2001-12-27-10 Parietal encephalocele-3D evaluation © Guerrero www.thefetus.net/

Parietal encephalocele: 3D evaluation

Waldo Sepulveda, MD, Alan Gallegos MD

Fetal Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile

A 16-year-old primigravida was referred at 22 weeks" gestation for evaluation of a suspected open neural tube defect. A previous ultrasound examination at 18 weeks in another institution had revealed a singleton fetus with abdominal circumference and femur length consistent with 18 weeks but head measurements below the 3rd centile. A follow-up scan 4 weeks later confirmed microcephaly. A mass protruding from the top of the head was identified. She was then referred to our institution for further assessment. Ultrasound evaluation at referral confirmed severe microcephaly and a parietal encephalocele. There were no other anomalies and the amniotic fluid volume was normal. Fetal karyotyping was performed by fetal blood sampling and revealed a normal 46,XX female complement. Note the normal occipital bone.