Prenatal ultrasonography and neonatal imaging of complete cleft sternum: a case report

Isolated V-Shaped Sternal Cleft - A Rare Chest Wall Malformation

Sternal cleft is a rare chest wall anomaly resulting from a failure of the lateral mesodermal folds to migrate to the midline, causing a cleft in the early stage of embryological development. This can be a complete or partial defect. It can also occur as an isolated anomaly or in association with other syndromes. Fetal sonographic diagnosis of this defect is possible, but less practiced. After birth, this defect can be easily diagnosed clinically because of the presence of paradoxical chest wall movement. The flexibility of the thorax is maximal and compression of the underlying structures is minimal during the neonatal and early infancy period, and this period is the preferred time for surgical repair. We report a 39-day-old infant who presented with an isolated V-shaped inferior sternal cleft, its surgical primary closure, and postoperative course.

Surgical Repair of Complete Congenital Sternal Cleft Associated With Pectus Excavatum

Complete congenital cleft sternum associated with pectus excavatum is a rare abnormality. Case reports and case series currently provide the technical standards for comparison in surgical repair. We present a case report of surgical repair of cleft sternum and anterior pericardial defect associated with pectus excavatum in a 13-year-old girl. The surgical repair of the cleft sternum and pectus excavatum was performed with a modified Ravitch procedure, closure of the defect with stainless steel wires, and insertion of a pectus bar. Preoperative imaging is important in better defining the defect.

Sternal cleft: prenatal multimodality imaging

Sternal clefts have been reported sporadically, but there are no reports describing complete investigations of the malformation. We describe a child with isolated inferior sternal cleft diagnosed at 33 weeks of gestation and thoroughly investigated by prenatal US, MRI and CT and preoperative US. Our report highlights the importance of accurate and in-depth investigation by multimodality imaging that allows detection of accompanying serious anomalies and, hence, forms the basis for informed parental counselling and for postnatal interdisciplinary care.

Phenotypic spectrum and management of sternal cleft: literature review and presentation of a new series

Sternal cleft is a chest wall malformation that can expose mediastinal viscera and vessels to injuries. It can be classified into two forms, complete and partial. Its etiology and incidence are unknown and it is often associated with other defects. The aim of this article is to review the literature and report our experience with this rare anomaly, focusing on clinical presentation and management. We reviewed the English written literature about sternal cleft and collected the clinical data of all the published series. We present seven new cases that we have observed and treated since 1999. Literature reports 51 series including 86 patients, more frequently female (62%) and affected with partial superior form (67%). Sternal cleft is often asymptomatic (74%) and associated with other defects (72%). Surgical treatments include primary closure (73%), bone graft interposition (10%), prosthetic closure (7%), and muscle flap interposition (3%). In our series, primary closure was possible in four cases, while in three cases we placed a prosthesis. Five patients had associated defects and two were affected with PHACES (posterior fossa abnormalities, hemangiomas, arterial lesions, cardiac abnormalities/aortic coarctation, abnormalities of the eye, and sternum defects) syndrome. We report for the first time the association of sternal cleft with connectival nevi in three of our patients. At follow-up, we observed no major complication or recurrences. Although primary closure is the preferred option and should be performed in the neonatal period, the use of prostheses warrants good results as well. Prior to treatment, associated defects and syndromes should be excluded.

[Median inferior cervicomandibular cleft: a case report, etiologic and therapeutic aspects]

INTRODUCTION

The orofacial clefts include 30 variant according to Tessier classification: the number 30 contain mandibular arc damage isolated or associated with damage of surrounding soft tissue.

CASE REPORT

Our patient was a newborn with median mandibular cleft associated with ankyloglossia, bifid tongue and a top cervical fistula. We have not found polymalformative syndrome. The early surgical management included one time and after-effect were simple within 11 months.

DISCUSSION

We point out difficulties for antenatal diagnosis and controversy about appropriate time for surgical management of the bone defect. The last physiopathologic hypotheses were explicated.

[Pentalogy of Cantrell: six new cases]

Cantrell's pentalogy is a rare multiple malformation syndrome consisting of supraumbilical abdominal wall defect, sternal defect, pericardial defect, anterior diaphragmatic defect and heart malformation.

AIMS AND METHODS

Prenatal ultrasound findings and malformations described during autopsy of the Cantrell's pentalogy cases diagnosed between January 1991 and June 2009 in our institute were reviewed. A literature research was conducted to analyze the prevalence and prenatal detection rate of the five previously described malformations and ectopia cordis in the Cantrell's pentalogy cases.

RESULTS

Six cases of Cantrell's pentalogy were diagnosed during the study period in our department. Sonography detected multiple malformations in 3 cases, and isolated malformation in 3 cases. Analyzing the data of 49 Cantrell's pentalogy cases altogether showed that, beside abdominal wall defect and ectopia cordis which had the highest prenatal detection rate (83% and 91% with a prevalence of 94% and 69%, respectively), sternal defect and anterior diaphragmatic hernia were also present in a large number of the cases (80% and 73% respectively).

CONCLUSION

Sonographic identification of the sternal defect or diaphragmatic hernia may help to differentiate Cantrell's pentalogy from malformations part of the syndrome but occurring as isolated defects.

Embryology, sternal clefts, ectopia cordis, and Cantrell's pentalogy

Sternal clefts, ectopia cordis, and Cantrell's pentalogy continue to be very rare congenital anomalies in pediatric surgery. Unfortunately, these conditions present as neonatal emergencies and demand early surgical intervention. This article reviews the embryological development of the chest wall, specific sternal defect anomalies, along with available methods of treatment.