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Sonographic Measurements of the Fetal Fastigium Between 20 and 40 Weeks’ Gestation

Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology (R.T.) and Pathology (D.K.), Meir Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Kfar-Saba, Israel (R.T.); and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Be’er Sheva, Israel (R.H.).

Address correspondence to Reli Hershkovitz, MD, Ultrasound Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, PO Box 151, 84101 Be’er Sheva, Israel. E-mail: ralikah{at}bgumail.bgu.ac.il

Objective. The purpose of this study was to establish a new reference angle chart for fastigial biometric measurements throughout gestation in normal singleton pregnancies. Methods. A prospective cohort study was designed. A total of 505 pregnant women between 20 and 40 weeks’ gestation were included in the study. Excluded were those with multiple pregnancies, congenital anomalies, abnormal karyotypes, and polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios. Transvaginal or transabdominal sonography was performed in the midsagittal plane of the brain. Results. The angle of the fastigium was found to be 30° to 60° throughout pregnancy. These data were found to be constant during the progression of pregnancy without any significant changes. Conclusions. Fastigial measurements throughout pregnancy are presented. Its angle is constant throughout pregnancy. Evaluation of the fastigium may assist in cases of subtle posterior fossa anomalies.

Key Words: fastigium • nomograms • posterior fossa • sonography

Abbreviations: GA, gestational age