Document Detail


Postmortem computed tomography in a case of apert syndrome: correlation with conventional autopsy and prenatal ultrasound.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21084960     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Process    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: There have been very few small studies or case reports in the literature considering noninvasive postmortem imaging as supplement to autopsy, especially in fetuses with skeletal dysplasias. Apert syndrome accounts for 4.5% of all patients with craniosynostotic syndromes. It is classically characterized by the triad of coronal craniosynostosis, midfacial hypoplasia, and symmetric bony syndactyly of the hands and feet.
PURPOSE: Illustrate the accuracy of a postmortem computed tomography compared with a conventional autopsy as well as review common imaging findings in a case of prenatally diagnosed Apert syndrome.
CASE: A 31-year-old woman was seen for a routine prenatal ultrasound. A craniofacial syndrome was suspected by prenatal ultrasound, and the anomalies raised the suspicion of Apert syndrome. After genetic counseling, it was chosen to terminate the pregnancy. A postmortem computed tomographic scan was performed, followed by a conventional autopsy that confirmed the findings.
DISCUSSION: Computed tomography provides many advantages in postmortem assessment. Postmortem imaging cannot replace conventional autopsy but is superior in axial and appendicular skeleton assessment. These studies provide supplemental information that may guide the autopsy. In situations where the parents wish not to pursue an autopsy, postmortem imaging can provide useful clinical information.
Authors:
Bijal Patel; Ian Suchet
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Ultrasound quarterly     Volume:  26     ISSN:  1536-0253     ISO Abbreviation:  Ultrasound Q     Publication Date:  2010 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-11-18     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8809459     Medline TA:  Ultrasound Q     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  249-53     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Abdominal Imaging Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. bpatel03@hotmail.com
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Transvaginal ultrasonographic measurement of cervical length as a predictor of preterm birth: a syst...
Next Document:  Carotid Doppler ultrasound findings in patients with left ventricular assist devices.