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In fetal intestinal perforation, inflammation leads to production of ascites. Small bowel is usually involved by perforation with the distal ileum the most frequent site. We report the first case of prenatal perforation of the intraperitoneal part of the rectum, which presented as severe ascites at a 37 weeks' gestation antenatal ultrasonography. As none of the reported causes of intestinal perforation were identified in our case, its etiology remained idiopathic.

Background and Purpose: Prenatal corticosteroids have been used in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). We tested the utility of steroids by 2 methods., Methods: Mothers carrying fetuses with CDH were randomized to 3 weekly doses of betamethasone or placebo starting at 34 weeks. Patients were followed until death or discharge. In a separate cohort study, the CDH Registry was used to compare infants who received prenatal steroids to those who had not., Results: Thirty-four patients were enrolled at 7 centers, with 32 completing the trial. There were 15 placebo and 17 steroid patients. There was no difference in survival, length of stay, duration of ventilation, or oxygen use at 30 days. For the cohort study, we looked at infants older than 34 weeks who were born after October 2000 when data on prenatal steroids were collected. There were 1093 patients; 390 were evaluable, with 56 receiving steroids. There was no difference in survival, length of stay, ventilator days, or oxygen use at 30 days., Conclusion: Neither the trial nor the CDH Registry suggest that late prenatal corticosteroids benefit fetuses with CDH. More than 1700 mothers and fetuses would need to be enrolled in a trial to show a 10% improvement in survival. It is unlikely that late steroids offer benefit to most fetuses with CDH.

Objective: To evaluate polyhydramnios as a sign of extreme disproportion of atretic segments in small bowel atresia (SBA)., Methods: Twenty-eight patients with a prenatal diagnosis (PD) of SBA undergoing neonatal surgical treatment were reviewed retrospectively. Parameters recorded were gestational age, birth weight, surgical procedure, rate of complications, parenteral nutrition (PN) days and length of stay (LOS). Patients were divided into two groups: Group A with delayed anastomosis and Group B with direct anastomosis., Results: Seventeen subjects were in Group A while 11 were in Group B. The two groups did not differ with regard to gestational age at diagnosis, birth weight and obstetrical management. Polyhydramnios was present in both Group A (64.7%) and Group B (9%) (p < 0.05). Patients in Group A needed a longer period on PN, had a longer LOS and exhibited significantly higher rates of complication., Conclusion: In the absence of other malformations, association of dilated bowel loops and polyhydramnios is highly predictive of severe SBA, which can in no instance be amenable to one-stage reconstruction. Because of its consequences on postnatal treatment, such information should be conveyed to the prospective parents at the time of counselling., (2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess parent's emotional and cognitive reactions to the prenatal diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia in their prospective children., Methods: A survey was conducted by means of a questionnaire. In the period ranging from 1997 to 2002, 40 couples in whom an established diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia was made in their fetus were seen for prenatal consultation at a tertiary referral center., Results: Overall response rate was 93% (37 couples). Mean period since diagnosis for compilation of the questionnaire was 2 weeks. Mean gestational age at diagnosis was 25 weeks (range, 16 to 35 weeks). All parents lacked prediagnostic knowledge of diaphragmatic hernia and consider a single consultation with the paediatric surgeon inadequate to have a clear understanding of the anomaly. Only 1 mother and 1 father reported they understood all the information given by the surgeon. The most frequent (75%) feeling during and after the consultation was fear. Most parents (70%) referred to the intense emotions as the factor that made it difficult to follow the surgeon's explanations as well as to ask questions., Conclusions: Because of the incompatibility of emotional distress and optimum learning, impairment of early comprehension of information about diaphragmatic hernia is unavoidable. Therefore, we believe that follow-up antenatal consultations and provision of written and visual illustration are extremely important to facilitate informed choices.

To determine the incidence of cystic fibrosis (CF) in neonates with intestinal obstruction (NIO) secondary to meconium ileus (MI), jejunoileal atresia (JA), meconium plug syndrome (MPS), volvulus (V), and meconium peritonitis (MP) and analyze the correlation of ultrasonographic (US) signs with CF in NIO with a prenatal diagnosis of intestinal anomaly, a prospective analysis of different types of NIO from 1990 to 1998 was undertaken. Immunoreactive trypsin measurement, genetic studies, and sweat tests were performed to confirm or rule out CF. Cases with prenatal diagnosis were analyzed for gestational age, dilated bowel, ascites, hyperechoic bowel, and calcifications. Of 80 neonates, 19 (24%) had CF: 2/33 (6%) JA, 6/14 (43%) MPS, 1/14 (7.1%) MP, 10/10 (100%) MI, and 0/9 V. Thirty (37.5%) had a prenatal diagnosis of an intestinal anomaly. The overall incidence of CF in NIO with a prenatal diagnosis of intestinal anomaly was 4/30 (13%), or 333 times the estimated risk of CF in the general population. A hyperechoic pattern with dilated bowel was associated with higher specificity for CF: 3/3 cases (100%), followed by hyperechoic bowel with ascites: 3/4 cases (75%). All babies with any type of NIO should thus be screened for CF. Prenatal screening for CF should be indicated in all pregnancies with US patterns of specific intestinal disorders.

Background/purpose: Biliary tree cystic malformations (BCM) occur rarely. Current progress in ultrasonography makes it possible to identify them prenatally. The aim of this study was to analyze retrospectively prenatal ultrasound patterns of 5 consecutive subhepatic cysts in an effort to differentiate the BCM before birth and onset of symptoms., Methods: The prenatal ultrasound patterns of 5 consecutive BCM were correlated with the postnatal diagnosis., Results: Case 1 showed a hyperechogenic cyst that underwent enlargement during fetal life; the diagnosis at birth was an obstructed choledochal cyst (CC). In cases 2 and 3, an anechoic cyst with small, stable dimensions during pregnancy was identified; a biliary atresia (BA) type III-C was confirmed at birth. A slightly hyperechogenic cyst with no increase in size at repeated prenatal scans, was observed in cases 4 and 5; a CC and a cystic lesion at the confluence of the hepatic ducts (without obstruction) were diagnosed postnatally, respectively., Conclusions: The ultrasound scan pattern and size allow to make a prenatal differential diagnosis of BCM. Anechoic, small cyst in the hepatic hilum is highly suspicious for BA. Large, echoic or enlarging cyst is strongly suggestive of "obstructed" CC. Echoic, small and stable cyst is more suggestive of "unobstructed" CC., (Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.)

Background/purpose: Ovarian torsion causing the loss of an ovary represents the most common complication of fetal ovarian cysts and occurs more frequently before than after birth. Thus, treatment of fetal simple ovarian cysts should be performed antenatally; however, criteria for prenatal decompression still need to be evaluated. Previous experience of the authors showed that large simple cysts have a poor outcome, whereas preliminary attempts of their "in utero" aspiration were all successful and uneventful. The authors evaluated the outcome of fetal simple ovarian cysts after prenatal aspiration and considered criteria for this procedure. The outcome of cysts showing a prenatal ultrasound pattern of torsion also was studied., Methods: This prospective study includes 73 ovarian cysts (48 simple, 25 showing torsion) diagnosed in 72 fetuses from June 1992 to June 1999, and followed up until spontaneous resolution or surgery. Prenatal aspiration was performed in the case of simple cysts >/=5 cm in diameter. The outcome of these cysts was compared with that of similar cysts not aspirated in the authors previous study (X(2). Cysts with an US pattern of torsion persisting at birth were operated on. The outcome of simple cysts less than 5 cm and cysts with a prenatal ultrasound appearance of torsion also was evaluated., Results: Prenatal decompression was performed without any complications in 14 cases: 12 (86%; 95% CI: 0.68 to 1.00) regressed subsequently; 2 (14%; 95% CI: 0.00 to 0.32) showed torsion postnatally. This outcome is significantly better than that of similar cysts not aspirated in the authors' previous study(10) (P =.0002). Among the 34 simple cysts less than 5 cm, 26 (76%; 95% CI: 0.62 to 0.90) resolved spontaneously; 8 (24%; 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.38) had complications, 7 of which showing torsion (diameter at evidence of torsion, 4.4 cm [median]; range, 3.3 to 5.2 cm). Among the 34 cysts showing torsion (25 with initial US pattern of torsion + 9 subsequently complicated simple cysts), 24 (71%; 95% CI: 0.56 to 0.86) required oophorectomy; 9 (26%; 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.41) spontaneously disappeared at ultrasound, one of which required surgery for intestinal obstruction secondary to adhesion of a necrotic ovary; one patient (3%; 95% CI: 0.00 to 0.09) was lost to follow-up., Conclusions: Prenatal aspiration of ovarian cysts appears effective and safe: a "cutoff" of 4 cm should be investigated. Cysts with ultrasound pattern of torsion persisting postnatally require surgery; options for their management, when sonographically disappearing and asymptomatic, need to be investigated., (Copyright 2002 by W.B. Saunders Company.)

Unlabelled: Cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung (CAML) is a rare pulmonary maldevelopment resulting from an abnormal growth of the terminal bronchial structures. This study proposes a possible management of prenatally diagnosed CAML. A group of nine cases of CAML diagnosed prenatally between January 1990 and December 1995 was studied retrospectively. The evolution of lesions was followed in utero by serial ultrasound monitoring. Chest X-ray was performed at birth in all neonates and CT only in the symptomatic ones. CAML was macrocystic in three cases and microcystic in six. No polyhydramnios, hydrops or associated malformations were seen. In four cases, CAML was confirmed at birth and required surgery. The lesion decreased in size prenatally in five fetuses, of whom only one underwent surgery. In two further cases a prenatal diagnosis of CAML was changed to diaphragmatic hernia., Conclusion: Given the possible clinical disappearance or resolution of cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung, we believe that surgery is justified at birth only in symptomatic and radiologically positive neonates. It could be safely delayed in those asymptomatic patients with either positive or negative chest X-ray. The former need computed tomography at birth, whereas, in the latter, it should be performed at 6 months of age for a more definitive assessment of the patient.

Cloacal malformations are rare and can present in variable aspects. The importance of ultrasound in detecting these anomalies is well known. Sonographic features vary in accordance with the type of malformation and the gestational age. A positive diagnosis is not possible because of the lack of specific ultrasound findings, which can show similar aspects to other abnormalities. We present 3 cases of prenatal diagnosis of this malformation, emphasizing that in the presence of a plurilobed cystic pelvic fetal mass with associated malformations, such as cardiac, renal, and vertebral anomalies, a persistent cloaca can reasonably be suspected.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcome of fetal ovarian cysts in relation to their ultrasonic appearance and size., Methods: Forty-two fetal ovarian cysts were diagnosed in 41 fetuses and followed with serial ultrasonograms in utero and after birth until spontaneous or surgical resolution., Results: Twelve fetal ovarian cysts that were echogenic at diagnosis and six that were anechoic at diagnosis but became echogenic at subsequent prenatal sonograms were all submitted to postnatal surgery. Of the remaining 24 cysts, all anechoic, four were successfully aspirated in utero, 11 resolved spontaneously after birth, and nine underwent postnatal surgery for complication. The outcome of cysts that were anechoic at diagnosis was significantly correlated with size (P = 0.01)., Conclusions: Echogenic fetal ovarian cysts should be always surgically removed. The outcome of anechoic cysts depends on the size at diagnosis, and serial ultrasonographic assessment is recommended; although not randomized, the present series suggests that in utero aspiration of cysts > 5 cm may prevent complication and subsequent oophorectomy.

Technical refinements of ultrasound (US) have greatly affected the antenatal diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cysts. From 1985 to 1990 25 consecutive fetuses with ovarian cysts were followed-up by US both during pregnancy and postnatally. All cases were diagnosed between the 28th and 39th weeks of gestation. Deliveries were all at term; cesarean section was required only for obstetric complications. Eight fetuses (32%) showed US patterns of cyst torsion, a finding confirmed at surgery in all. In five patients US patterns suggested complications postnatally that were also confirmed at operation. In six cases cysts increased or remained unchanged in size after 15 days of life: in 50% of these surgery showed ovarian torsion. In the remaining six cases spontaneous resolution occurred within 1 to 4 months. One patient required intrauterine needle aspiration. There were two cases of intestinal obstruction. To date, more than 60% of newborns with ovarian cysts require oophorectomy; however, different treatments (cystectomy, needle aspiration, uncapping) combined with a close US follow-up are likely to reduce this percentage.

Fetal ovarian cysts can be managed in different ways, depending upon their size and clinical course: conservatively, by open surgery or by postnatal transabdominal puncture. However, in cases of large cysts detected antenatally and affecting the ongoing pregnancy, in utero transabdominal puncture can be undertaken, without increase of risk. A case of such a puncture at 30 weeks gestation is reported.

Non parasitic splenic cysts are an uncommon clinical and pathologic entities, out of these, epitelias splenic cysts (ESC) occurred in 10% of cases. Until recently the treatment of choice for the large ESC consisted of splenectomy. Splenic preservation, for avoiding risks of sepsis, is a modern concept uniformly accepted for treating childhood splenic injury and benign pathology. The Authors report a case of prenatal diagnosis of large left upper quadrant mass that was apparent at Ultrasonography (US) at 32th week of gestational age. Laparotomy at 3rd day of life: a large cyst splenic mass was found (7 x 7 cm), it was situated all in lower pole. Partial splenectomy was performed; cysts were not found in other organs. Histology of specimen: ESC. The postoperative course was uneventful. Postoperative (6 months) Scintigraphy demonstrated the good vascularization of the spleen.