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Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Murine Fetal Echocardiography
Published on: February 15, 2013
Antenatal imaging of a near-term fetus with primary acalvaria
Peter Raupp1, Michael Nork, Inge Kappel
1Department of Pediatrics, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
We report a near-term fetus with primary acalvaria, an extremely rare malformation characterized by the complete absence of the membranous neurocranium. Sonographic findings were considered consistent with this condition, which was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Spontaneous vaginal delivery resulted in a fresh stillbirth, with an intact cranial sac.
We report a near-term fetus with primary acalvaria, an extremely rare malformation characterized by the complete absence of the membranous neurocranium. Sonographic findings were considered consistent with this condition, which was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Spontaneous vaginal delivery resulted in a fresh stillbirth, with an intact cranial sac.
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