KEY FACTS
Terminology
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Several definitions in use
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Focal dilatation of umbilical vein (UV) > 9-mm diameter
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Varix diameter 50% > intrahepatic portion of UV
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UV diameter > 2 standard deviations above mean for gestational age
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Imaging
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Cyst-like space in upper abdomen with venous flow on Doppler
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Usually intraabdominal, extrahepatic
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May be intrahepatic or even in free loops of cord
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Cord umbilical vein varix (UVV) is diagnosis of chance, as hard to systematically run length of cord in mobile fetus
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Rupture of UVV in free loops may → fetal exsanguination
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Top Differential Diagnoses
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Abdominal cysts (none show internal blood flow)
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Choledochal cyst
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Meconium pseudocyst
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Ovarian cyst
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Enteric duplication cyst
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Urachal cyst
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Umbilical cord cysts (flow in surrounding umbilical vessels, not in cyst)
Scanning Tips
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If UVV seen, perform detailed anatomic survey
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~ 35% have other anomalies
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Cardiovascular, renal most common
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Formal fetal echocardiogram as UVV may be 1st manifestation of elevated venous pressures
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Monitor for signs of impending hydrops
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Monitor varix size, presence of thrombus
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Monitor fetal growth
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Increase surveillance if fetal growth restriction develops
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