[Anatomic image of structural changes in the CNS].
OBJECTIVE
To present a real classification of the cerebral midline and the posterior fossa malformations from a clinical, embryological, anatomical and imaging point of view.


METHODS
They were considered personal criteria based in a wide experience, especially considering the clinical facts of the patients and their correlation with the magnetic resonance (MR) images and the anatomic findings as well as the contribution of the literature to this subject.


RESULTS
It is able to distinguish several types of malformations that involve supratentorial or infratentorial zones or both in the same patient. Given the clinical, imaging and anatomical peculiarities, it is possible to differentiate isolated malformations and malformative syndromes involving zones of the cerebral midline or the posterior fossa.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical peculiarities are basic to suggest the presence of cerebral malformations, but the imaging study, especially the MR, is necessary in order to confirm the malformations. The differentiation between isolated malformation and malformative syndrome is nowadays necessary [REV NEUROL 1999; 28:116-29].
Pascual-Castroviejo
I
I
Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España.
D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013577:Syndrome