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Biomedical subjects

C Tennstedt

Publications and source records attributed to C Tennstedt.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Diagnosis of congenital heart malformations--possibilities for the employment of telepathology.

GOAL: In a study of 10 autopsy cases with congenital cardiac malformations we investigated whether obtaining a second opinion by means of telepathology could satisfy quality standards for the diagnosis of cardiac malformations and what the advantages and disadvantages of such a procedure might be. MATERIAL: The investigatory samples were 10 formalin-fixed hearts with complex malformations from 9 fetuses and one newborn on which autopsies had been performed at the Pathological Institute of the Charité Hospital. The requests for a second opinion, which included text and image data, were sent in the form of Microsoft PowerPoint presentations to 5 experts in 4 countries. Per case the number of images that were sent was between 3 and 7. The size of the files was between 439 and 942 kb. The time required for preparation of the cases for sending them to the specialists was between 1 and 2 hours: this encompassed the time for putting the notation on the images, compressing them, creating a file that included both the images and the clinical data and then sending the case file. RESULTS: All 10 cardiac malformations were correctly identified. In 8 of the 10 cases at least one expert had questions. After these questions had been answered and further images had been sent final correct diagnoses were made in all cases. All experts said that the quality of the images was very good. Use of a standardized findings questionnaire, which also included the marking of anatomic structures and of pathological findings in the images, proved useful. Standardized findings forms facilitate orientation during interpretation of the cases and should be used generally to avoid misunderstandings in telepathological communication. CONCLUSIONS: In general it is possible to obtain an effective and reliable diagnosis of congenital heart malformations by means of telepathology. It is far quicker to get a second opinion by this means than by conventional means.

Autopsy↗

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital varicella syndrome and detection of varicella-zoster virus in the fetus: a case report.

Varicella syndrome (VS) specific malformations were sonographically seen at 22 weeks and 3 days of gestation. Fetal infection was demonstrated by detection of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) DNA in fetal blood and amniotic fluid by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Following therapeutic abortion, fetal infection was confirmed by detection of VZV DNA in several fetal tissues and placenta, and by histopathological findings like miliary calcified necroses in fetal organs.

Abortion, Therapeutic↗

Pulmonary arterial Doppler velocimetry in fetuses with lung hypoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine Doppler flow velocity waveforms in the main stems of the pulmonary arteries in fetuses with autopsy-proven lung hypoplasia and to find out whether in these conditions typical patterns can be found. STUDY DESIGN: Doppler spectra were derived from the main stem of the right or left pulmonary artery in fetuses at high-risk for lung-hypoplasia. The following Doppler parameters were analyzed and compared to reference ranges: peak systolic velocity, acceleration time, time velocity integral, end-systolic reverse flow, pulsatility index (PI). Pulmonary hypoplasia was found in nine cases at autopsy after termination of pregnancy (19-23 weeks). According to etiology, three groups were considered: (A) bilateral renal malformations (n=4), (B) congenital diaphragmatic hernia (n=2), and (C) miscellaneous malformations including heart defects (n=3). RESULTS: The following Doppler parameters were found: normal values in end-systolic reversal flow in all cases, decreased peak systolic velocity and acceleration time in 3/9, decreased time velocity integral in 4/9 and increased pulsatility index in 6/9. Considering the etiology of pulmonary hypoplasia the pulsatility index was found to be the most sensitive, since all fetuses in groups A and B had an abnormal PI. CONCLUSIONS: Human fetuses with renal malformations and diaphragmatic hernia associated with lung hypoplasia show as early as 19-23 weeks of gestation an abnormal Doppler spectrum in the main stems of the pulmonary arteries. Increased PI is the best parameter to detect flow abnormality in this condition. Since the Doppler spectrum depends on cardiac anatomy and function, PI in lung hypoplasia seems to be reliable only when cardiac defects are absent.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Diagnosis of twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence in the first trimester by transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound.

A case of twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence was diagnosed at 12 weeks' gestation using transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound, which demonstrated the presence of retrograde perfusion in the umbilical artery of the abnormal twin. Ultrasound imaging showed a monochorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancy with an inappropriately grown second twin, the morphological evaluation of which revealed an abnormal cephalic pole with acrania, diffuse subcutaneous edema and the presence of cardiac activity in an abnormal heart with a single chamber.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Spectrum of congenital heart defects and extracardiac malformations associated with chromosomal abnormalities: results of a seven year necropsy study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the spectrum of congenital heart malformations, the frequency of extracardiac malformations, and the proportion of chromosome aberrations among fetuses sent for necropsy. MATERIAL: Necropsies were performed on 815 fetuses-448 induced abortions (55%), 220 spontaneous abortions (27%), and 147 stillbirths (18%)-during a seven year period (1991-97) in the department of pathology of the Charité Medical Centre in Berlin. A congenital heart defect was identified in 129 cases (16%). For all 129 fetuses, karyotyping and an ultrasound examination had been performed. RESULTS: Congenital heart defects were present in 22% of induced abortions (99 cases), 9% of spontaneous abortions (20 cases), and 7% of stillbirths (10 cases). The heart malformations were classified into 13 categories. A fetus with more than one defect was included only in the category of the most serious defect. The malformations in order of frequency were: ventricular septal defect (VSD) (28%), atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) (16%), hypoplastic left heart (HLH) (16%), double outlet right ventricle (DORV) (12%), coarctation of the aorta (CoA) (6%), transposition of the great arteries (TGA) (4%), aortic valve stenosis (AoVS) (4%), tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) (3%), truncus arteriosus communis (TAC) (3%), pulmonary valve stenosis/pulmonary valve atresia (PaVS/PaVA) (3%), tricuspid atresia (TA) (3%), single ventricle (SV) (1.5%), and atrial septal defect (ASD) (0.5%). The most common congenital heart defects were VSD, AVSD, HLH, and DORV, which made up 72% of all the cases. In 11 cases the heart defect was isolated (no other cardiovascular or extracardiac malformations present), 85 cases (66%) were associated with additional cardiac malformations, 85 cases (66%) were associated with extracardiac malformations, and chromosome anomalies were detected in 43 cases (33%). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal congenital heart malformations are common. These defects are often associated with other cardiovascular and extracardiac malformations, as well as with chromosome anomalies. Complex heart defects such as AVSD, HLH, and DORV are frequent in fetuses, as they often lead to spontaneous abortion or stillbirth or, after prenatal diagnosis, to deliberate termination of pregnancy.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Fetal trisomy 10 mosaicism: ultrasound, cytogenetic and morphologic findings in early pregnancy.

We report the ultrasound, cytogenetic and morphologic findings in a case of trisomy 10 mosaicism prenatally detected by chorionic villus sampling (CVS). CVS sampling was carried out at the 13th week of gestation because of ultrasound diagnosis of hydrops fetalis and hygroma colli. Trisomy 10 mosaicism was diagnosed in cells from the cytotrophoblast (short-term culture) and the chorionic villus core (long-term culture). Fetal mosaicism was confirmed after termination of pregnancy in umbilical cord cells, placenta and fetal skin fibroblasts.

Adult↗

Angiomyxoma of the umbilical cord in one twin with cystic degeneration of Wharton's jelly. A case report.

We report the prenatal diagnosis of an angiomyxoma of the umbilical cord in a female fetus of a dizygotic twin pregnancy. The pregnant woman was hospitalized at 18 weeks for exclusion of a suspected exomphalos. Using high-resolution ultrasound and color doppler, the umbilical tumor (8 x 5 x 4 cm) was suspected to be an angiomyxoma without malformations in the fetus. Neither chromosomal aberrations nor elevated alphafetoprotein were found after amniocentesis. Serial examinations showed an increase in the size of the cystic mass without deterioration of the fetal condition. Macroscopical and microscopical examinations of the tumor performed after delivery revealed an angiomyxoma with cystic degeneration of Wharton's jelly. Tumors of the umbilical cord are rare anomalies and should be considered when using prenatal ultrasound for detection of cystic lesions.

Adult↗

Correlation of prenatal ultrasound diagnosis and morphological findings of fetal autopsy.

The findings of prenatal ultrasound diagnosis were compared with the autopsy findings in 183 fetuses (between the 14th and 24th week of gestation), aborted for fetal malformations in the period from 1995 to 1997. In these 183 cases, the primary diagnosis showed 50 central nervous system anomalies, 48 cardiovascular system anomalies, 42 genitourinary system anomalies, 18 respiratory system anomalies, 8 skeleton system anomalies, 6 gastrointestinal system anomalies and 11 other abnormalities. Of the total number of cases, 41% had multiple malformations. In 144 cases (78%), the prenatal diagnosis was confirmed by autopsy, in 36 cases (20%) the prenatal diagnosis was confirmed with additional significant pathology, and in only 3 cases (2%) the prenatally detected malformation was not confirmed by pathological examination. Autopsy remains an important component of the evaluation of fetal losses after induced abortion.

Autopsy↗

[Modern fetal autopsy oriented to clinical demands using technical information methods].

Modern ultrasonic diagnostic instruments with high resolution and color Doppler sonography allow the obstetrician to describe pathological findings very precisely and at an early stage of pregnancy. The use of high-resolution ultrasound makes it possible to detect heart malformations already between the 8th and 10th week of gestation. This development has essentially changed the clinical requirements on fetal autopsy which in its traditional way no longer meets the increased demands. Unless the pathologists faces this challenge the importance of fetal autopsy will diminish. Modern image databases and communication techniques allow the pathologist to have direct access to text and images of pre-findings by other clinics. Great importance, however, must be attached to the interdisciplinary cooperation with obstetricians and geneticists. We report on routine fetal autopsy by using an interdisciplinary database an the Charité.

Autopsy↗

Prenatal diagnosis of ventriculo-coronary communications in a second-trimester fetus using transvaginal and transabdominal color Doppler sonography.

We report on the prenatal diagnosis of ventriculo-coronary communication associated with pulmonary atresia and an intact interventricular septum. The diagnosis was made by transvaginal color Doppler sonography at 17 weeks' gestation and confirmed by transabdominal sonography at 19 weeks. Color Doppler demonstrated the communication between the distal hypoplastic right ventricle and the right coronary artery, with the course of this vessel situated along the outer heart wall. Spectral Doppler assessment showed bidirectional arterial flow in this vessel. Extracardiac skeletal anomalies (cleft hands and feet) were also detected and classified as an ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia clefting (EEC) syndrome. This led the parents to opt for termination of pregnancy. All findings were confirmed on autopsy. Using stereomicroscopy the malformations of the coronary system and main connections to the lumen of the right ventricle were additionally demonstrated. To our knowledge this is the first report on the identification of coronary artery malformations in a midtrimester fetus using transvaginal color Doppler. The early appearance enabled us to investigate the pathophysiological sequence of the combined defect. Further investigation might elucidate whether ventriculo-coronary communications arise secondary to pulmonary atresia and intact inter-ventricular septum, due to increased ventricular pressure, or are the primary defect leading to intrauterine pulmonary atresia or, indeed, whether both defects appear simultaneously.

Adult↗

Prenatal diagnosis of laryngeal atresia in two cases of congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS).

Complete occlusion of the upper airways is known to cause secondary morphological changes, including bilaterally enlarged hyperechogenic lungs, dilated trachea, and hydrops. Prenatal diagnosis of upper airway obstruction has been described in several cases. In these reports, the diagnosis was primarily attributed to indirect signs, and the authors were in doubt as to whether the location of the obstructed area (larynx, glottis or trachea) could be precisely visualized by ultrasound. In this paper two cases are reported presenting the features of congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) diagnosed at the 22nd week of gestation. In both cases, the upper neck was perfectly visualized in a coronal plane. At the onset of fetal breathing movements, the stenotic larynx remained in a closed position. By positioning a colour signal on the fluid-filled dilated trachea, we noticed absence of flow throughout the onset of breathing activity. We conclude that the atretic area must be situated at the level of the larynx. Because of the poor prognosis of laryngeal stenosis and the presence of associated anomalies, both pregnancies were terminated in the 23rd week. This report shows that the application of colour and spectral Doppler may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of fetuses with CHAOS.

Adult↗

Assessment of serum levels of alpha-1-microglobulin, beta-2-microglobulin, and retinol binding protein in the fetal blood. A method for prenatal evaluation of renal function.

The concentrations of alpha-1-microglobulin, beta-2-microglobulin, and retinol binding protein were determined in fetal blood sampled by cordocentesis. The blood values of 126 fetuses without ultrasonographic findings of urinary tract abnormalities as controls were found to be independent of the week of gestation. In nine fetuses affected by a severe bilateral renal dysplasia or agenesis, elevated values of alpha-1-microglobulin but normal values of retinol binding protein were obtained. The authors recommend the determination of alpha-1-microglobulin and, with some restriction, also of beta-2-microglobulin in prenatal renal function diagnosis.

Alpha-Globulins↗

[An isolated fetal kidney cyst as a sign of congenital neuroblastoma. A case report and overview of the literature].

As a normal scan at 20 weeks of gestation a pregnant woman was referred at 36 weeks because of a cystic tumour in the fetal kidney. The cyst, 27 mm in diameter, was localised at the cranial pole of the right kidney. A fetal neuroblastoma was suspected. At the fourth day after birth adrenalectomy was performed and the histological finding confirmed the prenatal diagnosis. Two years later the child is healthy. In review of the literature we found that sonographic pattern and localisation of fetal neuroblastoma are different, but in all cases the detection was performed in the third trimester of gestation.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

[Cystic kidney dysplasia of variable expression--prenatal ultrasound, cytogenetic and patho-anatomic findings based on 3 case examples].

The present study reports on 3 cases of cystic renal dysplasias of Potter II type with variable characteristics and different clinical symptoms. The prenatal sonography revealed multicystically altered kidneys in the 19th to 33 rd week of gestation. Amniotic fluid cells and fetale lymphocytes were investigated to exclude possible chromosomal disorders. In case one, a unilateral cystic renal dysplasia was diagnosed by sonography in the 19th week of gestation. The chromosome analysis revealed one additional and altered chromosome 22 (partial trisomy). In case two, a bilateral cystic renal disease with oligohydramnios was distinguished in week 21 of gestation. In both cases, the pregnancies underwent artificial abortions and the stillborn infants were subjected to post mortem examinations. The patho-anatomical examinations confirmed the results of prenatal diagnoses and the classification of the cystic renal alteration as renal dysplasia of Potter II type. In case two, extrarenal malformations were found additionally. In case three, sonography revealed a unilateral multicystic kidney. In this case, there had not been any clinical symptoms in the prenatal stage, neither originating from the affected organ nor from other disorders. After delivery at predicted day a unilateral nephrectomy was performed because of space-consuming growth inside the abdominal cavity.

Abortion, Eugenic↗

[Pathological-anatomical findings after serologic and molecular biologic evidence of Hantaan virus infection].

Post-mortem findings in a girl aged 2 years and 4 months who had been infected with Hantaan virus are reported. The child fell ill with acute renal failure in her 8th month of life and had to be subjected to chronic dialysis. There was a progressive cardiac insufficiency. Specific IgG and IgM antibodies to Hantaan virus were demonstrated by serology from the 18th month of life. Autopsy revealed endomyocardial fibrosis and cardiomegaly. Hantaan RNA could be demonstrated in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of lung, liver and spleen tissue by means of RT-PCR followed by DNA sequencing. A possible association between the Hantaan virus infection and the pathological findings in the heart are discussed.

Antibodies, Viral↗

[Osteochondrodysplasias. Prenatal diagnosis and pathological-anatomic findings].

Prenatal sonographic investigations were applied for malformations to 7,194 foetuses, between October 1985 and April 1992, with 28 cases of osteochondrodysplasia (OCD) and one case of dysostosis being dissected. Included were 20 cases of lethal osteochondrodysplasia, among them two cases of lethal hypophosphatasia, five cases of thanatophoric dysplasia, one case each of Type II shortrib (polydactyly) syndrome (VERMA-NAUMOFF) and metatropic dysplasia, three cases of campomelic dysplasia and eight cases of Type II A imperfect osteogenesis. Also observed were eight cases of nonlethal OCD, among them three cases of diastrophic dysplasia and five of achondroplasia. Dysostosis was recorded from one case and was diagnosed as Type V acrocephalosyndactyly (Pfeiffer). Identification of a specific OCD proved to be difficult in the second or third trimenon. Hence, the form of OCD was prenatally diagnosed only in ten of all cases investigated. Tentative diagnosis was first established from the postmortem radiograph. Additional malformations and other abnormalities then were detected by complementary pathologico-anatomic processing of findings. The final diagnosis was derived from radiological, pathologico-anatomic and histological findings. Diagnosis of this constitutional osteopathy is quite difficult and calls for interdisciplinary cooperation between gynaecologists, neonatologists, paediatric surgeons, radiologists, geneticists and pathologists. More effective counselling of affected families is the major purpose of all the efforts involved.

Adult↗

The role of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis in pelvic inflammatory disease and its sequelae in Zimbabwe.

The presence of antibodies to pili of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L2 were assessed in women consecutively hospitalized in Zimbabwe with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID; n = 66), infertility (n = 227), and ectopic pregnancy (n = 60). Women delivering live full-term infants served as controls. Of the infertile women, 60% had secondary infertility; 59% had macroscopic evidence of a tubal abnormality. Women with PID, infertility and tubal disease, and ectopic pregnancy and tubal disease had significantly higher prevalences of antibodies against C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae than did controls or women with infertility or ectopic pregnancy but no macroscopic tubal abnormalities (P less than .001 for all comparisons). The prevalence of antibody to chlamydia increased with age (P = .01), unlike the gonococcal antibody. Antibodies to C. trachomatis were associated with a history of PID, being single, a positive Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay, and chlamydial antibody. None of the controls had human immunodeficiency virus, unlike 3.9%-7.6% of the other women. Tubal abnormalities were implicated in more than half of the cases of infertility.

Adult↗