The dynamic fetal brain.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate fetuses with normal intracranial anatomy in the second trimester that became abnormal in the third trimester.


METHODS
We sonographically examined 6 fetuses with a normal second-trimester head sonogram that presented later in pregnancy with an abnormal head sonogram.


RESULTS
Four categories of intracranial pathology were depicted: obstructive hydrocephalus, intraventricular intracranial hemorrhage, non-intraventricular intracranial hemorrhage, and porencephaly.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite a normal midtrimester intracranial examination, evaluation of the fetal intracranial contents should be undertaken in subsequent sonographic examinations, because significant pathology can develop spontaneously.
Towner
Dena
D
Department of OB/GYN, University of California Davis Medical Center, 4860 Y Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
McGahan
John
J
Rhee-Morris
Laila
L
Gerscovich
Eugenio
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D002535:Cerebral Aqueduct / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D009421:Nervous System Malformations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012016:Reference Values; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal