Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2013;(10):783-786

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1005-5185.2013.10.018

Three Vessels and Trachea View in Prenatal Diagnosis of Fetal Aortic Arch Abnormalities

Guannan HE ; Jiaxiang YANG ; Lin LIAO

Keywords

Ultrasonography,prenatal; Fetus; Aortic arch abnormality

Country

China

Language

Chinese

Abstract

Purpose To explore the value of three vessels and trachea view in rapid screening of aortic arch malformations. Materials and Methods 51 fetal subjects who were prenatally diagnosed with aortic arch abnormalities were enrolled, and their diagnoses were confirmed by postnatal echocardiography or autopsy results after induction. Targeted fetal cardiac examinations were conducted under obstetric ultrasound examination conditions, ultrasound images were restored and compared with sonographic features of normal aorta. Results Among the 51 fetus cases with aortic arch anomalies, right-oriented aortic arch with left subclavian artery vagus was shown in 17 cases, left-oriented aortic arch with right subclavian artery vagus in 2 cases, double aortic arch in 2 cases, aortic arch disarticulation in 6 cases, and aortic arch coarctation in 24 cases. Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound was 94.1%. Sonographic changes were displayed in three-vessel or three vessels and trachea view in all cases. Conclusion Three vessels and trachea view plays an important prompt role in ultrasound diagnosis for fetal aortic arch abnormalities. But when it is manifested as the“1oo”sign, it will be rather difficult for the differential diagnosis of aortic arch disarticulation and severe aortic arch coarctation.