{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Vertebral abnormality without spine-curvature deformity on prenatal ultrasonography: sonographic findings and postnatal radiographic correlations.
{Author}: Song MJ;Kim YH;
{Journal}: J Med Ultrason (2001)
{Volume}: 45
{Issue}: 1
{Year}: Jan 2018
{Factor}: 1.878
{DOI}: 10.1007/s10396-017-0790-9
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To evaluate prenatal US features and postnatal radiographic findings of fetuses with a sonographically detected vertebral abnormality (VA) without spine-curvature deformity (SCD).<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Twenty-six fetuses showing a VA without SCD on prenatal US at our ultrasound center for a 5-year period were retrospectively identified and evaluated for sonographic data and coexisting anomalies. Medical records and postnatal radiographs of all 16 live births were reviewed.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Coexisting major anomalies were suspected prenatally in 8/26 fetuses (30.8%). Sonographic abnormalities were noted in the vertebral body in 27/31 (87.1%) and in the posterior element in 4/31 (12.9%). US features were absent (n = 2) or small vertebral body echo (n = 21), two separate vertebral body echoes (n = 4), or smaller or lobulated posterior arch echoes (n = 4). Among 16 live-born neonates, postnatal radiographs revealed a vertebral abnormality in 20 (95.2%) of 21 prenatally detected VA without SCD. The abnormalities were vertebral body hypoplasia (18/19) with an incomplete sagittal cleft, asymmetric/unilateral hypoplasia, or hypoplasia with a complete sagittal cleft; or abnormalities in the spinous process (2/2).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Most fetuses with prenatally detected VA without SCD had hypoplastic vertebrae on postnatal radiographs. Prenatal recognition of VA without SCD can lead to an early postnatal diagnosis of a vertebral abnormality and guidance for follow-up.