Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M S Plattner.
Pyelonephritis, while rare in nonpregnant women, is the leading cause of hospitalization for nonobstetric indications in pregnant women. Pregnancy complications such as preterm labor and intrauterine growth retardation have been associated with pyelonephritis. Pyelonephritis can also lead to life-threatening conditions such as endotoxic shock and respiratory insufficiency. Thus the condition requires hospitalization and close follow-up in the pregnant women.
In the last 2 years, we have had the opportunity to follow 12 cases diagnosed with hyperechoic abdominal masses. Four of the cases ended with a fetal demise, while 7 resulted in the birth of an anomalous or medically ill neonate. Only 1 case has shown spontaneous resolution of the hyperechoic mass with the birth of a normal neonate. The in utero diagnosis of a hyperechoic abdominal mass should encourage the clinician to further investigation since the differential diagnosis is quite diverse. Appropriate counselling for the patient is a necessary part of prenatal care.