Fetal Head Abnormalities Flashcards
Embryonic brain and spinal cord develop from
neural tube
Neural tube defects may either be
open or closed
Open NTD show an increase in what
maternal serum AFP and amniotic fluid AFP
What is macrocephaly?
larger than expected head size
What is the purpose of scanning for macrocephaly?
exclude intracranial abnormalities–hydrocephalus, intracranial tumor or macrosomia
What is microcephaly?
smaller than expected head
What is an intact calvarium?
calvarium is top part of skull
distinguishes microcephaly from anencephaly and encephacele
What’s the most common etiology of microcephaly?(3)
Fetal infection
Anoxia
Chromosomal abnormalities
What are the key sonographic features of microcephaly?
abnormal small head size (BPD or HC 2-3 SD below mean)
abnormal fetal biometric ratio (3 or more SD)
What is brachycephaly
head is rounder than usual
What is dolichocephaly
narrow BPD and low occipitofrontal diameter (OFD)
What causes brachycephaly? What causes dolichocephaly?
B- multiple gestations
D- Breech position/oligohydraminos
Lemon sign is associated with?
spina bifida
Clover leaf skull is associated with?
thanatophoric dysplasia, homozygous achondroplasia***
Strawberry shaped skull is associated with?
trisomy 18**
similar to lemon but no obvious concavity to the frontal bones
What is Spalding’s sign associated with?
fetal demise
What is Spalding’s sign
flattened and misshapen fetal head with overlapping cranial bones
fetal death is 4-7 days before overlapping/separation occurs
What measurement is considered scalp edema?
> 3mm
normal is under 3mm
Where do choroid plexus cysts arise from?
neuroepithelial folds in the choroid plexus