Anatomical Pathology: NTD

Question 1

Define neural tube defect.

Answer 1

Failure of closure of neural tube.

Question 2

What is used to screen for Neural tube defects?

Answer 2

AFP at 16 weeks

Question 3

What can be used to prevent NTD?

Answer 3

pre-conceptional folic acid

Question 4

How do we diagnose NTD?

Answer 4

Ultrasound
* Invasive tests : amniocentesis
fetal cord blood sampling
chorionic villus sampling

Question 5

Describe anencephaly.

Answer 5

• cranial vault missing and base of skull poorly formed.
• the coverings of the brain fail to develop and the developing brain
  is exposed to amniotic fluid.
• cerebrum and cerebellum are usually absent.
• the base of the skull is covered by disorganised brain tissue and
  blood vessels called the area cerebrovasculosa