Anencephaly

Case contributed by Shrikant Nagare , 15 Apr 2015
Diagnosis certain
Changed by Yaïr Glick, 27 Dec 2019

Updates to Study Attributes

Findings was changed:

On ultrasound examination of the fetus fetus, the fetal skull bonescalvaria and brain parenchyma were not not visualized. Biparietal diameter and head circumference could not be measured. 

A coronal"coronal" section through the fetal face was showing a 'frog' likeshows frog-like bulging of eyes and absent frontal bones.

The transvaginal scan (TVS) demonstrates the fetus in sagittal view.

Images Changes:

Image Ultrasound ( update )

Perspective was set to .
Description was removed:
Coronal ultrasound scan of fetus

Image Ultrasound ( update )

Description was removed:
Coronal ultrasound scan of fetal face

Image Ultrasound ( update )

Description was removed:
Frog like appearance of fetal orbits.

Image Ultrasound (TVS) ( update )

Description was removed:
Transvaginal scan demonstrating fetus in sagittal view

Updates to Case Attributes

Body was changed:

Anencephaly is a lethal lethal congenital anomaly which can be detected on ultrasound as early as 11 11 weeks of gestation.

If some amount of neural tissue is present this, the condition is termed exencephaly.

Polyhydramnios is usually associated with neural tube defects. Associated anomalies should be sought, including spinal dysraphismsdysraphism, diaphragmatic herniashernia and amniotic band syndrome.

Maternal serum alpha feto protein-fetoprotein levels are raised in all types of neural tube defects.

Folic acid supplements infor women of reproductive age group isare helpful for the prevention of neural tube defects. No treatment option is available for anencephaly.

  • -<p><a title="Anencephaly" href="/articles/anencephaly">Anencephaly</a> is a lethal congenital anomaly which can be detected on ultrasound as early as 11 weeks of gestation.</p><p>If some amount of neural tissue is present this condition is termed as <a title="Exencephaly" href="/articles/exencephaly">exencephaly</a>.</p><p><a title="Polyhydramnios" href="/articles/polyhydramnios">Polyhydramnios</a> is usually associated with neural tube defects. Associated anomalies should be looked for like <a title="Spinal dysraphisms" href="/articles/spinal-dysraphism">spinal dysraphisms</a>, <a title="Congenital diaphragmatic herniation" href="/articles/congenital-diaphragmatic-hernia-1">diaphragmatic hernias</a> and <a title="Amniotic band syndrome" href="/articles/amniotic-band-syndrome">amniotic band syndrome</a>.</p><p>Maternal serum <a title="Raised alpha feto protein" href="/articles/afp-elevation">alpha feto protein</a> levels are raised in all the <a title="Neural tube defects" href="/articles/neural-tube-defects">neural tube defects</a>.</p><p>Folic acid supplements in reproductive age group is helpful for prevention of neural tube defects. No treatment option is available for anencephaly.</p>
  • +<p><a href="/articles/anencephaly">Anencephaly</a> is a lethal congenital anomaly which can be detected on ultrasound as early as 11 weeks of gestation.</p><p>If some amount of neural tissue is present, the condition is termed <a href="/articles/exencephaly">exencephaly</a>.</p><p><a href="/articles/polyhydramnios">Polyhydramnios</a> is usually associated with neural tube defects. Associated anomalies should be sought, including <a href="/articles/spinal-dysraphism-2">spinal dysraphism</a>, <a href="/articles/congenital-diaphragmatic-hernia-1">diaphragmatic hernia</a> and <a href="/articles/amniotic-band-syndrome">amniotic band syndrome</a>.</p><p>Maternal serum <a href="/articles/alpha-fetoprotein-elevation">alpha-fetoprotein</a> levels are raised in all types of <a href="/articles/neural-tube-defects">neural tube defects</a>.</p><p>Folic acid supplements for women of reproductive age are helpful for the prevention of neural tube defects. No treatment option is available for anencephaly.</p>
Presentation was changed:
Patient came for her second trimester-trimester scan (16/40 weeks gestation).

References changed:

  • 1. T S Mehta and D Levine "Ultrasound and MR Imaging of Fetal Neural Tube Defects" Ultrasound Clin 2 (2007) 187-201<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cult.2007.07.005">doi:10.1016/j.cult.2007.07.005</a> <span class="ref_v4"></span>
  • 2. Eberhard Merz. Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. (2019) <a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?vid=ISBN9781588901477">ISBN: 9781588901477</a><span class="ref_v4"></span>
  • 1. T S Mehta and D Levine "Ultrasound and MR Imaging of Fetal Neural Tube Defects" Ultrasound Clin 2 (2007) 187-201
  • 2. Merz E, Bahlmann F. Ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology. Thieme Medical Publishers. (2005) ISBN:1588901475. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon

Systems changed:

  • Central Nervous System

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