Dandy-Walker Malformation: Prenatal sonographic diagnosis

Abstract

The Dandy-Walker malformation is a rare congenital intracranial malformation that comprises of complete or partial agenesis of the cerebellar vermis, cystic dilatation of the 4th ventricle and an enlarged posterior fossa. Here we report a case of Dandy-Walker malformation detected incidentally during a routine fetal sonographic examination at 18 weeks of gestation. The couple decided termination of pregnancy, after adequate genetic counseling. Detailed postmortem examination revealed correlation between prenatal sonographic imaging and histopathological findings. This case report indicates the fact that fetal magnetic resonance imaging may not be necessary in diagnosis, especially when pregnancy termination is preferred.