Case Report
Prenatal Diagnosis of Achondrogenesis Type 2 in the Early Second Trimester by using Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography
Kana Sugeta1, Shunichiro Tsuji1*, Daisuke Katsura1, Fuminori Kimura1, Ayumi Seko-Nitta2 and Takashi Murakami1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiga University of Medical Science Seta Tsukinowa-cho, Japan
2Department of Radiology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-cho, Japan
*Corresponding author: Shunichiro Tsuji, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu City, Shiga, 520- 2192, Japan
Published: 06 Jan, 2017
Cite this article as: Sugeta K, Tsuji S, Katsura D, Kimura
F, Seko-Nitta A, Murakami T. Prenatal
Diagnosis of Achondrogenesis Type
2 in the Early Second Trimester by
using Three-Dimensional Computed
Tomography. Ann Clin Case Rep. 2017;
2: 1230.
Abstract
Achondrogenesis type 2 (ACG2) is a lethal skeletal disorder that is characterized by extremely short limbs with cupped and splayed metaphyses and poor vertebral body ossification. A 23-year-old Japanese woman (gravida 1, para 0) was referred to our hospital at 19 weeks and 0 days gestation with the fetus having severe shortening of the long bones. According to ultrasonographic examination, thanatophoric dysplasia type 1 or ACG2 was suspected. Therefore, we performed three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) which showed the lack of ossification of the fetal vertebral bodies clearly. We diagnosed ACG2, and the parents decided on termination of the pregnancy. Here we report a case of ACG2 that was clearly identified with 3D-CT in the early second trimester.
Keywords: Achondrogenesis; Prenatal diagnosis; Three-dimensional computed tomography
Introduction
Achondrogenesis type 2 (ACG2) is a lethal disorder that presents with a large skull, very small
and short limbs, and a lack of mineralization of most vertebral bodies. The pelvis has small iliac
wings with absent ischia, pubic bones, and sacral elements. The extremities show severe rhizomelia
and mesomelia with relative sparing of the hands [1]. It occurs in approximately 1 in 20,000 births
and is caused by a dominant mutation in the type 2 collagen gene (COL2A1) [2]. However, it is
difficult to diagnose it exactly, because there are more than 150 different classification in skeletal
dysplasia disease, of which many are extremely rare [3,4].
Recent studies have suggested that three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) is more
accurate than ultrasound for prenatal diagnosis of skeletal dysplasia [5]. The morphology of the
spine and pelvic bones is often inconspicuous on ultrasound, and an accurate diagnosis can be
difficult using only ultrasound. On the other hand, 3D-CT can more precisely evaluate the skull,
ribs, pelvic bones, vertebrae, and bone mineralization regardless of fetal position or amniotic fluid
volume. Here we report a case of ACG2 that was clearly identified on 3D-CT in the early second
trimester.
Case Presentation
A 23-year-old Japanese woman (gravida 1, para 0) was referred to our hospital at 19 weeks
and 0 days gestation with the fetus having severe shortening of the long bones. She had no history
of drug or alcohol abuse and no relevant family history. Additionally, she had no complication
and any history of infection in the first of pregnancy. She had no screening of fetus by ultrasound
scan from 11 weeks to 13 weeks. In 14 weeks gestation, her fetus was scanned only for measuring
biparietal diameter. In 18 weeks gestation, severe shortening of the limbs was detected for the first
time. In our hospital at 19 weeks gestation, ultrasonographic examination for the fetus revealed
severe shortening of the limbs (-5.3 S.D.), a narrow thorax, nuchal translucency, and no cloverleaf
skull deformity. When pressing the skull of the fetus with the ultrasound probe, the skull was not
deformed. No heart defects or other obvious structural abnormalities were identified.
Based on these findings, thanatophoric dysplasia type 1 (TD1) or ACG2 was suspected.
Therefore, we performed 3D-CT at 19 weeks of gestation. CT was performed with a multi-detector
row CT unit (Aquillion ONE; Toshiba Medical Systems, Tokyo, Japan) with 3D adaptive iterative dose reconstruction (AIDR3D). The data acquisition parameters were
64 X 0.5-mm detector collimation, a 0.5s rotation time, and exposure
factors of 120 kV and 75 mAs. These figures clearly revealed a lack
of ossification of the fetal vertebral bodies (Figure 1A and B). This
characteristic confirmed the prenatal diagnosis of ACG2. The parents
decided on termination of the pregnancy. We dilated the cervix by
osmotic dilators, inserted gemeprost, and then delivered the fetus,
weighing 282 g.
Radiological evaluation of the fetus after the delivery showed
findings consistent with ACG2 (Figure 2a, b). It showed metaphyseal
flaring and cupping of long bones, absence of talus and calcaneal
ossification were observed more clearly than 3DCT. In addition, the
molecular analysis of DNA obtained from placenta demonstrated
mutation for a c.3427G>A transition (P.G1143S) in exon 40-54 of the
COL2A1 gene.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Prenatal three-dimensional computed tomography at 19 weeks
of gestation. Thoracic, lumber and sacral vertebral bodies had completely
lack of mineralization (ossification). Absence of ischia and pubic bones were
observed. Skull bone was proportionately large, thorax was small with short
ribs. Micromyelia was seen in extremities. Long bones were almost normally
modeled. (a) Frontal view (b) Lateral view.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Radiograph in a stillborn infant. Showing extremely short femora
and humeri with flares and cupped metaphyses. (a) frontal view (b) lateral
view.
Discussion
Our case demonstrates that, even in the early second trimester,
ACG2 is characterized by a lack of vertebral body ossification.
Moreover, 3D-CT contributed to a precise diagnosis of ACG2.
Ossification occurs at a relatively early human gestational age: the
clavicle and mandible are ossified by 8 weeks; the appendicular
skeleton, ileum and scapula by 12 weeks; and the metacarpals and
metatarsals by 12–16 weeks [6]. Secondary (epiphyseal) ossification
centers can be seen by radiographs by 20 weeks gestation. Since bone
is echodense by ultrasound, the fetal bone is relatively well visualized
by two-dimensional ultrasound in the second trimester of pregnancy
[7,8]. However, the morphology of the spine and pelvic bones is often
inconspicuous on ultrasound. In previous studies, 33–88% of ACG2
cases were correctly diagnosed by ultrasonography in the prenatal
period [9].
In this case, it was difficult to distinguish ACG2 from TD1.
Both disorders are characterized by severe shortening of the limbs
and a narrow thorax, but with ACG there is a lack of vertebral body
ossification. However, the spine could not be clearly visualized in our
case because the fetus was in the spine position. Accurate prenatal
diagnosis allows physicians to provide appropriate counseling to
families about perinatal lethality, consideration for focused molecular
analysis, prediction of neonatal complications, recurrence risk, and
maternal management [7]. In addition a timely specific prenatal
diagnosis is important because of termination laws. In Japan, the decision to terminate a pregnancy must be made by 22 weeks
gestation. To allow time for patient counseling, we recommend
making a diagnosis by 20 weeks of gestation.
Ultrasound examination is useful because it is minimally invasive
and easy; however, the resolution depends on the fetus position and
amniotic fluid volume. On the other hand, 3D-CT is able to provide a
precise diagnosis even if there is almost no amniotic fluid [10]. Recent
studies have suggested that 3D-CT is more accurate than ultrasound
for prenatal diagnosis of skeletal dysplasia [5].
This case showed a precise prenatal diagnosis of ACG2 by using
3D-CT in the early second trimester. On the other hand, ACG2 was
diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound at 12 weeks by Soothill in
1993 [6]. The authors showed that the fetus had severe generalized
subcutaneous edema and short limbs by ultrasound scanning. In
addition, radiological evaluation of the fetus after termination
showed marked limb shortening with flaring and cupping of the
metaphyseal ends of the long bones and ribs but no rib fractures.
Immunocytochemistry showed the presence of type 1 collagen. They
diagnosed ACG2 by those findings. However, the fetus in that case
clearly had ossification of the fetal vertebral bodies; therefore, that
casemightnot conform to the current ACG2 [4]. Including molecular
analysis, we considered the possibility of osteogenesis imperfecta.
Except for the above-mentioned case report, our report is the first
report of a precise prenatal diagnosis of ACG2 in the early second
trimester.
This is the first report of a precise prenatal diagnosis of ACG2
using 3D-CT in the early second trimester. This case suggests that
3D-CT can provide additional and more accurate information to
diagnose fetal ACG2.
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