Cortical Development and Disorders
Abstract Cortical neuronal cell development starts at about 7 weeks’ gestation from stem cells in the germinal matrix that line the ventricles. The stem cells proliferate and differentiate into glial…
Intracranial Hemorrhage, Cysts, Tumors, and Destructive Lesions
Abstract Destructive cerebral lesions are the result of an insult to a normally developed fetal brain. The most common causes are hemorrhage, hypoxia-ischemia, and infections. However, the pathophysiology is unclear…
Neural Tube Defects
Abstract Neural tube defects (NTDs) and hemivertebra represent major congenital abnormalities of the cranial vault and the fetal spine. NTDs are the consequence of a failed closure of the cranial…
Septooptic Dysplasia
Abstract Septooptic dysplasia (SOD) is a rare heterogeneous disorder characterized by optic nerve hypoplasia, midline forebrain abnormalities such as agenesis of the corpus callosum and absence of the cavum septi…
Cerebellar Anomalies
Abstract The examination of the cerebellum is an integral part of prenatal second trimester ultrasound. During the examination the transcerebellar diameter, the size of the posterior fossa, and the presence…
Walker-Warburg Syndrome
Abstract Walker-Warburg syndrome is a rare, lethal congenital diffuse neurodysplasia, characterized by variable cerebral and ocular abnormalities. Cerebral abnormalities include ventriculomegaly, encephalocele, and Dandy-Walker malformation. Other features include varied ocular…
Vascular Cerebral Anomalies
Abstract Cerebral vascular anomalies are uncommon but serious abnormalities with a high risk of mortality. In this chapter, we discuss venous (aneurysm of the vein of Galen and dural sinus…
Omphalocele
Abstract Omphalocele is a result of a full-thickness midline defect of variable size that allows herniation of fetal bowel or liver or both into an amnioperitoneal sac at the level…
Abdominal Cysts
Abstract Fetal abdominal cyst are rare and usually detected in the second or third trimester. Usually they are isolated findings. The most common lesion is the ovarian cyst. Ultrasound is…
Echogenic Bowel
Abstract Fetal echogenic bowel (FEB) is often a benign finding during second trimester ultrasound. It is defined as one or more areas of bowel that are as bright as nearby…
