Prenatal Ultrasound Diagnosis of Complete Pentalogy of Cantrell: A Case Report

Pentalogy of Cantrell is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by a spectrum of midline thoracoabdominal defects involving the abdominal wall, sternum, diaphragm, pericardium, and heart. We report a case of a 32-year-old primigravida diagnosed during a routine second-trimester anomaly scan with a fetus demonstrating a large supraumbilical abdominal wall defect with herniated viscera, ectopia cordis, and associated diaphragmatic and sternal defects. Additional findings included cystic hygroma and kyphoscoliosis. The constellation of findings fulfilled Toyama Class I criteria for complete pentalogy of Cantrell. Following multidisciplinary counseling regarding the poor prognosis, the pregnancy was medically terminated. Post-termination fetal examination confirmed the prenatal imaging findings and classical pentad. This case highlights the critical role of targeted antenatal ultrasound in early diagnosis, differentiation from similar anomalies, and guiding timely clinical decision-making.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cureus
Published
2026-04-25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.107713
Primary Topic
Congenital Anomalies and Fetal Surgery
Type
article
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article

Prenatal Ultrasound Diagnosis of Complete Pentalogy of Cantrell: A Case Report

Tejasree Barre, Shruti M Mundada, Manali Mundada, Divya Jain et al.
Cureus
Congenital Anomalies and Fetal Surgery
article

Prenatal Ultrasound Diagnosis of Complete Pentalogy of Cantrell: A Case Report

Tejasree Barre, Shruti M Mundada, Manali Mundada, Divya Jain, Lochan Sai Ganesh Bandreddi
article en

Abstract

Pentalogy of Cantrell is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by a spectrum of midline thoracoabdominal defects involving the abdominal wall, sternum, diaphragm, pericardium, and heart. We report a case of a 32-year-old primigravida diagnosed during a routine second-trimester anomaly scan with a fetus demonstrating a large supraumbilical abdominal wall defect with herniated viscera, ectopia cordis, and associated diaphragmatic and sternal defects. Additional findings included cystic hygroma and kyphoscoliosis. The constellation of findings fulfilled Toyama Class I criteria for complete pentalogy of Cantrell. Following multidisciplinary counseling regarding the poor prognosis, the pregnancy was medically terminated. Post-termination fetal examination confirmed the prenatal imaging findings and classical pentad. This case highlights the critical role of targeted antenatal ultrasound in early diagnosis, differentiation from similar anomalies, and guiding timely clinical decision-making.

Cureus
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Congenital Anomalies and Fetal Surgery
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