Stenosis of alternative umbilical venous pathways in absence of the ductus venosus.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated fetuses with absence of the ductus venosus (ADV) and restricted alternative umbilical venous pathways.


METHODS
We identified 3 cases that fit our objective. The angles of insonation for spectral Doppler ultrasound interrogation were less than 20 degrees in all cases. We used commercially available ultrasound systems with a curved array transducer.


RESULTS
In all 3 cases, we noted mild cardiac volume overload without fetal hydrops.


CONCLUSIONS
We speculate that the fetus with ADV and a restrictive alternative umbilical venous pathway may have a more benign clinical course than fetuses previously reported with unrestricted alternative pathways.
Acherman
Ruben J
RJ
Children's Heart Center Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA. iacherman@aol.com
Rollins
Robert C
RC
Castillo
William J
WJ
Evans
William N
WN
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*