Fetal and funicular vascular anomalies: identification with prenatal US.

Abstract

Vascular anomalies of the umbilical cord and fetus were evaluated with ultrasound in 11 fetuses. The anomalies included true knot of the cord (n = 1), umbilical vein varix (n = 1), persistent right umbilical vein (n = 1), and unilateral hypertrophy of the iliac artery in cases of a single umbilical artery (n = 8). One fetus with a single umbilical artery had a meningocele, hydrocephalus, and polyhydramnios; another had mitral atresia. The other fetuses were healthy except for the vascular abnormalities. A previously unreported finding in the identification of a single umbilical artery is described.