Re: Yolk sac number in multiple gestations (monochorionic)

From: Wolfgang Moroder, M.D. (wolfgang.moroder@tin.it)
Thu Jun 24 15:07:30 2004


Dear Colleagues:

I have been puzzled a lot by early sonoembryologic features. In the case presented by Rich Dempsey I should like to post the following comments: 1) I doubt that a cystic structure of 9 mm with absent heart pulsation, in a gestational sac of 5 weeks is compatible with an intact early pregnancy, 2) as shown in the following case that I published on OBGYN.net http://www.obgyn.net/us/gallery/OB_1_Normal_Monoamniotic_Twins.jpg

http://www.obgyn.net/us/gallery/OB_1_Normal_Monoamniotic_Twins_Yolk_Sacs.jpg I have seen two early monoamniotic pregnancies with a yolk sac for each twin embryo, therefore even monoamniotic multiple pregnancies are associated with multiple yolk sacs, 3) early embryonic failure is often characterized by a disproportioned growth of the amniotic sac compared to the embryonic size, even if the embryo is still alive as you can observe in this videoclip:

http://fetalmedicine.tripod.com/test.avi (allow the 1,1 MB avi clip to be downloaded). In this case you can observe a double cystic structure of different size, the major cyst being 8 mm. in diameter. A pulsating embryonic pole can be observed between them. It is difficult to distinguish in this case an overgrown amniotic sac from an oversized yolk sac. This was an early pregnancy failure. Please let us know the F/U and, why not, send us a picture. I'd welcome lots of comments. Wolfgang Moroder

At Wed, 23 Jun 2004, Rich Dempsey RDMS/RVT wrote: >
>While EV scanning with a student, an early IUP (5.1 wks by GSD) was
>seen- a single gestational sac containing 3 cystic structures; the
>largest of which was 9mm. The question arose: ? In a single gestational
>sac (presumably a monochorionic gestation) is it possible to have 3 yolk
>sacs, or can this be a combination of a yolk sac, vitelline membrane
>plus possibly an early amniotic membrane. ? No embyronic pole was seen
>(yet), no bHCG was available, however LMP and GSD placed this probable
>early IUP at 5 weeks.
>
>Please forgive my hazy ignorance of embryology (and spelling).

--
Wolfgang Moroder, MD
Prenatal Unit
Bolzano General Hospital  Italy



recommended search...
Google
OBGYN.net forums endometriosis zone Web

use when must restrict search to only the ultrasound forum...
Enter search keywords:
Returns per screen: Require all keywords:

Return to  Ultrasound Forum Mail a New Message to the Forum: ultrasound@obgyn.net
Forum Administrator: terry.dubose@obgyn.net
Report Technical Problems: webmaster@obgyn.net
Last Updated: Mon Nov 2 05:36:11 2009

The American Medical Association is no longer designating CME hours for AMA Category II CME credit. However, physicians themselves may self designate learning activities as Category II CME credit hours if they feel it is of sufficient educational merit and meets the formal definitions of continuing medical education. OBGYN.net believes these interaction in this forum meets these criteria. For further information see the AMA web site.