth postpartum day, the patient is indicated for surgical intervention and unilateral salpingo oophorectomy is performed. CONCLUSION: Even though rare during this period, some forms of clinical pelvic inflammatory disorders during pregnancy have to be taken into consideration. Timely and correct diagnosis combined with adequate therapy is of vital importance for reduction of perinatal and maternal mortality and morbidity.