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Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of the pubic arch angle (PAA) measured by transperineal ultrasound during prolonged second stage of labor. Methods We evaluated prospectively 62 women ≥ 37 weeks of gestation with failure to progress in the second stage of labor. Transperineal ultrasound (transverse plane) was used to measure the pubic arch angle. Correlations with fetomaternal characteristics, mode of delivery and perinatal outcome were evaluated. Results The mean PAA was 101.1° (±13.1°; range, 80°-135°). We found a negative correlation with maternal age. Patients with an occipitotransverse fetal position had a significantly smaller angle compared with those with occipitoanterior positions (94.3° ± 5.5° vs 103.2° ± 14.8°, P < 0.05), as did those with operative deliveries compared with those with spontaneous vaginal delivery (97.1° ± 11.5° vs 110.1 ± 14.0°, P < 0.05). The prediction of operative delivery in prolonged second stage of labor by receiver-operating characteristics curve using PAA alone yielded an area under the curve of 0.75. The predicted probability for operative delivery increased as PAA decreased, with an odds ratio of 0.933 for each decrease in angle of 1°. Conclusion Our study suggests a correlation between the PAA and mode of delivery in prolonged second stage of labor. This may be used as an adjunctive parameter when considering delivery mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of fetal head progression distance (HPD), measured by transperineal ultrasound, during prolonged second stage of labor. Methods In this prospective study, a single operator, who was blinded to the results of the digital examination, assessed using transperineal ultrasound women at ≥ 37 weeks of gestation with failure to progress in the second stage of labor. Patients had an empty urinary bladder and the examination was performed during maternal pushing. HPD was defined as the length of the line perpendicular to the infrapubic line that would connect it to the lowest part of the fetal bony skull. We analyzed associations between HPD and digital examination of fetal head station, fetomaternal characteristics, mode of delivery and perinatal outcome. Results Sixty-five patients in prolonged second stage of labor participated in the study. The overall mean HPD was 6.50 (± 1.35; 95% CI, 6.16-6.83) cm. No correlation was found between HPD and head position or mode of delivery, but HPD was positively correlated with fetal head station and neonatal head circumference measured after delivery. Logistic regression and receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis demonstrated no significant predictive value of HPD with respect to mode of delivery. Conclusion Although HPD in prolonged second stage of labor could not predict mode of delivery, it may have a role as an ancillary tool for fetal head station assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Dandy-Walker complex is a continuum of developmental anomalies of the posterior fossa which includes vermian rotation. However, vermian rotation alone may be benign. The aim of this study was to describe our experience with sagittal-plane prenatal ultrasound in the diagnosis of rotation of the vermis in cases of suspected enlarged cisterna magna on routine antenatal imaging, and to describe the follow-up of these patients. Methods: Seven women, who were referred to our ultrasound unit for evaluation of an enlarged fetal cisterna magna and suspected agenesis of the vermis on axial-plane imaging, underwent further multiplanar studies of the posterior fossa and measurements of the vermis. Results: The mean maternal age was 27 (range, 20-33) years and the mean gestational age at diagnosis was 19.5 (range, 18-31) weeks. The standard axial plane image showed a 'direct communication' between the cisterna magna and the fourth ventricle. In the mid-sagittal plane, the vermis was clearly delineated, with posterosuperior rotation. Vermis size was within normal limits for gestational age in all cases. Findings were confirmed by prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in two cases and postnatal MRI and/or sonography in five. During a mean follow-up of 4.5 (range, 1-7.5) years, all children developed normally, with no neurological complications. Conclusion: The finding of an enlarged cisterna magna on standard- (axial-)plane ultrasound should be evaluated further in the sagittal plane to determine whether the cause is rotation of a normal vermis. This may spare patients unnecessary tests, anxiety and, in some cases, pregnancy termination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparison of the images obtained from normal NT fetuses and increased NT fetuses revealed a MAPE of 1.52% ± 1.02SD and 2.63% ± 1.98SD (training and testing sets together). The purpose of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of machine learning tools for segmenting and classifying first trimester fetal brain ultrasound images. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents a case report on the identification on ultrasound examination of bilateral cataract and thickened hyaloid artery-lens junction, leading to diagnosis of bilateral persistent hyperblastic primary vitreous (PHPV) in a fetus at 23 weeks' gestation. The case presented is the first to describe fetal PHPV by prenatal sonographic eye examination, in which postmortem fetal eye histological examination confirmed the diagnosis.

The article discusses a case of a pregnant women with carcinoid tumor of the appendix. This is the first description of the transvaginal ultrasound features of the carcinoid tumor of the appendix. Ultrasound examination of the patient in early pregnancy with right lower quadrant abdominal pain demonstrated an edematous appendix with amorphos fluid surrounding the appendix. These findings were confirmed at laparotomy.

Cervical chondrocutaneous vestiges or remnants originate from anomalous development of the branchial arches in the fourth week of gestation. Owing to their relative rarity, published data of cervical chondrocutaneous vestiges remain scarce. We report on the diagnosis and associated anomalies of cervical chondrocutaneous vestiges in three fetuses. The association of cervical chondrocutaneous vestige with other anomalies emphasizes the importance of performing meticulous examination and biochemical marker analysis in affected cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Innovative platform for training coherent operational skills of the ultrasound equipment," by R. Tepper and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Sonographic assessment of the lower uterine segment during active labour in women with or without a uterine scar: a prospective study," by E. Barzilay and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "More than a gut feeling: sonographic prenatal diagnosis of imperforate anus in a high risk population" by S. Perlman and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Feedback as an educational tool in gynecological ultrasound," by R. Tepper, Y. Gilboa, Y. Feldman, A. Shwarz Osad, Y. Holtzer and R. Hershkovitz is presented.

An abstract of the article "Intrapartum translabial sonography: a prospective analysis of various methods to predict the mode of delivery in prolonged second stage of labor," by Y. Gilboa, Z. Kivilevitch, M. Spira, A. Kedem, O. Moran, and R. Achiron is presented.

An abstract of the article "The head progression distance measured by trans-perineal ultrasound in prolonged 2nd stage of labor: its role in predicting mode of delivery," by Y. Gilboa, Z. Kivilevitch, M. Spira, A. Kedem, O. Moran, and R. Achiron is presented.

An abstract of the article "Prenatal visualization of the pituitary gland using two and three-dimensional ultrasound imaging- comparison to prenatal MRI modality," by E. Katorza, J. Bault, Y. Gilboa, Y. Yinon, and R. Achiron is presented.

An abstract of the article "Coronal measurement of fetal lateral ventricles: an ultrasonographic study," by E. Katorza, N. Duvdevani, Y. Yinon, Y. Gilboa, C. Hoffmann, and R. Achiron is presented.

An abstract of the conference paper "Three-dimensional ultrasonography (3D-US) and power Doppler angiography (PDA) measurements to predict ovarian response," by T. Borkowski and colleagues is presented.