The fetal cerebellum. Pitfalls in diagnosis and management.
Prenatal diagnosis of congenital and acquired cerebellar disorders is possible by the use of ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Although numerous studies have been conducted in this field, diagnostic uncertainties are still common in daily clinical practice. This review outlines five possible pitfalls in the diagnosis of fetal cerebellar disorders: confusion between different entities describing vermian pathologies (Dandy-Walker variant, vermian hypoplasia and vermian agenesis); premature diagnosis of abnormal vermian formation; difficulties in the ultrasonographic differentiation between the cerebellar hemispheres and the vermis; late development of cerebellar hypoplasia/atrophy and differential diagnosis of unilateral cerebellar findings.
Malinger
Gustavo
G
Fetal Neurology Clinic, Prenatal Diagnosis Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. gmalinger@gmail.com
Lev
Dorit
D
Lerman-Sagie
Tally
T
D002526:Cerebellar Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000196:embryology*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000196:embryology*; D054022:Cerebrum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D003616:Dandy-Walker Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000196:embryology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011149:Pons / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000196:embryology; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal