A partial supernumerary umbilical vein: a case report

Journal of Medical Case Reports

Mariko Kurakazu¹  Yoko Takahashi¹  Fusanori Yotsumoto¹  Masamitsu Kurakazu¹  Shingo Miyamoto¹  Makoto Hamasaki²  Eiji Ohta³  Tatsuki Miyamoto³  Masaharu Murata³ 

[1] 0000 0001 0672 2176, grid.411497.e, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan;0000 0001 0672 2176, grid.411497.e, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan;0000 0004 0594 9821, grid.411556.2, Center for Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Fukuoka University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan;

关键词: Case report;    Congenital anomaly;    Four-vessel umbilical cord;    Prenatal diagnosis;    Single umbilical artery;    Supernumerary umbilical vein;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13256-019-2094-8

来源: publisher

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAbnormalities in the number of vessels can be found for both the umbilical artery and vein. We sometimes encounter cases of a decreased number of umbilical cord vessels, such as a single umbilical artery. In contrast, there may be an increase from three to four vessels within the umbilical cord. A supernumerary umbilical vein is particularly very rare, and it is generally found in combination with congenital anomalies. We report a case of a partial supernumerary umbilical vein.Case presentationThe previous pregnancy of a 37-year-old healthy Japanese woman (gravida 2, para 1) had been uncomplicated, and the resulting child was alive and well. Prenatal examination at 36 weeks of gestation revealed the coexistence of a four-vessel part and a normal three-vessel part of the umbilical cord. A healthy female neonate weighing 2726 g was born at 38 weeks of gestation. The umbilical cord measured 40 cm in length; the four-vessel part continued to a distance of 18 cm from the surface of the infant’s body, and the remaining umbilical cord comprised three vessels. On histological examination, the fetal side of the umbilical cord had two arteries and two veins, and the placental side had two arteries and one vein. Isolated supernumerary umbilical veins tend to be overlooked. We consider that it is important to evaluate the number of umbilical cord vessels in the second trimester using ultrasound combined with color Doppler in at least three sites: the insertion sites on both the fetal abdomen and placenta, and the free loop of the umbilical cord.ConclusionsPrenatal diagnosis of isolated supernumerary umbilical cord vessels tends to be overlooked. However, supernumerary vessels of the umbilical can be associated with fetal congenital anomalies. The number of vessels within the umbilical cord must be examined because the detection of such abnormalities may lead to the prenatal diagnosis of other congenital anomalies.

【 授权许可】

CC BY