Craniorachischisis

Luis A Izquierdo, MD

Article Published: Mar 25, 2003

Division of Ultrasound, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136

Case report:

This is a fetus with craniorachischisis. The following findings can be recognized:

Anencephaly (Absent or hypoplastic skull vault)
Iniencephaly (Intact cranial vault except for an occipital bone defect, brain is present, predominant lesion is in the cervical spine)
Imperforated anus
Large diaphragmatic hernia
Protrusion of lung and intestine through thoraco-lumbar defect
Ventricular septal defect

Sonographic findings:

Face tilted upward

Base of cranium is tight against the shoulders

Retroflexion of the head

Open spine defect extending from the spine downward along the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine