title: Thrombosis of the torcular herophili in the fetus: a series of eight cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to describe the prenatal sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, antenatal course, and pregnancy outcome in fetuses diagnosed as having thrombosis of the torcular herophili.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of cases collected from five fetal medicine referral centers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight cases that were prenatally diagnosed by ultrasound between 22 and 32 weeks of gestation were reviewed. Seven cases were further evaluated with fetal MRI. Associated findings included torcular and superior sagittal sinus dilatation in all cases and ventriculomegaly in two (25%) cases. Serial sonographic follow-up scans demonstrated a favorable antenatal course with complete resolution before delivery in four (50%) cases. Postnatal follow-up from 6 months to 5 years revealed normal outcome in four (50%) infants, speech disabilities in three (38%), and mild neurodevelopmental delay in the remaining case (13%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prenatal sonography is an effective method for diagnosing and monitoring thrombosis of the torcular herophili. As a complementary technique, fetal MRI can provide additional information to rule out cerebral parenchymal lesions secondary to hypoperfusion and associated brain malformations. According to our experience, the thrombus almost invariably resolves over time, although mild neurologic disabilities are frequent on long-term follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Prenatal Ultrasound Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Regional Hospital, Diego Portales University, Rancagua, Chile; Fetal Medicine Center, Fetal Medicine Interest Group GIMEF, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Edgardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Corral
authors.forename: Ximena
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Stecher
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malinger
authors.forename: Jose H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ochoa
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Catte
authors.forename: Waldo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sepulveda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020785:Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D055815:Young Adult