[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To describe the prenatal imaging findings in fetuses at risk for Joubert syndrome (JS), review the literature and propose a protocol for prenatal diagnosis of JS using ultrasound and MRI.
We reviewed prenatal ultrasound and fetal MRI studies in two pregnancies at 25% recurrence risk for JS and correlated these findings with gross neuropathology in one affected fetus.
While abnormalities such as occipital encephalocele or enlarged cisterna magna have been identified before mid-trimester, the definitive diagnosis of JS, based on core cerebellar findings, has only been possible after 17 weeks' gestation.
With longitudinal monitoring, it is possible to diagnose JS in at-risk pregnancies before 24 weeks' gestation. On the basis of our data and review of the literature, we propose a protocol for monitoring pregnancies at risk for JS, utilizing serial ultrasounds combined with fetal MRI at 20-22 weeks' gestation to maximize the accuracy of prenatal diagnosis.
Prenatal Diagnosis 07/2005; 25(6):442-7. · 2.11 Impact Factor
