Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 20, Issue 6 689-692, Copyright © 2001 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Color Doppler ultrasonography of the superior mesenteric artery for prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of a left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia
L. Detti, G. Mari and J. E. Ferguson
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Virginia Health Science System, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
The incidence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) has been estimated
as 1 per 2000 to 1 per 4000 births. The etiology of the malformation is
unknown, but it has been reported in association with maternal
administration of medications such as thalidomide or antiepileptics before
closure of the pleuroperitoneal canal at 9 to 10 weeks' gestation as well
as having a familial inheritance pattern. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
is associated with other congenital anomalies in 25% to 57% of cases and
with chromosomal abnormalities in 10% to 20% of cases. Posterolateral,
anterolateral, and pars sternalis defects of closure of the
pleuroperitoneal canal encompass the 3 types of CDH. The most frequent type
is the left-sided posterolateral defect or Bochdalek's hernia, which
accounts for 81% of cases.
