Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of velamentous cord insertion: a case report and review of the literature.

PURPOSE

The velamentous cord insertion is a rare pathology in which the umbilical blood vessels branch before reaching the placenta; by varying its structure, the cord becomes prone to spontaneous internal ruptures. This pathology is an obstetric emergency, so its early diagnosis is essential.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We present a 27-year-old pregnant woman who attends an antenatal check-up for a routine third-trimester examination. Ultrasound reveals grade I polyhydramnios and suggestive findings of a trivascular umbilical cord with velamentous insertion 35 mm from the nearest placental border. The ultrasound diagnosis allowed a term delivery by elective cesarean section, avoiding severe complications of the maternal-fetal binomial.

CONCLUSION

Velamentous cord insertion can and should have an early prenatal diagnosis, even from the second trimester, through imaging techniques such as transabdominal ultrasound or color Doppler. Early detection and appropriate peripartum management will highly reduce complications during labor.