Schizencephaly: pre- and postnatal magnetic resonance imaging

J Child Neurol. 2010 Aug;25(8):1020-3. doi: 10.1177/0883073809355821. Epub 2010 Mar 18.

Abstract

Schizencephaly is a rare disorder of neuronal migration that is characterized by the presence of clefts that extend from the ependymal surface of the lateral ventricles to the pial lining of the cortex. The authors present the case of a female patient with a prenatal diagnosis made by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), her clinical course, and neurorradiological evolution following birth. A 6-year-old female, with right open lip schizencephaly, was diagnosed by means of prenatal cerebral magnetic resonance at the gestational age of 25 weeks. The patient does not present intellectual disability, reaching developmental mile-stones at normal time points. The MRI of the brain reveals right, perisylvian, closed lip schizencephaly. Prenatal MRI is remarkably useful in the diagnosis and prognostic approach to the condition. It is less useful in classifying the unilateral forms (open vs closed lips), and hence, its prognostic validity is more limited.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Body Patterning / genetics
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Child
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Malformations of Cortical Development / diagnosis*
  • Malformations of Cortical Development / pathology
  • Neurogenesis / genetics
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Diagnosis / methods*
  • Prognosis