Class 15: NTD Flashcards
what are neural tube defects?
anomalies of the fetal head, neck, spine
causes of NTD?
may result from genetic mutation or be acquired
what is the most common NTD?
anencephaly/acrania
what is anencephaly
the absence of cerebral hemispheres & overlying skull & scalp – no forebrain
only the midbrain & hindbrain are present with anencephaly. T/F?
true
what weeks can anencephaly be seen on US TV?
9-10 weeks
what is the most common congenital anomaly of the CNS?
anencephaly
which parts of the world is anencephaly more common in?
where spina bifida is common (UK)
which part of the population does anencephaly more commonly occur in? male or female?
females
in anencephaly, what is the US appearance of the cranial vault & intracranial contents?
absent
in anencephaly, what is the US appearance of the eyes?
eyes are present, but bulging
US appearance of the neck with a fetus with anecephaly?
short neck
oligohydramnios is present in half the cases of anencephaly. T/F?
false – polydramnios is present
why is polyhydramnios common with fetuses with anencephaly?
due to problems with swallowing amniotic fluid
5 causes of NTD?
- chromosomal abnormalities
- diabetes mellitus
- folic acid deficiency
- amniotic band syndrome
- hyperthermia
what is the most common cause of NTD?
chromosomal abnormalities
lab values for NTD?
high levels of alpha feto protein
fetuses with anencephaly take on a ___-like appearance
frog
any NTD with exposure to ___ can cause degeneration of brain tissue
amniotic fluid
what is acrania?
the absence of cranial bones but with the presence of abnormal brain tissue
what can acrania lead to?
anencephaly if the brain tissue is exposed to amniotic fluid
what is hydranencephaly?
the total or near total absence of the cerebral hemispheres; cerebral parenchyma is destroyed & replaced by CSF
hydranencephaly is usually not associated with chromosomal abnormalities. T/F?
true
hydranencephaly is usually associated with other structural anomalies. T/F?
false
hydranencephaly is a lethal condition. T/F?
true
what are 2 causes of hydranencephaly?
- bilateral obstruction of the ICA leads to tissue necrosis of brain & is replaced by CSF
- congenital infection
US appearance of hydranenncephaly?
- no cerebral parenchyma
- large anechoic areas surrounding midbrain
what is holoprosencephaly?
failure of prosencephalon to divide into double lobes of cerebral hemispheres
holoprosencephaly is associated with hypertelorism deformities. T/F?
false – hypotelorism
3 types of holoprosencephaly?
- alobar
- semilobar
- lobar
what is the most severe type of holoprosencephaly?
alobar
what is the mildest type of holoprosencephaly?
lobar
what is alobar holoprosencephaly?
complete failure of prosencephalon to divide into 2 hemispheres – unable to see IHF
US appearance of alobar holoprosencephaly?
absent CSP, monoventricle & fused thalami
what abnormalities are associated with alobar holoprosencephaly?
craniofacial abnormalities
what is semilobar holoprosencephaly?
partial separation of cerebral tissue
US appearance of semilobar holoprosencephaly?
abset CSP, present occipital lobe
what abnormalities are associated with semilobar holoprosencephaly?
cleft palate & lip