A normal second-trimester ultrasound does not exclude intracranial structural pathology. |
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Authors: | G Malinger T Lerman-Sagie N Watemberg S Rotmensch D Lev M Glezerman |
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Affiliation: | Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Sackler, School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. malinger@inter.net.il |
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Abstract: | OBJECTIVE: To report the prenatal diagnosis and management of 34 fetuses with various intracranial structural pathologies diagnosed following a normal second-trimester ultrasound examination. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the images of 203 abnormal central nervous system ultrasound examinations performed between 13 and 37 weeks of gestation at our prenatal diagnosis unit. In 34 (16.7%) of them at least one previous second-trimester ultrasound examination had been performed and considered normal. These 34 fetuses represent the study group. RESULTS: The following intracranial pathologies were diagnosed: dysgenesis of the corpus callosum, ventriculomegaly, cerebral cysts or hemorrhage, migrational disorders, vermian dysgenesis, arachnoid cysts, macrocephaly, enlarged subarachnoid space, brain calcifications and microcephaly. CONCLUSION: A normal second-trimester ultrasound scan does not rule out significant intracranial anomalies. Parents and physicians should be informed about the limitations of second-trimester sonography as far as brain diagnosis is concerned. A repeat third-trimester scan may enable more accurate diagnosis and counseling. |
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