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Dandy-Walker Malformation: is the 'tail sign' the key sign?
Silvia Bernardo1, Valeria Vinci1, Matteo Saldari1
1Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Objective:
The study aims to demonstrate the value of the 'tail sign' in the assessment of Dandy-Walker malformation.
Methods:
A total of 31 fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), performed before 24 weeks of gestation after second-line ultrasound examination between May 2013 and September 2014, were examined retrospectively. All MRI examinations were performed using a 1.5 Tesla magnet without maternal sedation.
Results:
Magnetic resonance imaging diagnosed 15/31 cases of Dandy-Walker malformation, 6/31 of vermian partial caudal agenesis, 2/31 of vermian hypoplasia, 4/31 of vermian malrotation, 2/31 of Walker-Warburg syndrome, 1/31 of Blake pouch cyst and 1/31 of rhombencephalosynapsis. All data were compared with fetopsy results, fetal MRI after the 30th week or postnatal MRI; the follow-up depended on the maternal decision to terminate or continue pregnancy. In our review study, we found the presence of the 'tail sign'; this sign was visible only in Dandy-Walker malformation and Walker-Warburg syndrome.
Conclusion:
The 'tail sign' could be helpful in the difficult differential diagnosis between Dandy-Walker, vermian malrotation, vermian hypoplasia and vermian partial agenesis.
