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Anhydramnios
Dr Matt A. Morgan and Radswiki et al.

Anhydramnios is a term where there is a complete or near-complete lack of amniotic fluid (sometimes referred
to as "liquor volume").

On this page:
Article:

Pathology
Radiographic features
Complications
See also
Related articles
References

Pathology

Anhydramnios can result in a number of situations:

fetal renal tract anomalies

Potter syndrome (bilateral renal agenesis): most common
large ureterocoele: if capable of causing bilateral renal tract obstruction 6
posterior urethral valves: with severe/complete obstruction 1
preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM)
placental insufficiency 4
silent uterine rupture 4
nimesulide therapy (single report only 5)
chemotherapeutic agents administered during pregnancy
trastuzumab/paclitaxel 3

Radiographic features

Antenatal ultrasound

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Typically shows a complete absence of amniotic fluid around the fetus. Colour Doppler interrogation may be of
value in selected cases when loops of cord around the fetus mimic amniotic fluid 2. However demonstration of
vascularity within the same can help differntiate the loops from amniotic fluid. Visualisation of fetal structures
can sometimes be very difficult due to the absence of amniotic fluid.

Complications

fetal akinesia deformation sequence with development of pulmonary hypoplasia if anhydramnios has been
present for a long period

See also

oligohydramnios

References
Related articles

Ultrasound - obstetric

ultrasound (introduction)
obstetric ultrasound
first trimester and early pregnancy
gestational sac
double decidual sac sign
intradecidual sac sign
mean sac diameter
empty gestational sac
pseudogestational sac
yolk sac
embryo/fetus
crown rump length (CRL)
fetal heart rate
fetal tachycardia
fetal bradycardia
fetal bradyarrhythmia(s)
physiologic gut herniation
embryonic rhombencephalon
amnion
chorion
Beta-hCG levels
ectopic pregnancy
tubal ectopic
interstitial or cornual ectopic
cervical ectopic
ovarian ectopic
abdominal ectopic
heterotopic pregnancy
Cesarean scar ectopic
multiple gestations
monochorionic monoamniotic twin pregnancy
monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy
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dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy

signs
T sign
twin peak sign
subchorionic hematoma
failed early pregnancy
second trimester
fetal biometry
basic biometry
biparietal diameter (BPD)
head circumference (HC)
abdominal circumference (AC)
femur length (FL)
amniotic fluid volume
amniotic fluid index
maximal vertical pocket method
two diameter pocket method
polyhydramnios
oligohydramnios (mnemonic)
oligohydramnios sequence
fetal morphology assessment
fetal echocardiography views
four chamber view (fetal)
LVOT view (fetal)
RVOT view (fetal)
nonvisualisation of the fetal stomach
soft markers
nuchal fold thickness
ventriculomegaly
absent nasal bone
hypoplastic nasal bone
choroid plexus cysts
enlarged cisterna magna
shortened fetal long bones
shortened femur
shortened humerus
echogenic intracardiac focus (EIF)
echogenic fetal bowel
aberrant right sublavian artery
fetal pyelectasis / fetal renal pelvic dilatation
single umbilical artery
sandal gap toes
amnioreduction
Doppler ultrasound
umbilical artery Doppler assessment
single umbilical artery
absent umbilical arterial end diastolic flow
reversal of umbilical arterial end diastolic flow
fetal middle cerebral arterial Doppler assessment
fetal MCA pulsatility index (PI)
fetal MCA peak systolic velocity (PSV)
fetal MCA systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratio
ductus venosus flow assessment
abnormal ductus venosus waveforms
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umbilical venous flow assessment

nuchal translucency
chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis
placenta
low lying placenta
placenta previa
placenta accreta
placenta increta
placenta percreta
placental abruption
circumvallate placenta
marginal cord insertion
velamentous cord insertion
vasa previa
succenturiate placenta
uteroplacental blood flow assessment
placental tumours
other
fetal death in utero
gestational trophoblastic disease
retained products of conception

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Article information
rID: 13897
System: Obstetrics
Tags: cases, obstetrics, ultrasound
Synonyms or Alternate Spellings:

Absent liquor volume

Absent liquor volumes
Lack of liquor
Lack of liquor volumes
Lack of liquor volume

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