OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of the brainstem-vermis (BV) and brainstem-tentorium (BT) angles in the differential diagnosis of upward rotation of the fetal cerebellar vermis. METHODS: The BV and BT angles were measured retrospectively on median sonographic views of the brain in 31 fetuses at 19-28 weeks' gestation with upward rotation of the cerebellar vermis due to Blake's pouch cyst (n = 12), Dandy-Walker malformation (n = 12) and cerebellar vermian hypoplasia (n = 7). Eighty normal fetuses at 20-24 weeks were included as controls. RESULTS: In the control group, BV and BT angles were 9.1 ± 3.5° (range, 4-17°) and 29.3 ± 5.8° (range, 21-44°), respectively. The BV angle was significantly increased in each of the three subgroups of anomalies: Blake's pouch cyst (23 ± 2.8°; range, 19-26°), vermian hypoplasia (34.9 ± 5.4°; range, 24-40°) and Dandy-Walker malformation (63.5 ± 17.6°; range, 45-112°), the angle increasing with increasing severity of the condition. The BT angle had a similar pattern but there was overlap among the different groups. CONCLUSION: The BV angle and, to a lesser degree, the BT angle are simple and reproducible measurements that provide valuable additional information for the categorization of upward rotation of the fetal cerebellar vermis. From mid gestation, a BV angle > 45° is strongly suggestive of a Dandy-Walker malformation, while a measurement < 30° favors the diagnosis of a Blake's pouch cyst.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of the brainstem-vermis (BV) and brainstem-tentorium (BT) angles in the differential diagnosis of upward rotation of the fetal cerebellar vermis. METHODS: The BV and BT angles were measured retrospectively on median sonographic views of the brain in 31 fetuses at 19-28 weeks' gestation with upward rotation of the cerebellar vermis due to Blake's pouch cyst (n = 12), Dandy-Walker malformation (n = 12) and cerebellar vermian hypoplasia (n = 7). Eighty normal fetuses at 20-24 weeks were included as controls. RESULTS: In the control group, BV and BT angles were 9.1 ± 3.5° (range, 4-17°) and 29.3 ± 5.8° (range, 21-44°), respectively. The BV angle was significantly increased in each of the three subgroups of anomalies: Blake's pouch cyst (23 ± 2.8°; range, 19-26°), vermian hypoplasia (34.9 ± 5.4°; range, 24-40°) and Dandy-Walker malformation (63.5 ± 17.6°; range, 45-112°), the angle increasing with increasing severity of the condition. The BT angle had a similar pattern but there was overlap among the different groups. CONCLUSION: The BV angle and, to a lesser degree, the BT angle are simple and reproducible measurements that provide valuable additional information for the categorization of upward rotation of the fetal cerebellar vermis. From mid gestation, a BV angle > 45° is strongly suggestive of a Dandy-Walker malformation, while a measurement < 30° favors the diagnosis of a Blake's pouch cyst.
Authors: Laura Joigneau Prieto; Yolanda Ruiz; Laura Pérez; Coral Bravo; Alejandra Aguado; Melchor Alvarez-Mon; Miguel A Ortega; Carlos Marín; Juan De León-Luis Journal: Front Med (Lausanne) Date: 2022-05-26
Authors: G O Dovjak; M C Diogo; P C Brugger; G M Gruber; M Weber; S Glatter; R Seidl; D Bettelheim; D Prayer; G J Kasprian Journal: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol Date: 2020-07 Impact factor: 7.299
Authors: Thomas Kau; Robert Birnbacher; Peter Schwärzler; Sandra Habernig; Hannes Deutschmann; Eugen Boltshauser Journal: Cerebellum Ataxias Date: 2019-03-05