J. Hyett et al., LETHAL CONGENITAL ARTHROGRYPOSIS PRESENTS WITH INCREASED NUCHAL TRANSLUCENCY AT 10-14 WEEKS OF GESTATION, Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology, 9(5), 1997, pp. 310-313
Citations number
9
Categorie Soggetti
Acoustics,"Obsetric & Gynecology","Radiology,Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
This study examines the ultrasonographic features of genital lethal ar
throgryposis. In 27 cases of arthrogryposis diagnosed in the second an
d third trimesters there was severe bilateral talipes, fixed flexion d
eformities of the wrists and elbows and either fixed flexion or extens
ion of the knees. In seven (26%) of the cases there was nuchal edema.
In two fetuses with arthrogryposis that were examined at 13 weeks of g
estation the nuchal translucency thickness was above the 99th centile
of the normal range for crown-rump length. In three other women with p
reviously affected pregnancies, ultrasound examination at 10-14 weeks
demonstrated normal fetal nuchal translucency thickness and more of th
ese fetuses were subsequently found to have arthrogryposis. These find
ings suggest that lethal arthrogryposis, which is usually diagnosed by
the demonstration of multiple joint contractures during the second or
third trimester of pregnancy, may present as increased nuchal translu
cency thickness at 10-14 weeks of gestation.