Imaging of common congenital anomalies of the brain and spine.
The term congenital anomalies refers to those processes that are present before or at birth. In congenital brain anomalies these defects are usually manifested as structural abnormalities. The central nervous system (CNS) starts forming at approximately the 17th day of intrauterine life and myelination is almost completed at about the 18th month of life when the brain reaches adult characteristics. For the purpose of this article, the major CNS abnormalities are reviewed according to the time of insult, beginning with the earlier ones. This article does not attempt to be a complete review; the emphasis is on illustrating the most important CNS anomalies utilizing ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.
Castillo
M
M
Department of Radiology, University of Texas Medical School, Houston.
Dominguez
R
R
D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities*; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004453:Echoencephalography; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000002:abnormalities*; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed