Echogenic yolk sac
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Morgan M, Anan R, Di Muzio B, et al. Echogenic yolk sac. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 28 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-37568
rID:
37568
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Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Matt A. Morgan had no recorded disclosures.
View Matt A. Morgan's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Jeremy Jones had no recorded disclosures.
View Jeremy Jones's current disclosures
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4 times, by
4 contributors -
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An echogenic yolk sac is an indeterminate finding in first-trimester fetal ultrasound. It differs from a calcified yolk sac, in that the contents of the yolk sac are echogenic, not just the rim.
One study has suggested that this finding is associated with fetal demise, but other reports in the literature suggest that there may be no association 1,2.
Practical points
- indeterminate abnormal yolk sac abnormality that should not be considered alone for the diagnosis of failed early pregnancy
- follow-up ultrasonography at 7-14 days to assess the pregnancy for viability is generally appropriate
References
- 1. Tan S, Gülden Tangal N, Kanat-Pektas M et-al. Abnormal sonographic appearances of the yolk sac: which can be associated with adverse perinatal outcome?. Med Ultrason. 2014;16 (1): 15-20. Pubmed citation
- 2. Szabó J, Gellén J, Szemere G et-al. Significance of hyper-echogenic yolk sac in first-trimester screening for chromosome aneuploidy. Orv Hetil. 1997;137 (42): 2313-5. Pubmed citation
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