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Objectives It is generally agreed that intrauterine devices (IUDs) with visible strings in pregnancy should be removed because of the increased risk of miscarriage, septic complications and premature delivery. The precise management of pregnancies in association with so-called ‘lost IUDs’, and especially the technique of their removal, has remained controversial. We present our experience of the management of intrauterine pregnancies with a lost IUD. Methods Ultrasound-guided extraction of a lost IUD was performed in 82 intrauterine pregnancies. The subsequent outcome of the pregnancies is described. Results There were no intra- or post-procedure maternal complications. Although the miscarriage rate in the first 3 weeks after the procedure was higher than that in normal pregnancy, the complication rate approached that of normal pregnancy as the pregnancies progressed. The total miscarriage rate of 22% was comparable to that following extraction of IUDs with visible filaments. The rate of live births was 77.0%. Delivery before 37 weeks occurred in 13.5% of cases. Conclusions Ultrasound-guided extraction is a minimally invasive and inexpensive procedure that is associated with few postoperative complications. It has a high success rate and is associated with a moderate miscarriage rate and no maternal complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To construct charts for cervical length in a low risk population measured by transvaginal ultrasonography.Methods: Pregnant women of an apparently normal population were seen in the ultrasound division of the University Women's Hospital Basel between 20 and 34 weeks of gestation and underwent once (one measurement per subject) a transvaginal ultrasound measurement of the cervix under standardized conditions. In order to establish normal values of the cervical length, finally only women who delivered spontaneously at term (>37 weeks of gestation) remained in the study. Exclusion criteria were preterm labor, multiple pregnancies, cerclage or surgical intervention prior to pregnancy. For statistical evaluation, regression analysis and calculation of 5th and 95th percentiles were performed.Results: A total of 669 cervical measurements were recorded. The number of measurements differed from 22 measurements at 23 weeks of gestation to 86 at 31 weeks of gestation. Cervical length gradually and significantly decreased as the gestational age progressed (between 20 and 34 weeks of gestation). New charts with the 5th, 50th and 95th percentile are presented and compared with previously published data.Conclusions: Our charts for cervical length in a limited risk population can be used for observing patients at high risk of preterm delivery and for clearly identifying a significant deviation or decline in the percentile for these subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare volumetric capabilities in vitro between two different three-dimensional technical modalities with a transvaginal transducer. We intended to evaluate the effect of different sizes and shapes on the accuracy of the measurements, and to establish criteria for choosing the appropriate system for three-dimensional volume measurement. We did not find significant differences between the two systems, either in the results or in their operation. We confirmed the high accuracy of three-dimensional volume measurements in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented discussing the use of virtual reality objects for teaching and learning gynecological ultrasonography.

Umbilical cord anomalies can often be detected prenatally by ultrasound, but a definitive prenatal diagnosis is not always possible. We present a case with increasing edema of the Wharton's jelly followed by the development of pseudocysts in the proximal umbilical cord due to a patent urachus. The first abnormal findings were detected by ultrasound in the 14th week of gestation. Differential diagnoses and their influence on surveillance and birth management are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]