Placental abruption and placental hemorrhage: correlation of sonographic findings with fetal outcome

Sixty-nine cases of placental abruption and placental hemorrhage detected with ultrasonography (US) were reviewed retrospectively to determine whether US findings correlate with fetal outcome. Four patients were lost to follow-up, and in the remaining 65 patients fetal outcome included demise in 12 cases (18%), termination of pregnancy in six (9%), premature delivery of a living infant in 15 (23%), term delivery of an infant who was small for gestational age in four (6%), and normal term delivery in 28 (43%). Fetal mortality correlated best with the estimated percentage of placental detachment, but was also significantly (P less than .01) associated with the location (retroplacental) and size (greater than 60 ml) of hemorrhage. Premature labor was associated (P less than .001) only with gestational age at the time of clinical presentation. No sonographic finding was identified as a risk factor for small-for-gestational-age infants. Sonographic findings of placental abruption correlate with fetal outcome, and this information may be useful for guiding obstetric management.     

Focal adrenal hemorrhage: a new US appearance

The ultrasonographic (US) appearance of neonatal adrenal hemorrhage has been described as a mass obliterating the normal contour of the entire gland. In the four cases described, different US appearances were found: In three, the hemorrhage was focal with the uninvolved portion of the gland visualized adjacent to the hemorrhage; in the fourth patient, hemorrhage involved primarily the medulla. Excellent computed tomographic or pathologic correlation with the US appearance was demonstrated. These findings suggest that adrenal hemorrhage should be considered in the differential diagnosis of focal adrenal masses in the neonate.     

Yolk sac diameter and shape at endovaginal US: predictors of pregnancy outcome in the first trimester.

Four hundred eighty-six consecutive women who underwent endovaginal sonography when their fetuses were less than 10 weeks menstrual age (MA) were evaluated to establish the normal size and shape of the secondary yolk sac (YS) and to assess the value of YS measurement in predicting pregnancy outcome in the first trimester. A YS diameter more than two standard deviations (SDs) above the mean when compared with the mean gestational sac diameter allowed prediction of an abnormal pregnancy outcome with a sensitivity of 15.6%, a specificity of 97.4%, and a positive predictive value of 60.0%. A YS diameter more than two SDs below the mean allowed prediction of an abnormal outcome with a sensitivity of 15.6%, a specificity of 95.3%, and a positive predictive value of 44.4%. No pregnancy with a normal outcome had a YS diameter of greater than 5.6 mm at less than 10 weeks MA. In six patients, the YS diameter was greater than 5.6 mm. All six had an abnormal outcome. Of seven patients with abnormal YS shape at initial sonography, three had abnormal YS shape at follow-up examinations. All three had an abnormal outcome.     

Prevalence and significance of subchorionic hemorrhage in threatened abortion: a sonographic study

We performed a prospective study to determine the prevalence and significance of subchorionic hematomas in patients with symptoms of threatened abortion. The study comprised 342 pregnant women who had vaginal bleeding in weeks 9-20 of pregnancy and a live fetus shown with sonography. Sonograms showed a subchorionic hematoma in 62 patients (18%). The average size of the hematoma was 20 ml (range, 2-150 ml). The rate of spontaneous abortion was the same in patients with and without hematoma, seven (11%) of 62 and 28 (10%) of 280, respectively. There was no association between abortion rate and hematoma size. The rate of premature delivery was the same in patients with and without hematoma, seven (11%) of 62 and 32 (11%) of 280, respectively. There was no association between the rate of premature delivery and hematoma size. Subchorionic hematomas are common and insignificant sonographic findings in patients with vaginal bleeding in weeks 9-20 of pregnancy.     

Lateral pontine hemorrhage: Atypical clinical manifestations and good outcome

Two hypertensive patients presented clinically with unilateral hematomas of the basis pontis demonstrated by computed tomography (CT) scan. Clinical signs showed hemiparesis while the typical signs of pontine hemorrhage—including coma, pin point pupils, ocular bobbing, respiratory abnormalities, and hyperthermia—were absent. Both patients survived with good recovery.

Our observations suggest that some patients with pontine hemorrhage produce atypical clinical manifestations and have a good prognosis. Accurate diagnosis may be difficult without CT scan in such cases.     

Hemangiopericytoma of the greater omentum: US and CT appearance

The US, Doppler and CT appearances in a patient with hemangiopericytoma of the greater omentum are presented. Ultrasound revealed a solid mass with heterogenous echo pattern, well-defined margins and marked vascularity with low impedance flow (mean resistive index 0.42). The tumour was mobile. It was detected below the left kidney at the first US examination and had migrated into the pelvis 14 days later. At CT the tumour demonstrated strong but brief peripheral enhancement and a central hypodense s scar. Correspondence to: M. Bertolotto     

MR appearance of autologous chondrocyte implantation in the knee: correlation with the knee features and clinical outcome

Objective To relate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) in the knee in the 1st postoperative year with other knee features on MRI and with clinical outcome. Design and methods Forty-nine examinations were performed in 49 patients at 1 year after ACI in the knee. Forty-one preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) examinations were also available. The grafts were assessed for smoothness, thickness in comparison with that of adjacent cartilage, signal intensity, integration to underlying bone and adjacent cartilage, and congruity of subchondral bone. Presence of overgrowth and bone marrow appearance beneath the graft were also assessed. Presence of osteophyte formation, further cartilage defects, appearance of the cruciate ligaments and the menisci were also recorded. An overall graft score was constructed, using the graft appearances. This was correlated with the knee features and the Lysholm score, a clinical self-assessment score. The data were analysed by a Kruskal–Wallis H test followed by a Mann–Whitney U test with Bonferroni correction as post-hoc test. Results Of 49 grafts, 32 (65%) demonstrated complete defect filling 1 year postoperatively. General overgrowth was seen in eight grafts (16%), and partial overgrowth in 13 grafts (26%). Bone marrow change underneath the graft was seen; oedema was seen in 23 grafts (47%), cysts in six grafts (12%) and sclerosis in two grafts (4%). Mean graft score was 8.7 (of maximal 12) (95% CI 8.0–9.5). Knees without osteophyte formation or additional other cartilage defects (other than the graft site) had a significantly higher graft score than knees with multiple osteophytes (P=0.0057) or multiple further cartilage defects (P=0.014). At 1 year follow-up improvement in the clinical scores was not significantly different for any subgroup. Knees with a graft score of 8 points or greater had a better improvement of the clinical score than those of 7 points or fewer. Conclusions At 1 year follow-up after ACI, higher graft scores are associated with an overall better preserved knee joint. ACI improves the clinical outcome, but there is no statistically significant correlation of graft score and clinical outcome.     

Nonvisualization of the fetal gallbladder in early pregnancy: comparison with clinical outcome

PURPOSE: To prospectively assess the frequency of a nonvisualized fetal gallbladder in early pregnancy and to determine its prognostic value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fetal transvaginal ultrasonography (US) was performed in 29,749 consecutive pregnant women at 14-16 weeks gestation. A nonvisualized fetal gallbladder was defined if the gallbladder could not be depicted during two targeted examinations within 1 week. In such cases, women were offered an amniocentesis for fetal karyotype and hepatic enzyme analysis. Repeat transabdominal fetal US was performed at 22-26 weeks' gestation. If the gallbladder was still not depicted, US was performed postnatally. RESULTS: The gallbladder was not visualized in early pregnancy in 34 fetuses (0.1%; incidence of one in 875 pregnancies). Associated structural malformations were detected in 14 of 34 (41%) fetuses, five of which also had an abnormal karyotype. Pregnancy was terminated in nine of these 14 fetuses. In the remaining five patients who continued pregnancy, the gallbladder was detected later in pregnancy in four. However, only one infant was healthy. Nonvisualization of the gallbladder as an isolated finding was noted in 20 of 34 (59%) fetuses, all of which had a normal outcome. The gallbladder was detected later in pregnancy in 11 of these fetuses and after birth in two neonates, while no gallbladder was detected after delivery in five other neonates. Two patients were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: Nonvisualization of the fetal gallbladder in early pregnancy is uncommon but associated in many cases with other fetal anomalies.     

Hydranencephaly: US appearance during in utero evolution

Massive intracranial hemorrhage was diagnosed in utero in a 27-week-old fetus. The subsequent development of hydranencephaly was monitored by ultrasound until term.     

Retained surgical sponges: CT and US appearance

The computed tomographic (CT) and ultrasonographic (US) appearances of retained surgical sponges are described. In each case, the presence of a sponge was confirmed at repeat operation. CT examinations were performed in nine patients. In six cases, a low-density mass was demonstrated; in two cases, a complex mass with areas of both low and medium density was seen. The remaining case was a high-density mass. After intravenous administration of contrast material, dense and prolonged enhancement of the rim of the mass was noted in five of eight cases. Calcification was found in four cases, and spongiform gas in one. US performed in six patients revealed an echogenic area with strong acoustic shadowing in three cases and a complex mass, a hypoechoic mass, and a cystic mass with irregular internal echoes in one case each. Granuloma caused by a retained surgical sponge should be considered as a cause of an abdominal mass in patients with a history of prior abdominal surgery.     

Radiographic appearance and clinical outcome correlates in 26 patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the appearance of chest radiographs in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and correlate these findings with clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the initial radiograph and a series of follow-up chest radiographs in 26 patients who had symptoms and signs consistent with SARS. Twenty-five patients completed the full course of radiographs in the hospital. The initial radiographic features and the distribution of parenchymal, mediastinal, and pleural abnormalities for each patient were evaluated. Follow-up radiographic findings were correlated with clinical outcomes for these patients. RESULTS: Initial chest radiographs showed abnormalities in 23 (88%) of 26 subjects. Eighteen patients (69%) had air-space consolidation, two (8%) had ground-glass attenuation, one (4%) had nodules, and two (8%) had mixed consolidation and nodules. Four patients (15%) had pleural effusion. Younger patients and those with normal initial radiographic findings or unifocal lung lesions had better outcomes. CONCLUSION: The initial predominant radiographic feature of SARS was air-space consolidation in the lateral and lower lung zones. Progressive deterioration to diffuse unilateral or bilateral consolidation in the series of follow-up chest radiographs is associated with a poor prognosis.