Giant parietal foramina are a type of congenital calvarial defect. They result from delayed/incomplete ossification of the parietal bone.
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Epidemiology
Associations
Increased incidence of venous and cortical anomalies 4. Bilateral parietal foramina are associated with Potocki-Shaffer syndrome.
Pathology
They can occur as an isolated autosomal dominant trait or as part of a syndrome. Ossification along a midline bar may separate confluent parietal defects into paired parasagittal defects during the first few months of life, which can persist into adult life.
Giant parietal foramina are thought to be pathologically distinct from the small parietal foramina found in many individuals which transmit emissary veins 6.
Genetics
Underlying genetic anomalies have been identified in chromosome 11p deletions with mutation of the ALX4 (60%) and MSX2 (40%) genes in those with enlarged parietal foramina.
Radiographic features
Fetal diagnosis
Second trimester ultrasound (or MRI) may identify the calvarial defects.
CT
Seen as paired, rounded defects in the parietal bone located near the intersection of the sagittal and lambdoid sutures. The defects may be large and confluent across the midline.
MRI
Superior to CT for detecting any associated cortical, venous or meningeal anomalies.
Treatment and prognosis
They are generally considered benign, although some authors, however, suggest imaging of underlying brain parenchyma and vasculature in those with enlarged parietal foramina (>5 mm) due to high associations with cortical and venous anomalies 4.
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