HD-FLOW技术在11-13+6周胎儿脐带帆状附着的筛查应用

【】目的：探讨多普勒超声高分辨率血流 (high definition-flow, HD-FLOW)成像在11-13+6周帆状脐带胎盘入口筛查中的准确性。方法：选取2141例于我院进行早孕、中孕筛查并在我院分娩的孕妇 (共2296个胎儿) 作为研究对象。依据11-13+6周脐带胎盘入口位置的不同分为三组：A组：经超声HD-FLOW检查显示胎儿脐带胎盘入口位置位于胎膜上,被认定为帆状胎盘;B组：超声HD-FLOW检查显示胎儿脐带胎盘入口位置在胎盘边缘处,难以确定插入点在胎膜或胎盘实质;C组：超声HD-FLOW检查显示胎儿脐带胎盘入口位置为胎盘实质,认定该组为正常胎盘。将检查结果与中孕期和胎儿出生后的检查结果进行比较。结果：早孕期超声HD-FLOW检查相对于中孕期检查来说对胎儿附着位置的一次检查显示率以及单胎、双胎的一次检查显示率来说要高且其差异具有统计学意义 (P<0.05) 。于11-13+6周时对胎儿进行检查发现,A组共21例,B组32例,C组2243例。中孕期检查显示29例帆状胎盘,23例球拍状胎盘,正常胎盘2244例。胎儿出生后检查显示28例帆状胎盘,23例球拍状胎盘,正常胎盘2245例。11-13+6周诊断准确率为98.26% (2256/2296) 。结论：HD-FLOW技术在11-13+6周帆状脐带胎盘入口筛查中具有一定价值,能够对部分帆状胎盘做出准确诊断。     

脐带帆状附着MRI表现及其临床意义

目的 观察脐带帆状附着（VCI）的MRI表现及其临床意义。方法 回顾性分析24例经病理证实的VCI的MRI表现。结果 24例VCI患者MRI均表现为呈条状流空信号的脐血管附着于低信号胎膜,血管沿胎膜走行延伸至稍高信号胎盘,其中17例胎膜下血管于脐带附着区发出分支,7例胎膜下血管于胎膜下走行一段距离后发出分支。7例合并边缘性前置胎盘,3例合并中央性前置胎盘。7例合并血管前置,MRI表现为沿胎膜走行的呈条状流空信号的血管位于胎先露下方、宫颈内口上方及其周围。结论 VCI的MRI表现具有一定特征性;MRI能较好地显示胎盘、脐带、宫颈内口及其周围结构。     

Prenatal diagnosis of funisitis: two case reports

Acute funisitis is characterized by the infiltration of fetal neutrophils from the umbilical vessels into Wharton’s jelly and presents as fetal inflammation. However, no reports about its prenatal diagnosis using ultrasonography have been published. We encountered one case of oligohydramnios at 26 weeks and another case of threatened premature delivery at 27 weeks of gestation with ultrasonographic findings of non-uniform thickening of Wharton’s jelly, a heterogeneous internal echo, and a high echoic line of the umbilical vessel wall. Acute funisitis was diagnosed, and the postpartum histopathological examination revealed severe funisitis in both cases. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of prenatal diagnosis of funisitis determined using ultrasonography. When we find such ultrasonographic features under the circumstances of intrauterine infection, severe funisitis should be included in the differential diagnosis.     

Velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord: a first-trimester sonographic screening study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of prenatal sonography for detecting velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord in singleton pregnancies at the 11- to 14-week scan. METHODS: The placental umbilical cord insertion site was prospectively examined at the time of the routine first-trimester scan between 11 and 14 weeks as part of ongoing first-trimester sonographic screening for chromosomal abnormalities. RESULTS: Over a 1-year period, 533 consecutive singleton pregnancies were examined by a fetal medicine specialist at a median gestational age of 12 weeks. In 5 cases, a velamentous umbilical cord insertion was diagnosed, with a prevalence rate of 1 (0.9%) per 107. The diagnosis was further confirmed at the second-trimester scan and at the time of delivery in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The placental umbilical cord insertion site can be readily determined by sonography at the time of the 11- to 14-week scan. Sonographic examination at this early gestational age provides the opportunity for screening for velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord in the first trimester, allowing close surveillance of the pregnancy for potential complications associated with this condition.     

A case of vasa previa diagnosed prenatally,and review of the literature

The perinatal mortality rate of vasa previa is high if it is not prenatally diagnosed. In this report, a case of vasa previa diagnosed prenatally is presented. Antepartum hemorrhage at 24 weeks of gestation prompted a close investigation of the uterine cervix, internal os, and placenta. We detected a low-lying bilobed placenta with umbilical cord insertion in the lower uterine segment. Furthermore, one of the connecting vessels of the bilobed placenta passed directly above the internal os. Vasa previa was suspected and confirmed with color Doppler and MRI. The fetus was delivered uneventfully by planned Cesarean section at 38 weeks of gestation. It should be considered that placenta previa (including low-lying placenta), bilobed placenta, and umbilical cord insertion in the lower uterine segment are associated with high risk of vasa previa. Ultrasound screening for cord insertion and placenta around the internal os enables efficient and certain detection of vasa previa.     

Cord insertion into the lower third of the uterus in the first trimester is associated with placental and umbilical cord abnormalities.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility of detecting the cord insertion site during the late first trimester, and to investigate the possible association between perinatal complications and a cord insertion in the lower third of the uterus in the first trimester. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study in which the positional relationship between the uterus and the cord insertion site was examined using gray-scale transvaginal sonography at 9-11 weeks of gestation. The distance between the internal os and the fundus was divided equally into three parts. Cord insertions located in the upper or middle thirds were defined as normal (controls), and those located in the lower third were defined as cases, regardless of their relationship to the chorion villosum. Third-trimester sonography and pathological examination of the placenta and cord at delivery were performed to check for placental/cord abnormalities. The univariate association between the location of the cord insertion in the first trimester and placental and umbilical cord abnormalities and perinatal complications was assessed. RESULTS: The cord insertion site was identified in 318/340 (93.5%) cases at 9-11 weeks of gestation and it was in the lower third of the uterus in 35 (11.0%) cases. Of these 35, the cord insertion was found at delivery to be low in nine cases (26%) and the placenta was low-lying at delivery in eight (23%). None of the 283 cases with a normal cord insertion in the first trimester was found to have a low-lying placenta at delivery (P < 0.0001). Ten (29%) of the cases with a low cord insertion and four (1.4%) with a normal cord insertion in the first trimester had a velamentous or marginal cord insertion at delivery (P < 0.0001). At delivery, five (14%) of the low cord insertion cases and four (1.4%) of the normal cord insertion cases (P < 0.0001) had some form of placental malformation, including accessory placenta and infarction of the placenta. An emergency Cesarean section was performed in four (11%) and six (2.1%) of the low and normal cord insertion cases, respectively (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Developmental abnormalities of the placenta and umbilical cord occur frequently in cases in which the cord insertion is in the lower third of the uterus in the first trimester. We suggest that screening for the cord insertion site at 9-11 weeks of gestation may have clinical significance for predicting abnormalities of the cord and the placenta at delivery.     

超声检查对胎儿脐带血管前置的诊断价值

目的 探讨彩色多普勒超声检查对胎儿脐带血管前置的诊断价值及其临床意义。 方法 回顾性分析2014年1月~2017年12月期间于我院产科进行产检并住院分娩后临床确诊为脐带血管前置的24例孕妇的彩色多普勒超声图像特点以及孕妇和胎儿结局。 结果 同期入院孕妇共8000例,前置血管发生率为0.3%。24例前置血管孕妇,彩色多普勒超声检查正确诊断出20例,正确率为83.33%,其中超声检查漏诊1例,漏诊率为4.17%,误诊3例,2例误诊为脐带先露,1例误诊为脐带脱垂。24例前置血管孕妇中14例为脐带血管帆状附着型,5例为副胎盘型,4例为双叶胎盘型,1例为脐带胎盘边缘附着型。24例诊断为前置血管的孕妇均接受剖宫产手术,其中活婴28个,死胎6个,孕妇均健康出院。 结论 产前超声检查能够直观显示孕妇子宫内脐带血管走形情况,并判断脐带血管与子宫颈内口的关系,在诊断前置血管上有较高的准确率,可作为前置血管筛查和诊断的首选检查手段,最终降低胎儿围产期死亡率。       

Prenatal diagnosis of a lean umbilical cord: a simple marker for the fetus at risk of being small for gestational age at birth.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the prenatal diagnosis of a 'lean' umbilical cord in otherwise normal fetuses identifies fetuses at risk of being small for gestational age (SGA) at birth and of having distress in labor. The umbilical cord was defined as lean when its cross-sectional area on ultrasound examination was below the 10th centile for gestational age. METHOD: Pregnant women undergoing routine sonographic examination were included in the study. Inclusion criteria were gestational age greater than 20 weeks, intact membranes, and singleton gestation. The sonographic cross-sectional area of the umbilical cord was measured in a plane adjacent to the insertion into the fetal abdomen. Umbilical artery Doppler waveforms were recorded during fetal apnea and fetal anthropometric parameters were measured. RESULTS: During the study period, 860 patients met the inclusion criteria, of whom 3.6% delivered a SGA infant. The proportion of SGA infants was higher among fetuses who had a lean umbilical cord on ultrasound examination than among those with a normal umbilical cord (11.5% vs. 2.6%, p < 0.05). Fetuses with a lean cord had a risk 4.4-fold higher of being SGA at birth than those with a normal umbilical cord. After 25 weeks of gestation, this risk was 12.4 times higher when the umbilical cord was lean than when it was of normal size. The proportion of fetuses with meconium-stained amniotic fluid at delivery was higher among fetuses with a lean cord than among those with a normal umbilical cord (14.6% vs. 3.1%, p < 0.001). The proportion of infants who had a 5-min Apgar score < 7 was higher among those who had a lean cord than among those with normal umbilical cord (5.2% vs. 1.3%, p < 0.05). Considering only patients admitted in labor with intact membranes and who delivered an appropriate-for-gestational-age infant, the proportion of fetuses who had oligohydramnios at the time of delivery was higher among those who had a lean cord than among those with a normal umbilical cord (17.6% versus 1.3%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: We conclude that fetuses with a lean umbilical cord have an increased risk of being small for gestational age at birth and of having signs of distress at the time of delivery.     

Prenatal detection of velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord: a prospective color Doppler ultrasound study.

OBJECTIVE: Velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord, with a reported incidence of 1% in singleton pregnancies, has been associated with several obstetric complications including fetal growth restriction, prematurity, congenital anomalies, low Apgar scores, fetal bleeding and retained placenta. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of identifying velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord during routine obstetric ultrasound. DESIGN: This was a prospective, cross-sectional ultrasound study in 832 unselected second- and third-trimester singleton pregnancies. Color Doppler ultrasound was routinely performed to identify the placental cord insertion site. The role of three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound in evaluating the placental cord insertion site was also studied in a subset of 50 pregnancies from this population. RESULTS: The placental cord insertion site was identified in 825/832 (99%) cases. Visualization was not achieved in seven third-trimester pregnancies with a posterior placenta. A velamentous insertion was suspected prenatally in eight cases, seven of which were confirmed after delivery as velamentous and one as markedly eccentric (battledore placenta). 3D ultrasound performed poorly at evaluating placental cord insertion site, being less efficient due to poor-quality resolution and far more time-consuming than the combined use of gray-scale and color Doppler ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: Velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord can reliably be detected prenatally by gray-scale and color Doppler ultrasound. 3D imaging had limited value in the evaluation of the placental cord insertion site in our subset of patients. Systematic assessment of the placental cord insertion site at routine obstetric ultrasound has the potential of identifying pregnancies with velamentous insertion and, therefore, those at risk for obstetric complications including vasa previa.     

Fused umbilical arteries: prenatal sonographic diagnosis and clinical significance.

This report describes a series of 5 fetuses with fused umbilical arteries that had the prenatal feature of a single umbilical artery near the placental insertion and the normal 2 umbilical arteries at the fetal end of the cord. In 1 case this vascular anomaly was associated with unilateral renal agenesis in a fetus with a subsequent diagnosis of Hallermann-Streiff syndrome. No perinatal complications were identified in the remaining 4 fetuses. Postpartum examination of the cord revealed that the 2 umbilical arteries fused to form 1 artery for a long segment of the distal portion of the cord. Our findings suggest that the prenatal evaluation of the umbilical cord to document the number of vessels should include multiple views of the cord and demonstration of the 2 intra-abdominal umbilical arteries with color Doppler imaging for a confident diagnosis. Our observation also suggests that, at least in some cases, single umbilical artery may result from incomplete splitting of the single artery normally present in early human embryos.     

Velamentous cord insertion into the lower third of the uterus is associated with intrapartum fetal heart rate abnormalities.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the accuracy of sonographic identification of the site of umbilical cord insertion (CI) at 18-20 weeks of gestation, to compare the sensitivities for detection of a velamentous cord insertion (VCI) secondary to a CI into the anterior, posterior or fundal wall, and to compare the intrapartum complications secondary to VCI into the upper, middle or lower third of the uterus. METHODS: As part of the routine ultrasound scan at 18-20 weeks' gestation we evaluated abnormal CI (VCI and marginal CI) and the location of the CI in the uterus in 3446 pregnancies. In cases of abnormal CI, the location of the CI was further classified as being in the upper, middle or lower third of the uterus. After delivery, the placenta and the umbilical cord were examined and intrapartum complications were compared with the location of the CI. RESULTS: The values for antenatal detection of VCI were: sensitivity, 25 of 40 (62.5%); positive predictive value, 25 of 25 (100%); and negative predictive value, 3406 of 3421 (99.6%). The sensitivity for cases in which the CI was located on the anterior wall was 12 of 13 (92.3%); when it was located on the posterior wall, the sensitivity was 11 of 22 (50.0%); and when it was fundal the sensitivity was 2 of 5 (40.0%). Variable decelerations were frequently observed with a VCI. In lower VCI cases, non-reassuring fetal heart rate patterns and emergency Cesarean sections occurred with a higher frequency than in cases with upper or middle VCI (P < 0.01). After delivery, the length of the aberrant vessels in cases of VCI by pathologic examination was 3.9 +/- 3.3 cm in the upper third, 4.7 +/- 4.6 cm in the middle third, and 10.6 +/- 6.8 cm in the lower third; thus, the aberrant vessel length was significantly greater when the CI was in the lower third of the uterus (P = 0.024). CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that VCI with a lower CI site and with longer aberrant vessels is associated with various intrapartum complications. This finding has the potential for improving perinatal outcome.     

Cord entanglement of monochorionic diamniotic twins following spontaneous antepartum septostomy sonographically simulating a true knot of the umbilical cord.

Spontaneous antepartum septostomy occurring in monochorionic diamniotic twins is extremely rare. We present a case in which prenatal sonography at 26 weeks' gestation depicted a monochorionic diamniotic twin gestation with concordant fetal growth and findings suggestive of a true knot of the umbilical cord. At Cesarean delivery at 34 weeks' gestation, spontaneous antepartum septostomy with entanglement of the two separate umbilical cords was noted. This case suggests that the differential diagnosis of findings considered consistent with a true knot of the umbilical cord in monochorionic diamniotic twin gestations, should include spontaneous antepartum septostomy and umbilical cord entanglement.     

Prenatal diagnosis of umbilical cord aneurysm in a fetus with trisomy 18.

Aneurysm of the umbilical cord is an extremely rare vascular anomaly. We report a case of umbilical cord aneurysm with arteriovenous fistula in a fetus with trisomy 18. At 34 weeks' gestation a fetus with suspected intrauterine growth restriction and oligohydramnios was referred to our institution. Ultrasound examination was confirmatory and additionally revealed multiple markers for trisomy 18. In the umbilical cord an aneurysm was diagnosed characterized by a cystic lesion with hyperechogenic rim measuring 18 x 18 x 19 mm in diameter. Color flow and spectral Doppler examinations showed a jet originating from one of the umbilical arteries entering the cystic lesion which appeared to be the dilated umbilical vein. Fetal blood sampling and subsequent karyotyping revealed trisomy 18 (47, XY, +18). The patient elected to terminate the pregnancy. Pathologic examination of placenta and umbilical cord confirmed the prenatal diagnosis of umbilical cord aneurysm and arteriovenous fistula. Histology demonstrated a strongly dilated umbilical vein, one moderately dilated artery and a second, apparently normal artery.     

Early prenatal diagnosis of cord entanglement in monoamniotic multiple pregnancies.

OBJECTIVES: Cord entanglement is a severe complication in monoamniotic multiple pregnancies. Three cases were reviewed to determine how early ultrasound diagnosis might improve counselling and management. METHODS: In two monoamniotic twin and one dichorionic diamniotic triplet pregnancies, cord entanglement was detected between 10 and 18 gestational weeks by color Doppler and pulsed Doppler velocimetry. Pregnancies were followed up on a weekly basis with special observation of fetal behavior and use of color Doppler velocimetry. RESULTS: In Case 1, a monoamniotic twin pregnancy with cord entanglement close to the umbilical insertions was diagnosed at 10 weeks. Longitudinal follow-up showed intrauterine death of both twins at 15 weeks. In Case 2, entanglement of the umbilical cords of two monoamniotic triplets within a dichorionic diamniotic triplet pregnancy was diagnosed at 10 weeks. The pregnancy continued uneventfully until 35 weeks when cord entanglement was confirmed at Cesarean section. All triplets have since developed normally. In Case 3, monoamniotic twins were diagnosed at 18 weeks. Color Doppler detected side-by-side insertion of the umbilical cords and Doppler velocimetry suggested an entanglement at the chorionic plate. The pregnancy was complicated by polyhydramnios. Cesarean section at 36 weeks confirmed cord entanglement at the chorionic plate. Postnatal computer angiography and morphological examination of the placenta showed the presence of superficial artery-to-artery and vein-to-vein anastomoses and of deep arteriovenous shunts. The development of the twins was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of cord entanglement is feasible early in gestation. Future protocols are proposed to document the gestational age at detection, the location, and the Doppler flow patterns and to facilitate the assessment of short- and long-term development.     

Ultrasound of the placenta and umbilical cord: a review

The placenta and umbilical cord play important roles in the development of the growing fetus. The placenta can be clearly identified by the 14th gestational week and should be evaluated during each obstetric ultrasound examination.This article reviews the formation of the placenta and its expected sonographic appearance throughout gestation along with its normal variants. Expected findings in a singleton pregnancy are primarily addressed. The next portion of the article covers placental abnormalities of clinical consequence, including anomalies of appearance, location, and function.The umbilical cord is also discussed, focusing on the relevance of the location of the umbilical cord's insertion into the placenta.     

三维彩色能量成像在正常中晚期妊娠中的临床应用价值

目的：探讨三维彩色能量成像（3D－CPA）显示中晚期妊娠胎儿的腹部、肾脏、头部、脐带及胎盘血管的方法和应用价值。方法：采用ATL HDL－3000的3D－CPA对69例中晚期妊娠的胎儿腹部、肾脏、头部及脐带、胎盘血管进行三维超声重建。结果：3D－CPA能满意显示胎儿脏器单一血管分支明显多于二维图像,多支血管树明显示血管分支的立体空间结构且能观察有无弥漫性增多、增粗、走向异常,局部有无狭窄、移位、中断。结论：3D－CPA可提供较二维超声更多的血流信息,对中晚期妊娠的产前诊断有一定的临床应用价值。     

血管前置的产前超声筛查与诊断

血管前置是导致围产儿死亡的一个危险因素,经阴道分娩围产儿死亡率高.超声检查是产前诊断血管前置最可靠且简便、易推广的检查方法.当产前超声检查发现低置胎盘、双叶胎盘、副胎盘、多叶胎盘、多胎妊娠、帆状胎盘等高危发病因素时,需详细检查宫颈内口,常规的检查方法是经腹超声检查,当因胎先露阻挡等原因显示宫颈内口不满意时,需结合经会阴超声检查或经阴道超声检查;经阴道超声检查是该3种检查方法中最可靠的显示方法,但合并阴道活动性出血或宫颈机能不全时不宜使用.对于产前诊断血管前置的病例,建议于临产前行选择性剖宫产术.     

Congenital hernia of the abdominal wall: a differential diagnosis of fetal abdominal wall defects.

A 28-year-old woman was referred at 33 weeks of gestation with suspected fetal intestinal atresia. Sonography showed a large extra-abdominal mass on the right of the normal umbilical cord insertion. Following Cesarean section at 36 weeks and immediate surgical treatment, the malformation was not definable either as an omphalocele or as gastroschisis. This reported case involves a previously undocumented malformation of the fetal abdominal wall described as a 'hernia' of the fetal abdominal wall.     

Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of short umbilical cord in a dichorionic twin with normal fetal anatomy

Short umbilical cords are associated with fetal anomalies, often including those with decreased or absent fetal movement, fetal akinesia/hypokinesia sequence, and restrictive dermopathies and aneuploidy. In normal fetuses, abnormally short umbilical cords have been associated with an increased risk of umbilical vessel hematomas, thrombosis, rupture, thrombocytopenia, cord compression, variable fetal heart rate decelerations, instrumental and operative deliveries, and fetal demise. We report a 24‐year‐old gravida 2, para 0 with a concordant dichorionic twin gestation, at 26 weeks' gestation, in whom sonography depicted fetuses with normal‐appearing anatomy as well as short umbilical cord of the 1st twin. Increased fetal surveillance was conducted. Following delivery at 36 weeks' gestation, the presence of a short umbilical cord of the 1st twin measuring 19 cm was confirmed. Systematic review of the literature confirms that this is the first report of prenatal diagnosis of a short umbilical cord in an otherwise normal fetus. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 2010     

心肌做功指数在评价帆状胎盘孕妇胎儿心功能中的应用

目的应用心肌做功指数（MPI）评价帆状胎盘孕妇胎儿心功能的变化及与不良妊娠结局的关系。 方法选取2016年1月至2018年12月在北京妇产医院确诊帆状胎盘孕妇70例（帆状胎盘组），孕周28~40周，同时选取同孕周正常孕妇89例（对照组），采用t检验比较两组左心室MPI、二三尖瓣口血流速度（E/A比值）及脐动脉搏动指数（UA-PI）、大脑中动脉搏动指数（MCA-PI）和静脉导管搏动指数（DV-PI）。采用ROC曲线分析MPI预测不良妊娠结局，将不良妊娠结局定为如下任意一个：胎儿窘迫、新生儿转ICU、新生儿窒息、呼吸性酸中毒。 结果帆状胎盘组左心室MPI显著高于正常组，差异有统计学意义（t=4.593，P<0.001）；帆状胎盘组UA-PI显著高于正常组，差异有统计学意义（t=-4.142，P<0.05）；帆状胎盘组二尖瓣E/A值、三尖瓣E/A值、MCA-PI、DV-PI与正常组比较，差异均无统计学意义（P均>0.05）。ROC曲线分析显示帆状胎盘组胎儿左心室MPI预测不良结局的ROC曲线下的面积为0.690（95%置信区间为0.580~0.799）。最佳截断值为0.45，其敏感度为83.3%，特异度为38.1%。 结论帆状胎盘孕妇胎儿心功能是降低的，左心室MPI升高在一定程度上与不良妊娠结局显著性相关，从而为监测宫内胎儿安危及改善妊娠结局提供依据。