Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 8, Issue 11 603-608, Copyright © 1989 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine

JOURNAL ARTICLE

The peripheral hypoechoic rim of the fetal heart

D. L. Brown, M. S. Cartier, D. S. Emerson, D. R. Shanklin, W. C. Smith and R. E. Felker
Department of Radiology, University of Tennesee, Memphis 38163.

The purpose of this study is to determine the origin of the hypoechoic rim around the fetal heart; this rim has been noted previously but there is disagreement as to its origin. Of 314 fetuses scanned, a four-chamber view was obtained in 290; a hypoechoic rim was present in 94% of these. In all cases in which a short-axis view could be obtained, the rim continued circumferentially through the ventricular septum. Because the rim continues through the septum, it cannot be pericardial fluid but is instead part of the myocardium. The presence as well as the origin of this normal hypoechoic rim around the fetal cardiac ventricles should be considered before diagnosing small pericardial effusions.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. A. Yezewski and K. M. Ferroni Very Large Isolated Fetal Pericardial Effusion With Spontaneous Resolution Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, June 1, 2004; 20(3): 194 - 197. [Abstract] [PDF]