Microcephaly: a radiological review

Tarrant, Ailbhe; Garel, Catherine; Germanaud, David; Villemeur, Thierry Billette de; Mignot, Cyril; Lenoir, Marion; Pointe, Hubert Ducou Le

doi:10.1007/s00247-009-1266-x

Cited by 20 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…By 25 to 30 WG, cortical gyrification can be analysed by MRI and in microcephalic fetuses, migration disorders were constantly present. The first signs of cerebral damage can be identified by the second trimester of pregnancy by US scan [15] when it reveals ventriculomegaly, destruction of the corpus callosum and/or of the cavum septi pellucidi and cerebral cysts. Occipital subependymal pseudocysts, which seemed to be another frequent hallmark visible on US scans in four of seven of our explored microcephalic cases, may suggest the consequences of the destruction of the germinative zone by the ZIKV, similar to what was observed in CMV infection [16].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Congenital cerebral malformations and dysfunction in fetuses and newborns following the 2013 to 2014 Zika virus epidemic in French Polynesia

et al. 2016

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We detected an unusual increase in congenital cerebral malformations and dysfunction in fetuses and newborns in French Polynesia, following an epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV), from October 2013 to March 2014. A retrospective review identified 19 cases, including eight with major brain lesions and severe microcephaly, six with severe cerebral lesions without microcephaly and five with brainstem dysfunction without visible malformations. Imaging revealed profound neurological lesions (septal and callosal disruption, ventriculomegaly, abnormal neuronal migration, cerebellar hypoplasia, occipital pseudocysts, brain calcifications). Amniotic fluid was drawn from seven cases at gestation weeks 20 to 29. ZIKV RNA was detected by RT-PCR and infectious ZIKV isolates were obtained in four of five microcephalic, but not in two non-microcephalic cases with severe brain lesions. Medical termination of pregnancy was performed in eleven cases; two cases with brainstem dysfunction died in the first months of life; six cases are alive, with severe neurological impairment. The results show that four of seven tested fetuses with major neurological injuries were infected with ZIKV in utero. For other non-microcephalic, congenital abnormalities we were not able to prove or exclude ZIKV infection retrospectively. The unusual occurrence of brain malformations or dysfunction without microcephaly following a ZIKV outbreak needs further studies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Congenital cerebral malformations and dysfunction in fetuses and newborns following the 2013 to 2014 Zika virus epidemic in French Polynesia

et al. 2016

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“…A few previous reviews based on the genetics and etiology of microcephaly have been published 1, 22, 23 and the presence of a simplified gyral pattern in association with microcephaly has been discussed by many authors. 24-25 However, to our knowledge, no previous reports have demonstrated the significant relationship among the severity of microcephaly, the reduced white matter volume, and diminished sulcation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Congenital Microcephaly with a Simplified Gyral Pattern: Associated Findings and Their Significance

Adachi

Poduri²,

Kawaguch³

et al. 2011

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol

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Background and Purpose Primary microcephalies are incompletely understood malformations that are often associated with developmental brain anomalies, yet it is not understood if the associated anomalies result from the microcephaly itself or from associated developmental/genetic mishaps. This study reviewed and analyzed a large number of MRI scans of children with microcephaly to determine the frequency of associated morphological findings and to assess whether these findings were associated with the severity of the microcephaly. Materials and Methods MRIs of 119 patients with clinically diagnosed microcephaly were retrospectively reviewed, focusing on the degree of microcephaly, simplification of gyri, white matter volume, abnormalities of corpus callosum, size and structure of posterior fossa contents, and myelination. Associations among the findings were evaluated using the Spearman correlation coefficient and the Fisher exact test. Results Among 7 patients with mild, 42 with moderate, and 70 with extreme microcephaly, a significant correlation was identified between a greater degree of microcephaly and both a greater degree of simplified gyration and decreased white matter volume. The severity of callosal anomaly showed a lower, but still significant, correlation with the severity of microcephaly. Degree of hypoplasia of posterior fossa structures, delay in myelination, and abnormality of basal ganglia did not correlate with the degree of microcephaly. Conclusion A strong correlation was found between the degree of microcephaly, the volume of white matter, and the presence of a simplified gyral pattern. These associations should be considered when attempting to use neuroimaging for segregation and classification of patients with microcephaly.

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“…The most frequent finding on prenatal ultrasound described in the literature is microcephaly [17], i.e., head circumference (HC) 2 standard deviations (SD) below the mean for the gestational age or under the 3rd centile [23]. However, neonates with severe brain abnormalities caused by congenital ZIKV infection may have a normal HC.…”

Section: Fetal Brain Ultrasoundmentioning

confidence: 99%