title: Prenatal diagnosis of a fetus with lumbar myelocystocele.
abstract: We present a case of a fetal lumbar myelocystocele, a rare congenital malformation, characterized by herniation of the central canal through a bony spina bifida. Routine ultrasound examination at 11 weeks' gestation by the primary obstetrician showed a suspicious cyst on the fetal back. Initially, the suspected diagnosis was a meningocele. After sonographic detection of newly developed fetal brain anomalies at 22 weeks' gestation the patient was referred to us. The enlarged cyst, which floated freely in the amniotic fluid, had a funnel-like appearance and was covered by a very thin layer of skin. With the help of ultrafast fetal magnetic resonance imaging the diagnosis of a fetal myelocystocele was made.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Perinatal Physiology, Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland. nicole.koelble@fhk.usz.ch
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kölble
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Huisman
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stallmach
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meuli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zen Ruffinen Imahorn
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal