Advances in Obstetric Ultrasound

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Imaging and Theranostics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 570

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Obstetrics and Division of Prenatal Medicine, Gynaecological Ultrasound and Fetal Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
Interests: obstetrics; gynecology; ultrasound; fetal diagnosis; prenatal diagnosis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Obstetric ultrasound has become an indispensable tool in modern maternal–fetal medicine, transforming prenatal care through its ability to provide real-time, non-invasive, and highly accurate diagnostic information. Over the past decades, rapid technological innovations—such as 3D/4D imaging, Doppler modalities, high-resolution transducers, and, most recently, artificial intelligence (AI)—driven applications—have significantly expanded the clinical and research potential of ultrasound in obstetrics. These developments are reshaping approaches to fetal growth assessment, anomaly detection, risk stratification, and intrapartum monitoring.

At the same time, advances in digital health, simulation-based training, and telemedicine are contributing to a new era of ultrasound education and accessibility, ensuring that both clinicians and patients benefit from improved diagnostic standards worldwide. However, challenges remain, including standardization of protocols, validation of novel technologies, and integration into diverse healthcare systems.

This Special Issue aims to highlight cutting-edge research and clinical applications in obstetric ultrasound, with a particular focus on innovation, implementation, and impact on maternal and perinatal outcomes. By bringing together contributions from clinicians, researchers, engineers, and educators, the collection seeks to advance knowledge, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and outline future directions for this vital diagnostic discipline.

Dr. Florian Recker
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • obstetric ultrasound
  • prenatal diagnosis
  • fetal imaging
  • 3D/4D ultrasound
  • doppler ultrasound
  • artificial intelligence
  • ultrasound education
  • maternal–fetal medicine

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Concealed Placental Abruption Complicating Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: Exploring the Role of Point-of-Care Ultrasound
by Michele Orsi, Dereje Merga, Firanbon Negera, Wasihun Shifata, Ashenafi Atomsa, Flavio Bobbio and Admasu Taye
Diagnostics 2026, 16(3), 478; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16030478 - 4 Feb 2026
Viewed by 353
Abstract
Placental abruption (PA) without vaginal bleeding is known to be associated with severe outcomes when compared to symptomatic cases; the presence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) is an additional negative prognostic factor. According to guidelines, severe HDP are indications for prompt delivery [...] Read more.
Placental abruption (PA) without vaginal bleeding is known to be associated with severe outcomes when compared to symptomatic cases; the presence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) is an additional negative prognostic factor. According to guidelines, severe HDP are indications for prompt delivery after maternal–fetal stabilization. Considering gestational age, parity and clinical obstetric examination, the induction of labor should be prioritized to avoid additional risks associated with cesarean section. However, since only a minority of cases of PA may be detected by ultrasonography (US), findings consistent with this suspicion should contribute to the establishment of an appropriate mode of delivery. We present two cases affected by severe HDP, eclampsia and HELLP syndrome, admitted to St. Luke Catholic Hospital, Wolisso, Ethiopia. In both cases, obstetric point-of-care (POC) US revealed a live premature fetus and a solid heterogeneous placental mass, raising the suspicion of concealed placental abruption. To expedite delivery, cesarean section was promptly offered. PA was confirmed in both cases; the first had stillbirth and postpartum hemorrhage, while the second ended up with healthy mother and newborn. In conclusion, POC-US imaging could play a role in optimizing delivery mode and timing for patients with HDP in low-resourced settings. Additional research is warranted to determine the impact of this technique in the management of obstetric emergencies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Obstetric Ultrasound)
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