Prenatal diagnosis of a left ventricular aneurysm

In a fetus with ventricular extrasystoles a congenital aneurysm of the left ventricle was diagnosed prenatally. At 32 weeks of gestation, echocardiography showed a large apical left ventricular aneurysm with a thin, hypokinetic wall. Congestive heart failure did not occur. Prenatal and postnatal examinations did not detect the aetiology of the aneurysm, but excluded the majority of possible causes. The 2-year-old child is now asymptomatic and normally developed. Neither medication nor surgical treatment have been necessary, except for antithrombotic prophylaxis with low-dose aspirin.     

Prenatal diagnosis of Apert syndrome: report of two cases

Two de novo cases with Apert Syndrome detected prenatally are presented herein. In the first, fetal ultrasound findings of syndactyly of the hands, craniosynostosis and proptosis resulted in a prenatal diagnosis in the nineteenth week of gestation. This is the earliest prenatal diagnosis of this syndrome in a not-at-risk case. Following counseling, this pregnancy was terminated and subsequent pathological examination and DNA analysis confirmed the diagnosis of Apert Syndrome and coarctation of the aorta. In the second case, fetal ultrasound at 21 weeks' gestation revealed a hypoplastic left heart and clover-leaf skull. Following counseling, this pregnancy was also terminated. Further examination of the fetus and DNA analysis led to a diagnosis of Apert Syndrome. These cases emphasize the need to complete a thorough fetal ultrasound in cases with potentially lethal cardiac abnormality and the importance of incorporating a fetal pathologist, as well as a medical geneticist, in the investigations performed after delivery or pregnancy termination when a fetal abnormality is detected on ultrasound.     

Fetal diagnosis of left ventricular aneurysm of the free wall and the interventricular septum: report of two cases and review of the literature

Two cases of aneurysmatic bulgings of the free left ventricular wall and the interventricular septum, respectively diagnosed in late third trimester pregnancies are described. The diagnosis was confirmed by meticulous echocardiographic examination of the fetuses, who were referred for dysrhythmia. Based on sonographic findings and analysis of the clinical outcome, our previous cases emphasise management options both antenatally and postnatally. We further reviewed the current literature and discussed differences between aneurysmatic lesions with respect to their specific localisation to enhance our understanding of these fetal cardiac anomalies.     

Prenatal diagnosis and outcome of congenital splenic cyst: report of two cases

Congenital splenic cyst (CSC) is a rare condition, and only a few cases with prenatal diagnosis and no associated malformation have been reported. Spontaneous regression is possible in case of mild CSC (under 40 mm), but enlargement or secondary complications may lead to surgical treatment. We report, herein, two cases of isolated mild CSC with complete spontaneous postnatal regression.     

Prenatal diagnosis of isolated foramen ovale obstruction. A report of two cases

Premature obstruction of the foramen ovale is a rare but serious clinical entity. Obstruction can be associated with right ventricular failure, fetal hydrops, tricuspid regurgitation, left heart obstructive defects and supraventricular tachycardia. In most cases, the diagnosis is made at the postmortem examination. The etiology is unknown. We discuss 2 prenatal cases with the sole diagnosis of ventricular asymmetry. The right ventricle was dilated and hypertrophic, and the foramen ovale ballooned into the left atrium without color Doppler detection of right-to-left flow. After delivery, the infants had no hydrops or symptoms of cardiac or respiratory distress. Echocardiography demonstrated a structurally normal heart with increased right ventricle dimensions until the 7th day of life. Delivery should be induced if possible in cases of foramen ovale obstruction with signs of cardiac decompensation.     

Prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 18: report of 30 cases

OBJECTIVES: To review the detection rate of the prenatal screening tests used for the diagnosis of the trisomy 18. METHODS: From 1 October 1998 to 31 December 2001, we reviewed the database and medical records of 30 cases of trisomy 18. All were singletons and trisomy 18 was confirmed by amniocentesis in 19 cases, by cordocentesis in 6 cases, by chorionic villi sampling in 2 cases and by skin biopsy in 3 cases. RESULTS: Of the 30 study cases, 23 cases (77%) were offered genetic study due to abnormal ultrasound (US) findings. Twelve (40%) out of the 23 cases were due to abnormal US findings detected before the triple test and 11 (37%) were due to abnormal US findings after the normal triple test. Six cases (20%) were offered genetic study because of an abnormal triple test, and one case was offered genetic study due to advanced maternal age only. Including the second targeted ultrasonogram, one or more abnormal US findings were found in all 30 fetuses. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal US finding is the most sensitive screening test for trisomy 18. The most sensitive ultrasonographic finding for trisomy 18 at under 16 weeks of gestation is increased nuchal translucency (75%) and, after 16 weeks, is cardiac defect (83%).     

Prenatal rupture of a left ventricular diverticulum: a case report and review of the literature

Congenital left ventricular diverticulum is a rare malformation. We report a case of a ruptured congenital left ventricular diverticulum in a 24-week-old fetus. The fetus was referred for a large and circumferential pericardial effusion confirmed by cross-sectional echocardiography in our tertiary fetal cardiology unit. Pericardiocentesis removed 25 mL of old hematic fluid. The fetus died 5 days later. The pathological examination showed a ruptured submitral fibrous diverticulum of the posterior wall of the left ventricle. There is no previous report in the literature of prenatal rupture of a cardiac diverticulum. The submitral location and the fibrous wall of the diverticulum is uncommon. As regards this case, we reviewed the diagnostic criteria and the outcome of 11 cases of prenatal cardiac diverticulum reported in the literature.     

Prenatal diagnosis of sacrococcygeal teratoma: a review of cases between 1993 and 2000

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is the most common fetal neoplasm with a reported incidence of 1 in 30,000 to 40,000 births. Affected fetuses carry a high perinatal mortality and morbidity. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess prenatal sonographic aspects and pathological details of our cases with sacroccocygeal teratoma. Over the last seven years we identified six cases by retrospective chart review in our institution. Four fetuses were electively aborted, in two of these four fetuses the diagnosis was made before the 16th week of gestation. Two caesarean sections were performed at 35 + 5 and 37 + 0 weeks of gestation, respectively. In those two cases the diagnosis was only made in the late second and third trimester. No case of neonatal mortality occurred. In one of the two resected sacroccocygeal teratomas potential malignancy was diagnosed. A multidisciplinary approach seems advisible for optimal perinatal management.     

Prenatal diagnosis and management of sex chromosome aneuploidy: a report on 98 cases

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the management of pregnancy after prenatal diagnosis of sex chromosome aneuploidy (SCA) and the factors influencing genetic counselling and parental decision. METHODS: Between 1991 and 2001, 73 non-mosaic fetal SCA were diagnosed in our centre and 25 were referred to us from outside institutions. The same geneticist carried out genetic counselling. The outcome of pregnancies and the termination trend over time were determined according to the type of SCA. Clinical parental data were analysed in order to assess whether they influenced genetic counselling. RESULTS: 45,X was diagnosed in 41 fetuses. The main indication for karyotyping was abnormal ultrasound (83%). The termination rate was 93%. Sex chromosome polysomies (SCP) including 47,XXY, 47,XXX, and 47,XYY were diagnosed in 31, 16, and 10 fetuses respectively. The main indication for karyotyping was advanced maternal age (60%). The termination rate was 32, 25, and 20% respectively. The difference between the termination rate for local cases (25%) and referred cases (33%) was not significant. The termination rate for pregnancies with SCP was 38% in 1991 to 1994, 34% in 1995 to 1998, and 12% in 1999 to 2001. The parents' characteristics did not influence the outcome of pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The relatively low termination rate (28%) in pregnancies where the fetus was affected by SCP and the decreasing termination trend over time in our centre suggest an improved knowledge of the pathological conditions associated with SCP, influencing genetic counselling.     

Prenatal diagnosis of a vein of galen aneurysm

We present the prenatal diagnosis of a vein of Galen aneurysm in a 34-week fetus. The aneurysm was 8 x 3.5 x 3 cm in dimension, and located posterior to the third ventricle. Color flow examination revealed a turbulent flow in the lesion. There was significant cardiomegaly. Prenatal ultra-fast magnetic resonance imaging was used to view the malformation in three dimensions. Although the pregnancy continued uneventfully, the fetus died of congestive heart failure on the 3rd day postpartum. The value of antenatal sonography and magnetic resonance imaging in the prediction of prognosis is discussed.     

胎儿轻度脑室扩张40例产前诊断及临床预后

目的探讨孤立性轻度脑室扩张胎儿的产前诊断及临床预后,为临床遗传咨询和优生优育提供依据。方法回顾性分析并随访2006年8月至2008年12月南京医科大学苏州市立医院生殖与遗传中心产前B超诊断孤立性轻度脑室扩张的胎儿40例,记录其临床处理方式,随访B超及新生儿检查结果。结果 (1)40例病例中已有22例胎儿继续妊娠并分娩,1例出生时死亡,1例出生后4个月死亡,2例有发育异常,余18例胎儿娩出后CT或B超检查未见异常(81.8%,18/22)。(2)共15例病例进行了胎儿染色体检查,未见染色体异常。结论对于孤立性轻度脑室扩张的胎儿,建议行染色体检查;染色体正常的胎儿,应行多次B超复查,并建议进行胎儿MR I检查,无进行性加重且胎儿MR I无明显异常者其预后一般较好,在充分告知患者利弊的情况下,可以继续妊娠。     

Prenatal diagnosis of mosaic trisomy 8: clinical report and literature review

ObjectiveTo present prenatal diagnosis of mosaic trisomy 8 and to review the literature.Materials, Methods, and ResultsA 34-year-old woman underwent amniocentesis at 16 weeks of gestation because of advanced maternal age. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 47,XY,+8[6]/46,XY[31]. Repeated amniocentesis at 21 weeks of gestation revealed a karyotype of 47,XY,+8[4]/46,XY[77]. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of uncultured amniocytes showed 25% (5/20) mosaicism for trisomy 8. Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) analyses of uncultured amniocytes revealed no genomic imbalance in chromosome 8. The result of QF-PCR excluded uniparental disomy 8. At 23 weeks of gestation, the woman underwent amniocentesis and cordocentesis at other hospitals. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 47,XY,+8[6]/46,XY[10]. Cordocentesis revealed a karyotype of 47,XY,+8[1]/46,XY[29]. Level II ultrasound findings were unremarkable. The parents decided to continue the pregnancy. A 1373-g male baby was prematurely delivered at 29 weeks of gestation. The peripheral blood had a karyotype of 47,XY,+8[1]/46,XY[29]. The infant had normal growth and mental development at 4 months of age.ConclusionFetuses with mosaic trisomy 8 are compatible with viability and can have a favorable outcome. QF-PCR and array comparative genomic hybridization have the limitation of detection of low-level mosaicism. We suggest that in instances of repeated amniocentesis for confirmation of mosaic trisomy 8, follow-up investigations should include interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization studies on uncultured amniocytes, uniparental disomy tests, and detailed ultrasound examinations.     

Prenatal diagnosis of complete trisomy 9: a case report and review of the literature

Complete trisomy 9 is a very rare chromosome aneuploidy, associated with specific patterns of multisystem dysmorphism and a wide spectrum of congenital anomalies. We present a case of complete trisomy 9 with prenatal sonographic findings in the second trimester. The combination of sonography and karyotyping from cordocentesis enabled us to establish the prenatal diagnosis. An additional clinical feature of this syndrome that has not been reported previously is an aortopulmonary communication. A review of the literature specifically dealing with prenatal sonographic findings with complete trisomy 9 is also presented.     

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal cerebellar lesions: a case report and review of the literature

The fetal cerebellar structure, size and consistency are looked at in every system survey. Among the acquired cerebellar events that might change the cerebellar consistency are haemorrhage, infections in utero and neoplasia. Additional fetal malformations, if present, assist in making the final diagnosis. We present a case of an isolated echogenic mass in one of the cerebellar hemispheres along with the differential diagnosis.