Fetal CNS: a systematic approach

Julie A Ritner; Mary C Frates

doi:10.1016/j.rcl.2014.07.012

Fetal CNS: a systematic approach

Radiol Clin North Am. 2014 Nov;52(6):1253-64. doi: 10.1016/j.rcl.2014.07.012. Epub 2014 Aug 29.

Authors

Julie A Ritner¹, Mary C Frates²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ultrasound, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: jritner@partners.org.
² Department of Ultrasound, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

PMID: 25444104
DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2014.07.012

Abstract

Prenatal sonography is routinely used to evaluate fetal biometry and anatomy between 16 and 20 weeks. Ventriculomegaly is easily seen on these routine views and is commonly associated with numerous intracranial anomalies. Although ventriculomegaly can be isolated, it should always prompt a detailed search to evaluate for an underlying cause. Using a systematic approach to evaluate the intracranial structures can help the clinician arrive at a correct diagnosis for many abnormalities of central nervous system.

Keywords: CNS; Central nervous system; Intracranial hemorrhage; Ultrasound; Ventriculomegaly.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Brain / abnormalities*
Brain / anatomy & histology
Brain / embryology
Brain Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
Brain Diseases / embryology*
Central Nervous System / abnormalities
Central Nervous System / anatomy & histology
Central Nervous System / diagnostic imaging*
Central Nervous System / embryology*
Echoencephalography / methods
Female
Fetal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
Humans
Pregnancy
Ultrasonography, Prenatal / methods*