Anomalous systemic and pulmonary venous pathways diagnosed in utero by ultrasound

Anomalies of systemic and pulmonary venous return are found as either isolated lesions or as part of a complex cardiac malformation. Specifically, these venous pathway malformations are associated frequently with the cardiac defects in asplenia or polysplenia. This report describes the prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of both anomalous pulmonary and systemic venous drainage in three late gestation fetuses with a splenic syndrome and complex congenital heart disease. In addition, the utility of color-flow Doppler as an aid in making the diagnosis is emphasized.