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Echogenic intracardiac focus

Case contributed by: Dr Alexandra Stanislavsky

Presentation:

Antenatal scan at 22 weeks.

Patient Data:

Age: 20

Gender: Female

Race: Indian/Pakistani

From the case: Echogenic intracardiac focus

Modality: Ultrasound

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Case Discussion:

Echogenic focus is noted within the fetal left ventricle. Sequential reduction in ultrasound gain shows that this is well and truly "as bright as bone".

An echogenic intracardiac focus is a soft marker for Down syndrome, but is also seen in 3-5% of normal pregnancies. As an isolated finding in this young patient, the adjusted risk for aneuploidy remains low.