Coronal and sagittal clefts in skeletal dysplasias.

Abstract

Objective. To assess the role of coronal and sagittal vertebral clefts in diagnosing skeletal dysplasias. Material and Methods. A search in the database at the International Skeletal Dysplasia Registry revealed 40 different diagnoses in which coronal or sagittal clefts were present, the major groups being: atelosteogenesis, chondrodysplasia punctata, dyssegmental dysplasia, Kniest dysplasia and short rib polydactyly syndrome. We reviewed all firm cases with both AP and lateral films of the spine in these major groups (n = 143), with patients' ages ranging from 20 weeks of gestation up to 26 years of age. Results. Ninety-four percent of all clefts were found in children less than 1 year of age, mainly located in the thoracolumbar region. Fifty-six percent of the clefts were observed in boys. Coronal clefts were more common than sagittal clefts. Clefts were most frequently observed in atelosteogenesis (88%), followed by chondrodysplasia punctata (79%), dyssegmental dysplasia (73%), Kniest dysplasia (63%) and short rib polydactyly syndrome (53%). Conclusion. Vertebral clefts are of major diagnostic value in the groups mentioned above, especially before 1 year of age. The search did not come up with new entities in which vertebral clefts are of major diagnostic value.

• Authors: J Westvik, R S Lachman
• Journal: Pediatric radiology (Pediatr Radiol) Vol. 28 Issue 10 Pg. 764-70 (Oct 1998) ISSN: 0301-0449 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 9799298 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Gestational Age
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Male
• Osteochondrodysplasias (diagnostic imaging, pathology)
• Radiography
• Spine (diagnostic imaging, pathology)