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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · AJP Rep 2024; 14(04): e281-e283
DOI: 10.1055/a-2496-2417
Case Report

A Rare Case of Fetal Neural Tube Defect; Iniencephaly Clausus

Bantayehu Nega Arega 
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
,
Sintayehu Debas Endalew
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
,
Daniel Miskir Hailu
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Abstract

Introduction Iniencephaly is an extremely rare type of neural tube defect characterized by the fusion of the cervical and cervicothoracic vertebrae. This condition results in acute retroflexion of the head, a short neck, significant lordosis of the cervical spine, and an upturned facial appearance. This condition typically results in poor fetal outcomes, with many cases ending in stillbirth or neonatal death.

Case summary Here, we present a case of iniencephaly diagnosed during intrapartum ultrasound in a 34-year-old gravida 5 woman referred from a health center to a primary hospital due to preterm premature rupture of membrane and labor. The fetus died intrapartum a few minutes before delivery.

Conclusion Iniencephaly remains a rare but critical condition that poses significant challenges for prenatal diagnosis and management. This case underscores the importance of early and accurate imaging in the detection of such severe anomalies, which can provide essential information for clinical decision-making and counseling.

Keywords

iniencephaly clausus - neural tube defect - stillborn

Authors' Contributions

B.N.A., S.D.E., and D.M.H. were involved in the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of the case. B.N.A. was responsible for drafting the manuscript and revising it for submission. All authors have read and approved the manuscript and consented to its submission.


Data Availability

The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.


Consent for Publication

The parents have provided consent for the publication of this case and the use of images for this purpose.




Publication History

Received: 21 October 2024

Accepted: 01 December 2024

Article published online:
26 December 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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