Craniospinal malformations in a twelve-year fetopathological study; the efficiency of ultrasonography in view of fetopathological investigations.
BACKGROUND
Craniospinal malformations represent a heterogeneous group of congenital malformations by their morphology and etiology alike. Certain craniospinal malformations could be diagnosed as early as the dawn of ultrasonography and this group of malformations has been the focus of attention ever since.


OBJECTIVE
: The aim of the authors was to review the main characteristics of craniospinal malformations, as well as to evaluate the efficiency of ultrasonography based on autopsy examinations during twelve years.


METHODS
The current study comprises the details of 339 pregnancies terminated by induced abortion for craniospinal malformation between 1995 and 2006.


RESULTS
Maternal median age was 27+/-5.8 years, ranging from 15 to 47 years. In 24.5% of the cases, there was a positive obsterical-gynecological or genetic history. In 68.1% of the cases, ultrasonographic and autopsy findings were completely identical; in 24.2% a partial coincidence was found, but autopsy allowed for further diagnoses, while in 26 cases (7.7%) different findings were obtained by prenatal ultrasonography and fetopathological investigations. In half of the latter 26 cases, induced abortion was suggested due to hydrocephalus confirmed by ultrasonography but not justified by autopsy or the autopsy revealed the presence of other craniospinal malformation(s).


CONCLUSIONS
It can be concluded that - in view of the diagnostic efficiency of fetopathological investigations - the ultrasonographic diagnosis of hydrocephalus should be interpreted independently from other craniospinal malformations on the basis of principles of ultrasonographic methodology and at different times.
Joó
József Gábor
JG
1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University Medical School, Budapest, Hungary. joogabor@hotmail.com
Beke
Artúr
A
Szigeti
Zsanett
Z
Csaba
Akos
A
Mezei
Gábor
G
Tóth-Pál
Erno
E
Papp
Csaba
C
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D012886:Skull / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013131:Spine / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*