A novel malformation complex of bilateral and symmetric preaxial radial ray-thumb aplasia and lower limb defects with minimal facial dysmorphic features: a case report and literature review

Radial Ray Anomaly with Associated Ventricular Septal Defect - Case Report with Review of Literature

Ultrasound examination is used for the assessment of abnormal findings on prenatal screening. Radial ray defect can be screened by using ultrasonography. Abnormal findings can be detected quickly by having the understanding of the etiology, pathophysiology and embryology. It is a rare congenital defect that may be isolated or associated with other anomalies including Fanconi's syndrome and Holt-Oram syndrome. We report the case of a 28-year-old woman (G2P1L1) who presented for routine antenatal ultrasound at 25 weeks 0 days according to the last menstrual period. The patient did not have any level-II antenatal anomaly scan done. An ultrasound was performed, and the gestational age according to the ultrasound scan was 24 weeks and 3 days. In this paper, we present a brief review of embryology and critical practical points, and report a rare case of radial ray syndrome with associated ventricular septal defect.

Prenatal diagnosis of radial ray defects by ultrasound: A report of 6 cases

OBJECTIVE

All of the medical records of fetuses with the sonographic finding of radial ray defects (RRDs) between 2008 and 2015 were retrieved. The associated sonographic findings, cytogenetic results, and necropsy findings were correlated.

CASE REPORT

There were 6 cases of RRD. Three cases were bilateral and the other 3 cases were unilateral. The gestational ages at diagnosis were between 12 and 24 weeks gestation. All women carrying fetuses with RRDs opted to terminate the pregnancy. There were 2 cases of trisomy 18, one case of thrombocytopenia-absent radius syndrome, and 2 cases of isolated RRD. Both cases of trisomy 18 had other sonographic abnormalities.

CONCLUSION

RRD should be considered if a short radius and abnormal angulation of the wrist or thumb is noted. The use of 3-D ultrasound facilitates the diagnosis of RRD, even at early gestation, by providing a better surface appearance, panoramic views, and spatial orientation.