[Fetal posterior cranial fossa in the second and third trimester].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the normal range of the width of posterior cranial fossa (WPCF) in the second and third trimester by ultrasonography, and to investigate its relationship with fetal congenital and chromosome abnormality.


METHODS
WPCF of 2484 fetus (gestational age from 14 to 41 weeks) was measured by ultrasonograph routinely, and the infants were followed up.


RESULTS
In 2848 fetus, 2772 were normal and 76 were abnormal. WPCF increased before 32 weeks, decreased after 33 weeks, the largest value of WPCF was 13.4 mm. The occurrence rate of WPCF> or =8 mm in normal fetus was 8.84%, and that in abnormal fetus was 17.46%. Most fetuses with chromosome abnormality had normal WPCF in the second trimester, but some fetuses with remarkable broadening in the late stage. Some abnormal fetuses (such as water head, Dandy-Walker's syndrome etc) showed significant extension of WPCF.


CONCLUSIONS
WPCF increases before 32 weeks, decreases after 33 weeks;and can be easily measured during 29 - 32 weeks. WPCF of some fetus with chromosome abnormality or with congenital abnormality is remarkably broadened in the late stage. The fetus of WPCF> or =10 mm should be followed up closely, and antenatal diagnosis should be done if WPCF is more than 14 mm.
Tan
Jin-xiu
JX
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
Wu
Zhao-di
ZD
Zhang
Wei-she
WS
Chen
Qi-neng
QN
Wu
Xin-hua
XH
Huang
Xiang-hong
XH
Deng
You-xia
YX
D000328:Adult; D003388:Cranial Fossa, Posterior / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal