Hindbrain morphometry and choroid plexus position in differential diagnosis of posterior fossa cystic malformations.

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol

Fetopathology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.

Published: August 2019

Objective: To assess the differential diagnostic significance of a series of quantitative and qualitative variables of the cerebellar vermis in fetuses with posterior fossa cystic malformation, including Dandy-Walker malformation (DWM), vermian hypoplasia (VH) and Blake's pouch cyst (BPC).

Methods: This was a retrospective study of confirmed cases of DWM, VH and BPC, diagnosed at the Fetal Medicine and Surgery Unit of the Federico II University between January 2005 and June 2013 or the Fetal Medicine and Surgery Unit of G. Gaslini Hospital between July 2013 and September 2017. All included cases had good-quality three-dimensional (3D) volume datasets of the posterior fossa, acquired by transvaginal ultrasound through the posterior fontanelle. The midsagittal view of the posterior fossa was the reference view for the study. We assessed brainstem-tentorium angle and brainstem-vermis angle (BVA), as well as craniocaudal (CCVD) and anteroposterior (APVD) vermian diameters and vermian area (VA), which were normalized by biparietal diameter (BPD) to take into account gestational age (CCVD/BPD × 100, APVD/BPD × 100 and VA/BPD × 100, respectively). Finally, the position of the fourth ventricular choroid plexus (4VCP) was defined as normal ('up') or abnormal ('down'), relative to the roof/cyst inlet of the fourth ventricle.

Results: We analyzed 67 fetuses with posterior fossa malformations (24 cases of DWM, 13 of VH and 30 of BPC). The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 23.6 weeks. Regardless of gestational age, the BVA differed significantly between the three groups, and the VA/BPD was able to differentiate between VH and BPC. In differentiating between VH and BPC, the greatest areas under the receiver-operating characteristics curve were those for VA/BPD ratio. The 4VCP position was down in all cases of DWM and VH, while it was up in all cases of BPC.

Conclusions: Our data support the concept that VA/BPD ratio and 4VCP position may be used to differentiate between DWM, VH and BPC in the fetus. In our series, the position of the 4VCP had the highest accuracy, but a larger number of VH cases should be evaluated to confirm that an up position of the 4VCP indicates BPC while a down position indicates DWM or VH. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/uog.20120DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

posterior fossa
20
cases dwm
12
dwm bpc
12
gestational age
12
choroid plexus
8
fossa cystic
8
fetuses posterior
8
fetal medicine
8
medicine surgery
8
surgery unit
8

Similar Publications

Introduction: POT1 tumor predisposition (POT1-TPD) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by increased lifetime malignancy risk. Melanoma, angiosarcoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia are the most frequently reported malignancies [1]. Protection of telomeres protein 1 (POT1) is part of the shelterin protein complex to maintain/protect telomeres [2].

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Stereotactic biopsy of posterior fossa lesions, which are often inoperable, enables a safe trajectory and provides tissue samples for accurate diagnosis, which is crucial for correct treatment since the latest World Health Organization Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System from 2021 places immense emphasis on molecular diagnostics. Stereotactic biopsy using the Leksell Vantage headframe is, due to its rigid design, extremely accurate, but stiffer, making the procedure more challenging and the learning curve steeper. This retrospective analysis demonstrates the introduction of the new Leksell Vantage headframe in day-to-day practice at the University Medical Center in Maribor, Slovenia, in demanding procedures of posterior fossa biopsies, and also provides a review of the literature available on the topic with emphasis on the technical aspect of posterior fossa biopsy using the Leksell Vantage headframe in adults.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Establishing accurate, reliable, and convenient methods for enamel segmentation and analysis is crucial for effectively planning endodontic, orthodontic, and restorative treatments, as well as exploring the evolutionary patterns of mammals. However, no mature, non-destructive method currently exists in clinical dentistry to quickly, accurately, and comprehensively assess the integrity and thickness of enamel chair-side. This study aims to develop a deep learning work, 2.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a postoperative multimodal pain control protocol on perioperative pain scores in children undergoing decompression for Chiari type I malformation (CM-I).

Methods: This retrospective matched cohort study included patients < 21 years of age who underwent elective suboccipital craniectomy and C1 laminectomy for CM-I with or without duraplasty at a single center from January 2020 to July 2023. A standardized, multimodal postoperative pain protocol was implemented in August 2021 that did not use narcotic patient-controlled analgesia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The occipital sinus is often thought of as a redundant vestigial structure in adults. However, in rare cases, it can form the dominant route of intracerebral venous drainage, with a risk of significant surgical morbidity if unrecognised. We present an illustrative case describing this anatomical variant and tailoring of a midline suboccipital craniotomy to allow resection of a fourth ventricular epidermoid tumour with preservation of a dominant occipital sinus, and a review of the published literature.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!