Author(s): M.M. Taghavi | H.R. Jafari Naveh | M. Shariati | F. Morteza Zade
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences
ISSN 1028-8880
Volume: 12;
Issue: 9;
Start page: 722;
Date: 2009;
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Keywords: Sirenomelia (mermaid syndrome) | lower extremity | snuff | case report
ABSTRACT
We report the first case of a fetus with sirenomelia or mermaid syndrome, whose Afghanian parents were heavy user of a special form of snuff. The case was diagnosed as a mermaid syndrome but some of the features were common to both symmelia dipus and symmelia apus, for example, the single lower extremity had the normal femur, tibia and fibula, but the single foot was rotated medially. The digestive tube ended to a massive closed saclike structure and the anus was absence. The external genital organs were rudiment and the normal testes were undescended. Aorta was divided to branches, such that the external iliac arteries were very small in comparison to the internal iliac arteries. Inferior Vena cava was placed on to the left side of the aorta and unlike the majority of reported mermaid syndrome, the bladder was present. So, the researchers believe that the present case is a rare variant of the mermaid syndrome.
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences
ISSN 1028-8880
Volume: 12;
Issue: 9;
Start page: 722;
Date: 2009;
VIEW PDF
DOWNLOAD PDF Original pageKeywords: Sirenomelia (mermaid syndrome) | lower extremity | snuff | case report
ABSTRACT
We report the first case of a fetus with sirenomelia or mermaid syndrome, whose Afghanian parents were heavy user of a special form of snuff. The case was diagnosed as a mermaid syndrome but some of the features were common to both symmelia dipus and symmelia apus, for example, the single lower extremity had the normal femur, tibia and fibula, but the single foot was rotated medially. The digestive tube ended to a massive closed saclike structure and the anus was absence. The external genital organs were rudiment and the normal testes were undescended. Aorta was divided to branches, such that the external iliac arteries were very small in comparison to the internal iliac arteries. Inferior Vena cava was placed on to the left side of the aorta and unlike the majority of reported mermaid syndrome, the bladder was present. So, the researchers believe that the present case is a rare variant of the mermaid syndrome.
