Constricting Bands over Limbs

A diagnosis of Congenital Constriction Ring syndrome was made based upon clinical findings, with Patterson’s type IV deformity. (1) It is a rare sporadic congenital disorder without any genetic or hereditary disposition. The condition is also known as amniotic band sequence, Streeter’s dysplasia, congenital constriction bands, and pseudoainhum. (2) The cause for this condition was attributed long back by Streeter to a focal developmental error affecting the subcutaneous germ cell layer. (3) Later on three pathogenesis theories has been suggested for this syndrome: (a) Exogenous due to constriction from fibrous bands formed from partial rupture of amniotic sac leading to array of deletions and deformations, (b) endogenous due to primary vascular compromise and (c) a third one postulates the involvement of intra-uterine trauma in the form of amniocentesis, choriovillous sampling or any fetal surgery. (4-12) Treatment mostly occurs after birth, but with advancement of prenatal radio-diagnosis, fetal surgery in utero has been tried. (7) Management of constriction band syndrome is essentially plastic and reconstructive surgery and is focused on improving function and development while providing a more acceptable aesthetic appearance. (8)

References :

Patterson T. Congenital ring constrictions. Br J Plast Surg 1961; 69:532–569. Shetty P, Menezes LT, Tauro LF, Diddigi KA. Amniotic Band Syndrome. Indian J Surg 2013; 75:401–402. Streeter GL. Focal deficiency in fetal tissues and their relation to intrauterine amputation. Contrib Embryol. 1930;33:41–49. Sentilhes L, Verspyck E, Patrier S, Eurin D, Lechevallier J, Marpeau L. Amniotic band syndrome: pathogenesis, prenatal diagnosis and neonatal management. J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod. 2003;32:693–704. Strauss A, Hasbargen U, Paek B, Bauerfeind I, Hepp H. Intra-uterine fetal demise caused by amniotic band syndrome after standard amniocentesis. Fetal Diagn Ther. 2000;15:4–7. Christiaens GC, Van Baarlen J, Huber J, Leschot NJ. Fetal limb constriction: A possible complication of CVS. Prenat Diagn. 1989;9:67–71. Soldado F, Aguirre M, Peiró JL, Carreras E, Arevalo S, Fontecha CG et al. Fetoscopic release of extremity amniotic bands with risk of amputation. J Pediatr Orthop. 2009; 29:290–293. Kawamura K, Chung KC. Constriction band syndrome. Hand Clin. 2009 ;25:257-64.