Newborn frontal horn cysts: cause for concern?
OBJECTIVE
To document the incidence, natural history and compare neurodevelopmental outcome of newborns with and without frontal horn cysts (FHC).


METHODS
This was a case-control study. Newborns with and without FHC were identified and matched for demographics and worst cranial ultrasound scan (CUS) findings. Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed at 18 to 24 months.


RESULTS
A total of 30 FHC cases were identified from medical imaging database. Twenty-five cases occurred in preterm 32 weeks gestation with an incidence of 1% (25 of 2340). The diagnosis was made on the initial CUS in 28 cases. The cyst size and number varied from 1 to 18 mm and 1 to 6 respectively with no change noted on repeat CUS during hospital stay. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were not statistically significantly different between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
FHC are not uncommon in the newborn period. They appear to be benign with no impact on neurodevelopmental outcome. This information is vital for counseling parents of infants with FHC.
Unger
S
S
Department of Paediatrics, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Salem
S
S
Wylie
L
L
Shah
V
V
D002170:Canada; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D020863:Central Nervous System Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002657:Child Development; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004453:Echoencephalography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D020547:Lateral Ventricles / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development; D015997:Neonatal Screening