Fetal abdominoscrotal hydrocele

Article Abstract:

Ultrasonography (US) is an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of tissues and organs. US can be performed on pregnant women and the images can often uncover fetal abnormalities. The case is presented of a fetus that was discovered to have an abdominoscrotal hydrocele (sac-filled collection of fluid) when the 28-year-old mother was examined with US at 22 weeks' gestation. US images showed a cystic mass in the fetal abdomen. Later images indicated that surrounding organs were normal. The baby was born at 37 weeks' gestation. A soft mass was found in the baby's abdomen and an abdominal X-ray showed the presence of a cystic mass. The baby's testes were normal. At surgery, the cystic mass was found to be a hydrocele sac, which was successfully removed and the baby developed normally. This was a rare case of abdominoscrotal hydrocele and demonstrates the usefulness of US in evaluating the fetus. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Diagnosis, Ultrasonics in obstetrics, Hydrocele

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Fetal auditory evoked responses detected by magnetoencephalography

Article Abstract:

Fetuses at 34 to 37 weeks of pregnancy may react to sound in the same way as newborns. Researchers used magnetoencephalography to noninvasively record responses to sound from 14 fetuses between 36 to 40 weeks' gestation. The source of sound was a speaker placed 1.5 meters from the mothers' stomachs. Their responses were compared to those of one- and two-week-old newborns. Four of the 14 fetuses responded to sound within 200 milliseconds. Two of these four fetuses and four others were evaluated one to two weeks after birth, and again responded to sound as before. The degree of fetal response to sound seemed to be less than that of adults. Magnetoencephalography may be used to noninvasively measure the activity of the fetal brain.

Physiological aspects, Fetal brain, Auditory evoked response, Auditory evoked potentials

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Comparison of steady-state diffusion and transit time ultrasonic measurements of umbilical blood flow in the chronic fetal sheep preparation

Article Abstract:

Umbilical blood flow may be accurately measured using a transit time ultrasonic flow transducer. Researchers compared the flow transducer to the more widely used steady-state diffusion method of measuring umbilical blood flow using five sheep fetuses. Measurements were comparable between the two methods, but the steady-state diffusion method showed more variability (13.6%) than did the transit time flow transducer (4.1%). The flow transducer may continuously measure umbilical blood flow regardless of blood vessel size or position, and without a close fit to the vessel. Changes in such blood flow may reflect changes in fetal oxygen consumption and metabolism, and indicate a need for treatment.

Blood flow, Measurement, Blood flow measurement, Fetal blood

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