Disorders of migration and gyration are a versatile group of pathologies that may cause epilepsy and/or neurodevelopmental delay. With the recent improvement of imaging methods, it is possible to detect these pathologies, not only on postnatal MRI but also in utero using fetal MRI. The use of MRI together with genetic tests and knowledge of the classification of these malformations makes early diagnosis possible. Furthermore, the exact diagnosis of disorders of gyration and migration will help ensure better treatment of symptomatic epilepsies as well as be of great help in counselling the parents if detected in utero. Ultimately, it may enable the development of new treatment strategies. Therefore, in this review the fetal neuroanatomy and pathologies due to migration and abnormal postmigratory processes together with the recent classification of these malformations are elucidated, which will ensure early diagnosis of these types of developmental disorders.
Keywords: Brain; Heterotopia; Lissencephaly; Malformations; Schizencephaly.