Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Assessment of Ultrastructural Neuroplasticity Parameters After In Utero Transduction of the Developing Mouse Brain and Spinal Cord
10:28

Assessment of Ultrastructural Neuroplasticity Parameters After In Utero Transduction of the Developing Mouse Brain and Spinal Cord

Published on: February 26, 2019

Posterior brain in fetuses with open spina bifida at 11 to 13 weeks

Robert Lachmann1, Rabih Chaoui, Jose Moratalla

  • 1Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, UK.

Prenatal Diagnosis
|December 29, 2010
PubMed

Insights

First-trimester fetuses with open spina bifida (OSB) show significant posterior brain abnormalities. Measurements reveal altered brain stem and occipital bone dimensions, indicating early developmental issues.

Area of Science:

  • Fetal Medicine
  • Developmental Biology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Open spina bifida (OSB) is a complex congenital condition.
  • Early detection of OSB-related abnormalities is crucial for management.
  • Posterior fossa development is critical in early gestation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify posterior fossa structural changes in fetuses with OSB during the first trimester.
  • To establish normative data for posterior fossa measurements in early pregnancy.
  • To identify specific biometric markers for OSB in first-trimester fetuses.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of stored mid-sagittal fetal facial images.
  • Measurement of brain stem diameter and brain stem to occipital bone (BSOB) diameter.
  • Comparison of measurements between 30 fetuses with OSB and 1000 normal controls at 11-13 weeks gestation.

Main Results:

  • In controls, brain stem and BSOB diameters increased with crown-rump length (CRL), while the brain stem to BSOB ratio decreased.
  • Fetuses with OSB exhibited significantly enlarged brain stem diameters (above 95th percentile in 96.7%).
  • Fetuses with OSB showed reduced BSOB diameters (below 5th percentile in 86.7%) and an elevated brain stem to BSOB ratio (above 95th percentile in 100%).

Conclusions:

  • Measurable posterior brain abnormalities are prevalent in fetuses with OSB as early as 11-13 weeks gestation.
  • Specific biometric alterations in the posterior fossa can serve as early indicators of OSB.
  • These findings highlight the potential for early ultrasound screening for OSB.
Abstract

More Related Videos

State of the Art Cranial Ultrasound Imaging in Neonates10:02

State of the Art Cranial Ultrasound Imaging in Neonates

Published on: February 2, 2015

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats04:12

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats

Published on: March 28, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Neurulation01:30

Neurulation

Neurulation is the embryological process which forms the precursors of the central nervous system and occurs after gastrulation has established the three primary cell layers of the embryo: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. In humans, the majority of this system is formed via primary neurulation, in which the central portion of the ectoderm—originally appearing as a flat sheet of cells—folds upwards and inwards, sealing off to form a hollow neural tube. As development proceeds, the anterior...
Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View01:14

Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View

The superior view of the cranium shows the frontal and paired parietal bones.
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...
Anatomy of the Brain: Ventricles01:18

Anatomy of the Brain: Ventricles

There are hollow fluid-filled cavities known as ventricles deep inside the human brain. There are two lateral ventricles, one in each cerebral hemisphere, and each has three different projections — the anterior, inferior, and posterior horns visible from the lateral side. A thin membrane called the septum pellucidum separates the two lateral ventricles. The slender third ventricle in the diencephalon is connected to each lateral ventricle via a channel called the interventricular foramen. The...
Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy01:16

Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy

The cross-sectional anatomy of the spinal cord offers a detailed view of its complex structure and function within the central nervous system. At the core of the spinal cord lies the gray matter, characterized by its butterfly or "H"-shaped appearance in cross-section. This central region is enveloped by white matter, with the overall structure divided into symmetrical halves by the dorsal median sulcus and the ventral median fissure.
Gray Matter and its Components
Central to the gray matter is...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...