Prenatal diagnosis conventional/four-dimensional direct volume rendering fetal echocardiography pregnancy and postnatal outcomes of isolated anomalous course of left brachiocephalic vein.
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Advances in fetal echocardiography, including conventional 2-dimensional (D) and 3-D/4-D imaging techniques, have improved our understanding of upper mediastinal vessels.
Objective: To study the prenatal imaging characteristics, pregnancy, and postnatal outcomes in fetuses with an isolated anomalous course of the left brachiocephalic vein.
Materials and methods: This retrospective study, conducted between October 2019 and July 2024, examined fetuses with an isolated anomalous course of the left brachiocephalic vein. These cases underwent conventional 2-D and 3-D/4-D spatiotemporal image correlation echocardiography at Sowmi Pediatric Heart Centre, Tirunelveli, India. The inclusion criteria encompassed all fetuses with an isolated anomalous course of the left brachiocephalic vein, whereas those with associated congenital heart defects or missing postnatal follow-up were excluded from the analysis.
Results: A total of 2,083 fetal echocardiograms were performed during the study period. In total, 331 fetal cardiac abnormalities were detected. Twelve fetuses with isolated anomalous course of left brachiocephalic vein were included in the study. Intrathymic left brachiocephalic vein was observed in nine fetuses, extrathymic left brachiocephalic vein in two fetuses, and retroaortic left brachiocephalic vein in one fetus. Quadruple marker screening in five cases yielded normal results. Invasive genetic testing performed in the case with retroaortic left brachiocephalic vein showed normal findings. Postnatally, no dysmorphism was observed in any fetus. All fetuses were delivered at term, had an uneventful postnatal period, underwent at least 3 months of follow-up, and were reassured.
Conclusion: Though the indication for referral for this fetal extracardiac anomaly was to rule out critical congenital heart disease, proper prenatal imaging of this benign finding will avoid unnecessary confusion, in utero referral to tertiary pediatric heart center for delivery and invasive genetic tests.
期刊介绍：
Official Journal of the European Society of Pediatric Radiology, the Society for Pediatric Radiology and the Asian and Oceanic Society for Pediatric Radiology
Pediatric Radiology informs its readers of new findings and progress in all areas of pediatric imaging and in related fields. This is achieved by a blend of original papers, complemented by reviews that set out the present state of knowledge in a particular area of the specialty or summarize specific topics in which discussion has led to clear conclusions. Advances in technology, methodology, apparatus and auxiliary equipment are presented, and modifications of standard techniques are described.
Manuscripts submitted for publication must contain a statement to the effect that all human studies have been reviewed by the appropriate ethics committee and have therefore been performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in an appropriate version of the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki. It should also be stated clearly in the text that all persons gave their informed consent prior to their inclusion in the study. Details that might disclose the identity of the subjects under study should be omitted.
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