Coronal vertebral clefts: a radiological indicator for chromosomal aberrations.

Area of Science:

• Fetal development
• Radiology
• Genetics

Background:

• Coronal clefts are radiolucent bands in vertebral bodies, potentially linked to fetal ossification patterns.
• Previous studies lack data on coronal clefts as diagnostic radiological or ultrasonographic markers.
• These clefts are often observed in fetal autopsies of fetuses with trisomies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the incidence of radiological coronal clefts in fetuses.
• To determine the association between coronal clefts and chromosomal aberrations.
• To evaluate the potential of coronal clefts as a diagnostic sign in prenatal diagnostics and fetal autopsy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 443 fetuses, primarily from medically induced abortions.
• Radiological examination to identify coronal clefts in vertebral bodies.
• Karyotyping to detect chromosomal aberrations in fetuses with coronal clefts.

Main Results:

• Coronal clefts were identified in 9.5% (42/443) of fetuses, predominantly in the lumbar spine.
• 60% (25/42) of fetuses with coronal clefts exhibited chromosomal aberrations (Trisomy 13, 21, or Monosomy X).
• Histological examination revealed a lack of central ossification in the vertebral bodies of fetuses with coronal clefts.

Conclusions:

• Coronal clefts represent a variant ossification pattern in fetal development.
• The presence of coronal clefts is strongly associated with chromosomal aberrations and severe congenital malformations.
• Coronal clefts may serve as a valuable supplementary marker in prenatal diagnostics and fetal autopsy.