Sirenomelia and situs inversus: case report and review of the literature.
We report a case of sirenomelia of the symelia dipus type which is associated with complete situs inversus. Sirenomelia is difficult to diagnose prenatally because of a frequently associated oligohydramnios. Symelia dipus type adds to the difficulty of the diagnosis, since the bones of the thighs and legs are fully formed. In fact, a close examination of the cases of sirenomelia previously reported in the literature shows that a prenatal diagnosis was achieved only when the oligohydramnios was no more than moderate and/or the associated malformation was of apus or unipus type. We propose a systematic amnioinfusion when one suspects symelia unipus type. Finally, the pathogenesis of sirenomelia is discussed, as the presence of a complete situs inversus in the case reported here could illuminate the debate concerning the origin of the malformation.
Langer
B
B
Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique II, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, France.
Stoll
C
C
Nicolau
R
R
Gasser
B
B
Schlaeder
G
G
D000328:Adult; D004480:Ectromelia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012857:Situs Inversus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*