title: Frontal bilateral megalencephaly: fetal and autopsy MR evaluation of an unclassified malformation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe an unreported brain malformation with in utero onset.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 21-weeks-of-gestational-age fetus underwent prenatal MR imaging because of macrocephaly detected by ultrasound. Prenatal MR imaging revealed a complex brain malformation. At 22 weeks of GA, pregnancy was terminated; an MR autopsy study was also performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MR imaging revealed frontal bilateral megalencephaly and malformation of cortical development, suggesting polymicrogyria. These findings do not fit into any of the known megalencephalic syndromes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To our knowledge, this is a previously unreported malformation. Fetal and autoptic MR examination have been the best tools in understanding this complex brain pathology, allowing a more complete genetic counseling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology e Neuroradiology, Ospedale dei Bambini, Istituti Clinici di Perfezionamento, Milan, Italy. Parazzini@icp.mi.it
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parazzini
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Righini
authors.forename: Faustina
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lalatta
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bianchini
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Triulzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000002:abnormalities; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal