persistent right umblical vein by Dr.Amira Shawky

persistent right umbilical vein (PRUV) is an uncommon vascular anomaly which is often detected in utero.In the normal situation, the right umbilical vein begins to obliterate in the ~4th week of gestation and disappears by the 7th week. With a PRUV, the right umbilical vein remains open and the left umbilical vein usually obliterates. A PRUV may also be supernumerary …A PRUV can be intra- or extrahepatic. The former is much commoner.

May be isolated ( more common ) or associated with other anomalies which are commoner with the extrahepatic type and include:* single umbilical artery * chromosomal anomalies as trisomy 18* congenital cardiac anomalies& others…The diagnosis of PRUV can be done during prenatal ultrasonography by examining the transverse section of the fetal abdomen if any of the three criteria are met: (1) the portal vein is found to curve towards the stomach, or (2) the gall bladder of the fetus is found medial to the umbilical vein or (3) the umbilical vein is connected abnormally to the right portal vein

…A PRUV is oriented towards the stomach and not toward the right lobe of the liver in the plane in which the hockey stick appearance is seen.

When additional anomalies are ruled out, a PRUV in isolation carries a generally favorable outcome