Body stalk anomaly presenting as an emergency in Ethiopia: a case report

BACKGROUND: Body stalk anomaly is a generally lethal malformation of the thorax and/or abdomen. It is often associated with limb defects. The intrathoracic and abdominal organs lie outside the abdominal cavity. These are contained within a sac composed of amnioperitoneal membrane attached directly to the placenta. The umbilical cord may be totally absent or extremely shortened. Severe kyphoscoliosis is often present. This case is reported to highlight this rare malformation and its clinical presentation. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 27-year-old primigravida Oromo woman who had been amenorrheic for 9 months. She presented with an urge to bear down of 10 hours and passage of liquor of the same duration. The patient was referred from a district primary hospital with a diagnosis of preterm labor and hand prolapse. A lower uterine segment cesarean section was performed at Jimma University Medical Center for an indication of active first stage of labor with nonreassuring fetal heart rate pattern (fetal bradycardia) and hand prolapse to effect an anomalous fetus that had only a rudimentary right lower extremity and liver and intestine found outside the abdominal cavity contained within a sac composed of transparent membrane attached directly to the placenta. The umbilical cord was very short, measuring about 7 cm. The fetus had severe scoliosis. It also had a heartbeat upon extraction, which stopped after 5 minutes of delivery. The placenta and fetal body parts together weighed 2400 g. CONCLUSION: Termination of pregnancy is usually offered because this abnormality is generally considered lethal. If the pregnancy is continued undetected as in our patient’s case, vaginal delivery is recommended, given the highly lethal nature of this anomaly. Good prenatal screening and counseling are recommended for early detection and management.