Prenatal diagnosis of ductus arteriosus aneurysm

Ultrasound. 2015 Nov;23(4):251-3. doi: 10.1177/1742271X15587931. Epub 2015 May 27.

Abstract

The ductus arteriosus holds major functional importance within the fetal circulation, and anomalies within the ductus arteriosus may interfere with the integrity of the fetal circulation. Ductus arteriosus aneurysm, previously considered a rare lesion, is now a well-reported finding in infancy with some reports describing this finding in the prenatal period. Postnatally, most ductus arteriosus aneurysms resolve spontaneously; however, a small group of infants show complications such as connective-tissue disorders, thrombo-embolism, compression of surrounding thoracic structures and life-threatening spontaneous rupture requiring surgical correction. As such, postnatal assessment in this group is recommended.

Keywords: Ductus arteriosus aneurysm; ductus arteriosus; echocardiography; prenatal.

Publication types

  • Case Reports