Hostname: page-component-745bb68f8f-f46jp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-02-11T11:16:44.913Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Cardiac diverticulum and omphalocele: Cantrell's pentalogy or syndrome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2006

Feico J. J. Halbertsma
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre St Radboud, Nijmegen, Netherlands
Anton van Oort
Affiliation:
Children's Heart Centre, University Medical Centre St Radboud, Nijmegen, Netherlands
Frans van der Staak
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatric Surgery, University Medical Centre St Radboud, Nijmegen, Netherlands
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Omphaloceles and left ventricular diverticulums are rare disorders. Although either is known to occur on its own, the combination is highly suggestive of the so-called pentalogy of Cantrell. This syndrome is a combination of deformities involving midline structures, with exteriorisation of the heart, or ‘ectopia cordis’, as the most severe malformation. A cause has yet to be identified, though genes located on the X-chromosome may be involved. We discuss a neonate who presented with an omphalocele and a palpable diverticulum of the left ventricle. An omphalocele, especially when above the umbilicus, is an indication for further investigation for deformities as seen in the spectrum of Cantrell's pentalogy, especially cardiac malformations and anterior diaphragmatic herniation. A left ventricular diverticulum is usually associated with Cantrell's syndrome. When found, it is usually accompanied by other intracardiac malformations, so that again further examination is indicated. In our patient, there was an atrial septal defect within the oval fossa, along with a ventricular septal defect and unobstructed albeit anomalous venous pulmonary return to the left atrium. Early surgical intervention seems to be indicated, as spontaneous rupture, arrhythmias, and thromobogenicity of the ventricular diverticulum have all been reported.

Type
Brief Report
Copyright
2002 Cambridge University Press