Aberrant umbilical vein

Abstract

In a female premature baby an aberrant umbilical vein was identified after catheterization of the umbilical vessels. This rare variation of the umbilical vessels consists of a connection between the umbilical vein and the inferior vena cava.

Persistent right umbilical vein: a prenatal condition worth mentioning?

“…Table S1 summarizes previous studies on PRUV published to date1–35. A total of 302 cases—including the present series—were reviewed.…”

in utero ultrasonographic diagnosis of an aberrant umbilical vein associated with fetal hepatic hyperechogenicity

“…The most common abnormal connection between the umbilical vein and fetal heart was extensively described by Jeanty (1990) as the persistence of the right umbilical vein. Other abnormal connections that have been reported include direct connection to the right atrium (Greiss and McGahan, 1992), and aberrant connections with the inferior vena cava above or below the liver (Fliegel and Nars, 1984). Direct connections with the iliac veins (Moore et al, 1996), or even with the superior vena cava through subcutaneous anastomosis (caput medusae) (White et al, 1969), have also been reported.…”

Prenatal diagnosis of a bifurcating umbilical vein with left iliac vein connection.

“…We are aware of 13 reported cases in which the ductus venosus was absent and the umbilical vein emptied directly into the systemic venous circulation. In these cases the umbilical vein joined the right atrium in five fetuses, 10,12,14,18,19 the inferior vena cava in four, 14,16,21,22 the left iliac vein in two, 15,17 and the right iliac vein in one fetus. 20 In the remaining case, the vein formed a caput medusa.…”

“…In cases of absent ductus venosus, the umbilical venous circulation has been found to empty entirely into either the portal [5][6][7][8][9] or the systemic circulation. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] We present a case diagnosed prenatally in which the umbilical vein bifurcated just outside the fetal abdominal wall, with one branch connecting to the left iliac vein and the other following a normal intrahepatic course connecting to the ductus venosus and left portal vein.…”