A new category of lethal short-limbed dwarfism

Perinatally lethal, short-limbed dwarfism with distinct features -- Schneckenbecken dysplasia

The clinical, radiographical and histological features are described for a case of Schneckenbecken dysplasia, presenting antenatally with increased nuchal thickness and severe skeletal dysplasia. Intrauterine death occurred in the third trimester and the precise diagnosis was made postmortem. This is the first case reported in the UK.

Case report 870. Schneckenbecken dysplasia, possibly a new variant

We report the case of a newborn with a lethal newborn skeletal dysplasia, in whom skeletal and morphologic findings resembled those in schneckenbecken dysplasia except that the projection of bone from the medial aspect of the iliac bones, resembling the "snail's" head, was absent. This could be accounted for by variability or genetic heterogeneity.

Case report 693: Schneckenbecken dysplasia

Three siblings with SBD from consangineous parents are reported. The prenatal diagnosis of a short-limbed form of dwarfism was made by ultrasonography and the final diagnosis in the index case by radiography, demonstrating a short-limbed, platyspondylic dwarf with a snail-like configuration of the ilium and vertebral bodies, flat on AP and round on lateral view. The histological examination showed a generalized, severe disturbance of cartilage formation with marked hypercellularity of proliferating and resting zones, reduction of intercellular matrix, and shortening of the irregular columns of proliferating cartilage. The ultramicroscopic findings were nonspecific. This is the first report of SBD after the original description, bringing the total to 14 cases in 5 families. The correct radiological diagnosis and the differential diagnosis, in particular thanatophoric dysplasia, are essential for genetic counselling and obstetrical guidance of families affected with this autosomal recessive dysplasia.

"Snail-like pelvis" chondrodysplasia: a further case report

Chondrodysplasia with snail-like pelvis (Schnechenbecken dysplasia) is a rare distinct, lethal, short-limbed dwarfism. We describe the clinical and radiological features of a new case in an Italian family.

Fibrochondrogenesis in male twins at 24 weeks gestation

Fibrochondrogenesis is a rare lethal chondrodysplasia. Only 5 cases have been reported. We report on a pair of affected twins diagnosed at 24 weeks of gestation. Occurrence in sibs and consanguinity in the parents in a previous report support autosomal recessive transmission.

A distinct lethal neonatal chondrodysplasia with snail-like pelvis: Schneckenbecken dysplasia

We describe the clinical, radiographic, histopathologic, and ultrastructural features of a distinct neonatal lethal chondrodysplasia inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. The characteristic radiographic findings consist of flattened, hypoplastic vertebral bodies; short ribs; hypoplastic iliac bones with "a snail-like" configuration; short, broad long-bones with dumbbell-like appearance; short and wide fibula; and precocious ossification of the tarsus. Chondro-osseous histology is characteristic with hypervascularity, increased cellular density, and normal size chondrocytes with a centrally located round nucleus and absence of lacunar space. Because of the snail-like radiographic appearance of the pelvis in this disorder, we propose the name "Schneckenbecken dysplasia" (ie, German for snail pelvis).