The development of the fetal eye: In utero ultrasonographic measurements of the vitreous and lens

Our objective was to establish nomograms for fetal eye measurements from 12 weeks' gestation by using transvaginal and transabdominal high-resolution ultrasound techniques. A prospective cross-sectional study was performed on 450 normal singleton pregnancies between 12 and 37 weeks' gestation. Vitreous and lens circumferences were measured by transvaginal ultrasonography until 17 weeks, and by abdominal ultrasound between 18 and 37 weeks' gestation. Regression analyses were used to create nomograms, and several transformations were done to obtain linearity. Eye measurements of 12 fetuses at risk for ocular disturbances were plotted on the constructed nomograms. Linear relationships were fitted between vitreous (r²=0.79) and lens (r²=0.88) circumferences and gestational age. In addition, there was a significant correlation between these measurements and the biparietal diameter. Data of the fetuses at risk showed that disturbances in ocular growth were associated mainly with abnormal cerebral development. These normative data may be helpful in the prenatal diagnosis of suspected congenital syndromes that include, among their manifestations, ocular growth disturbances such as microphthalmos and anophthalmos.     

The early prenatal sonographic diagnosis of renal agenesis: Techniques and possible pitfalls

Out of 13 252 cases in which fetal bilateral echogenic kidneys were detected by transvaginal sonography between 12 and 18 weeks' gestation, there were nine fetuses where oval hypoechogenic masses were detected in the renal bed. In five fetuses where hypoechogenic masses in the renal bed were sonographically visualized, postabortal examination was compatible with renal agenesis and the hypoechogenic masses proved to be enlarged adrenals. In three additional cases, unilateral renal agenesis was accompanied by unilateral enlarged adrenals, radiologically confirmed postnatally. In one case, a false-positive sonographic diagnosis of Potter syndrome was made because of bilateral hypoechogenic masses in the renal bed. Postabortal examination detected hypoplastic kidneys, but of normal histology, in a dyskaryotic fetus with trisomy 22. In four cases of renal agenesis, the amniotic fluid was of normal volume until the 17th week. In two of the five cases of Potter syndrome, a cystic structure, compatible with the urinary bladder, was detected in the pelvis at 14 weeks. The diagnostic criteria for renal agenesis in the early fetus differ from those used in the second half of gestation.     

Social media and scientific research are complementary—YouTube and shrikes as a case study

Fascination with animals and their behaviour is one the most prominent patterns persisting in all human cultures. During the last decades, however, technological development and public access to the Internet have increased the speed and the extent of information sharing at an unprecedented rate, in some cases even challenging the traditional methods used in science. In order to understand the extent of this influence, we focused on the behaviour of shrikes. Shrikes are an enigmatic group of songbirds with a unique behaviour of impaling prey. We employed an extensive Internet search on YouTube (YT), a very popular and increasingly important source of information worldwide, for videos recording shrikes. Our analyses revealed that the number of shrike videos on YT is strongly positively correlated with classical knowledge on shrikes from books and scientific articles. Our results also suggest that in some cases YT may provide an alternative source of information on shrike ecology and behaviour. YT videos may thus provide new insights into the study of certain species or subjects and help identify gaps in ecological studies, especially in poorly studied species.     

Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of gastric outlet obstruction due to a pyloric web

Gastrointestinal tract atresia has an incidence of 1 in 10 000 live-births, while gastric outlet obstruction comprises only approximately 1 per cent of these malformations. A prenatally diagnosed case is described, followed by a discussion regarding the diagnosis and possible associated abnormalities.     

Prenatal diagnosis of familial congenital pyloric atresia

Familial congenital pyloric atresia is a rare malformation of the fetal gastrointestinal tract. It usually manifests as maternal polyhydramnios and enlarged fetal stomach on ultrasound scan. Sonographic prenatal diagnosis and management of a pregnancy complicated by familial congenital pyloric atresia are presented.