Navigating the Fetal and Neonatal Brain using Common Anatomical Landmarks:  Prenatal Diagnosis and Neonatal Correlation of Brain Anomalies Michael J. Angtuaco, B.A., Teresita L. Angtuaco, M.D., Edgardo J. Angtuaco, M.D. [view full presentation poster]*

Introduction

The Cerebellum and Cisterna Magna

• Anatomy
• Ultrasound Characteristics

The Cavum Septum Pellucidum (CSP)

• Anatomy
• Ultrasound Characteristics

The Ventricular Atria

• Anatomy
• Ultrasound Characteristics

Fetal Anomalies

• Occipital Cephalocele
• Chiari II Malformation
• Holoprosencephaly
• Schizencephaly
• Hydrocephaly vs. Hydranencephaly

Neonatal Anomalies

• Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum
• Holoprosencephaly
• Dysgenetic Brain Development

Conclusion

Suggested Readings

Access to the fetal brain is limited primarily by the position of the fetal head and technical factors such as maternal body habitus. The diagnosis of brain anomalies in the fetus therefore has to depend upon constant landmarks that could be documented in normal fetuses. The cerebellum, cisterna magna, cavum septum pellucidum, and ventricular atria are such constant landmarks. When these normal structures are documented, the vast majority of congenital brain anomalies can be reliably excluded. If an abnormality is documented at any of these levels, neonatal correlation of the abnormality becomes possible because these same landmarks can be reliably reproduced in the neonate, using the transfontanel/mastoid approach. It is therefore possible to navigate the fetal and neonatal brain once the examiner becomes familiar with these structures and has learned the skill to consistently demonstrate them in both the normal and abnormal setting.

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