| 19591554 |
Bellini C, Rutigliani M, Boccardo FM, Bonioli E, Campisi C, Grillo F, Bellini T, Valenzano M, Fulcheri E: Nuchal translucency and lymphatic system maldevelopment. J Perinat Med. 2009;37(6):673-6.
We describe the histological examination of 18 aborted fetuses that had increased nuchal translucency (NT) between 11 (+0) and 13 (+6) weeks' gestation. The aim of this study was to assess the corresponding NT anatomic features by immunohistochemical (IHC) investigation. A morphological study was performed using lymphatic and blood endothelial specific markers, as well as smooth muscle actin (SMA). We found that all 18 cases were D2-40 positive, CD31 positive, and CD34 negative, suggesting the presence of nuchal lymph vessel ectasia. We found that 12/18 cases were SMA staining positive and 6/18 cases were SMA negative, suggesting that 6/18 cases had nuchal cystic lymphangiectasia, whereas 12/18 had cystic hygromas. The present data seem to confirm the reasonable hypothesis that lymphangiogenesis plays a relevant role in nuchal edema, increased NT, and that increased NT is the result of a lymphatic malformation or a delayed development of the lymphatic system. |
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