Topic 5 - the fetal head Flashcards
You are performing a routine morphology scan at 19 weeks. You identify that the BPD is on the 2nd percentile and the head circumference is on the 20th percentile. How do you report this finding?
The finding of a small BPD is common. This is called dolichocephalic. If the head circumference is within the typical range, then this finding can be dismissed as normal. You may want to glance up and see whether the maternal or paternal heads are also narrow. Fetal lie can also create this appearance.
You are performing a routine morphology scan in 19 weeks. You identify that the BPD is on the 2nd percentile and the head circumference is also on the 2nd percentile. How do you report this finding?
the head is small for dates. Careful assessment of the other biometry should be performed to ensure that this fetus is not globally small for dates. If there are other growth issues, IUGR and chromosomal abnormality should be considered. The other obvious response is to check the dates of the pregnancy to make sure that this is not just a dating error.
Very importantly, a fetal head is only micro-cephalic when it is less than the 1st percentile. This is very very small. While it is important in this instance to draw attention to the size of the head, it is just as important not to label this head microcephaly
What are some cranial measurements to obtain in the second trimester?
Biparietal diameter Head circumference Lateral ventricles Nuchal fold Cerebellum transverse diameter Cisterna magna (Optional : Occipito-frontal diameter)
What are the three standard transaxial planes of the head?
(thalamic, ventricular, and cerebellar)
Where is the ambient cistern and what view is it seen?
behind the thalamus and between the occipital lobes is the ambient cistern (arrow), which contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) but is rendered echogenic because of strands of meninges supporting the brain structures
What is a key finding in CNS abnoralities?
Ventricular abnormality, especially enlargement
Measurement of the lateral ventricle should be…
Inner to Inner
Include the glomus of the choroid
Measurement of the widest part
Perpendicular to falx
What size should the cerebellum be up to 24 weeks?
diameter corresponds to gestational weeks
What is the normal measurement of the cisterna magna?
2-10mm
What does cisterna magna obliteration indicate?
Chiari II malformation and spina bifida
What might cause enlargement of the cisterna magna?
mega–cisterna magna, Blake pouch cyst, vermian dysplasia, Dandy-Walker syndrome, and arachnoid cysts.
How do you identify a cavum veli interposti?
small cystic collection in the midline
Doppler exclude vascular abnormality such as vein of Galen aneurysm
large cysts can distort the brainstem and adjacent brain, causing obstructive hydrocephalus (HC), and need treatment by unroofing.
What are some differentials for CVI?
dilated cavum Vergae, glioependymal cysts, arachnoid cysts, cystic tumors (mainly cystic teratomas), vein of Galen aneurysm, pineal cyst, and hemorrhage.
What is hydrocephalus?
refers to enlarged ventricles associated with increased intracranial pressure and thus is typically associated with head enlargement
What is mild ventriculomegaly?
atrial width of 10-12 millimetres
most cases it will result in the birth of healthy infants
can be isolated but is associated with an increased risk of heterogeneous CNS and non-CNS anomalies
What is moderate ventriculomegaly?
12-15mm
also has good outcome
similar to mild
What is overt ventriculomegaly?
> 15mm
can be isolated or associated with other cerebral anomalies
most frequently associated with neural tube defects and midline anomalies
What is aqueductal stenosis?
The most common cause of obstructive hydrocephalus in the neonate is aqueductal stenosis, which results from the narrowing of the aqueduct of Sylvius.
What is the aqueduct of sylvius?
a narrow channel that connects the third and fourth ventricles
What is the sonographic appearance of aqueductal stenosis?
Dilated third ventricle
Hydrocephalus
Ventriculomegaly can be severe and progressively worse later in the pregnancy. Can even be normal at the 2nd trimester scan
Normal fourth ventricle and posterior fossa
Parenchymal thinning
What are the 4 scenarios ventricular enlargement generally occurs in?
1) obstruction of CSF flow in the brain
a. usually at the aqueduct (intraventricular obstructive hydrocephalus).
b. Alternatively, the site of blockage may be outside the ventricular system
2) excess CSF secretion with choroid plexus papillomas.
3) following cerebral destruction and brain shrinkage as a result of abnormal brain development or diverse insults (hydrocephalus ex vacuo)
4) may be a feature of generalized cerebral malformation.
What are three neural tube defects
anencephaly, encephaloceles and spina bifida.
What are anencephaly and exencephaly?
Anencephaly follows failure of closure of the rostral neuropore leading to failed cranial vault development and unprotected exposed brain tissue (exencephaly)
What are some common associations of anencephaly?
Associated spinal and non-CNS abnormalities and polyhydramnios are common.
Chromosomal abnormality is seen in 2%, and additional abnormalities are common including cleft lip, cardiac defects, club feet, and abdominal wall defects
Why is detection of anencephaly before 14 weeks difficult?
relatively normal-appearing brain structure can be present
can be missed unless the examiner specifically looks for ossified cranial bones
What can raise MS-AFP mean
spina bifida (62%) and anencephaly (92%).
What are cephalocele and encephalocele?
A cephalocele is a herniation of intracranial structures through a defect in the cranium or skull base
encephalocele when it contains brain tissue.
Where do encephalocele occur?
Most encephaloceles occur in the midline in the occipital (75%), frontal (13%), or parietal (12%) regions