Posterior fossa assessment in the axial view of the head at 11-14 weeks of gestation in normal and aneuploid fetuses

Zvanca,Mona   Elena; Munteanu,Alexandra; Bot,Mihaela; Petca,Aida; Nemescu,Dragos

doi:10.3892/etm.2020.8793

September-2020 Volume 20 Issue 3

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September-2020 Volume 20 Issue 3

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Article Open Access

Posterior fossa assessment in the axial view of the head at 11-14 weeks of gestation in normal and aneuploid fetuses

Authors:
- Mona Elena Zvanca
- Alexandra Munteanu
- Mihaela Bot
- Aida Petca
- Dragos Nemescu
View Affiliations / Copyright

Affiliations: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Elias University Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania

Copyright: © Zvanca et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.
Pages: 2470-2474
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Published online on: May 26, 2020

https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2020.8793
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Abstract

Posterior fossa ultrasound appearance may offer clues for brain anomalies as early as the first trimester. The purpose of the study was to find an easy, reproducible method to examine the posterior fossa. From January 2017 to March 2018, 132 consecutive pregnancies presenting for first‑trimester screening, were selected at 11‑14 weeks' gestation. An oblique axial view of the fetal head was routinely achieved with visualization of the posterior fossa, wherein the cisterna magna (CM) and the fourth ventricle (V4) anteroposterior diameter was measured. Moreover, 81 patients had a follow‑up scan at 19‑24 weeks, and the CM and transverse cerebellar diameter (TCD) were measured. Normal ranges were established at 11-14 weeks for CM and V4 according to crown‑rump length (CRL). The 50th centile for CM ranges from 1.2 mm to 2.3 mm at a CRL between 45 and 85 mm. The V4 50th centile ranges from 1.8 to 2.4 mm. A positive correlation was found between the first-trimester and second‑trimester CM diameter and between the first‑trimester V4 and second-trimester TCD. There is an inverse correlation between the first-trimester CM and second-trimester TCD. The measurements of different components of the posterior fossa in the first trimester cannot predict the size of CM and TCD in the second trimester. The presence of the three hypoechoic structures (cerebral peduncles, V4, and CM) separated by two hyperechoic lines is easy to see and measure.

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Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Oncology

Molecular Medicine Reports

Oncology Reports

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Oncology Letters

Biomedical Reports

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

World Academy of Sciences Journal

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Epigenetics

Medicine International

Posterior fossa assessment in the axial view of the head at 11-14 weeks of gestation in normal and aneuploid fetuses

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