BACKGROUND: The pentalogy of Cantrell consists of defects involving the diaphragm, abdominal wall, pericardium heart, and lower sternum. CASES: We report three cases of the pentalogy of Cantrell (variant form), involving an omphalocele complicated by an anterior diaphragmatic hernia. In two cases, a pericardial effusion was noted at antenatal scanning; the case without a pericardial effusion had an intact diaphragmatic pericardium at surgical repair. CONCLUSION: The presence of a pericardial effusion in association with an omphalocele should prompt a detailed search for other features of the pentalogy of Cantrell or its variants.
BACKGROUND: The pentalogy of Cantrell consists of defects involving the diaphragm, abdominal wall, pericardium heart, and lower sternum. CASES: We report three cases of the pentalogy of Cantrell (variant form), involving an omphalocele complicated by an anterior diaphragmatic hernia. In two cases, a pericardial effusion was noted at antenatal scanning; the case without a pericardial effusion had an intact diaphragmatic pericardium at surgical repair. CONCLUSION: The presence of a pericardial effusion in association with an omphalocele should prompt a detailed search for other features of the pentalogy of Cantrell or its variants.
Authors: Jeroen H L van Hoorn; Rob M J Moonen; Clément J R Huysentruyt; L W Ernest van Heurn; Jos P M Offermans; A L M Twan Mulder Journal: Eur J Pediatr Date: 2007-08-04 Impact factor: 3.183