title: Three-dimensional ultrasonographic assessment of fetal total lung volume as a prognostic factor in primary pleural effusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to predict perinatal outcomes using fetal total lung volumes assessed by 3-dimensional ultrasonography (3DUS) in primary pleural effusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between July 2005 and July 2010, total lung volumes were prospectively estimated in fetuses with primary pleural effusion by 3DUS using virtual organ computer-aided analysis software. The first and last US examinations were considered in the analysis. The observed/expected total lung volumes were calculated. Main outcomes were perinatal death (up to 28 days of life) and respiratory morbidity (orotracheal intubation with mechanical respiratory support >48 hours).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve of 19 fetuses (63.2%) survived. Among the survivors, 7 (58.3%) had severe respiratory morbidity. The observed/expected total lung volume at the last US examination before birth was significantly associated with perinatal death (P < .01) and respiratory morbidity (P < .01) as well as fetal hydrops (P < .01) and bilateral effusion (P = .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fetal total lung volumes may be useful for the prediction of perinatal outcomes in primary pleural effusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, 255 Avenida Dr Enéias de Carvalho Aguiar, 10° Andar, 05403-900 São Paulo-SP, Brazil. rodrigoruano@usp.br
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ruano
authors.forename: Alan Saito
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ramalho
authors.forename: Rogerio Caixeta Moraes
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: de Freitas
authors.forename: Juliana Alvares Duarte Bonini
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Wesley
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zugaib
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*