Summary
Abnormal direct umbilical venous return into the right atrium was detected at obstetric ultrasonography in a 23 week fetus. This was an isolated anomaly; the growth of the fetus and size of the liver were normal, and the child was normal on examination at birth. Exclusion of the umbilico-placental circulation brought about closure of the umbilical vein. Growth and development of the child were normal 6 months after birth. Five other cases of abnormal umbilical venous entry into the right atrium have been reported in the literature, but associated with severe malformations, with situs ambiguous and heterotaxy. These cases have been grouped under the heading: persistence of the right umbilical vein. In view of recent findings relating to the organogenesis of the veins of the human liver, it seems preferable to label this anomaly: direct umbilical venous return into the right atrium.
Résumé
Un retour veineux ombilical anormal direct dans l'atrium droit a été reconnu à l'échographie obstétricale chez un fœtus de 23 semaines. Cette anomalie était isolée, la croissance du fœtus et la taille du foie étaient normales. A la naissance, l'examen de l'enfant était normal. L'exclusion de la circulation ombilico-placentaire a entraîné la fermeture de la veine ombilicale. La croissance et le développement de l'enfant sont normaux six mois après la naissance. Cinq autres cas de retour veineux ombilical anormal dans l'atrium droit ont déjà été rapportés dans la littérature mais associés à des malformations sévères, avec situs ambigu et hétérotaxie. Ces observations sont regroupées sous la dénomination: «persistance de la veine ombilicale droite». Compte tenu de données récentes concernant l'organogénèse des veines du foie humain, il semble préférable de dénommer cette anomalie: retour veineux ombilical direct dans l'atrium droit.
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Jouk, P., Champetier, J. Abnormal direct entry of the umbilical vein into the right atrium: antenatal detection, embryologic aspects. Surg Radiol Anat 13, 59–62 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01623145
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01623145