Rofo 2021; 193(05): 521-526
DOI: 10.1055/a-1275-0984
Review

The Ductus Venosus

Article in several languages: English | deutsch
Markus Born
Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
› Author Affiliations
 

Abstract

Background the ductus venosus (DV) is not well known in general radiology, but it plays a role in the daily work of pediatric radiologists. Consequently all general radiologists who also care for a pediatric department should be familiar with the physiological and pathological findings related to the DV. Methods: Literature research in Medline, using the keywords “ductus venosus” and “umbilical vein catheter”.

Results and conclusions In the first weeks of life the DV is regularly still patent. It should be recognized as DV and not be mistaken for a pathological portosystemic shunt.The ductus venosus is the lead structure for umbilical vein catheters. Radiologists should be able to assess the correct catheter position. Radiologically important findings of an umbilical vein catheter are mainly malposition and intrahepatic extravasation. Agenesis of the DV can lead to intra- or extrahepatic compensatory portosystemic shunts, in which as well as in the case of persistent patency of the DV, there may be the necessity for radiological-interventional or surgical occlusion.

Key points:

  • In the first weeks of life in infants the Ductus venosus is regularly still patent.

  • The Ductus venosus should not be mistaken for a pathological portosystemic shunt.

  • An umbilcal vein catheter should project onto the Ductus venosus and end caudal to the right atrium.

  • Intrahepatic portosystemic shunts in DV agenesis show a high rate of spontaneous closure postnatally.

Citation Format

  • Born M. The Ductus Venosus. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2021; 193: 521 – 526


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The Ductus Venosus

The ductus venosus (DV) plays only a minor role in general radiology, as it is a fetal structure that obliterates postnatally and is usually no longer present in adult physiology. For pediatric radiologists, on the other hand, questions requiring knowledge of the anatomy of the ductus venosus are part of everyday diagnostic practice. However, such issues can also be confronted in particular by general radiologists who also serve a pediatric facility. Thus knowledge of radiological imaging of the venous duct can also be important for general radiologists.

There are various issues that radiologists may face in connection with the ductus venosus. On the one hand, the ductus venosus is important in the postpartum placement of an umbilical vein catheter, where it serves as a guiding structure. Its position can be assessed by the radiologist on a conventional X-ray of the upper abdomen. Misplacement and other complications should be detected. On the other hand, due to the increasing use of MRI and CT, the patent DV is occasionally visualised as a secondary finding in neonates. It should be recognized as such and not be confused with a pathological portosystemic shunt. Also sonographically the DV should be reliably recognized. Thirdly, the radiologist can be called upon to assess pathologies of the ductus venosus, for example duct agenesis with the possible formation of compensatory intra- or extrahepatic shunt connections or a failing spontaneous closure of the ductus venosus.

The present article aims to provide an overview of the above mentioned imaging issues relating to the ductus venosus.

A literature search was carried out in Medline using the keywords “umbilical vein catheter” and “ductus venosus”. The studies thus found were used as a source of evidence for the quantitative data given in this article.

Anatomy and Physiology

The ductus venosus arantii, named after the Italian anatomist Giulio Cesare Aranzi (1530–1589), is a venous fetal intrahepatic shunt connection from the left portal vein to the inferior vena cava or the orifice of the left or middle hepatic vein. Its function is prenatal transport of oxygen-rich umbilical vein blood to the right atrium. The blood from the umbilical cord passes through the umbilical vein to the so-called recessus umbilicalis of the left portal vein, whence it connects to the DV ([Fig. 1]). The DV may be slightly offset to the right compared to the umbilical vein in the left portal vein. In the human fetus, about 20–40 % of the umbilical venous blood reach the DV in the second half of pregnancy [1] [2] [3]. Due to anatomical and hemodynamic conditions, the blood flow from the ductus venosus hardly mixes within the inferior vena cava with the blood coming from the lower half of the body and is channeled directly to the foramen ovale. Through this it reaches the left atrium and enters the systemic circulation where it supplies the developing brain of the fetus with oxygen-rich blood from the placenta [4]. The blood supplying the lower half of the fetus body is less rich in oxygen because it mixes caudal to the aortic arch with the less oxygenated blood from the ductus arteriosus [4].

Zoom Image
Fig. 1 Fetal anatomy of hepatic vessels.

After birth, the umbilical vein and ductus venosus are initially still patent and sonographically well recognizable in a slightly left-turned sagittal view ([Fig. 2]).

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Fig. 2 Sonographical visualisation of the DV in a nearly sagittal plane. a B-mode image, b colour-doppler mode.

Due to the pressure gradient between the portal vein and the inferior vena cava, the flow in the DV derived via Doppler sonography is directed outwards from the liver with a relatively constant, only slightly modulated amplitude. It differs significantly from the stronger undulating flow in the hepatic veins influenced by cardiac activity as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. The flow in the hepatic veins can undulate even more than shown.

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Fig. 3 Sonographical view of the liver in a sagittal view. The flow profile of liver veins a is different from that of the DV b.

In full-term neonates, the DV closes in the first days or weeks after birth. According to literature it is closed after 7 days in 60 to 75 % of cases, after 18 days in 89 to 100 % [5] [6]. In premature infants, however, DV seems to close with a slight delay [7] [8].

Due to this early postpartum closure, the DV is rarely visible on MRI. With the increasing use of MRI in full-term and premature infants, however, it is sometimes shown as a patent shunt connection and should then be correctly recognized as a DV and not misinterpreted as a pathological portosystemic shunt ([Fig. 4]).

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Fig. 4 Patent DV in a 3 days old girl. MRI, 3 D FFE postcontrast. MIP-reconstruction in a coronal and sagittal plane (1 = DV, 2 = left portal vein).

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Umbilical Venous Catheter

The open DV enables the neonatologist to apply a central venous catheter postpartum via the umbilical vein (umbilical venous catheter = UVC), which should be identified as such by the radiologist and its position assessed. The catheter tip should project onto the inferior vena cava in the transition to the right atrium ([Fig. 5a]) [9].

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Fig. 5 Umbilical vein catheter on plain film views. a normal position. The tip of the catheter (<) lies in the vena cava inferior caudad to the right atrium b malposition: the catheter ends in the right atrium c malposition: the catheter ends in the right portal vein.

In addition to the occurrence of infections for which the catheter can serve as an entry portal, the main complications of a UVC are primary or migration-induced malpositions, thrombosis, perforations and catheter breaks [10] [11] ([Fig. 5], [6]).

Zoom Image
Fig. 6 Sonographical view of an umbilical vein catheter and complications of the procedure. a malposition of the catheter (arrow): it reaches the right cardial atrium (asterisk). b distal malposition. The catheter (arrow) does not reach the DV. c Calcifications (arrows) along the DV as a consequence of catheterization. d Intrahepatic paravasation (P) after perforation of the vessel wall. On the right hand side visualisation of the umbilical vein (arrow).

Umbilical venous catheter malposition

If the UVC is advanced too far, it reaches the right atrium; if advanced even further, it can reach the right ventricle, the superior vena cava, the coronary sinus or the left atrium via the still open oval foramen ([Fig. 5], [6]). Cardiac malpositions carry the risk of arrhythmias, intracardiac thrombus formation, myocardial perforations with pericardial tamponade, etc., and should therefore be avoided [10].

Intrahepatic malposition occurs when the catheter is not advanced far enough or does not enter the DV but deviates into the left or right branch of the portal vein ([Fig. 5], [6]).

Due to the numerous possibilities of catheter malposition and potentially resulting complications, an X-ray is taken after each umbilical vein catheterization in order to assess the catheter position and correct it if necessary. However, catheter migration is frequently observed over time and can lead to a secondary catheter malposition after initial proper positioning [12] [13].


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Perforations

Intrahepatic malpositions of the UVC predestine a perforation of the vascular system [14]. If this occurs intrahepatically, the infused substances are extravasated into the liver parenchyma, which results in an image of an inhomogeneous, irregularly delimited mass ([Fig. 5]) [9]. Depending on the infused fluid and the course over time, it can be echogenic or hypoechoic [9]. Sometimes communication with the umbilical vein can be detected, and over time this extravasation can calcify. If a perforation occurs in the umbilical vein, the infusion solutions applied through the catheter can lead to sonographically detectable free intra-abdominal fluid [11] [15] [16]. Likewise, intra-abdominal hemorrhages have been described [17].


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Thrombi

Another complication that can occur after the application of a UVC is the formation of thrombi. Such thrombi can occur in the umbilical vein or in the ductus venosus [9]. Since these two vessels physiologically close after birth, thrombi are of no importance here. They can calcify over time and remain sonographically recognizable as linear echogenic structures ([Fig. 5]). In the literature, however, thrombus formation after UVC placement is also described in other veins such as one of the portal vein branches [11] [18], in both portal vein branches or in the main portal vein trunk [10]. Although thrombi of the portal vein branches as a result of umbilical vein catheterization often recede [10] [18], portal hypertension can develop in the absence of spontaneous recanalization, with the corresponding consequences. Thromboembolic events also occur [10] [18].


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Catheter breakage

Umbilical vein catheter breakage is uncommon, but is described in the literature. The remaining intracorporal catheter fragment can usually be retrieved with radiographic support via a femoral venous access from the right atrium or via the umbilical vein, but surgical catheter retrieval is also described [19] [20] [21].


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Ductus Venosus Pathologies

DV pathologies mainly include agenesia and failing closure.

Ductus venosus agenesia

There are no exact data regarding the frequency of DV agenesia. Agenesia of the DV can be completely asymptomatic in about 20 % of cases and has a good prognosis in these cases [2], but it may also be associated with various other pathological changes including cardiac defects, chromosomal anomalies, the formation of portacaval shunts or portal vein agenesia [2]. The consequences may be fetal hydrops and fetal heart failure, so the prognosis in these cases is poor, and prenatal mortality, including the number of iatrogenic terminations of pregnancy, is high. In the case of DV agenesia, frequently associated abnormalities of the vascular system can be observed, through which the umbilical cord blood reaches the systemic circulation of the fetus. The umbilical vein can connect directly to the intrahepatic inferior vena cava instead of the left branch of the portal vein ([Fig. 7]), or intrahepatic or extrahepatic portosystemic shunt connections can form. The frequency of a congenital portosystemic shunt is reported to be 1:30 000 births regardless of DV pathology [22]. In general, portosystemic shunts can be classified according to Morgan and Superina [23].

Zoom Image
Fig. 7 Agenesis of dv. Upper row: ectopic course of the umbilcal vein (arrows) connecting to the confluense of the liver veins. In this postnatal examination the umbilcal vein is already closed. Middle row: Intrahepatic portosystemic shunt from the right portal vein tot he middle liver vein. Due tot he high flow volume the liver vein is substantially dilated. Lower row: short intrahepatic portosystemic shunt from the right portal vein to the inferior vena cava in an 8 days old girl with trisomy 21.

Intrahepatic portosystemic shunts can be well-visualized postnatally ([Fig. 8]), and have a high spontaneous closure rate [2] [24] [25] [26]. However, they should be checked at greater intervals, since in the case of failing spontaneous closure, interventional or surgical closure may be necessary [2] [24]. A need for intervention arises if a shunt becomes symptomatic and leads to increasing levels of ammonia or galactose in the serum or to cardiological stress due to the shunt volume. Extrahepatic portosystemic shunts can close spontaneously, but may also have to be closed interventionally or surgically, depending on the symptoms.

Zoom Image
Fig. 8a Intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. MRI with sagittal T2w MIP-reconstruction (1 = middle liver vein, 2 = shunt between portal vein and middle liver vein, 3 = inferior vena cava). b extrahepatic shunt with complex vessel maformation: collateral vein (1) from the lower mesenteric vein to pelvic veins (2). Drainage via left vena hemiazygos (3). Hypoplastic vena cava inferior (4).

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Persistent DV

There are few reports in the literature regarding failing spontaneous closure of the DV within the first weeks of life [27].

Possible symptoms are: increased liver enzymes, increased levels of direct bilirubin, galactosemia, hyperammonemia and liver dysfunction up to and including liver failure and increased cardiac stress [27] [28]. An association with cardiac defects, especially pulmonary arterial hypertension, is also observed in up to 25 % of cases [27]. Apparently prostaglandin medication and altered hemodynamics in pulmonary arterial hypertension contribute to keeping the DV patent [8] [27]. An association with liver masses has also been described [27].

Depending on the accompanying symptoms, a patent DV must be closed either by intervention or surgery. A multi-stage procedure may be necessary to avoid portal hypertension. Measurement of the portal venous pressure increase after temporary occlusion can be helpful here [29]. Interventional and surgical occlusion of persistent DV beyond infancy even through adulthood are also described in the literature with good success and normalization of liver enzymes and serum bilirubin or ammonia levels [29] [30] [31].


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Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

  • Literatur

  • 1 Haugen G, Kiserud T, Godfrey K. et al Portal and umbilical venous blood supply to the liver in the human fetus near term. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2004; 24: 599-605
  • 2 Strizek B, Zamprakou A, Gottschalk I. et al Prenatal Diagnosis of Agenesis of Ductus Venosus: A Retrospective Study of Anatomic Variants, Associated Anomalies and Impact on Postnatal Outcome. Ultraschall in Med 2019; 40 (03) 333-339 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-115109.
  • 3 Kiserud T. Hemodynamics of the ductus venosus. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 1999; 84 (02) 139-147
  • 4 Morton S, Brodsky D. Fetal Physiology and the Transition to Extrauterine Life. Clin Perinatol 2016; 43 (03) 395-407
  • 5 Fugelseth D, Lindemann R, Liestøl K. et al Ultrasonographic study of ductus venosus in healthy neonates. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 1997; 77 (02) F131-F134
  • 6 Loberant N, Barak M, Gaitini D. et al Closure of the ductus venosus in neonates: findings on real-time gray-scale, color-flow Doppler, and duplex Doppler sonography. Am J Roentgenol 1992; 159 (05) 1083-1085
  • 7 Kondo M, Itoh S, Kunikata T. et al Time of closure of ductus venosus in term and preterm neonates. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2001; 85 (01) F57-F59
  • 8 Fugelseth D, Lindemann R, Liestøl K. et al Postnatal closure of ductus venosus in preterm infants < or = 32 weeks. An ultrasonographic study. Early Hum Dev 1998; 53 (02) 163-169
  • 9 Schlesinger AE, Braverman RM, DiPietro MA. Pictorial essay. Neonates and umbilical venous catheters: normal appearance, anomalous positions, complications, and potential aid to diagnosis. Am J Roentgenol 2003; 180 (04) 1147-1153
  • 10 Selvam S, Humphrey T, Woodley H. et al Sonographic features of umbilical catheter-related complications. Pediatr Radiol 2018; 48 (13) 1964-1970 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-018-4214-9.
  • 11 Derinkuyu BE, Boyunaga OL, Damar C. et al Hepatic Complications of Umbilical Venous Catheters in the Neonatal Perid: The Ultrasound Spectrum. J Ultrasound Med 2018; 37 (06) 1335-1344 DOI: 10.1002/jum.14443.
  • 12 Hoellering A, Tshamala D, Davies MW. Study of movement of umbilical venous catheters over time. J Paediatr Child Health 2018; 54 (12) 1329-1335. doi:10.1111/jpc.14073.o
  • 13 Franta J, Harabor A, Soraisham AS. Ultrasound assessment of umbilical venous catheter migration in preterm infants: a prospective study. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2017; 102 (03) F251-F255 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2016-311202.
  • 14 Grizelj R, Vukovic J, Bojanic K. et al Severe liver injury while using umbilical venous catheter: case series and literature review. Am J Perinatol 2014; 31 (11) 965-974 DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1370346.
  • 15 Pegu S, Murthy P. Ascites with hepatic extravasation of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) secondary to umbilical venous catheter (UVC) malposition in an extremely preterm baby. BMJ Case Rep 2018; 2018 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2018-22637.
  • 16 Hartley M, Ruppa Mohanram G, Ahmed I. TPNoma: an unusual complication of umbilical venous catheter malposition. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2019; 104 (03) F326 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2018-315960.
  • 17 Kanto WP, Parrish RA. Perforation of the peritoneum and intra-abdominal hemorrhage: A complication of umbilicalvein catheterizations. Am J Dis Child 1977; 131: 1102-1103
  • 18 Kim JH, Lee YS, Kim SH. et al Does umbilical vein catheterization lead to portal venous thrombosis? Prospective US evaluation in 100 neonates. Radiology 2001; 219 (03) 645-650
  • 19 Saha B, Saha AK. Distal Migration and Successful Retrieval of a Broken Umbilical Venous Catheter in a Neonate. Indian Pediatr 2019; 56 (02) 149
  • 20 Akın A, Bilici M, Demir F. et al Percutaneous retrieval of umbilical vein catheter fragment in an infant two months after embolization. Turk J Pediatr 2018; 60 (02) 191-193 DOI: 10.24953/turkjped.2018.02.012.
  • 21 Varan B, Yakut K, Harman A. Transcatheter retrieval of embolized catheter using venovenous loop in a neonate. Turk J Pediatr 2018; 60 (01) 113-115 DOI: 10.24953/turkjped.2018.01.020.
  • 22 Bernard O, Franchi-Abella S, Branchereau S. et al Congenital portosystemic shunts in children: recognition, evaluation, and management. Semin Liver Dis 2012; 32 (04) 273-287 DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1329896.
  • 23 Morgan G, Superina R. Congenital absence of the portal vein: two cases and a proposed classification system for portasystemic vascular anomalies. J Pediatr Surg 1994; 29 (09) 1239-1241
  • 24 Han BH, Park SB, Song MJ. et al Congenital portosystemic shunts: prenatal manifestations with postnatal confirmation and follow-up. J Ultrasound Med 2013; 32 (01) 45-52
  • 25 Paganelli M, Lipsich JE, Sciveres M. et al Predisposing Factors for Spontaneous Closure of Congenital Portosystemic Shunts. The Journal of Pediatrics 2015; 167 (04) 931-935
  • 26 Francois B, Gottrand F, Lachaux A. et al Outcome of intrahepatic portosystemic shunt diagnosed prenatally. Eur J Pediatr 2017; 176 (12) 1613-1618 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-017-3013-x.
  • 27 Poeppelman RS, Tobias JD. Patent Ductus Venosus and Congenital Heart Disease: A Case Report and Review. Cardiol Res 2018; 9 (05) 330-333 DOI: 10.14740/cr777w.
  • 28 Kamali L, Moradi M, Ebrahimian S. et al Patent ductus venosus in an infant with direct hyperbilirubinemia. Clin Case Rep 2019; 7 (07) 1430-1434 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.2266.
  • 29 Ikeda S, Yamaguchi Y, Sera Y. et al Surgical correction of patent ductus venosus in three brothers. Dig Dis Sci 1999; 44 (03) 582-589
  • 30 Yoshimoto Y, Shimizu R, Saeki T. et al Patent ductus venosus in children: a case report and review of the literature. J Pediatr Surg 2004; 39 (01) E1-E5
  • 31 Perini MV, Starkey GM, Goh SK. et al Laparoscopic treatment of a patent ductus venosus and the use of indocyanine green to monitor perioperative hepatic function. J Surg Case Rep 2018; 2018 (02) rjy026 DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjy026.

Correspondence

Dr. Markus Born
Radiology, Pediatric Radiology, University of Bonn
Venusberg-Campus 1
53127 Bonn
Deutschland   
Phone: +49/2 28/28 73 32 25   
Fax: +49/2 28/28 73 35 66   

Publication History

Received: 11 May 2020

Accepted: 18 September 2020

Article published online:
05 November 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

  • Literatur

  • 1 Haugen G, Kiserud T, Godfrey K. et al Portal and umbilical venous blood supply to the liver in the human fetus near term. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2004; 24: 599-605
  • 2 Strizek B, Zamprakou A, Gottschalk I. et al Prenatal Diagnosis of Agenesis of Ductus Venosus: A Retrospective Study of Anatomic Variants, Associated Anomalies and Impact on Postnatal Outcome. Ultraschall in Med 2019; 40 (03) 333-339 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-115109.
  • 3 Kiserud T. Hemodynamics of the ductus venosus. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 1999; 84 (02) 139-147
  • 4 Morton S, Brodsky D. Fetal Physiology and the Transition to Extrauterine Life. Clin Perinatol 2016; 43 (03) 395-407
  • 5 Fugelseth D, Lindemann R, Liestøl K. et al Ultrasonographic study of ductus venosus in healthy neonates. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 1997; 77 (02) F131-F134
  • 6 Loberant N, Barak M, Gaitini D. et al Closure of the ductus venosus in neonates: findings on real-time gray-scale, color-flow Doppler, and duplex Doppler sonography. Am J Roentgenol 1992; 159 (05) 1083-1085
  • 7 Kondo M, Itoh S, Kunikata T. et al Time of closure of ductus venosus in term and preterm neonates. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2001; 85 (01) F57-F59
  • 8 Fugelseth D, Lindemann R, Liestøl K. et al Postnatal closure of ductus venosus in preterm infants < or = 32 weeks. An ultrasonographic study. Early Hum Dev 1998; 53 (02) 163-169
  • 9 Schlesinger AE, Braverman RM, DiPietro MA. Pictorial essay. Neonates and umbilical venous catheters: normal appearance, anomalous positions, complications, and potential aid to diagnosis. Am J Roentgenol 2003; 180 (04) 1147-1153
  • 10 Selvam S, Humphrey T, Woodley H. et al Sonographic features of umbilical catheter-related complications. Pediatr Radiol 2018; 48 (13) 1964-1970 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-018-4214-9.
  • 11 Derinkuyu BE, Boyunaga OL, Damar C. et al Hepatic Complications of Umbilical Venous Catheters in the Neonatal Perid: The Ultrasound Spectrum. J Ultrasound Med 2018; 37 (06) 1335-1344 DOI: 10.1002/jum.14443.
  • 12 Hoellering A, Tshamala D, Davies MW. Study of movement of umbilical venous catheters over time. J Paediatr Child Health 2018; 54 (12) 1329-1335. doi:10.1111/jpc.14073.o
  • 13 Franta J, Harabor A, Soraisham AS. Ultrasound assessment of umbilical venous catheter migration in preterm infants: a prospective study. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2017; 102 (03) F251-F255 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2016-311202.
  • 14 Grizelj R, Vukovic J, Bojanic K. et al Severe liver injury while using umbilical venous catheter: case series and literature review. Am J Perinatol 2014; 31 (11) 965-974 DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1370346.
  • 15 Pegu S, Murthy P. Ascites with hepatic extravasation of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) secondary to umbilical venous catheter (UVC) malposition in an extremely preterm baby. BMJ Case Rep 2018; 2018 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2018-22637.
  • 16 Hartley M, Ruppa Mohanram G, Ahmed I. TPNoma: an unusual complication of umbilical venous catheter malposition. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2019; 104 (03) F326 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2018-315960.
  • 17 Kanto WP, Parrish RA. Perforation of the peritoneum and intra-abdominal hemorrhage: A complication of umbilicalvein catheterizations. Am J Dis Child 1977; 131: 1102-1103
  • 18 Kim JH, Lee YS, Kim SH. et al Does umbilical vein catheterization lead to portal venous thrombosis? Prospective US evaluation in 100 neonates. Radiology 2001; 219 (03) 645-650
  • 19 Saha B, Saha AK. Distal Migration and Successful Retrieval of a Broken Umbilical Venous Catheter in a Neonate. Indian Pediatr 2019; 56 (02) 149
  • 20 Akın A, Bilici M, Demir F. et al Percutaneous retrieval of umbilical vein catheter fragment in an infant two months after embolization. Turk J Pediatr 2018; 60 (02) 191-193 DOI: 10.24953/turkjped.2018.02.012.
  • 21 Varan B, Yakut K, Harman A. Transcatheter retrieval of embolized catheter using venovenous loop in a neonate. Turk J Pediatr 2018; 60 (01) 113-115 DOI: 10.24953/turkjped.2018.01.020.
  • 22 Bernard O, Franchi-Abella S, Branchereau S. et al Congenital portosystemic shunts in children: recognition, evaluation, and management. Semin Liver Dis 2012; 32 (04) 273-287 DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1329896.
  • 23 Morgan G, Superina R. Congenital absence of the portal vein: two cases and a proposed classification system for portasystemic vascular anomalies. J Pediatr Surg 1994; 29 (09) 1239-1241
  • 24 Han BH, Park SB, Song MJ. et al Congenital portosystemic shunts: prenatal manifestations with postnatal confirmation and follow-up. J Ultrasound Med 2013; 32 (01) 45-52
  • 25 Paganelli M, Lipsich JE, Sciveres M. et al Predisposing Factors for Spontaneous Closure of Congenital Portosystemic Shunts. The Journal of Pediatrics 2015; 167 (04) 931-935
  • 26 Francois B, Gottrand F, Lachaux A. et al Outcome of intrahepatic portosystemic shunt diagnosed prenatally. Eur J Pediatr 2017; 176 (12) 1613-1618 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-017-3013-x.
  • 27 Poeppelman RS, Tobias JD. Patent Ductus Venosus and Congenital Heart Disease: A Case Report and Review. Cardiol Res 2018; 9 (05) 330-333 DOI: 10.14740/cr777w.
  • 28 Kamali L, Moradi M, Ebrahimian S. et al Patent ductus venosus in an infant with direct hyperbilirubinemia. Clin Case Rep 2019; 7 (07) 1430-1434 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.2266.
  • 29 Ikeda S, Yamaguchi Y, Sera Y. et al Surgical correction of patent ductus venosus in three brothers. Dig Dis Sci 1999; 44 (03) 582-589
  • 30 Yoshimoto Y, Shimizu R, Saeki T. et al Patent ductus venosus in children: a case report and review of the literature. J Pediatr Surg 2004; 39 (01) E1-E5
  • 31 Perini MV, Starkey GM, Goh SK. et al Laparoscopic treatment of a patent ductus venosus and the use of indocyanine green to monitor perioperative hepatic function. J Surg Case Rep 2018; 2018 (02) rjy026 DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjy026.

Zoom Image
Fig. 1 Fetal anatomy of hepatic vessels.
Zoom Image
Fig. 2 Sonographical visualisation of the DV in a nearly sagittal plane. a B-mode image, b colour-doppler mode.
Zoom Image
Fig. 3 Sonographical view of the liver in a sagittal view. The flow profile of liver veins a is different from that of the DV b.
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Fig. 4 Patent DV in a 3 days old girl. MRI, 3 D FFE postcontrast. MIP-reconstruction in a coronal and sagittal plane (1 = DV, 2 = left portal vein).
Zoom Image
Fig. 5 Umbilical vein catheter on plain film views. a normal position. The tip of the catheter (<) lies in the vena cava inferior caudad to the right atrium b malposition: the catheter ends in the right atrium c malposition: the catheter ends in the right portal vein.
Zoom Image
Fig. 6 Sonographical view of an umbilical vein catheter and complications of the procedure. a malposition of the catheter (arrow): it reaches the right cardial atrium (asterisk). b distal malposition. The catheter (arrow) does not reach the DV. c Calcifications (arrows) along the DV as a consequence of catheterization. d Intrahepatic paravasation (P) after perforation of the vessel wall. On the right hand side visualisation of the umbilical vein (arrow).
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Fig. 7 Agenesis of dv. Upper row: ectopic course of the umbilcal vein (arrows) connecting to the confluense of the liver veins. In this postnatal examination the umbilcal vein is already closed. Middle row: Intrahepatic portosystemic shunt from the right portal vein tot he middle liver vein. Due tot he high flow volume the liver vein is substantially dilated. Lower row: short intrahepatic portosystemic shunt from the right portal vein to the inferior vena cava in an 8 days old girl with trisomy 21.
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Fig. 8a Intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. MRI with sagittal T2w MIP-reconstruction (1 = middle liver vein, 2 = shunt between portal vein and middle liver vein, 3 = inferior vena cava). b extrahepatic shunt with complex vessel maformation: collateral vein (1) from the lower mesenteric vein to pelvic veins (2). Drainage via left vena hemiazygos (3). Hypoplastic vena cava inferior (4).
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Abb. 1 Fetale Gefäßanatomie der Leber.
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Abb. 2 Sonografische Darstellung des DV in einem leicht nach links gedrehten Sagittalschnitt über dem rechten Oberbauch. a B-Bild, b farbkodierte Dopplersonografie.
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Abb. 3 Sonografischer Sagittalschnitt der Leber. Das Profil der dopplersonografischen Flusskurve einer Lebervene a unterscheidet sich deutlich von dem des DV b.
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Abb. 4 Offener DV bei einem 3 Tage alten Mädchen in einer MRT-Untersuchung. 3D-FFE nach intravenöser Kontrastmittelgabe. Koronare und sagittale MIP (1 = DV; 2 = linker Pfortaderast).
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Abb. 5 Darstellung eines Nabelvenenkatheters im Röntgenbild. a NVK in regelrechter Position: Die Spitze des Katheters (Pfeilspitze) projiziert sich auf den Übergang von Vena cava inferior zum rechten Vorhof. b Fehllage: Der NVK wurde bis in den rechten Vorhof vorgeschoben, wo er umgeschlagen ist. c Fehllage: Der NVK hat den Weg in den DV nicht gefunden, er ist in die Pfortader nach rechts umgeschlagen.
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Abb. 6 Sonografische Darstellung eines NVK und Komplikationen der Nabelvenenkatheterisierung. In a wurde der NVK (Pfeil) zu weit vorgeschoben und reicht bis in den rechten Vorhof (Stern). In b endet der NVK (Pfeil) zu weit distal, er sondiert den DV nicht. c Verkalkung des DV (Pfeile) in der Folge einer Nabelvenenkatheterisierung. d intrahepatisches Paravasat aus einem NVK nach Fehllage und Gefäßperforation (P). Rechts im Bild ist die Umbilikalvene zu erkennen (Pfeil).
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Abb. 7 Agenesie des DV ohne und mit Ausbildung eines portosystemischen Shunts. Obere Reihe: Ektoper Verlauf des Umbilikalvene (Pfeile) ventral durch das Leberparenchym und Mündung im Bereich des Konfluens der Lebervenen bei bereits pränatal diagnostizierter Agenesie des DV. Auf dieser Abbildung ist die Umbilikalvene nicht mehr perfundiert, vgl. die benachbarte Lebervene (rechtes Bild). Mittlere Reihe: Intrahepatischer portosystemischer Shunt vom linken Pfortaderast zur mittleren Lebervene am 2. Lebenstag eines männlichen Säuglings. Durch den erhöhten Blutfluss ist die mittlere Lebervene deutlich dilatiert. Untere Reihe: Bei DV-Agenesie intrahepatischer portosystemischer Shunt vom rechten Pfortaderast zur Vena cava inferior bei einem 8 Tage alten Mädchen mit Trisomie 21.
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Abb. 8a Intrahepatischer portosystemischer Shunt. Sagittale MIP einer T2-gewichteten MRT-Sequenz (1 = mittlere Lebervene; 2 = Shunt zwischen Pfortader und mittlerer Lebervene; 3 = Vena cava inferior). b Extrahepatischer Shunt mit komplexer Gefäßfehlbildung: Kollateralgefäß (1) aus der Vena mesenterica inferior zum Becken links mit Abstrom über das linke V.-Iliaca-Stromgebiet zur V. hemiazgos bei hypoplastischer Vena cava inferior (1 = Kollateralgefäß; 2 = li. Vena iliaca communis; 3 = verlängerte Vena hemiazygos; 4 = hypoplastische Vena cava inferior).