Prenatally Diagnosed Type II Arnold Chiari Malformations-A Rare Congenital Anomaly with Some Unusual Associated Defects

Abstract

Arnold Chiari malformation (ACM) is one of the common anomalies of the craniovertebral junction involving both the skeletal as well as the neural structures. Among the four types of ACM, type II ACM is considered as commonest. A case of Type II Arnold Chiari malformations; a rare congenital anomaly with some unusual associated defects has been reported here. A 29 year old lady with 21weeks gestation was diagnosed to have a male foetus with type II ACM at antenatal clinic of department of Gynaecology, Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences, Kulasekaram, Tamil Nadu, India during routine antenatal check-up. Though the commonly observed malformations of type II ACM such as herniation of cerebellar tonsil, spina bifida and hydrocephalous were observed in the present case, it differed from general pattern of type II ACM in presence of a large cyst abutting spina bifida and mild scoliosis.