Novel Genetic Variant in HUWE1: Prenatal and Postnatal Neuroimaging Phenotype

Objectives: To provide a comprehensive description of neuroradiologic findings in a patient with a probable pathogenic variant of HUWE1, particularly in relation to pontine and cerebellar hypoplasia.

Methods: We first report prenatal and postnatal neuroradiologic phenotype of a female patient carrying a HUWE1 likely pathogenic variant and discuss its function.

Results: An ultrasound shows borderline ventriculomegaly, rotated cerebellar vermis, and dysgenetic corpus callosum. An MR study identify a short, thin corpus callosum, falcine sinus persistence, reduced cerebellar vermis size, wide inferior IV ventricle, and reduced pontine bulging.

Discussion: HUWE1 is a gene encoding an E3 ubitiquine ligase protein involved in nervous system development, function, and disease. The mechanisms by which HUWE1 gene affects nervous system are still largely unclear, but a growing body of literature described disease-causing variants in this gene. This report may help prenatal diagnostic experts in consider also this entity, especially when dealing with pontine and cerebellar hypoplasia findings.