Posterior fossa malformations: main features and limits in prenatal diagnosis

Posterior fossa (PF) malformations are commonly observed during prenatal screening. Their understanding requires knowledge of the main steps of PF development and knowledge of normal patterns in US and MR imaging. The vast majority of PF malformations can be strongly suspected by acquiring a midline...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pediatric radiology 2010-06, Vol.40 (6), p.1038-1045
Main Author: Garel, Catherine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cerebellum - abnormalities
Cerebellum - diagnostic imaging
Cerebellum - pathology
Diagnostic Imaging - methods
Humans
Imaging
Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations - diagnosis
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Neuroradiology
Nuclear Medicine
Oncology
Pediatrics
Prenatal Diagnosis - methods
Radiography
Radiology
Review
Ultrasound
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Summary:Posterior fossa (PF) malformations are commonly observed during prenatal screening. Their understanding requires knowledge of the main steps of PF development and knowledge of normal patterns in US and MR imaging. The vast majority of PF malformations can be strongly suspected by acquiring a midline sagittal slice and a transverse slice and by systematically scrutinizing the elements of the PF: cerebellar vermis, hemispheres, brainstem, fourth ventricle, PF fluid spaces and tentorium. Analysis of cerebellar echogenicity and biometry is also useful. This review explains how to approach the diagnosis of the main PF malformations by performing these two slices and answering six key questions about the elements of the PF. The main imaging characteristics of PF malformations are also reviewed.
ISSN:0301-0449
1432-1998
DOI:10.1007/s00247-010-1617-7