Faculty Bibliography

OBJECTIVE: The FASTER trial compared first and second trimester screening methods for aneuploidy. We examined relationships between maternal serum markers and common congenital anomalies in the pediatric outcome data set of 36 837 subjects. METHODS: We used nested case-control studies, with cases defined by the most common anomalies in our follow-up database, and up to four controls matched by enrollment site, maternal age and race, enrollment gestational age, and infant gender. Serum markers were dichotomized to > or = 2 or < 0.5 multiples of the median (MoM). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. RESULTS: Statistically significant (p < 0.05) associations were found between inhibin A > or = 2 MoM with fetal multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) (OR = 27.5, 95% CI: 2.8-267.7) and two-vessel cord (OR = 4.22, 95% CI:1.6-10.9); hCG of > or = 2 MoM with MCDK (OR = 19.56, 95% CI: 1.9-196.2) and hydrocele (OR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.3-4.6); and PAPP-A > or = 2.0 MoM with hydrocele (OR = 1.88, 95% CI:1.1-3.3). CONCLUSION: In this large prospective study, significant associations were found between several maternal serum markers and congenital anomalies. This suggests potential additional benefits to screening programs that are primarily designed to detect aneuploidy.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the feasibility and added value of three-dimensional (3D) inversion rendering of the developing embryonic/fetal ventricular system, and to apply this display technique to enhance the sonographic examination of holoprosencephaly. METHODS: 3D volumes of the embryonic/fetal brain were acquired from four normal fetuses at 8-11 postmenstrual weeks, and four fetuses diagnosed with holoprosencephaly between 9 and 14 postmenstrual weeks. The volumes were then analyzed offline to obtain inversion rendered 3D shapes of the ventricular systems. RESULTS: All inversion rendering displays were successful and provided the opportunity to study normal as well as pathological aspects of the early fetal brain. CONCLUSIONS: Inversion rendering of early fetal brain ventricles is feasible and should be attempted if additional information about the early normal or pathological fetal brain is needed. It may have scientific value in embryologic or genetic studies

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this series is to emphasize the importance of an exhaustive and appropriately conducted sonographic examination in the correct diagnosis of fetal cystic scalp lesions and the place of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnostic sequence. METHODS: Transabdominal and transvaginal 2- and 3-dimensional sonography with color and power Doppler imaging as well as 3-dimensional rendering techniques such as inversion and Doppler angiography were used. In 1 case, an MRI study was performed. RESULTS: In 1 case, the MRI missed and the different sonographic techniques correctly made the diagnosis of a meningocele. In the second case, sonography was sufficient to establish the diagnosis of an epidermal cyst. CONCLUSIONS: These 2 cases show the value of going the distance with the newly available high-frequency sonography. Ultimately, the correct diagnoses were made with the tools offered by sonography without the need for any other imaging modality