Prenatal diagnosis and prognosis of isolated subependymal cysts: A retrospective cohort study.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the significance of prenatal diagnosis of subependymal cysts (SEC). Diagnoses were made by brain ultrasonography (bUS) and confirmed by fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We reviewed all the cases of isolated SEC diagnosed antenatally in our center from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2015, and confirmed by fetal MRI. We followed up their evolution throughout pregnancy and the neonatal neurodevelopment at 3, 6, and 12months using the Gesell Developmental Schedule. Among the 91 cases in the cohort, 74 were bilateral and 17 unilateral. The SEC were significantly smaller in unilateral than bilateral cases (P<.001). Among the 35 cases with repeated bUS, SEC remained stable or decreased in size with advancing gestational age in 86% of cases. After excluding terminations of pregnancy (n=13), neurodevelopment was normal in 75/78 (96%) cases with developmental quotient ≧85. Isolated SEC are usually a benign finding. Accurate diagnosis is important to differentiate SEC from other pathologic brain conditions with a combination of brain ultrasonography and MRI.