title: Dandy-Walker Malformation: is the 'tail sign' the key sign?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aims to demonstrate the value of the 'tail sign' in the assessment of Dandy-Walker malformation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 31 fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), performed before 24 weeks of gestation after second-line ultrasound examination between May 2013 and September 2014, were examined retrospectively. All MRI examinations were performed using a 1.5 Tesla magnet without maternal sedation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Magnetic resonance imaging diagnosed 15/31 cases of Dandy-Walker malformation, 6/31 of vermian partial caudal agenesis, 2/31 of vermian hypoplasia, 4/31 of vermian malrotation, 2/31 of Walker-Warburg syndrome, 1/31 of Blake pouch cyst and 1/31 of rhombencephalosynapsis. All data were compared with fetopsy results, fetal MRI after the 30th week or postnatal MRI; the follow-up depended on the maternal decision to terminate or continue pregnancy. In our review study, we found the presence of the 'tail sign'; this sign was visible only in Dandy-Walker malformation and Walker-Warburg syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 'tail sign' could be helpful in the difficult differential diagnosis between Dandy-Walker, vermian malrotation, vermian hypoplasia and vermian partial agenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bernardo
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vinci
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saldari
authors.affiliation: Surgical Pathology Unit, San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Servadei
authors.affiliation: Surgical Pathology Unit, San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Evelina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Silvestri
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological Sciences Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giancotti
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological Sciences Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aliberti
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological Sciences Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Porpora
authors.affiliation: UOC Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Triulzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Università Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Catalano
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Manganaro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003616:Dandy-Walker Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult