Fetal Subependymal Cysts with Normal Neonatal Outcome

Abstract

The authors report the prenatal sonographic diagnosis of subependymal cysts, confirmed by in utero MRI, in an apparently uneventful pregnancy. The sonographic appearance of the lesions, the obstetric management and the postnatal follow-up to one year are described. Special attention is paid to prenatal factors of neurological morbidity, rather than intrapartum and postnatal, thus emphasizing the importance of early and sequential evaluation of the developing fetal brain. Diagnosis, clinical significance and outcome of prenatal subependymal cysts are necessary for parental counselling and obstetric management. Furthermore, the detection of a prenatal brain injury may have remarkable medico-legal implications.

Prenatal diagnosis and prognosis of isolated subependymal cysts: A retrospective cohort study

“…Our study is a retrospective cohort analysis of patients diagnosed with isolated fetal SEC by bUS. The SEC usually occur in the third trimester possibly related to the peak development of the germinal matrix proliferation; however, they have been reported as early as 12 weeks' gestation . In our present study, the average gestational age at diagnosis (mean: 32 ± 3 wk) was consisted with previous studies .…”

Prevalence and Spectrum of In Utero Structural Brain Abnormalities in Fetuses with Complex Congenital Heart Disease

“…Although the available literature is limited, the prognosis of isolated subependymal cysts diagnosed in utero has been good. 18,19 White matter abnormalities, thought to be a form of periventricular leukomalacia, have been reported in fetuses with HLHS 20 on postmortem examination and in a number of postnatal studies of infants with CHD. 5,21,22 The relation between the fetal WM abnormalities seen in our population and the periventricular leukomalacia described after birth in infants with CHD is not clear but could support an antenatal onset in some cases.…”

Evolution of Fetal Subependymal Cysts throughout Gestation

“…As far as we know, there have been no cases of fetal subependymal cysts described before 16 weeks' gestation [5]. It is well known that they usually occur in the third trimester due to the habitual development of the germinal matrix [3,5,6]. Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that such a structure is present at the end of the first trimester, so from then on it is potentially susceptible to hemorrhage and/or microinfarction.…”