Ultrasound Diagnosis of Obstetrics and Gynecologic Diseases

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Obstetrics & Gynecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 March 2025 | Viewed by 3219

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
Interests: ultrasound imaging; innovative in ultrasound; fetal medicine; point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS)
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Ultrasound has revolutionized the field of obstetrics and gynecology, offering a non-invasive, real-time visualization tool crucial for the diagnosis and management of various conditions. Its evolution from simple 2D scans to advanced 3D and 4D imaging has significantly enhanced our understanding and management of obstetric and gynecologic diseases. Despite these advancements, this field faces ongoing challenges in the standardization of protocols, interpretation of complex images, and integration of emerging technologies like elastography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound. The rapid evolution of ultrasound technology calls for continuous research and updates in clinical practices.

Aims and core problems to be solved: This Special Issue aims to address the pressing need for updated knowledge and practice guidelines in the ultrasound diagnosis of obstetric and gynecologic diseases. It seeks to tackle core problems, including improving diagnostic accuracy, differentiating between benign and malignant conditions, enhancing the quality of prenatal screening, and integrating novel ultrasound technologies into everyday clinical practice. Additionally, this Special Issue will focus on addressing the educational gaps in ultrasound training for clinicians and exploring the role of ultrasound in personalized medicine in obstetrics and gynecology.

The scope of this Special Issue and solicitation of papers: We invite researchers and practitioners to contribute to this Special Issue on “Ultrasound Diagnosis of Obstetrics and Gynecologic Diseases.” We are seeking original research papers, comprehensive reviews, case studies, and technical advancements in this field. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Advances in 3D and 4D ultrasound imaging in obstetrics and gynecology.
  • Clinical applications of elastography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound in gynecologic oncology.
  • Standardization and interpretation challenges in obstetric ultrasound.
  • Innovations in prenatal screening and fetal imaging.
  • The role of ultrasound in fertility assessment and treatments.
  • Educational strategies and tools for training clinicians in ultrasound diagnostics.
  • Ethical and practical considerations in the use of ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology.

We look forward to submissions that offer insightful perspectives, novel approaches, and significant research findings that will contribute to the advancement of ultrasound diagnostics in the ever-evolving landscape of obstetrics and gynecology.

Dr. Florian Recker
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • obstetric ultrasound
  • gynecologic sonography
  • 3D/4D ultrasound imaging
  • fetal imaging techniques
  • prenatal screening
  • gynecologic oncology
  • ultrasound elastography
  • contrast-enhanced ultrasound
  • ultrasound in fertility
  • ultrasound training and education
  • clinical ultrasound standardization
  • diagnostic imaging in obstetrics and gynecology
  • personalized medicine in ultrasound diagnosis
  • ethical considerations in obstetric ultrasound
  • technological advancements in ultrasound imaging

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 13145 KiB  
Article
Diagnosis, Management and Outcome of Truncus Arteriosus Communis Diagnosed during Fetal Life—Cohort Study and Systematic Literature Review
by Agnes Wittek, Ruben Plöger, Adeline Walter, Brigitte Strizek, Annegret Geipel, Ulrich Gembruch, Ricarda Neubauer and Florian Recker
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(20), 6143; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13206143 - 15 Oct 2024
Viewed by 671
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Truncus arteriosus communis (TAC) is a rare congenital heart defect characterized by a single arterial trunk that supplies systemic, pulmonary, and coronary circulations. This defect, constituting approximately 1–4% of congenital heart diseases, poses significant challenges in prenatal diagnosis, management, and postnatal [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Truncus arteriosus communis (TAC) is a rare congenital heart defect characterized by a single arterial trunk that supplies systemic, pulmonary, and coronary circulations. This defect, constituting approximately 1–4% of congenital heart diseases, poses significant challenges in prenatal diagnosis, management, and postnatal outcomes. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted at the local tertiary referral center on cases of TAC diagnosed prenatally between 2019 and 2024. Additionally, a systematic literature review was performed to evaluate the accuracy of prenatal diagnostics and the presence of associated anomalies in fetuses with TAC and compare already published data with the local results. The review included studies that especially described the use of fetal echocardiography, the course and outcome of affected pregnancies, and subsequent management strategies. Results: The analysis of local prenatal diagnoses revealed 14 cases. Of the 11 neonates who survived to birth, the TAC diagnosis was confirmed in 7 instances. With all seven neonates undergoing surgery, the intention-to-treat survival rate was 86%, and the overall survival rate was 55%. By reviewing published case series, a total of 823 TAC cases were included in the analysis, of which 576 were diagnosed prenatally and 247 postnatally. The presence of associated cardiac and extracardiac manifestations as well as genetic anomalies was common, with a 22q11 microdeletion identified in 27% of tested cases. Conclusions: Advances in prenatal imaging and early diagnosis have enhanced the management of TAC, allowing for the detailed planning of delivery and immediate postnatal care in specialized centers. The frequent association with genetic syndromes underscores the importance of genetic counseling in managing TAC. An early surgical intervention remains crucial for improving long-term outcomes, although the condition is still associated with significant risks. Long-term follow-up studies are essential to monitor potential complications and guide future management strategies. Overall, a coordinated multidisciplinary approach from prenatal diagnosis to postnatal care is essential for improving outcomes for individuals with TAC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ultrasound Diagnosis of Obstetrics and Gynecologic Diseases)
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14 pages, 2449 KiB  
Article
Placental Sonomorphologic Appearance and Fetomaternal Outcome in Fontan Circulation
by Elena Jost, Ulrich Gembruch, Martin Schneider, Andrea Gieselmann, Karl La Rosée, Diana Momcilovic, Christian Vokuhl, Philipp Kosian, Tiyasha H. Ayub and Waltraut M. Merz
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(17), 5193; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13175193 - 1 Sep 2024
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Abstract
Objectives: Pregnancies in women with Fontan circulation are on the rise, and they are known to imply high maternal and fetal complication rates. The altered hemodynamic profile of univentricular circulation affects placental development and function. This study describes placental sonomorphologic appearance and Doppler [...] Read more.
Objectives: Pregnancies in women with Fontan circulation are on the rise, and they are known to imply high maternal and fetal complication rates. The altered hemodynamic profile of univentricular circulation affects placental development and function. This study describes placental sonomorphologic appearance and Doppler examinations and correlates these to histopathologic findings and pregnancy outcomes in women with Fontan circulation. Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis of pregnancies in women with Fontan circulation was conducted between 2018 and 2023. Maternal characteristics and obstetric and neonatal outcomes were recorded. Serial ultrasound examinations including placental sonomorphologic appearance and Doppler studies were assessed. Macroscopic and histopathologic findings of the placentas were reviewed. Results: Six live births from six women with Fontan physiology were available for analysis. Prematurity occurred in 83% (5/6 cases) and fetal growth restriction and bleeding events in 66% (4/6 cases) each. All but one placenta showed similar sonomorphologic abnormalities starting during the late second trimester, such as thickened globular shape, inhomogeneous echotexture, and hypoechoic lakes, resulting in a jelly-like appearance. Uteroplacental blood flow indices were within normal range in all women. The corresponding histopathologic findings were non-specific and consisted of intervillous and subchorionic fibrin deposition, villous atrophy, hypoplasia, or fibrosis. Conclusions: Obstetric and perinatal complication rates in pregnancies of women with Fontan circulation are high. Thus, predictors are urgently needed. Our results suggest that serial ultrasound examinations with increased awareness of the placental appearance and its development, linked to the Doppler sonographic results of the uteroplacental and fetomaternal circulation, may be suitable for the early identification of cases prone to complications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ultrasound Diagnosis of Obstetrics and Gynecologic Diseases)
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12 pages, 3243 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Abdominal Musculature Thickness, Pelvic Tilt, and Trunk Mobility in Women with Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study
by Rebeca del Prado-Álvarez, Cecilia Estrada-Barranco, Ángel González-de-la-Flor, María-José Giménez, Marta de la Plaza San Frutos, Jaime Almazán-Polo and María García-Arrabé
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(13), 3817; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13133817 - 29 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1194
Abstract
Background: This cross-sectional observational study aimed to investigate differences in abdominal musculature thickness, pelvic tilt, and trunk mobility between women with primary dysmenorrhea (PD) and a control group (CG). Methods: Participants included 44 women (22 with PD and 22 controls) aged [...] Read more.
Background: This cross-sectional observational study aimed to investigate differences in abdominal musculature thickness, pelvic tilt, and trunk mobility between women with primary dysmenorrhea (PD) and a control group (CG). Methods: Participants included 44 women (22 with PD and 22 controls) aged over 18, nulliparous, and of reproductive age. Ultrasound imaging was used to measure the thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), and rectus abdominis (RA) muscles at rest and during contraction. Additionally, anterior pelvic tilt was assessed using the Palpation Meter (PALM), and trunk flexion and extension were measured using an accelerometer (activForce2). Results: Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in RA and EO muscle thickness, with lower values in the PD group compared to CG. However, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in TrA and IO muscle thickness, anterior pelvic tilt, or trunk mobility between groups. Conclusions: These findings contribute to understanding the musculoskeletal factors potentially involved in dysmenorrhea. Further research is needed to explore associations between PD and structural and alignment parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ultrasound Diagnosis of Obstetrics and Gynecologic Diseases)
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