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Prenatal Diagnosis of a Retroesophageal Left Brachiocephalic Vein: Two Case Reports
Author(s) -
Cheng Yvonne Kwun Yue,
Law Kwok Ming,
Chak Pui Kwan,
To Ka Fai,
Chan Yiu Man,
Leung Tak Yeung
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of ultrasound in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1550-9613
pISSN - 0278-4297
DOI - 10.7863/ultra.16.05003
Subject(s) - medicine , sonographer , brachiocephalic vein , radiology , persistent left superior vena cava , superior vena cava , vein , color doppler , anatomy , surgery , cardiology , ultrasonography , coronary sinus
A retroesophageal left brachiocephalic vein is an extremely rare anomaly and has only been reported in 6 postnatal cases. Two prenatally diagnosed cases are reported. On the 3‐vessel view, the vein appears as an aberrant vessel transversely coursing behind the aorta and trachea, which subsequently drains into the superior vena cava, giving rise to a U‐shaped configuration. On color Doppler sonography, the U sign is bicolored. This anomaly should prompt the sonographer to carefully assess for other congenital heart defects, suggest consideration for genetic testing, and alert the cardiologist because it could affect central line procedures and cardiac interventions after delivery.