Diagnosis of Acrania Before 11 Weeks

Abstract

To review embryonic skull shape and brain anatomy by sonography during late embryonic and early fetal periods. We examined embryos/fetuses of 8–11 weeks between March 2015 and February 2018, the period corresponds to CRL 16–44 mm and also corresponds to late embryonic and early fetal periods by transvaginal and transabdominal sonography. We assessed shape of the skull and intracranial brain vesicles. Additionally, embryonic brain anatomy was also assessed by three-dimensional ultrasound. We found 12 abnormal cases, 5 cases between CRL 16–30 mm and 7 cases between CRL 31–44 mm. We followed all cases between 11 and 13 weeks and confirmed acrania with loss of variable amount of brain tissues. Acrania–Exencephaly–Anencephaly sequence can be diagnosed before 11 weeks. Sonographer should be familiar and proper knowledge of brain embryology and anatomy is key to diagnose.