Fetal cerebral periventricular halo at midgestation: an ultrasound finding suggestive of fetal cytomegalovirus infection.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to identify a cerebral ultrasound finding indicative of fetal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection at midgestation.


METHODS
All fetuses of 218 patients with primary CMV infection underwent prospective transvaginal neurosonographic examination at 20-22 weeks' gestation.


RESULTS
Transvaginal sonography identified a periventricular echogenic halo with well-defined borders in 6 infected fetuses at a mean gestational age of 20.5 weeks. Transabdominal axial views of the fetal head were normal in all cases. All patients opted for termination of pregnancy. Autopsy in 2 fetuses showed changes compatible with subacute white matter injury resembling telencephalic leukomalacia.


CONCLUSIONS
A fetal cerebral periventricular halo disclosed by transvaginal sonography at midgestation in pregnant patients with recent CMV infection is suggestive of fetal infection and may be associated with white matter lesions.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St Orsola Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. giulianasimo@yahoo.it
Giuliana
G
Simonazzi
Brunella
B
Guerra
Paola
P
Bonasoni
Gianluigi
G
Pilu
Tiziana
T
Lazzarotto
Donatella
D
Santini
Nicola
N
Rizzo
D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009336:Necrosis / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal