Introduction Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is the most common tumor in newborns. Fetal SCT diagnosed in utero is associated with a 50% risk of preterm delivery, a mortality rate of 15% to 35%, and a morbidity rate of 12% to 68%.…
Introduction Megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS) is a rare and severe condition that is characterized by functional intestinal obstruction with dilated small intestine, microcolon, malrotation, decreased or absent bowel movement, and, prenatally, a massively enlarged nonobstructive urinary bladder often associated with…
Introduction Intraabdominal solid masses and cystic lesions are not commonly identified during the routine 20-week anomaly ultrasound (US) scan and are uncommon findings at later gestations. However, intraabdominal masses occasionally are seen as an incidental finding during a third-trimester US…
Introduction Structural fetal hepatic anomalies include tumors (usually primary, rarely metastatic), calcifications, cysts, hepatomegaly, and biliary anomalies. Fetal biliary anomalies are discussed in Chapter 25 . Many of these conditions can be diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound (US). Hepatic Tumors, Calcifications,…
Introduction Incomplete formation of the fetal diaphragm early in gestation results in a diaphragmatic defect allowing abdominal organs to herniate into the chest. These organs compete for space with the growing lungs, leading to inadequate pulmonary development and to respiratory…
Introduction The fetal intestinal tract can be altered by numerous pathologic processes. Typical ultrasound (US) findings of bowel obstruction are dilated bowel loops in the fetal abdomen proximal to the obstruction. Although large bowel dilatation occasionally can be observed, most…
Introduction The diagnosis and detection of some forms of bile duct disease have become possible with routine prenatal ultrasound. However, it remains difficult to offer a specific diagnosis or even prognosis in most cases. The most common finding is probably…
Introduction Different organ systems can give rise to abdominal cysts that can be detected on prenatal ultrasound (US) ( Table 24.1 ). Depending on the location, gestational age, gender, and US appearance of the cyst, a limited differential diagnosis or…
Introduction Fetal hepatic calcifications are divided into three categories: peritoneal, parenchymal, and vascular. This chapter addresses parenchymal hepatic calcifications and, to a lesser degree, vascular calcifications, which may be included in the differential diagnosis of parenchymal calcifications. Disorder Definition Fetal…
Introduction Fetal echogenic bowel (FEB) is typically seen during second trimester prenatal ultrasound. FEB occurs when the fetal bowel appears with the same or greater echogenicity than do surrounding bony structures. When seen in the second trimester, FEB has been…