At present it is possible to detect prenatally many abnormalities of the central nervous system with ultrasound. This report presents a case of glioblastoma detected in the 33rd week of pregnancy.
CASE REPORTA 21-year-old woman, gravida 1 with a normally progressing pregnancy, came for an ultrasound examination at the Provincial Maternal Hospital of Milan because of clinical signs of hydramnios. She had had an ultrasound examination at another hospital during her 18th week and the results were within the limits of normal. Our examination, during the 33rd week, indicated that hydramnios was present. There was a single fetus having a hydropic appearance in longitudinal lie, with a vertex presentation. Heart activity and movements, and fluid in the thoracic and abdominal cavities were noted. The biparietal diameter was 11.0 cm (above the 95th percentile). Study of the head of the fetus revealed that the falx cerebri was shifted toward the left by a strongly echogenic mass that occupied the posterior two thirds of the right cerebral hemisphere. The anterior third and the contralateral hemisphere were anechogenic (Fig. 1). This ultrasound picture was compatible with a large lesion associated with contralateral hydrocephalus. The day after the ultrasound examination labor began and a cesarian section was performed. The neonate died 20 minutes after delivery.The male fetus was premature, weighed 3390 g, was 42 cm long, and had a cranial circumference of 32.5 cm. The skin was extremely pallid, subcutaneous tissue and muscles highly edematous, pleural and ascitic fluid abundant, and very anemic viscera. The right cerebral hemisphere consisted of hemorrhagic tissue that looked like placenta and the contralateral ventricle was dilatated. The histological sections of the mass showed highly vascularized tissue consisting of a rich population of moderately polymorphic cells,
Nicolini et al., Fetal growth and the accuracy of ultrasonic measurements 101 j. Perinai. Med.Accuracy of an average ultrasonic laboratory in measurements of i4(i986) 101 f e t a i biparietal diameter, head circumference and abdominal circumference
Hereditary effects were very low in contrast to the fatal cancer risk estimation. According to the results we can discard deterministic effects, unless complications appear in the procedure. Radiation exposure must be optimized. It is necessary that medical staff know the radiological risks associated with the intervention, and inform the patients about them.
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