A Novel NOTCH3 Variant Leading to Lateral Meningocele Syndrome: Prenatal Diagnosis and Possible Expansion of the Phenotype.

Introduction: NOTCH3, one of the four mammalian Notch receptors, acts as a transcriptional activator in a variety of tissues. Variants in NOTCH3 lead to distinct phenotypes, depending on variant type and location. Truncating variants in the last exon generate a protein lacking the PEST domain, responsible for degradation, leading to a gain-of-function effect and causing Lateral Meningoceles syndrome (LMS), characterized by dysmorphisms and variable cardiac, skeletal, and connective tissue abnormalities; motor delay may occur, but the cognitive function is usually normal.

Case presentation: We report the first case of prenatal molecular diagnosis of LMS, which was made using prenatal exome sequencing after an ultrasound with findings of fetal cystic hygroma, mild bilateral ventriculomegaly, and facial dysmorphisms. After birth, magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of lateral meningoceles. A complete clinical evaluation was performed and unexpected biliary anomalies were found.

Conclusion: The occurrence of biliary anomalies has not been previously reported in LMS but may have biological plausibility. Expression of NOTCH3 has been demonstrated in biliary development and is thought to play a role in the differentiation of hepatoblasts into biliary epithelial cells, and also in liver regeneration and repair. We hypothesize that the findings reported here might expand the phenotype of LMS.