Pregnancy by Ovulation Induction and Intrauterine

Case Report
Pregnancy by Ovulation Induction and Intrauterine
Insemination then Fetus Discovered To Have
Isolated Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum:
A Case Report
Chi-Feng Wei1,*
Failure of development of the callosal commissural fibers connecting the cerebral
hemispheres results in complete or partial agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC). The incidence
of ACC ranges 3%~5% to 1:4000 live births. This paper reports a 34-year-old woman married for
5 years with primary infertility due to ovulation dysfunction who received ovulation induction
(OI) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) 3 times. She became pregnant after the third OI and IUI
procedures. Unfortunately, it was found that the occipital portion of the bilateral lateral ventricles
of her fetus were dilated with narrowing of the anterior part, creating the so-called “teardropshaped” ventricles (colpocephaly) at 24 gestational weeks on a routine antenatal ultrasound
check. After this discovery, isolated ACC with no associated anomalies was the impression. The
diagnosis was confirmed at another hospital by MRI, and then the patient decided to terminate the
pregnancy.
Keywords: agenesis of the corpus callosum, ultrasound, MRI, ovulation induction,
intra-uterine insemination
INTRODUCTION
of callosal fibers as visualized through neuroimaging (ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), or
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). ACC is typi-
The most extreme form of developmental mal-
cally accompanied by characteristic dilation of the
formation of the corpus callosum (CC) is agenesis.
posterior lateral ventricles (colpocephaly)[1,2], and
Agenesis of the CC (ACC) including both com-
often the presence of atypical fiber bundles (Probst
plete and partial callosal absence, is an anatomi-
bundles) that run anterior to posterior just lateral
cally defined condition that results from disruption
to the interhemispheric fissure[3]. Recent neonatal
of the early stages of fetal callosal development.
and prenatal imaging studies suggested that ACC
The diagnosis is based on a finding of the absence
occurs in at least 1: 4000 live births[4,5], and other
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Si-Jhih Cathay General Hospital, Sijhih District, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Submitted March, 23, 2012; final version accepted June, 8, 2012.
*Correspondence author: [email protected]
輔仁醫學期刊 第 10 卷 第 2 期 2012
111
Chi-Feng Wei
imaging studies demonstrated that 3%~5% of indi-
given with 200 mg Utrogestan® BID vaginal sup-
viduals assessed for neurodevelopmental disorders
port. She became pregnant after the third OI and
[6,7]
. Involvement of the CC occurs in a
IUI. Unfortunately, it was found that her baby had
variety of developmental disorders that are current-
dilatation of the occipital portion of the bilateral
ly exclusively defined by genetics, developmental
lateral ventricles with narrowing of the anterior
insults, and/or behavior. This followed a review of
part, creating the so-called “teardrop-shaped” ven-
several genetic disorders that commonly result in
tricles (colpocephaly) at 24 gestational weeks on a
social impairments and/or psychopathology similar
routine antenatal ultrasound check. After this dis-
to ACC (neurofibromatosis-1, Turner syndrome,
covery, isolated ACC with no associated anomalies
22q11.2 deletion syndrome, Williams syndrome,
was the impression. The diagnosis was confirmed
and fragile X) and 2 forms of prenatal injury (pre-
at another hospital by magnetic resonance imaging
mature birth and fetal alcohol syndrome) known to
(MRI), after which the patient decided to terminate
have ACC
[8]
impact callosal development . Callosal involve-
the pregnancy. After that, she tried OI with IUI
ment occurs in several common developmental
once again, and fortunately she became pregnant
disorders exclusively defined by behavioral pat-
and had a health baby by term delivery.
terns (developmental language delay, dyslexia,
DISCUSSION
attention-deficit hyperactive disorder, autism spec[8]
trum disorders, and Tourette syndrome) .
From an embryological point of view, the CC
CASE REPORT
represents the major telencephalic commissure.
It is composed of 4 parts (from front to back):
A 34-year-old woman married for 5 years
the rostrum, genu, body, and splenium. At 11~12
with primary infertility due to ovulation dysfunc-
weeks’ gestation, the CC begins to develop dorsal-
tion had received ovulation induction (OI) and in-
ly, and it completes its formation at 18~20 weeks
trauterine insemination (IUI) 3 times. The OI pro-
of gestation. If the normal developmental process
tocol used 100 mg clomiphene citrate daily from
is disturbed, the CC may be partially or completely
menstrual days 3~7, combined with 150 IU recom-
absent[9].
binant follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) QOD
In a comparison of the diagnostic methods of
on menstrual days 4, 6, 8, and 10. Follicles were
ACC with ultrasound and MRI, demonstration of
measured on day 12 by transvaginal sonography.
the CC with ultrasound requires some degree of
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) at 5000 IU
technical skill. As the formation of the CC is not
was given when the leading follicle had reached
completed until mid-gestation, early diagnosis of
18 mm or 2 follicles had reached 16 mm. IUI was
the direct absence of the CC is not possible[10]. As-
performed 36 h after HCG administration with
sociated signs such as an interhemispheric cyst and
swim-up method preparation. Luteal support was
colpocephaly (dilatation of the occipital portion of
112
Fu-Jen Journal of Medicine Vol.10 No.2 2012
Fetus with Isolated Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum
the lateral ventricles with narrowing of the ante-
In my opinion, counseling patients is greatly en-
rior part, creating the so-called “teardrop-shaped”
hanced with confirmatory MRI findings when the
ventricles) (Figs. 1, 2), may be recognizable in the
MRI agrees with the US findings earlier in the
late first trimester and imaged using transvaginal
gestation and in a more-specific diagnosis later in
[11]
sonography .
the gestation to help prepare for delivery. In many
instances when an inconclusive US examination
is referred for a second opinion, the MR images
are normal, providing reassuring information for
the patient. MRI confirmation provides the referring physician with a measure of confidence and
valuable information for counseling patients. The
most common reason for referral is isolated ventriculomegaly. Additional abnormalities commonly
associated with ventriculomegaly might not be
defined on an US examination. The most common
change in diagnosis is from marked ventriculomegaly to a more-precise diagnostic category, such
as aqueductal stenosis or hydrocephaly, and from
mild ventriculomegaly to more-specific diagnoses,
including ACC and migrational abnormalities[14].
A more-exact diagnosis impacts patient counseling
and to a lesser degree clinical management[14].
This is the first case report of a pregnancy
Figs 1,2 D
ilatation of the occipital portion of the lateral
ventricles with narrowing of the anterior part,
creating the so-called “teardrop-shaped” ventricles
(colpocephaly).
through OI and IUI with isolated ACC noted in the
fetus. Clomiphene citrate has been prescribed for
use in OI since the late 1950s, and to the present,
Some studies assessed a second-opinion MRI
clomiphene citrate is the most often applied drug
examination in the setting of a suspected central
for infertility therapy worldwide, accounting for
nervous system (CNS) abnormality demonstrated
around two-thirds of all prescriptions. Use of re-
on ultrasound (US) in regards to its ability to con-
combinant FSH in OI with a successful pregnancy
firm, change the diagnosis, and possibly alter clini-
was reported in 1992. In a review of the literature,
cal management. MRI is more likely to confirm
no correlation of these two OI drugs with ACC
an US diagnosis prior to 24 weeks; but beyond 24
was reported, so far. In conclusion, the pregnancy
weeks, a change in the diagnosis occurs or addi-
obtained through OI and IUI and the fetus with
tional information is gleaned more frequently
輔仁醫學期刊 第 10 卷 第 2 期 2012
[12-14]
.
isolated ACC seemed to have occurred inciden-
113
Chi-Feng Wei
6. Bodensteiner J, Schaefer GB, Breeding L, et
tally.
In summary, taken together, the neuropsy-
al. Hypoplasia of the corpus callosum: a study
chological findings of primary ACC highlight a
of 445 consecutive MRI scans. J Child Neurol
pattern of deficits in problem solving, processing
1994; 9: 47-49.
speed, and the social pragmatics of language and
7. Jeret JS, Serur D, Wisniewski K, et al. Fre-
communication, which may result in significant
quency of agenesis of the corpus callosum in
[8]
complications in daily life . But the prognosis of
the developmentally disabled population as de-
a fetal anomaly with isolated ACC remains uncer-
termined by computerized tomography. Pediatr
tain. And the decision to terminate the pregnancy
Neurosci 1985; 12: 101-103.
should be made by the mother and professionals
8. Paul LK. Developmental malformation of the
when faced with a fetal anomaly with isolated
corpus callosum: a review of typical callosal
ACC which would lead to substantial physical and/
development and examples of developmental
[15]
or mental disabilities .
disorders with callosal involvement. J Neurodevelop Disord 2011; 3: 3-27.
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Chi-Feng Wei
藉由卵巢排卵刺激及人工受孕懷孕胎兒
發生單獨胼胝體缺損:
單一病例報告
魏琦峰 1,*
胼胝體缺損是連結大腦左右半球胼胝體連接纖維沒有發育或發育不良。活產兒發生
胼胝體缺損發生機率為 3%~5% 到 1: 4000。此病例報告為一位 34 歲婦女結婚 5 年因排卵
異常而致原發性不孕症並接受 3 次卵巢排卵刺激及人工受孕。在第三次卵巢排卵刺激及人
工受孕後懷孕,不幸的是在懷孕 24 週例行產檢超音波發現胎兒大腦兩側側腦室枕角極度
擴大及前角狹窄,即所謂淚滴型腦室,除此之外並無其他異常。當時超音波診斷為單獨胼
胝體缺損。病人到其他醫院以核磁共振檢查確認診斷後,選擇終止妊娠。
關鍵字:胼胝體缺損,超音波,核磁共振,卵巢排卵刺激,人工受孕
汐止國泰醫院婦產科
投稿日期:2012 年 03 月 23 日
接受日期:2012 年 06 月 08 日
* 通訊作者:魏琦峰 電子信箱 : [email protected]
116
Fu-Jen Journal of Medicine Vol.10 No.2 2012