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What Does My Ultrasound Scan Report Indicate?
Question: What does this ultrasound report mean?
Background: I am currently 14w3d pregnant. I had a detailed ultrasound after a necessary surgery on tuesday. This is the report:
Crown-rump length is 8.25 mm corresponding to 14 weeks 1 day. Fetal heart is 137 bpm. There is posterior placenta which is low lying w/ marginal previa.
There is nonspecific thickening of the nuchal fold measuring up to 5.1 mm. Cannot exclude cystic hygroma. Limited evaluation demonstrates large cystic structures demonstrated with anterior cranial vault. Etiology is indeterminate and could reflect underdevelopment/abnormal development of anterior brain parenchyma versus abnormal compression of brain parenchyma versus hydrocephalus. Recommendation is for further evaluation by a high risk OB.
My ob spoke w/ us but i could barely comprehend what he told me. I am desperate for info right now.
I took the harmony test several weeks ago and it game back at virtually zero risk for the things it tests for.
No abnormal heart rates....no weird hcg levels...in fact, the day before this scan I had a thorough scan at my regular OB and everything came back perfect. My OB mentioned they have higher quality ultrasounds at the hospital.
Background: I am currently 14w3d pregnant. I had a detailed ultrasound after a necessary surgery on tuesday. This is the report:
Crown-rump length is 8.25 mm corresponding to 14 weeks 1 day. Fetal heart is 137 bpm. There is posterior placenta which is low lying w/ marginal previa.
There is nonspecific thickening of the nuchal fold measuring up to 5.1 mm. Cannot exclude cystic hygroma. Limited evaluation demonstrates large cystic structures demonstrated with anterior cranial vault. Etiology is indeterminate and could reflect underdevelopment/abnormal development of anterior brain parenchyma versus abnormal compression of brain parenchyma versus hydrocephalus. Recommendation is for further evaluation by a high risk OB.
My ob spoke w/ us but i could barely comprehend what he told me. I am desperate for info right now.
I took the harmony test several weeks ago and it game back at virtually zero risk for the things it tests for.
No abnormal heart rates....no weird hcg levels...in fact, the day before this scan I had a thorough scan at my regular OB and everything came back perfect. My OB mentioned they have higher quality ultrasounds at the hospital.
Brief Answer:
Various anomalies are there
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. I can understand the anxiety you are going through.
Your ultrasound report showing increased nuchal thickness and cystic structures in anterior brain parenchyma in the fetus are indicative of major congenital anomalies.
These findings are present in chromosomal anomalies like XXXXXXX syndrome, congenital anomalies like holoprosencephaly and various genetic syndromes.
Serum screening cannot rule out all chromosomal and genetic anomalies.It can predict the high risk for Down syndrome and trisomy18,13 only.
I will suggest you to get amniocentesis done at 15-16 weeks to detect the fetal karyotype, so as to predict the recurrence rate of this anomaly in subsequent pregnancies.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Please do get back for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
OBGYN
Maternal and fetal medicine specialist
Various anomalies are there
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. I can understand the anxiety you are going through.
Your ultrasound report showing increased nuchal thickness and cystic structures in anterior brain parenchyma in the fetus are indicative of major congenital anomalies.
These findings are present in chromosomal anomalies like XXXXXXX syndrome, congenital anomalies like holoprosencephaly and various genetic syndromes.
Serum screening cannot rule out all chromosomal and genetic anomalies.It can predict the high risk for Down syndrome and trisomy18,13 only.
I will suggest you to get amniocentesis done at 15-16 weeks to detect the fetal karyotype, so as to predict the recurrence rate of this anomaly in subsequent pregnancies.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Please do get back for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
OBGYN
Maternal and fetal medicine specialist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Is it possible that since it is so early in my pregnancy that these findings could really be nothing and rather just normal for a baby that isn't fully developed yet? It is ok to be honest. I would rather know the truth.
Brief Answer:
Not normal
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
These findings are not at all suggestive of normal development of the fetus.
You should consult a fetal medicine specialist for a detailed ultrasound, and further management.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
Not normal
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
These findings are not at all suggestive of normal development of the fetus.
You should consult a fetal medicine specialist for a detailed ultrasound, and further management.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Can you name some genetic syndromes this can be associated with?
Brief Answer:
Syndromes mentioned below
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Such symptoms can be present in Trisomy13 ( patau's syndrome), XXXXXXX lemli opitz syndrome,Hartfield syndrome, Pallister Hall syndrome.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
Syndromes mentioned below
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Such symptoms can be present in Trisomy13 ( patau's syndrome), XXXXXXX lemli opitz syndrome,Hartfield syndrome, Pallister Hall syndrome.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Is it possible that the fluid in the brain/cystic structures can go away and resolve w/ normal brain functioning? My regular OB suggested this is a possible outcome.
Brief Answer:
Unlikely to resolve if nuchal thickness is more
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
In my opinion, you should consult a fetal medicine specialist so that the nature of the cystic structure in the brain can be properly assessed.
Moreover, if the nuchal thickness is so high, it is unlikely to resolve with time, as anomalies are likely in this situation.
I will able to help you better if you can upload the images and report of the ultrasound.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
Unlikely to resolve if nuchal thickness is more
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
In my opinion, you should consult a fetal medicine specialist so that the nature of the cystic structure in the brain can be properly assessed.
Moreover, if the nuchal thickness is so high, it is unlikely to resolve with time, as anomalies are likely in this situation.
I will able to help you better if you can upload the images and report of the ultrasound.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Also, this is my second pregnancy. My first child has NO medical issues what so ever and has hit all developmental milestones thus far. I have not had any fertlity issues. Is this a good indicator that this may not occur in future pregnancies?I am seeing a MFM this thursday, but I am trying to get a better idea of what is going on in the meantime. Is the nuchal fold measurement oh 5.1mm at 14 weeks 1 day that high? What is the normal range for this gestational age?
Brief Answer:
Depends upon the karyotype of the fetus
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
These congenital anomalies are usually sporadic and are unlikely to recur in subsequent pregnancies.
However, exact recurrence rate can be determined only a after the confirmation of fetal karyotype.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
Depends upon the karyotype of the fetus
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
These congenital anomalies are usually sporadic and are unlikely to recur in subsequent pregnancies.
However, exact recurrence rate can be determined only a after the confirmation of fetal karyotype.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I am seeing a MFM this thursday, but I am trying to get a better idea of what is going on in the meantime. Is the nuchal fold measurement oh 5.1mm at 14 weeks 1 day that high? What is the normal range for this gestational age?
Brief Answer:
3.5 mm
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Normally the nuchal thickness at 14 weeks should be less than 3.5 mm.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
3.5 mm
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Normally the nuchal thickness at 14 weeks should be less than 3.5 mm.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Is a cvs a possible alternative to amniocentesis at this point? Is Cvs less invasive?
Brief Answer:
Amniocentesis preferred more
Detailed Answer:
Amniocentesis is less invasive.
CVS is preferred procedure at 11-13 weeks gestation.
Beyond it, amniocentesis is preferred and more accurate procedure.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
Amniocentesis preferred more
Detailed Answer:
Amniocentesis is less invasive.
CVS is preferred procedure at 11-13 weeks gestation.
Beyond it, amniocentesis is preferred and more accurate procedure.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Is it possible that this is a choroid plexus cyst in the brain? Or is this something entirely different. Is there another name for cystic structures in anterior brain parenchyma?
Brief Answer:
It can be any cystic structure
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, there are various cystic anomalies in brain like choroid plexus cysts, porencephalic cyst, neuroglial cyst, holoprosencephaly, etc.
Exact diagnosis can be made by a detailed anomaly ultrasound.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
It can be any cystic structure
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, there are various cystic anomalies in brain like choroid plexus cysts, porencephalic cyst, neuroglial cyst, holoprosencephaly, etc.
Exact diagnosis can be made by a detailed anomaly ultrasound.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Dr. Deepti Verma
OBGYN, Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Practicing since :2009
Answered : 5064 Questions
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