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01-09-2017 | Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Fetal cephaloceles: prenatal diagnosis and course of pregnancy in 65 consecutive cases

Authors: Jan Weichert, Friederike Hoellen, Martin Krapp, Ute Germer, Roland Axt-Fliedner, Andrea Kempe, Annegret Geipel, Christoph Berg, Ulrich Gembruch

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 3/2017

Abstract

Purpose

To scrutinize the characteristics of all cases with antenatally established diagnosis of cephalocele in two tertiary referral centers.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 65 cases diagnosed with cephaloceles and tabulated sonographic findings and autopsy recordings as well as medical charts of all survivors in terms of clinical outcome.

Results

The case notes of 65 fetuses were available for final analysis. Gestational age (GA) at diagnosis ranged from 10.4 to 38.1 weeks. Of our cohort, 53/65 cases (80%) had occipital protrusions, 10 (15%) were found to have frontal lesions, and another two had parietal cephaloceles. A total of 52 pregnancies were terminated or resulted in intrauterine fetal demise (78%). In 18 cases (11%), the cephalocele was part of underlying syndromic disorders (e.g., Meckel–Gruber syndrome). Thirteen pregnancies were continued until term, out of which all affected individuals were live-born. Neurosurgical intervention was prompted within the first 7 months postnatally.

Conclusions

In general, the outcome of fetuses with cephaloceles is rather poor as four out of five pregnancies were terminated. Postnatal outcome of all survivors in our cohort was rather determined by localization of the cele and more important by the presence and severity of concomitant malformations than the extent of the lesion.

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Title: Fetal cephaloceles: prenatal diagnosis and course of pregnancy in 65 consecutive cases
Authors: Jan Weichert
Friederike Hoellen
Martin Krapp
Ute Germer
Roland Axt-Fliedner
Andrea Kempe
Annegret Geipel
Christoph Berg
Ulrich Gembruch
Publication date: 01-09-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 3/2017
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-017-4424-7

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Fetal cephaloceles: prenatal diagnosis and course of pregnancy in 65 consecutive cases

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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