Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of isolated persistent vitelline artery: a case report and literature review
10.3760/cma.j.cn113903-20230809-00095
- VernacularTitle:产前超声诊断单纯持续性卵黄动脉1例并文献复习
- Author:
Fengqin LIU
1
;
Liuying ZHOU
;
Na SHU
;
Nan YE
;
Jimei XI
Author Information
1. 电子科技大学医学院附属妇女儿童医院（成都市妇女儿童中心医院）超声科，成都 611731
- Keywords:
Ultrasonography, prenatal;
Single umbilical artery;
Umbilical arteries;
Vascular malformations;
Vitelline duct
- From:
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine
2024;27(3):209-214
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To summarize the ultrasonographic features and prognosis of fetal persistent vitelline artery.Methods:The prenatal ultrasound features, genetic testing results, and prognosis of a fetus with an isolated persistent vitelline artery that was diagnosed in our hospital in December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Relevant articles were retrieved from CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, Yiigle, PubMed, Embase, and UpToDate databases using the terms "persistent vitelline artery", "type Ⅱ single umbilical artery", and "prenatal ultrasound" in both Chinese and English. Prenatal ultrasound features and prognosis of the persistent vitelline artery in fetuses were summarized using descriptive statistical analysis.Results:(1) Case report: In this case, ultrasound at 23 gestational weeks showed that an abnormally large blood vessel deriving from the celiac artery near the superior mesenteric artery entered the placenta through the umbilical opening in parallel with the umbilical vein. Color Doppler showed a blood flow spectrum like that in the umbilical artery. The transverse section image showed that bilateral umbilical arteries were not observed in the bladder and the free segment of the umbilical cord was in the shape of the Chinese character "Lyu". No obvious other structural abnormalities and a negative result of genetic testing were observed in the fetus. Followed up to one year old, the patient showed normal growth and development. (2) Literature review: A total of five articles involving four cases were retrieved (three in English and two in Chinese). Among the five cases, including the present case, one was terminated due to left renal agenesis and abnormal heart arteries ratio revealed by prenatal ultrasound, and the remaining four cases without obvious structural abnormalities in the prenatal ultrasound were born and developed well. Histopathological examination of the umbilical cord was performed in three cases, of which two with persistent vitelline artery had a distinct internal elastic lamina, and one with remained vitelline duct.Conclusions:The prenatal ultrasound of fetal persistent vitelline artery is typically characterized by an abnormal vessel that is derived from the abdominal aorta or superior mesenteric artery and plays the function of the umbilical artery. The prognosis of the isolated persistent vitelline artery is good, but a better understanding of such embryonic abnormalities is needed as there are few relevant reports at home and abroad.
