Echogenic Focus on Ultrasound

[Kajja]

Hi Everyone,
I'm new here, and since my 18 week u/s two weeks ago have been racked with worry. :confused:
I am now 20 weeks pregnant with twins and when I had my u/s the sonographer found that one of the twins has an echogenic focus (bright spot) in its left ventricle which may indicate a chromosomal abnormality. I elected not to have an amnio on the grounds that there are 2 babies at risk, but now worry each day - this is going to be the longest pregnancy ever! :eek:
Has anyone gone through the same thing and if so, what has been your outcome?
I appreciate any advice!
K

[Elfin]

My second baby had this and she is absolutely perfect. I know what you are going through I was absolutely stressed out and it ruined my pregnancy I was so scared to look at my daughter when she was born in case she had downs but it was such a relief when she didn't have it.

We were taken into a room after the ultrasound by a genetic counsellor, quoted all these odds then offered an amnio and my head was just spinning. In the end after much research we opted not to do the amnio as my odds for a miscarriage were higher than downs but I did stress. It was really scary and something I never expected.

To reassure you this is weakest marker for downs, I was told by RWH in brisbane they find 10 a week so it is a pretty common finding and about 7 years ago the technology would not of been able to see it. My ob was not concerned at all and felt this marker is just a normal variation and does not lead to any long term problems which is true in my case as my daughter is 3 and very healthy no heart problems. So he wasn't worried at all. If there was more than one marker then he might of been.

What we did have a another indepth ultrasound at 28 weeks where they can see the stomach and heart. Abnormalities here could indicate downs but we were fine. Still stressed anyway.

A great site to visit is www.choroidplexuscyst.org for information they have a good message board. Even though a choroid plexus cyst is a marker for T18 people get support for all sorts of markers including the echogenic focus one. Hope this helps and pm me if you want.

[Kajja]

I have done much research since this scan, and I go for another scan tomorrow, so fingers crossed the focus is still isolated.
Thank you so much for your reassurance, I can't thank you enough. I'm trying to relax a bit more, though it still prays on my mind a lot. I think I too, like you, will be the same when this little one is born.
I'll let you know how this scan goes,
Thanks once again,
Kajja. :o

[Miss_Vicki]

Aww hugs I hope for the best for u an the bubbies !! good luck an happy fairy dust your way ;)

[Kajja]

Hi,
Went for my second ultrasound 2 weeks after, mainly to just check all the babies' bones had formed properly (which they had) but I also asked the sonagrapher a zillion questions! She checked for other markers (hairlips, clubfeet, short thumbs etc) and there weren't any, so I've still got my fingers crossed. Not that all T21 babies have these markers, but it put my mind a little more at rest. She too, said that she says many of these focuses a week and follows them right through the pregnancy.
In 6 weeks I will go for my 28 week scan, and in 2 weeks we are going for a 4D scan so will wait for those results.

[Miss_Vicki]

Good to see things turned out :D im so happy for u an your bubs
Keep us updated on the next lot of scans , Mabie some pics ?

[Elfin]

Thanks for the update Kajja it sounds like your baby will just be fine. I was told the same things. It seems that the ultrasound technology is outpacing the science and research side so they are seeing things that they don't properly understand if that makes sense.

It is a very terrifying thing to go through however. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy try to enjoy it now.

[Kajja]

I will definitely keep you posted. How does one do about adding a picture? I have an early U/S of the twins - I'll see if I can figure out how to post it here!
Thanks so much for your support.

PS: I can't figure out how to add a piccy - can anyone help?

[brideofjabba]

I know this was posted a little while ago but just thought i would add my own story. I had the same thing come up on my 18w ultrasound. I was given pamphlet on al sorts of tests i could get done, the dr also discussed abortion with me! I couldn't believe that! After obviously refusing to even think about that,
I was told i could either wait to have another ultrasound at 28 wks at my local hospital or go down to the Mater in Brisbane and get a second opinion. I opted to do that because i couldn't stand the thought of going through 10 more weeks of not knowing if my baby was ok.
Turned out that he was fine. The dr down at the mater explained every little detail and why she was measuring what etc. It was wonderful. After that i went back to my GP and he said that it was always worth getting a second opinion if something like that comes up on an ultrasound.

good luck with your twins!

Andrea

[Kajja]

Hi there,
As promised, here is my update on the echogenic focus.
On Monday I had a 4D scan of the twins, which was amazing to say the least. The sonographer was fantastic, explained that the EF was a common finding, one in 15 babies have them and that, although it's a soft marker, I should not be concerned at all as there are no other markers.
Looking at the babies in 4D, I thought they looked absolutely fine - skinny, but fine! I'm still keeping my fingers crossed though! :o
How do I go about posting pictures so I can show everyone?
KB :p

[Carrie]

Hi
I had my 19 week ultrasound 2 weeks ago and the echogenic focus was found in the left ventricle. Unfortunately, noone told us until I went to my GP for the flu this week and he started to talk to me about the revised stats and I was like what are you talking about, everything was fine when we left the ultrasound clinic!! I have been in shock and the worry is awful. I saw a specialist yesterday who again revised the stats and suggested an amio test but undecided due to the risks. Today is the first time I have decided to research the net and face the issue and I was amazed to read that others have experienced this before and can truly understand the feelings you are going through, I don't feel so isolated anymore. I am so pleased to hear the positive stories you have told and will hang onto this and will try not to worry and focus on the delivery of our healthy child.

Kajja thinking of you and wishing you the very best.

Carrie

[Jamily]

Hi Carrie

Just wanted to wish you lots of luck. While my circumstances were different I have an idea of the worry you are going through. However, you sound a lot more level-headed and sensible than I was at the time!

I have my fingers crossed that everything goes ok - I know someone who had EF and all was fine, so that is another positive story to focus on :)

Keep us posted

[Kajja]

Hi Ladies - I have had my twins! :D
After all these months of worrying about the echogenic focus in the left ventricle of my baby's heart, and months of researching and asking the sonagraphers at each scan, my babies were born 2 weeks ago - both very healthy, no disabilities and breathing extremely well on their own - at 32 weeks gestations too!
Another happy ending!
Kajja x
PS: A boy - Levi Jack - :rolleyes: and a girl - Laken Kate! :p

[Elfin]

Congratulations and thanks for the update. I am so glad you had a happy outcome but am sad that you like me went through needless worry.