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Distention of the fetal duodenum: abnormal finding?
D Levine1, R B Goldstein, C Cadrin
1Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
Summary
A collapsed fetal duodenum is normal in routine ultrasounds. Visualization of duodenal dilation may indicate obstructions like duodenal webs, aiding early detection.
Area of Science:
- Fetal Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- The normal appearance of the fetal duodenum during routine obstetric ultrasonography is not well-established.
- Understanding the typical fetal duodenal anatomy is crucial for identifying congenital gastrointestinal abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if a fluid-filled duodenum is observed in normal fetuses.
- To assess the diagnostic utility of fetal duodenal visualization for detecting obstructions.
Main Methods:
- Part 1: Routine obstetric ultrasonography was performed on 123 low-risk fetuses to visualize the duodenum.
- Part 2: Real-time scanning evaluated 1163 fetuses (high- and low-risk) for duodenal fluid and dilation.
Main Results:
- All 123 normal fetuses in Part 1 exhibited a collapsed duodenum with no gastrointestinal abnormalities.
- In Part 2, one fetus out of 1163 showed duodenal fluid without a "double bubble" sign, later diagnosed with a duodenal web.
Conclusions:
- A nondistended fetal duodenum is the typical finding in prenatal ultrasound.
- Fetal duodenal dilation visualized during ultrasonography may serve as an early indicator of duodenal obstructions.