Fetal abdominal echogenic mass: an early sign of intrauterine cytomegalovirus infection

Obstet Gynecol. 1992 Sep;80(3 Pt 2):535-7.

Abstract

Background: Recent advances in ultrasound technology have made it possible to diagnose fetal diseases much earlier in pregnancy. Reports have indicated that intrauterine infections, specifically cytomegalovirus, can be diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound.

Case: We encountered two cases in which cytomegalovirus infection was associated with hyperechoic areas in the fetal abdomen.

Conclusion: Hyperechoic areas in the fetal abdomen may be an early sign of fetal cytomegalovirus infection. Persistence of this sign may indicate a mild form of infection. Disappearance of these hyperechoic areas in subsequent ultrasonographic examinations and development of other ultrasound signs may indicate severe infection and poor prognosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / diagnostic imaging*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fetal Diseases / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / diagnosis
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal*