SMFM Fetal Anomalies Consult Series #3: Intracranial Anomalies

Intracranial anomalies are among the most common congenital birth defects. They range from severe and lethal malformations, which are often amenable to prenatal diagnosis during the first to early second trimesters of pregnancy, to more subtle anomalies that may only be detected during the second to third trimesters of pregnancy. 

This Consult Series reviews the ultrasonographic diagnosis, genetic evaluation, and potential treatment and outcome of the following intracranial abnormalities: 

• Exencephaly-anencephaly sequence 
• Posterior encephalocele 
• Holoprosencephaly 
• Agenesis of the corpus callosum 
• Absent cavum septi pellucidi 
• Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation 
• Ventriculomegaly 
• Intracranial hemorrhage 
• Dandy-Walker malformation 
• Intracranial cysts