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Child's Nervous System
Published in: Child's Nervous System 11/2013

01-11-2013 | Case Report

Imaging the course of a hypoplastic cerebellum in a spina bifida newborn

Authors: Annick Kronenburg, Kuo Sen Han, Rob Gooskens, Giuseppe Esposito, Douglas Cochrane, Peter Woerdeman

Published in: Child's Nervous System | Issue 11/2013

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Abstract

Introduction

We report about a spina bifida patient with myelomeningocele at the lumbar level L5, extensive Chiari malformation type II with vermal herniation reaching to C6 with downward pontine shift, and a severe hypoplastic cerebellum. Chromosomal diagnostic tests showed no abnormalities.

Case report

The infant experienced severe central apneas successfully treated with oxygen therapy and caffeine medication; functional motor level was established at L5 with sparse anal sphincter function.

Discussion

After surgical intervention (myelomeningocele repair and ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement), these abnormalities significantly improved on radiological imaging; the preoperative hypoplastic, almost undetectable, cerebellum developed to a fair sized cerebellum. Apneas disappeared over time and the patient showed further developmental improvement. Herein, we illustrate and discuss the changes of the cerebellar volume before and after neurosurgical intervention.
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Metadata
Title
Imaging the course of a hypoplastic cerebellum in a spina bifida newborn
Authors
Annick Kronenburg
Kuo Sen Han
Rob Gooskens
Giuseppe Esposito
Douglas Cochrane
Peter Woerdeman
Publication date
01-11-2013
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Child's Nervous System / Issue 11/2013
Print ISSN: 0256-7040
Electronic ISSN: 1433-0350
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-013-2156-y

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