Lateral nasal proboscis: Antenatal diagnosis and counseling

Background: Lateral nasal proboscis is a rare anomaly resulting in incomplete formation of one side of the nose and other variable abnormalities in the adjoining regions of the face, without associated brain malformations. We report a case diagnosed antenatally and confirmed after birth of the infant.Case: A 32-year-old white gravida 2 para 1 was referred for a comprehensive fetal ultrasound at 30.5 weeks to evaluate a facial anomaly seen on an ultrasound done to evaluate decreased fetal movements. A fingerlike projection was seen in the left inner eye area with visualization of one nostril and a small nose. After a spontaneous delivery at term, a 3845-g healthy female infant with lateral nasal proboscis and other locally associated anomalies was born and is doing well at 9 months. Reconstructive surgery was done at 3 and 6 months.Conclusion: Accurate antenatal diagnosis of lateral nasal proboscis is possible with ultrasound, which is important because its prognosis and management are different from other types of proboscides. Copyright (C) 1999 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.