Numerous studies have been conducted on MRI being a useful tool in prenatal imaging of the posterior fossa. Gurbaud (2004) suggests that MRI is useful as a complementary investigation to US in three particular situations. Ranchod, Androniko, & Modi, (2012) detail 4 case studies where MRI was used to diagnose specific posterior fossa abnormalities after having an US. This paper examines research done to examine the posterior fossa in prenatal brains with the use of US and fetal MRI.
Literature Review According to Guibaud (2004) “there are three particular situations to demonstrate the value of fetal MRI as a complementary investigation to US: 1) the pattern of increased fluid-filled space of the PF, 2) decreased cerebella sonographic biometry …show more content…
Ranchod et al (2012) described 4 cases where this was true. All these cases had an antenatal Ultrasound performed during the third trimester. MRI was performed on all patients on a 1.5 Tesla machine. The first case was a 28 year old women. This particular women was 32 weeks pregnant. She had an ultrasound performed for a suspected polyhydramnios. The ultrasound revealed and “enlarged cisterna manga, a cavum septum pellucidum, and retarded long bone growth.”(Ranchod, 27). The patient then had a fetal MRI performed where it confirmed “Dandy Walker malformation of the basis of an absent vermis, cystic dilatation of the fourth ventricle and enlarged posterior fossa, upward displacement of the torcula and splayed hypoplastic cerebellar hemispheres.” The second case was a 30 year old women who was 39 weeks pregnant. She had a US history of decreased fetal movement. US demonstrated possible occipital encephaocoele. A MRI confirmed encephualocoele. The third case was a 31 year old who was 31 weeks pregnant. Ultrasound demonstrated hydrocephalus and abnormal posterior fossa. MRI concluded a diagnosis of Joubert syndrome. This finding was made by a pathognomic finding of the “molar tooth” sign. The fourth case was a 37 year old who was 28 weeks pregnant. Ultrasound demonstrated a cystic structure in the posterior fossa (Ranchod et al, 28). Along with possible dysplasia …show more content…
They state that Dandy walker malformation have three criteria. The first is Vermian agenesis, the second is cystic dilation of the posterior fossa communicating with the fourth ventricle, and thirdly abnormally high tentorium with enlargement of the PF (Admsbaum, 2005). According to Ranchod, Androniko & Modi (2012) there was a particular case where the mother had a Antenatal US and then a Fetal MRI where it was discovered that the fetus had Dandy-Walker malformation. MRI is very efficient in determining cerebral malformation which includes Dandy Walker malformation. It is also the most efficient examination for the analysis of the brains stem according to the reading from Guibaud
Literature Review According to Guibaud (2004) “there are three particular situations to demonstrate the value of fetal MRI as a complementary investigation to US: 1) the pattern of increased fluid-filled space of the PF, 2) decreased cerebella sonographic biometry …show more content…
Ranchod et al (2012) described 4 cases where this was true. All these cases had an antenatal Ultrasound performed during the third trimester. MRI was performed on all patients on a 1.5 Tesla machine. The first case was a 28 year old women. This particular women was 32 weeks pregnant. She had an ultrasound performed for a suspected polyhydramnios. The ultrasound revealed and “enlarged cisterna manga, a cavum septum pellucidum, and retarded long bone growth.”(Ranchod, 27). The patient then had a fetal MRI performed where it confirmed “Dandy Walker malformation of the basis of an absent vermis, cystic dilatation of the fourth ventricle and enlarged posterior fossa, upward displacement of the torcula and splayed hypoplastic cerebellar hemispheres.” The second case was a 30 year old women who was 39 weeks pregnant. She had a US history of decreased fetal movement. US demonstrated possible occipital encephaocoele. A MRI confirmed encephualocoele. The third case was a 31 year old who was 31 weeks pregnant. Ultrasound demonstrated hydrocephalus and abnormal posterior fossa. MRI concluded a diagnosis of Joubert syndrome. This finding was made by a pathognomic finding of the “molar tooth” sign. The fourth case was a 37 year old who was 28 weeks pregnant. Ultrasound demonstrated a cystic structure in the posterior fossa (Ranchod et al, 28). Along with possible dysplasia …show more content…
They state that Dandy walker malformation have three criteria. The first is Vermian agenesis, the second is cystic dilation of the posterior fossa communicating with the fourth ventricle, and thirdly abnormally high tentorium with enlargement of the PF (Admsbaum, 2005). According to Ranchod, Androniko & Modi (2012) there was a particular case where the mother had a Antenatal US and then a Fetal MRI where it was discovered that the fetus had Dandy-Walker malformation. MRI is very efficient in determining cerebral malformation which includes Dandy Walker malformation. It is also the most efficient examination for the analysis of the brains stem according to the reading from Guibaud