[Sonographic diagnosis of caudal regression syndrome]

Caudal regression sequence (CRS) is a rare developmental defect of the lower spinal segments and the neural tube. Motor and sensory neurological deficits of the lower extremities as well as a reduced control of bowel and bladder functions are the main symptoms. Etiology and pathogenesis are widely unknown. This article discusses a newborn male with postnatal anomalies of the lower extremities. Sonographically, the spinal cord ended in the lumbar region. NMR confirmed the suspected sonographic finding of CRS. Sonographic examination of the abdominal vessel system depicted a common origin and junction of the hepatic artery, splenic artery and superior mesenteric artery from one common truncus. This points to a possible relict of a persisting vitelline artery. As previously described in sirenomelia, the findings in the present case indicate a possible vascular etiology of CRS.