This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Bronsteen, R. Articles by Comstock, C. H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Bronsteen, R. Articles by Comstock, C. H.

Second-Trimester Sonography and Trisomy 18

The Significance of Isolated Choroid Plexus Cysts After an Examination That Includes the Fetal Hands

Division of Fetal Imaging, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (R.B., W.L., I.M.V., C.H.C.), and Division of Biostatistics (R.H.), William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan USA.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Richard Bronsteen, MD, Division of Fetal Imaging, William Beaumont Hospital, 3601 W Thirteen Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48073 USA. E-mail: rabronsteen{at}beaumont.edu.

Objective. To estimate the risk of trisomy 18 with the finding of isolated choroid plexus cysts after a standard sonographic examination that is extended to include the fetal hands. Methods. A retrospective chart review was performed on all fetuses with choroid plexus cysts on second-trimester sonographic examinations. When choroid plexus cysts were identified, our standard protocol for fetal evaluation was expanded to include the hands. If no other findings were noted on completion of this examination, the choroid plexus cysts were classified as "isolated." These results were correlated with the presence or absence of trisomy 18 to determine the impact of this approach for the detection of fetuses with this aneuploidy. Results. From March 1990 to the end of 2001, 49,435 fetuses that were subsequently delivered at our hospital were scanned between 16 and 25 menstrual weeks. At least 1 choroid plexus cyst was detected in 1209 fetuses (2.3%), of which 1060 were isolated. No fetuses with isolated choroid plexus cysts had trisomy 18. However, 3 fetuses with trisomy 18 had choroid plexus cysts and abnormal hands as their only abnormal findings. Conclusions. Fetuses with an apparently isolated finding of choroid plexus cysts can be further evaluated by extending the standard examination to include the hands. If no other findings are identified, the risk of trisomy 18 appears to be low.

Key Words: antenatal sonography • choroid plexus cysts • trisomy 18

This article has been cited by other articles:

				W. J. Watson, R. C. Miller, J. R. Wax, W. F. Hansen, Y. Yamamura, and W. J. Polzin Sonographic Findings of Trisomy 18 in the Second Trimester of Pregnancy J. Ultrasound Med., July 1, 2008; 27(7): 1033 - 1038. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Zheng, X.-D. Zhou, Y.-L. Zhu, X.-L. Wang, Y.-Q. Qian, X.-Y. Lei, B.-L. Chen, M. Yu, and X.-Y. Xin Three- and 4-Dimensional Ultrasonography in the Prenatal Evaluation of Fetal Anomalies Associated With Trisomy 18 J. Ultrasound Med., July 1, 2008; 27(7): 1041 - 1051. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. L. Angtuaco Invited Commentary. RadioGraphics, May 1, 2006; 26(3): 830 - 831. [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. A. Filly, P. M. Doubilet, J. A. Copel, C. B. Benson, R. O. Bahado-Singh, and L. D. Platt Echogenic Intracardiac Foci and Choroid Plexus Cysts * Reply J. Ultrasound Med., August 1, 2004; 23(8): 1135 - 1139. [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Bronsteen, W. Lee, I. M. Vettraino, R. Huang, and C. H. Comstock Second-Trimester Sonography and Trisomy 18 J. Ultrasound Med., February 1, 2004; 23(2): 233 - 240. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]