Anencephaly is the most severe form of cranial neural tube defect and is characterised by an absence of cortical tissue (although the brainstem and cerebellum may be variably present) as well as an absence of the cranial vault. The morphological spectrum within anencephaly ranges from holocrania (most severe form) to merocrania (mildest form) 2.
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Epidemiology
Incidence is around 1:1000. There is a recognised female predilection with a F:M ratio of ~4:1.
Associations
As with many other malformations, a number of associated abnormalities are recognised:
other neural tube defects: spina bifida (especially cervical)
skeletal anomalies: e.g. clubfeet
gastrointestinal abnormalities: e.g. omphalocele
urinary tract abnormalities: hydronephrosis most common
Clinical presentation
In affluent nations, the diagnosis is usually made antenatally. At birth, the diagnosis is made due to obvious malformation of the cranial vault.
Pathology
It results from a failure of closure of the antral end of the neural tube which is expected to occur at approximately day 24 of embryonal life.
Markers
maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) levels are highly elevated (x 2.5 MoM (multiples of the median)): of all the neural tube defects, anencephaly usually gives the highest elevation in MSAFP 7
Radiographic features
Antenatal ultrasound
Anencephaly may be sonographically detectable as early as 11 weeks. Ultrasound can be a non-invasive, cost-effective, and fast method to detect anencephaly and has an accuracy of approximately 100% at 14 weeks. Sonographic features of anencephaly include:
no parenchymal tissue is seen above the orbits and the calvarium is absent: parts of the occipital bone and midbrain may be present
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if a small amount of neural tissue is present, it is then termed exencephaly
this may be seen at an earlier stage
less than expected value for the crown-rump length (CRL)
a "frog eye" or "Mickey Mouse" appearance may be seen when seen in the coronal plane due to absent cranial bone and/or brain and bulging orbits
may show evidence of polyhydramnios: due to impaired swallowing
Treatment and prognosis
Not surprisingly anencephaly is incompatible with life. Folic acid therapy may reduce the risk of recurrence. There is a slight risk (~2.5%) of recurrence of a neural tube defect in future pregnancies.
Differential diagnosis
amniotic band syndrome: if the band passes through the head
severe microcephaly
Anencephaly should not be confused with hydranencephaly in which the cranial vault is present and the absence of cerebral tissue is due to an antenatal vascular insult.