Exencephaly

Article

A 25-year-old woman was referred for routine antenatal scan at 14 weeks, 2 days of pregnancy.

Clinical history: A 25-year-old woman was referred for routine antenatal scan at 14 weeks, 2 days of pregnancy.

Findings: Transabdominal sagittal view of the uterus shows a fetus with a reduced crown-rump length of 6.2 cm, corresponding to12 weeks and 5 days of gestation. There is absent calvaria and the brain is exposed to aminotic fluid.

Image shows reversal a wave in ductus venosus flow.

Transabdominal sag view of the uterus shows the same findings of absent calvaria and exposed brain. There were no other anomalies.

Transvaginal scan shows the reduced CRL, absent calvaria and exposed brain.

Diagnosis: Exencephaly

Discussion: Exencephaly is a rare, lethal anomaly with absent cranial vault and protrusion of brain in amniotic fluid. It is considered as a precursor of anencephaly due to failure of closure of neural pore during embryonic life. Maternal serum alpha protein will be highly elevated. This is one of the indications for termination of pregnancy and the patient was advised the same.

R. Pankajam MD, Consultant Radiologist, Medall Health Care Private Limited, Vadapalani, Chennai, India

Recent Videos
What New Research Reveals About the Impact of AI and DBT Screening: An Interview with Manisha Bahl, MD
Can AI Assessment of Longitudinal MRI Scans Improve Prediction for Pediatric Glioma Recurrence?
A Closer Look at MRI-Guided Adaptive Radiotherapy for Monitoring and Treating Glioblastomas
Incorporating CT Colonography into Radiology Practice
What New Research Reveals About Computed Tomography and Radiation-Induced Cancer Risk
What New Interventional Radiology Research Reveals About Treatment for Breast Cancer Liver Metastases
New Mammography Studies Assess Image-Based AI Risk Models and Breast Arterial Calcification Detection
Can Deep Learning Provide a CT-Less Alternative for Attenuation Compensation with SPECT MPI?
Employing AI in Detecting Subdural Hematomas on Head CTs: An Interview with Jeremy Heit, MD, PhD
Pertinent Insights into the Imaging of Patients with Marfan Syndrome
Related Content
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.