Role of Ultrasonography in the Evaluation of Normal Developmental Pattern of Fetal Cerebral Sulci Between 18 and 32 Weeks of Gestational Age

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2022-02, Vol.14 (2), p.e22581-e22581
• Main Authors: A, Chaithanya, Sakalecha, Anil K, B C R, Srinivasa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Brain; Consent; Fetuses; Gestational age; Magnetic resonance imaging; Nervous system; Obstetrics/Gynecology; Pregnancy; Radiology; Ultrasonic imaging
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.22581

Background Brain development is a crucial process of intrauterine life and can be readily visualized on ultrasonography. This study aims to visualize developmental patterns of various fetal cerebral sulci using ultrasonography between 18 and 32 weeks of gestation. Sulci are best visualized on images that are taken perpendicular to their expected course of development. Initially, they appear as small dot/dimple on the brain surface and later develop into a V-shaped indentation and finally deepen to form notch and echogenic line into the brain forming a Y-shaped configuration. Material and methods This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted on 241 antenatal mothers with a singleton pregnancy between 18 and 32 weeks of gestational age. Demographic and clinical data were obtained. Ultrasonography was performed using PHILIPS EPIQ 5, a curvilinear probe of frequency 2-5MHz. Sulci/fissures that are reported to appear early on anatomical studies were evaluated, specifically the parieto-occipital fissure, calcarine fissure, cingulate sulci, insula/Sylvian fissure, and convexity sulci. Comparison of the categorical outcomes was performed between study groups using the chi-square test. A p-value of