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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
10:02
State of the Art Cranial Ultrasound Imaging in Neonates
Published on: February 2, 2015
Fetal cerebellum: US appearance with advancing gestational age
K Hashimoto1, T Shimizu, K Shimoya
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Case Western Reserve University at MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. hashi@gyne.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Radiology
|September 25, 2001
Summary
Ultrasonography reveals distinct changes in fetal cerebellum appearance as gestation progresses. These visual changes, categorized into three grades, correlate with gestational age and cerebellar size.
Area of Science:
- Fetal imaging
- Neurosonography
- Obstetric ultrasound
Background:
- The fetal cerebellum's ultrasonographic (US) appearance evolves during pregnancy.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for normal fetal development assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the changes in fetal cerebellum ultrasonographic appearance with advancing gestation.
- To correlate these visual changes with gestational age and cerebellar measurements.
Main Methods:
- 291 normal fetuses (15-41 weeks gestation) were assessed using transabdominal ultrasound.
- Transverse cerebellar diameter (TCD) was measured, and cerebellar images were graded (I, II, III) based on echogenicity and shape.
- Inter- and intraobserver variability was evaluated.
Main Results:
- Cerebellar grades I, II, and III were observed in 47.1%, 24.4%, and 28.5% of fetuses, respectively.
- A progressive shift from grade I to grade III appearance was noted with increasing gestational age.
- Significant correlations were found between cerebellar grade, gestational age, and TCD (P <.001).
Conclusions:
- The ultrasonographic appearance of the fetal cerebellum undergoes a gradual and predictable change throughout gestation.
- These findings provide a normative reference for fetal cerebellar development assessment via ultrasound.
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