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The Ductus Venosus
1Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany.
Insights
The ductus venosus (DV) is often patent in newborns and should not be mistaken for a shunt. Proper placement of umbilical vein catheters is crucial for pediatric radiologists to avoid complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Vascular Anatomy
Background:
- The ductus venosus (DV) is a critical fetal vessel with implications in pediatric radiology.
- Familiarity with DV physiology and pathology is essential for radiologists caring for pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the imaging findings of the ductus venosus in neonates.
- To highlight the importance of recognizing the DV and its role in umbilical vein catheterization.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of Medline database.
- Keywords used: "ductus venosus" and "umbilical vein catheter".
Main Results:
- The ductus venosus is typically patent in the early weeks of life and should be differentiated from portosystemic shunts.
- Umbilical vein catheters should be positioned to align with the DV, ending near the right atrium.
- Malposition and extravasation are key radiological concerns for umbilical vein catheters.
Conclusions:
- The patent ductus venosus in neonates requires accurate identification to avoid misdiagnosis.
- Correct placement of umbilical vein catheters is vital, with malpositions and extravasations being significant findings.
- Agenesis of the ductus venosus can lead to compensatory shunts that may require intervention.
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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