Fetal neural system malformations have an incidence of 20 every 1000 newborn, with 40% lethality. And only 7% of mothers have some previous high risk history.
According ISUOG Guideline, Sonographic examination of the fetal central nervous system includes basic examination and the fetal neurosonogram.
Normal basic examination includes head measurement, brain and spine examination. In this examination we include size, shape, integrity and density ob the brain, scull and spine.
Three axial planes are included. Trans ventricular and cerebellum plane allow visualization of the cerebral structures relevant to assess the anatomic integrity of the brain. Transthalamic plane is added, for the purpose of biometry. Spine should be examined from head to sacrum in the longitudinal and transverse sections.
Measurement includes lateral ventricles, cerebellum (transverse cerebellar diameter, and Cisterna magna.
Fetal neurosonogram or diagnostic examination is performed using transverse and sagital planes trougt trans abdominally or transvaginally examination with or without 3 D capture technique. A systematic evaluation of the brain usually includes the visualization of four coronal and three sagittal planes. Coronal planes are: trans frontal, transcaudate, transthalamic and transcerebellar. Sagittal planes include midsaggital and parasagittal planes.
Spine advanced examination include sagittal, axial and coronal planes. Integrity of neural canal and conus medullaris are visualized.
In this presentation we describe normal and pathological examination of fetal central nervous system including Magnetic resonance images in each diagnosis.