Affiliation:
1. Department of Neurosurgery, B.Y.L. Nair Charitable Hospital, Topiwala National Medical College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Abstract
Abstract
Background:
The knowledge of fetal neuroanatomy is essential to advance fetal neurosurgery and the management of preterm neonates.
Aims:
The aim of the present study was to establish second trimester fetal neuroanatomy normative data.
Materials and Methods:
We studied 13 cadaveric fetal specimens of gestational age (GA) 16–20 weeks by observation and the dissection technique. The absolute and standardized dimensions of various fetal cranial structures were noted.
Results:
There were four female and nine male second trimester cadaveric fetal specimens. The crown rump length (CRL) and biparietal diameter (BPD) were measured. The GA ranged from 16.48 to 21.16 weeks, as estimated from the BPD. The range and average values for absolute and standardized dimensions of various fetal cranial structures such as the cerebral hemispheres, skull base, the ventricular system, cerebellum, hippocampus, and caudate nucleus were studied. The effect of shrinkage due to formalin fixation was considered.
Conclusion:
The characterization of second trimester fetal neuroanatomy by the cadaveric dissection technique is feasible. Fetal structures related to the paleocortex are well formed at this stage. The temporality of the emergence of fetal brain sulci is a viable predictor of GA.