Module 5: Fetal Neuo Pathology Flashcards
Where is CSF produced?
Choroid plexus
What is the choroid plexus?
A collection of cells located in the ventricles that produce CSF
Where in the ventricles is the choroid plexus located?
- Floor of lateral ventricles
- Roof of 3rd ventricle
- Posterior wall of 4th ventricle
Trace the flow of CSF from the lateral ventricles
Lateral ventricles through interventricular foramen to 3rd ventricle through cerebral aqueduct to the 4th ventricle and then exits medially to the magendi and laterally to the two luschka and from there it flows into the subarachnoid space and circulates with the spine and brain respectively.
What is another name for the interventricular foraman?
Foramen of Monro
What is another name for the cerebral aqueduct?
The aqueduct of Sylvius
What structures does CSF flow through to circulate the brain and spine?
Spine = Magendi (medial)
Brain = Two Luschka (lateral sides)
Where is the 4th ventricle located?
Inferiorly to cerebellum
What is the most common cranial anomaly?
Hydrocephalus
What is hydrocephalus?
Increase in CSF causing enlarged ventricles
What is “true” hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus caused by a CSF obstruction
What is ventriculomegaly?
Enlarged ventricles resulting from brain atrophy (small brain = more room for ventricles to fill up).
Not “true” hydrocephalus
What are the causes of “true” hydrocephalus?
- Neural Tube Defect (NTD)
- Aqueductal stenosis
- Dandy Walker Malformation
What is an aqueduct stenosis?
When CSF cannot flow from the 3rd to 4th ventricle
What ventricles are enlarged in the presence of an aqueduct stenosis?
The lateral and 3rd are enlarged
The 4th is normal
What are the causes of extraventricular obstruction causing hydrocephalus? (3)
- Spina Bifida - flow obstructed in spine, backs up all ventricles
- Excess CSF - excessive secretion from a choroid plexus
- Dandy Walker Malformation
How do you assess the ventricular size?
Measure atrial diameter, size doesn’t change much from 15-35 weeks
What is the normal measurement and upper limit of the ventricles?
Normal = 7mm
Upper limit = 10 mm
How does the Choroid appear in a normal ventricle?
Hyperechoic, less than 3 mm from the medial ventricle wall and the choroid plexus should not appear to “dangle” in the atria of the ventricle
What does the position of the Choroid Plexus depend on?
Gravity
If hydrocephalus is present, how likely is an additional anomaly?
70-80%
What structures are seen in the posterior fossa view?
- Cisterna Magna
2. Cerebellum
How does an obliterated cisterna magna appear on US?
Cerebellum right up agains posterior skull
What is the banana sign?
Deformed cerebellum shaped like a banana due to downward displacement through the foramen magna from spina bifida with Arnold Chiari Malformation
What is the lemon sign?
Indicates the frontal bones have caved in due to Spina Bifida with Arnold Chiari II Malformation
When is the lemon sign seen and when does it disappear?
Seen in 2nd trimester
Disappears in 3rd due to hydrocephalus from enlarging ventricles
What is Dandy Walker Malformation characterized by? (3)
- Enlarged cisterna magna
- Agenesis of the cerebellar vermis (connection between cerebellum) causing a communication between the cisterna magna and the 4th ventricle
- Enlarged ventricles due to pressure in posterior fossa
What is the Dandy Walked Variant?
Partial agenesis of the cerebellar vermis causing a smaller cisterna magna than full blown and minimal dilation of the ventricles. (Associated with many syndromes)
What is the most important condition DWM is assoicated with?
Agenisis of the corpus callosum
What is DWM associated with?
- Agenisis of the corpus callosum
- Fetal death
- Intellectual Impairment
- Heart defects
- Genitourinary
- Polydactyly
What is genitourinary?
The genital/urinary system
What factors increase the risk of DWM? (3)
- Viral infection
- Alcohol
- Diabetes
What is the normal value for the cisterna magna?
Less than 1 cm
What 3 structures must be included in the cerebellar view?
- Cavum septi pellucidi
- Peduncles
- Cerebellum
What is the DDx for DWM?
Arachnoid cyst in posterior fossa
How does the corpus callosum develop?
It starts to develop at 12 weeks, starting from anterior to posterior and is complete at 20 weeks
How can agenisis of the corpus callosum vary?
- It can be complete or partial
- Developmental or acquired
What is agenisis of the corpus callosum associated with?
- DWM
- CNS abnormalities (gyral/gyri dysplasia)
- Facial, limb and genitourinary system anomalies