title: Imaging the course of a hypoplastic cerebellum in a spina bifida newborn.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report about a spina bifida patient with myelomeningocele at the lumbar level L5, extensive Chiari malformation type II with vermal herniation reaching to C6 with downward pontine shift, and a severe hypoplastic cerebellum. Chromosomal diagnostic tests showed no abnormalities.
  
  
  METHODS
  The infant experienced severe central apneas successfully treated with oxygen therapy and caffeine medication; functional motor level was established at L5 with sparse anal sphincter function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After surgical intervention (myelomeningocele repair and ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement), these abnormalities significantly improved on radiological imaging; the preoperative hypoplastic, almost undetectable, cerebellum developed to a fair sized cerebellum. Apneas disappeared over time and the patient showed further developmental improvement. Herein, we illustrate and discuss the changes of the cerebellar volume before and after neurosurgical intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Division of Neuroscience, Rudolf Magnus Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, room G03.124, 3484 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Annick
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kronenburg
authors.forename: Kuo Sen
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gooskens
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cochrane
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Woerdeman
mesh_terms: D001139:Arnold-Chiari Malformation / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008831:Microcephaly / Q000473:pathology*; D009421:Nervous System Malformations / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt