Amniotic band syndrome causing fetal head deformity

Abstract

Amniotic band syndrome is a rare cause of fetal head deformity. We report a case in which antenatal ultrasound in the first half of pregnancy indicated the presence of a fetal cranial deformity, reported as either anencephaly or encephalocele. At assessment autopsy, disruption of the fetal skull was associated with amniotic band formation. Appropriate genetic counselling can be offered to such patients only when detailed pathological examination of the aborted fetus is made. The recurrence rate of amniotic band syndrome does not warrant amniocentesis in a subsequent pregnancy.

Placento-Cranial Adhesion: A New Syndromic Association

“…However, in our center, we have seen four of such cases over the last eight years and 90,000 pregnancies. Cases similar to the present studies have been published as case reports most of which were incompatible with survival [3][4][5][6]. There are occasional reports of live birth who had died shorty or survived however there is no long term follow up of the surviving cases [7].…”

Evaluation of the cranial base in amnion rupture sequence involving the anterior neural tube: Implications regarding recurrence risk

“…Unfortunately, standard pathologic and radiographic evaluations are often ineffective in making a distinction between a primary defect in neural tube closure and disruption of a normally closed neural tube by aberrant amniotic bands (Seeds et al, 1982;Hughes et al, 1985;Urich and Herrick, 1985). One exception is a technique set forth by Keeling and Kjaer (1994), which included whole body radiographs followed by radiological analysis of midsagittal tissue blocks of the cranium and spine.…”

Early sonographic diagnosis of body stalk anomaly

“…In particular, Vater association and sirenomelia also presenting with a single umbilical cord artery, lower spine abnormalities and renal agenesis were unlikely, as they have not been reported in association with abdominal wall defect and a very short umbilical cord (Smith, 1982). Amniotic band syndromes were also unlikely, as in these cases the short umbilical cord and the omphalocele are almost always associated with craniofacial and limb defects (Smith, 1982;Aitken et al, 1984;Borlum, 1984;Hughes et al, 1984).…”