Abstract
We describe three children born at term investigated for neonatal seizures or transient apnoea. Cranial ultrasound and MRI unexpectedly revealed symmetrical periventricular cysts adjacent to the anterior horns. We found no evidence of prenatal viral infection, intraventricular or subependymal haemorrhage or hypoxic-ischaemic lesions. The lesions were not seen on MRI at 3 months of age, but there was no compensatory dilatation of the anterior horns nor secondary loss of white matter. The appearance and location of these transient cysts were different from those of the cystic changes which typically follow germinal matrix haemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia. Their pathogenesis and clinical significance remain to be determined.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cheng-Mei S (1987) Correlates of mental retardation and structural changes of the brain. Brain Dev 9: 1–8
Lu JH, Emons D, Kowalewski S (1992) Connatal periventricular pseudocysts in the neonate. Pediatr Radiol 22: 55–58
Boesch C, Martin E (1988) Combined application of MR-imaging and spectroscopy in neonates and children: installation and operation of a 2.35 T system in a clinical setting. Radiology 168: 481–488
Griffiths R (1954) The abilities of babies. University of London Press, London
Freudenberg V (1988) Kongenitale subependymale Zysten der zerebralen Seitenventrikel. Ultraschall Klin Prax 3: 86–88
Levene LI (1980) Diagnosis of subependymal pseudocyst with cerebral ultrasound. Lancet II: 210–211
Clair MR, Zalneraitis EL, Baim RS, Goodman K, Perkes EA (1985) Neurosonographic recognition of subependymal cysts in high-risk neonates. AJR 144: 377–380
Shen EY, Huang FY (1985) Subependymal cysts in normal neonates. Arch Dis Child 60: 1072–1074
Mito T, Ando Y, Takeshita K, Takada K, Takashima S (1989) Ultrasonographic and morphological examinations of subependymal cystic lesions in maturely born infants. Neuropediatrics 20: 211–214
Lu JH, Emons D, Kowalewski S (1991) Differentialdiagnose periventrikulärer Pseudozysten im Neugeborenenalter. Klin Pädiatr 203: 8–14
Pape K, Wigglesworth JS (1979) Haemorrhage, ischaemia and the perinatal brain. Heinemann, London
Keller MS, DiPietro MA, Teele RL, White SJ, Chawla HS, Curtis-Cohen M, Blane CE (1987) Periventricular cavitations in the first week of life. AJNR 8: 291–295
Shackelford GD, Fulling KH, Glasier CM (1983) Cysts of the subependymal germinal matrix: sonographic demonstration with pathologic correlation. Radiology 149: 117–121
Zuerrer M, Martin E, Boltshauser E (1991) MR imaging of intracranial haemorrhage in neonates and infants at 2.35 Tesla. Neuroradiology 33: 223–229
Baenziger O, Martin E, Steinlin M, Good M, Largo RH, Burger R, Fanconi S, Duc G, Rumpel H, Boltshauser E (1992) Predictive value of early magnetic resonance imaging in severe perinatal asphyxia. Ann Neurol 32: 460
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Thun-Hohenstein, L., Forster, I., Künzle, C. et al. Transient bifrontal solitary periventricular cysts in term neonates. Neuroradiology 36, 241–244 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00588143
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00588143