Prenatal diagnosis of abnormal course of umbilical vein and ductus venosus agenesis: report of three cases

J Clin Ultrasound. 2012 Nov-Dec;40(9):590-3. doi: 10.1002/jcu.21883. Epub 2012 Feb 24.

Abstract

Ductus venosus connecting the portal and embryonic venous circulation into the inferior vena cava has a crucial role in fetal circulation. The absence of ductus venosus is a rare anomaly, in which the umbilical vein connection to the venous system may be extrahepatic, bypassing the liver or intrahepatic via the portal venous system. We report three cases of ductus venosus agenesis with associated anomalies. In two of them the connection was directly to the right atrium, whereas the umbilical vein drained to the left internal iliac artery in the third case.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Eugenic
  • Adult
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Tetralogy of Fallot
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal / methods*
  • Umbilical Veins / abnormalities*
  • Umbilical Veins / diagnostic imaging*
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / abnormalities*
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / diagnostic imaging*