Pushing the Limits of Prenatal Ultrasound: A Case of Dorsal Dermal Sinus Associated with an Overt Arnold-Chiari Malformation and a 3q Duplication

We present a case of a fetus with cranial abnormalities typical of open spina bifida but with an intact spine shown on both ultrasound and fetal MRI. Expert ultrasound examination revealed a very small tract between the spine and the skin, and a postmortem examination confirmed the diagnosis of a dorsal dermal sinus. Genetic analysis found a mosaic 3q23q27 duplication in the form of a marker chromosome. This case emphasizes that meticulous prenatal ultrasound examination has the potential to diagnose even closed subtypes of neural tube defects. Furthermore, with cerebral anomalies suggesting a spina bifida, other imaging techniques together with genetic tests and measurement of alpha-fetoprotein in the amniotic fluid should be performed.

Epidemiology of congenital cerebral anomalies in Europe: a multicentre, population-based EUROCAT study

ObjectivesTo describe the epidemiology and geographical differences in prevalence of congenital cerebral anomalies in Europe.Design and settingCongenital cerebral anomalies (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision code Q04) recorded in 29 population-based EUROCAT registries conducting surveillance of 1.7 million births per annum (29% of all European births).ParticipantsAll birth outcomes (live births, fetal deaths from 20 weeks gestation and terminations of pregnancy after prenatal diagnosis of a fetal anomaly (TOPFA)) from 2005 to 2014.Main outcome measuresPrevalence, proportion of associated non-cerebral anomalies, prenatal detection rate.Results4927 cases with congenital cerebral anomalies were identified; a prevalence (adjusted for under-reporting) of 9.8 (95% CI: 8.5 to 11.2) per 10 000 births. There was a sixfold difference in prevalence across the registries. Registries with higher proportions of prenatal diagnoses had higher prevalence. Overall, 55% of all cases were liveborn, 3% were fetal deaths and 41% resulted in TOPFA. Forty-eight per cent of all cases were an isolated cerebral anomaly, 25% had associated non-cerebral anomalies and 27% were chromosomal or part of a syndrome (genetic or teratogenic). The prevalence excluding genetic or chromosomal conditions increased by 2.4% per annum (95% CI: 1.3% to 3.5%), with the increases occurring only for congenital malformations of the corpus callosum (3.0% per annum) and ‘other reduction deformities of the brain’ (2.8% per annum).ConclusionsOnly half of the cases were isolated cerebral anomalies. Improved prenatal and postnatal diagnosis may account for the increase in prevalence of congenital cerebral anomalies from 2005 to 2014. However, major differences in prevalence remain between regions.

Incomplete pentalogy of Cantrell: a case report

Pentalogy of Cantrell (PC) is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by a defect in the lower sternum, anterior diaphragm, and anterior abdominal wall; ectopia cordis; and congenital heart disease. Authors report a case of male foetus terminated at 20 weeks of gestation with an Incomplete (class 3) pentalogy of Cantrell presenting with gastroschisis, ectopia cordis and absence of lower sterna. Prognosis of pentalogy of Cantrell depends on severity of intra and extra cardiac defects, pulmonary hypoplasia, extent of abdominal wall defect, cerebral anomalies and diaphragmatic herniation. Full pentalogy of Cantrell is a severe and rare syndrome, but incomplete forms with combination of two or three defects are reported frequently similar to present case report. Early diagnosis through obstetric ultrasound would help in improved informed clinical decision making on the part of the obstetrician and family.

Extra-pituitary Cerebral Anomalies in Pediatric Patients of Ectopic Neurohypophysis: An Uncommon Association

Context: Ectopic neurohypophysis (EN) refers to an interrupted, nonvisualized, and thinned out pituitary stalk with ectopic location of the posterior pituitary gland. Concurrent extra-pituitary cerebral and extra-cranial anomalies have been rarely reported in patients of EN. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of extra-pituitary cerebral anomalies in pediatric patients of EN. Settings and Design: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care center. Subjects and Methods: The study group comprised eight pediatric patients of EN associated with extra-pituitary cerebral or vascular anomalies. Clinical and biochemical assessment was done in all patients. Results: Out of the total eight patients with EN, MRI showed interrupted pituitary stalk in five patients (62.5%) and nonvisible pituitary stalk in three patients (37.5%). Ectopic posterior pituitary bright spot was demonstrated in median eminence in six patients (75%), faintly visualized in one patient (12.5%) and nonvisualized in another one patient. Statistical significant association was noted between pituitary gland height and patient's body height with the pituitary gland volume (P < 0.001). Varied extra-pituitary cerebral anomalies encountered in our patients ranged from isolated anomalies such as optic nerve hypoplasia in three patients (37.5%), corpus callosum dysplasia in four patients (50%), agyria-pachygyria complex in two patients (25%), and intracranial vascular anomalies in two patients to syndromic association of tuberous sclerosis in one patient. Conclusion: Identifying and reporting of associated extra-pituitary cerebral anomalies in patients with EN are crucial in assessing the overall neurological outcome of such patients.