Prenatal unilateral cerebellar hypoplasia in a series of 26 cases: significance and implications for prenatal diagnosis

Abstract

Objective To define imaging patterns of unilateral cerebellar hypoplasia (UCH), discuss possible pathophysiological mechanisms and underline the etiology and prognosis associated with these lesions. Methods

Prenatal diagnosis of posterior fossa anomalies: Additional value of chromosomal microarray analysis in fetuses with cerebellar hypoplasia

“…Thus, this represents a challenge to precisely predict outcome in prenatally identified cerebellar hypoplasia. A normal outcome was mainly related to normal karyotypes, mild lesion, and intact vermis . It seems that an intact vermis is related to normal outcome and no truncal ataxia, whereas involvement of the cerebellar vermis is associated with a poorer cognitive outcome.…”

“…The outcome of fetuses with cerebellar hypoplasia is variable, ranging from almost normal development to serious developmental impairment. 14,15 Thus, this represents a challenge to precisely predict outcome in prenatally identified cerebellar hypoplasia. A normal outcome was mainly related to normal karyotypes, mild lesion, and intact vermis.…”

Congenital Abnormalities of the Posterior Fossa

“…Increasing experience with prenatal US and fetal MR imaging has demonstrated that unilateral cerebellar hypoplasia is of prenatal origin (and thus represents a disruption), with hemorrhage as the leading cause (5,79).…”

Main Congenital Cerebral Anomalies: How Prenatal Imaging Aids Counseling

“…In case of an ischemic-hemorrhagic parenchymal insult, the localization of the lesion impacts on the prognosis: for instance, a unilateral anterior frontal lesion, if limited, can carry a good prognosis, a unilateral cerebellar hemispheric insult may also have a good outcome if the vermis is not involved [27,28]. Lesions involving the cortex are at risk for postnatal focal epilepsy; if the central sulcus is involved, a contralateral congenital hemiparesis is the rule (fig.…”