Prenatal and Neonatal Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Diagnosis of Sprengel's Deformity with Unusual Associations

Introduction: Sprengel's deformity is a rare congenital anomaly of the shoulder rim. It is the most common congenital anomaly of the shoulder, associated with cosmetic deformity and abnormal shoulder function. Nonsurgical management can be considered for mild cases. Surgical intervention is indicated in moderate to severe cases with the goal of improving cosmetic appearance and function. The best surgical results are obtained in children aged 3-8 years. Correct diagnosis is very important because Sprengel's deformity can be accompanied by additional abnormalities, even in mild cases, and lack of a diagnosis delays proper treatment of the child. The severity of the defect may progress, so it is important to correctly identify children with Sprengel's deformity, even those with a mild form of the defect.

Case presentation: We report a case of prenatal sonographic diagnosis of Sprengel's deformity with additional features, as yet undescribed and missed - although visible - on prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cesarean delivery was performed due to preterm rupture of membranes, and a postnatal MRI confirmed the unusual constellation of Sprengel's anomaly with lateral meningocele, vestigial posterior meningocele, and lipoma tethering of the cord to the dural sac at the cervical-thoracic junction.

Conclusion: Diagnosis of Sprengel's deformity is possible with prenatal ultrasound. Asymmetry of the cervical spine, discontinuity of the vertebral arch and abnormal vertebral bodies, as well as the asymmetric position of the shoulder blades with the presence of an omovertebral bone are signs that can help diagnose the defect.