Abstract
PurposeThe aim of this study is to provide normative data about the appearances and dimensions of the cavum septi pellucidi and vergae (CSPV) on in utero MR (iuMR) imaging in second and third trimester foetuses.MethodsTwo hundred normal foetuses (from a low-risk pregnancy, with normal ante-natal USS findings and no intracranial abnormality of iuMR) had iuMR imaging between 18 and 37 gestational weeks (gw). The anatomical features on those studies were compared with published atlases of post-mortem foetal brains. The length, width and volume of the CSPV were measured in all foetuses.ResultsThe anatomy of the CSPV and its relationship with the corpus callosum and the fornices on iuMR imaging was comparable with post-mortem data at all gestational ages studied. The length of the CSPV increased throughout pregnancy, whereas the width and volume of CSPV reached a maximum between 29 and 31 gw and then showed a reduction later in pregnancy.ConclusionThe iuMR imaging features of the CSPV and its close anatomical relations closely correspond to post-mortem data. The CSPV was patent in all cases but we have shown that closure commences in the midpart of the third trimester and advances in a posterior to anterior direction.
Highlights
This paper concerns the appearances of the septum pellucidum and septum vergae in foetuses as shown on in utero magnetic resonance imaging
The corpus callosum appeared fully formed on in utero magnetic resonance (iuMR) imaging in all 200 cases between 18 and 37 gestational weeks, inasmuch as its full craniocaudal extent had been achieved and its three major anatomical subdivisions could all be recognised routinely
The origin of the fornices from the fimbriae can be seen, there is insufficient spatial and contrast resolution to separate the fimbria from the rest of the mesial temporal lobe on iuMR imaging
Summary
This paper concerns the appearances of the septum pellucidum and septum vergae in foetuses as shown on in utero magnetic resonance (iuMR) imaging. The terminology of these structures has been debated in the literature. The septum pellucidum is used as an indicator of normal development of the midline structures of the cerebral hemispheres on post-natal neuroimaging studies [3,4,5,6] and visualisation of the CSPV is an essential part of the ante-natal assessment of the foetal brain using either ultrasonography (USS) [7] or iuMR imaging. The CSPV is an exceptionally important anatomical landmark in foetal neuroimaging, despite the observation that little, or no, clinical function can be attributed to the septum pellucidum after birth
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