Fetal Spine Part 2

Question 1

What is meant by a Chiari malformation?

Answer 1

when part of the lower part brain (cerebellum) lies below the opening at the bottom of the skull (foramen magnum)
there are 3 types

Question 2

What are the 3 types of Chiari malformation?

Answer 2

Chiari 1 (most common type)- in children with craniofacial conditions
Chiari 2- in children w/ spina bifida
Chiari 3- severe malformations and could be incompatible with life

Question 3

What are the sonographic appearances of Arnold Chiari (ACH) Malformations?

Answer 3

lemon sign
hydrocephalus
banana sign
obliteration of cisterna magnum
microcephaly

Question 4

What causes the banana sign?

Answer 4

produced by the caudal shift or the posterior contents of the skull of the skull, forcing the cerebellar hemispheres to wrap around the brain stems.

Question 5

What’s the normal measurement of the cisterna magna?

Answer 5

2-10mm

Question 6

Abnormal spinal curvature is most frequently associated with ______ and in a majority of cases represents with _______ ________ ____________

Answer 6

NTD, spina bifida meningocele

Question 7

What are the less common cases associated with abnormal spinal curvature?

Answer 7

amniotic band syndrome
limb-body-wall complex (body stalk anomaly–limb defects and anterior body wall defect)
caudal regression syndrome or hypoplasia of sacrum

Question 8

Scoliosis

Answer 8

lateral curvature of the spine

can be caused by hemivertebrae

Question 9

Kyphosis

Answer 9

exaggerated rounding of te back in sagittal plane

Question 10

What 2 spine conditions are associated with spina bifida and ventral abdominal defects

Answer 10

scoliosis and kyphosis

Question 11

Hemivertebrae

Answer 11

type of vertebral anomaly and results from a lack of formation of one half of a vertebral body

Question 12

What’s the most common congenital tumour in a newborn

Answer 12

sacrococcygeal teratoma

Question 13

Sacrococcygeal teratoma:

Answer 13

arise from embryonic cells in the coccyx
most are large, solid or complex masses that extend outward from lower part of sacrum and butt
most are benign
not associated with distinct vertebral/cranial abnormalities
can be cystic and grow in pelvis

Question 14

Caudal regression syndrome is associated with what

Answer 14

poorly controlled diabetes mellitus

Question 15

Caudal regression syndrome

Answer 15

includes a number of anomalies resulting from anomalous development of the caudal end of the embryo during the third week of development
vary from partial agenesis of the coccyx to lumbosacral agenesis
spinal abnormalities include grossly distorted or absent vertebrae beginning at the thoracic level (sacral agenesis).

Question 16

Sacral agenesis

Answer 16

caudal regression sequence or sacral agenesis
sirenomelia sequence (legs are fused together)
cloacal exstrophy (defect of ventral body wall)
VACTERL association

Question 17

What does VACTERL association stand for?

Answer 17

vertebral anomalies, imperforate anus, cardiac malformations, tracheoesophageal fistula, renal dysplasia and limb abnormalities

Question 18

Spinal arachnoid cyst

Answer 18

benign cystic lesions formed due to splitting of the arachnoid membrane