Donald School Journal of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

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VOLUME 4 , ISSUE 4 ( October-December, 2010 ) > List of Articles

REVIEW ARTICLE

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Fetal Neural Axis

Sakshi Tomar

Keywords : Central nervous system,Antenatal sonography,Congenital anomalies

Citation Information : Tomar S. Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Fetal Neural Axis. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2010; 4 (4):373-382.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10009-1157

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 01-06-2011

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2010; The Author(s).


Abstract

The central nervous system is probably the first organ system to be investigated in utero by diagnostic ultrasound. Anencephaly was the first congenital anomaly to be recognized by this technique before viability. Since then, the investigation of the fetal neural axis has steadily remained a central issue of antenatal sonography. Such an interest is explained by a number of reasons. CNS anomalies are frequent and often have a severe prognosis. In many cases they have a genetic background: consequently a large number of couples are at risk and warrant antenatal diagnosis. Modern high resolution ultrasound equipment yields a unique potential in evaluating normal and abnormal anatomy of the fetal neural axis beginning at very early stages of development.


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