Related Experiment Videos
Diastematomyelia: diagnosis by prenatal sonography
N G Anderson1, S Jordan, M R MacFarlane
1Department of Radiology, Christchurch Women's Hospital, New Zealand.
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|October 1, 1994
Summary
Prenatal sonography can diagnose diastematomyelia (a spinal cord abnormality) by identifying an echogenic focus. This imaging technique also helps predict if the condition is isolated, guiding appropriate pregnancy management.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Fetal Medicine
- Neurology
Background:
- Diastematomyelia is a spinal dysraphia characterized by a sagittal cleft in the spinal cord.
- It can be an isolated defect or associated with more severe conditions.
- Isolated diastematomyelia with intact skin has an excellent prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of prenatal sonography in diagnosing diastematomyelia.
- To assess the ability of prenatal ultrasound to differentiate isolated diastematomyelia from complex forms.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective and prospective analysis of five and one cases, respectively.
- Sonographic assessment for an extra posterior echogenic focus and splayed posterior elements.
- Comparison of prenatal findings with postnatal diagnoses (autopsy, radiography, surgery, CT myelography).
Main Results:
- Prenatal sonography detected diastematomyelia in all cases with the characteristic echogenic focus.
- Splaying of posterior elements was noted postnatally in all cases, suspected prenatally in four.
- Prenatal ultrasound accurately predicted isolated diastematomyelia in four cases and complicated diastematomyelia in one.
Conclusions:
- An extra posterior echogenic focus on prenatal sonography is indicative of diastematomyelia.
- Prenatal diagnosis allows for differentiation between isolated and complicated diastematomyelia, influencing management.
- Early and accurate prenatal diagnosis is crucial for appropriate obstetric and neonatal care planning.