Fetal MRI and antenatal diagnosis of unilateral cerebellar hypoplasia

Abstract

Focal cerebellar hypoplasia is restricted to one cerebellar hemisphere or to the vermis. Prenatal diagnosis of unilateral cerebellar hypoplasia is possible by the use of ultrasound and MRI. Familiarity with the prenatal MRI findings is essential to recognize cerebellar pathologies accurately and prospectively. We present US and MRI findings in a fetus with cerebellar malformation at 20 weeks gestation. The goal of our case report is to present the fetal MRI findings of unilateral cerebellar hypoplasia, to discuss the value of fetal MRI in the early diagnoses of this malformation and to summarize the current main stream literature concerning the etiology.