title: An algorithm for prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of congenital CNS abnormalities.
abstract: The variable expression of congenital CNS abnormalities makes their antenatal ultrasound diagnosis extremely difficult. Clinical decisions depend on ultrasound diagnosis; therefore, accurate antenatal diagnosis is imperative. A diagnostic algorithm based on ultrasonic demonstration of fetal cranial structures altered in congenital CNS abnormalities was constructed and applied retrospectively to 40 patients with clinicopathologic follow-up adequate to define the cranial abnormality. Using the algorithm our diagnosis was correct in 37/40 (92 per cent) compared with 30/40 (75 per cent) without its use. The algorithm was highly accurate in the diagnosis of hydrocephalus (13/14), anencephaly/amniotic band syndrome (13/13), and holoprosencephaly (8/8). A wide spectrum of CNS abnormalities can be accurately diagnosed by ultrasonography in the antenatal period by the application of our algorithm.
mesh_terms: D000652:Amniotic Band Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D000757:Anencephaly / Q000175:diagnosis; D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000175:diagnosis; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012886:Skull / Q000002:abnormalities*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*