Fetal Malformation; Laparoscisis; Feto-Placental Attachment; Kyphoscolisis

Limb-body wall complex (LBWC) is a rare, complicated, polymalformative fetal malformation syndrome including neural tube defects, body wall disruption and limb abnormalities [1]. The incidence at birth is about 0.32 per 100,000 births because the majority of affected fetuses undergo intrauterine deaths [2,3]. Pathogenesis is complicated and the possible pathogenetic mechanisms for LBWC include early amnion rupture, vascular disruption, and early embryonic maldevelopment. Generally the diagnosis is based on two of three of the following anomalies: Exencephaly or encephalocele with facial clefts, major defect of the ventral body wall (Thoraco and/or abdominoschisis) and Limbs anomalies that may range from amelia to mild positional deformations. Two phenotypes have been described, according to “placentocranial” or “placento-abdominal” adhesions [1,2]. Early ultrasonographic examination (12 weeks of amenorrhea) can make antenatal diagnosis [4]. Few cases are described, we present with iconography a case of LBWC with an interesting feature noted, consisting on the presence of a huge sacred meningocele never described before in the literature.

26 years old, primigravida, with no illnesses or recent infections. She had no history of prenatal exposure to teratogenic agents, nor any family history of congenital malformations. She was referred for polymalformatif syndrome at 30 gestation weeks. Advanced sonography showed giant omphalocel with eviscerated liver (Figure 1), stomach and kidney (Figure 2), club feet, kyphoscoliosis (Figure 3) and giant sacral fluid cyst. LBWC was suspected but the sacral cyst was an atypical association. A 2100g still birth fetus was delivered prematurely and spontaneously, will decision was not yet taken. Post natal examination confirmed LBWC with abdomino-placental and amniotic attachment and the particularity was the presence of giant sacral meningocele, two bilateral hemi-genital tubercles and anal artesia. Unfortunately placenta was arrached during delivery but amniotic membranes was still attached to abdomen (Figures 4 (a)-(c)).

Feotopathology and caryotype was not done because inability in our centre.

The limb body wall complex is also known as the bodystalk syndrome [1]. It is a rare entity characterized by severe malformations. Most fetuses are aborted, either spontaneously or by medical means [5]. Most of them are stillborn. Postnatal survival for a significant duration is extremely rare, but at least one such case is reported; the child has severe physical handicaps [5]. This congenital anomaly has no sex or familial predilection or known recurrence risk. Caryotype study has been reported to be normal in all cases of LBWC. Van Allen [6,7], who described the syndrome for the first time in 1987 mentioned 3 essential features: 1) Exencephaly/encephalocele with facial clefts, 2) thoraco andabdominoschisis, 3) limb defect. In general, the diagnosis is based on tow of the above features. Different authors described the two different phenotypes, according to the placental attachment: placento-cranial and placento-caudal types.

1) The placento-cranial attachment, showing craniofacial defects and amniotic bands and/or adhesion; it seems to be related to early vascular disruption.

2) The placento-abdominal attachment that presents urogenital anomalies, anal atresia, short umbilical cord, abdominal placental attachment and persistence of anextraembrioniccelom. It seems to be due to an intrinsic embryonic maldevelopment.

Also, torpinet and all have suggested that LBWC results from amnion rupture caused by vascular or mechanical compression occurring between third and fifth weeks [7,8]. In our case report, the pattern of presentation resembled the “placento-abdominal” adhesion phenotype. Serum alpha-fetoprotein measurement and ultrasonographic examination are the key of prenatal diagnosis [9]. The ultrasound milestone of LBWC consists of thoraco-abdominal defect, spinal and cord abnormalities, positional limb deformities and abnormalities of umbilical cord and membranes. All these groups of defects were present in our case. The severity of the defects and a distorted appearance of the fetus make recognition of the fetal parts difficult in almost all cases of LBWC.

LBWC should be differentiated from common abdominal wall defects such as gastroschisis, omphalocele and uncommon entities like ectopiacordis, amniotic band syndrome, cloacal dystrophy and urachalcyst. There are also some specific signs for LBWC: the presence of membranes covering the contents of the herniated sac, any associated bowel abnormalities, the presence or absence of urinary bladder, scoliosis and limb defects [6, 9].

In our case, we report a huge sacred meningocele undescribed before in the literature.

LBWC is a rare polymalformative syndrome possible to detection with antenatal ultrasound scan. The syndrome is invariably fatal, but the couple must be reassured that there is no risk for recurrence. The diagnosis can be established early, thanks to the fascinating progress of sonographic technology and followed by medical termination of the pregnancy.

There is no conflict of interest.