Patent ductus arteriosus incidentally suspected on a routine intracranial ultrasound for prematurity; confirmed on echocardiogram.

Abstract

A patent ductus arteriosus is a very common problem in the neonatal intensive care unit. This condition is far more common among premature infants and is most likely related to physiological factors related to prematurity rather than an inherent abnormality in the ductus. At our institution, infants which are 32 weeks gestation or before undergo routine screening examinations with transcranial ultrasound to evaluate for intraventricular hemorrhage and other conditions which are related to prematurity. In this case report, during one of these routine screenings, the ultrasound demonstrated prominent pulsatility of the cerebral vascularity with a high pulsatility index and high resistive index on spectral Doppler, suggesting the presence of a patent ductus arteriosus. Subsequent echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis.