Published in:
01-08-2005 | Case Report
Pontomedullary disconnection: fetal and neonatal considerations
Authors:
Emma McCann, David Pilling, Markus Hesseling, Devender Roberts, Nim Subhedar, Elizabeth Sweeney
Published in:
Pediatric Radiology
|
Issue 8/2005
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Abstract
The cerebellar and pontocerebellar hypoplasias present a unique challenge when detected in the developing fetus. A diverse aetiology and prognosis make counselling of these families difficult. Advances in fetal imaging allow for more accurate diagnosis and counselling, but postnatal MRI is still required. A case is presented in which cerebellar hypoplasia was detected at 20 weeks gestation. Later fetal imaging provided further information, but a diagnosis of pontomedullary disconnection was not made until the postnatal MRI scan. The clinical findings and possible causes of such pontocerebellar abnormalities are discussed.