title: Cerebral ventricular system in fetuses with open spina bifida at 11-13 weeks' gestation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if in fetuses with open spina bifida at 11-13 weeks' gestation there are alterations in the cerebral ventricular system.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study we selected 10 cases of open spina bifida and 410 normal singleton pregnancies which subsequently resulted in the delivery of phenotypically normal neonates. In all cases transvaginal sonography was carried out at 11-13 weeks' gestation and three-dimensional (3D) brain volumes were acquired. The fetal head was systematically assessed in a series of transverse views and measurements were obtained of the area of the lateral ventricles, the diameter of the roof of the third ventricle, the diameter of the aqueduct of Sylvius and the diameter of the fourth ventricle. The measurements obtained on the normal and affected fetuses were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In normal fetuses the area of the lateral ventricles and the diameter of the roof of the third ventricle increased, the diameter of the aqueduct of Sylvius decreased and the diameter of the fourth ventricle did not change significantly with biparietal diameter (BPD). In fetuses with open spina bifida, compared with normal fetuses, the measurements of the lateral ventricle area, the diameter of the roof of the third ventricle, the diameter of the aqueduct of Sylvius and the diameter of the fourth ventricle were significantly decreased (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In fetuses with open spina bifida at 11-13 weeks' gestation the intracranial collection of cerebrospinal fluid is substantially reduced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, S. João Hospital, Medical School, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. tereloureiro@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Loureiro
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ushakov
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Montenegro
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gielchinsky
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Nicolaides
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D000328:Adult; D001139:Arnold-Chiari Malformation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010641:Phenotype; D011247:Pregnancy; D016137:Spina Bifida Cystica / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014621:Vagina