Luckenschadel skull: a forgotten entity

Abstract

Background: Luckenschadel skull is an ossification disorder in which the fetal skull appears fenestrated. It is almost always associated with Chiari II malformation and meningomyelocele.

Case: We report a case of fatal subgaleal hemorrhage occurring in a full-term infant with undiagnosed Chiari II malformation, meningomyelocele, and luckenschadel skull. A cesarean delivery was performed after attempted vacuum and forceps delivery for fetal distress.

Conclusion: Obstetricians should be aware that fetuses with antenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects could have luckenschadel skull. Questions are raised concerning the possible clinical significance of this anomaly, especially in the context of a vacuum delivery.