Stenosis of Alternative Umbilical Venous Pathways in Absence of the Ductus Venosus

Abstract

We evaluated fetuses with absence of the ductus venosus (ADV) and restricted alternative umbilical venous pathways. 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. In all 3 cases, we noted mild cardiac volume overload without fetal hydrops. 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.