I was in my 22ndweeks of pregnancy and going to my second ultrasound. My husband and I were so excited that not only did we get to see our baby, but we also got to know him or her. I remember taking a longer sonogram than usual (this was my 6th pregnancy; so I was quite experienced). At the time, I didn’t really think anything of it, but looking back now, I understand that it took some time for the technicians to look. We found out we were having another child (our fifth), took our photos and were sent to the waiting room to wait for my doctor. At the end of the checkup, he turned to us and said nonchalantly, “The baby has a small cyst in the brain, but these are normal and there’s nothing to worry about.” He also told me that he wanted to do a sonogram in another month to make sure the cyst was out. Needless to say, when I heard the words ‘cyst’ and ‘brain’ in the same sentence, Petr. I went home and did as much choroid plexus research as I could. It was very comforting, but it also scared me a lot more about what this could mean for the baby. Here are some things we have learned about the choroid plexus of the anus and the effect it can have on the developing fetus;
What are the choroid plexus?
Choroid plexuses are small fluid-forming pockets in the choroid plexus of the fetal brain. Wikipedia.com gives an excellent explanation of what these vessels are and how they form: “The brain contains sacs or spaces called ventricles with a spongy layer of cells and blood vessels called the choroid plexus. This is in the middle of the fetal brain. The choroid plexus has the most important function of a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid The fluid from the cells of the choroid plexus fills the ventricles and flows around the brain and spinal cord to provide a cushion around these structures and come from the fluid enclosed within this spongy layer of cells, much like a soap bubble or cyst , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/plexus_plexus_cystis 3 January 2009).
A choroid plexus is usually detected on ultrasound in the second trimester, but it can form and disappear before it is ever detected. It is estimated that 1 percent, or 1 in 100 pregnancies are diagnosed with a choroid plexus cyst. The good news is that the fetus is inherently dangerous. They do not show any signs of causing defects or problems that can affect the health and well-being of the baby, especially if they are isolated. However, there are some studies that show that CPC is linked to chromosomal abnormalities in fetuses. It is important to note before reading the following section that the odds of a CPC, or even multiple CPC, being detected in your child’s brain is very low (only about 1 percent). Remember, therefore, that because the anus is present, it is by no means a more serious diagnosis.
Could a choroid plexus indicate something more serious is wrong with my baby?
Soft choroid plexuses are thought to represent other potential serious fetal problems, most notably Trisomy 18. Trisomy 18 is a very serious chromosomal condition that is usually fatal in infants, and this occurs when “a baby has three chromosomes in the 18th place common to two.” (A Trisomy 18 Path, http://www.geocities.com/wilsfordmindy/trisomy18resources.html, July 21, 2006) Most babies diagnosed with this disorder are born or live for only minutes, days or weeks. Most people don’t even make their first birthday. You should know that old people usually don’t care about doctors. That is, if the technician finds a CYST on ultrasound, then he is going to look for other soft marketing. to indicate a more serious problem with the baby. Babies with Trisomy 18 usually have several features that show up on ultrasound, such as cleft palate, rocker feet, cleft palate And the defects of the heart. While these can be detected on an ultrasound, they can also be missed, so it is important to schedule a 2-level ultrasound to see your baby in more depth. A Level 2 ultrasound will allow you to get a better look at your baby’s brain, heart, stomach and other vital organs that can be affected by Trisomy 18. As I said, choroid plexus alone is not enough reason to jump to a conclusion. Your baby with Trisomy 18 and the odds of it being that way are completely at your mercy. However, the presence of other symptoms may be cause for concern and other testing should be done. The only surefire way to diagnose Trisomy 18 is with amniocentesis, which is only recommended if other symptoms are present along with the anus. If a cyst is the only indication of a problem, the risks of getting an amnion done may outweigh the risks of actually being there. So if your baby is suffering from a cyst and nothing else seems to be wrong, the next step is to take more equal 2, beyond the sound made to alleviate or confirm your fears.
Another chromosomal abnormality that can be associated with choroid plexus is Trisomy 21, which is Down Syndrome. Most of the studies show that there is no solid proof that this link is real, at least not as much as Trisomy 18. Also, Trisomy 21, like Trisomy 18, will probably be soft on the ultrasound, which indicates a problem. , so if your baby has a small cyst present and no other signs, it’s either a case or she is fine. .
Note: Choroid plexuses never cause Trisomy 18 or any other chromosomal disorder. Rather the other way around.
What does it mean if the cyst recedes?
In most cases, the choroid plexus is gone by the time you have your follow-up ultrasound, which was the case with me. I went for a level 2 ultrasound at around 26 weeks and there were no signs of a cyst. However, some moles don’t go away and may still be present when your baby is born. If so, know that this will not cause any problem for your baby at all. In fact, adults can have these lesions in their brains too, and have no symptoms or problems at all. It’s not the people themselves that cause the problems, it’s what they can mean to do. If you go for your level 2 ultrasound and the cyst is no longer there and no other soft tissue marks are present, then there is generally no further cause for concern and nothing more will be done. Chances are your baby is perfectly healthy and will be born that way. But you should know that just because the cyst disappears, it does not mean that your chance of having a baby with a chromosomal abnormality has dropped to zero. Once a cyst is detected, your odds of that happening go up to about 1 percent. Whether the cyst disappears or not, it will not delete one percent. That being said, 1 feel that there are some pretty good odds and I don’t care much. If the cyst is still present on the ultrasound, the procedure is still the same. If no other soft marks are present, your risk is still around 1 percent and does not increase due to the continued presence of the cyst.
What should I do if a cyst is found?
If your doctor happens to find a cyst, it is important not to disturb the cyst. I know, easier said than done. I’ll be the first to admit that I freaked out, cried and thought the worst, especially after I did some research on it. But as I said before, if the only soft anchors are found, the odds are definitely in your favor. Although two soft pots have been found, such as CYST and heart defects, this does not mean I am sure your baby has a chromosomal abnormality. Ultrasound is not a diagnosis, it is just a way to assess your risks. I also say that doing your research can be a good way to find out about things. Although a lot of the research I did was very scary, I was also able to find several local mothers who had gone through the same thing and had a positive outcome. Their stories gave me hope and cheered me up, even though they didn’t allay my fears. One of the best websites to visit for choroid plexus cysts is http://choroidplexuscyst.org/. This site is pretty much a message board and group for parents who are currently discussing or dealing with this issue. It is very comforting to know that you are not alone in this diagnosis and that there are a lot of other people out there going through the same thing. I guarantee that once you visit this site, you will leave your feeling, at least a little more comforted. Another thing you should do is talk to your doctor. Don’t let yourself be intimidated by the buffets. At that visit when my son was diagnosed with cysts, my doctor seemed so relaxed and unassuming and didn’t bring any more certainty than he should have. At the second check-up I decided to ask him all the details I had and make sure he answered me as best he could. Your worries about your baby should never be overshadowed by paranoia, and any doctor who feels the way you do is not worth your time. Your baby’s health is important and should be treated as such. Bring a list of questions and concerns you have and ask your doctor to sit down with you and talk about them. If you won’t address your concerns, find another doctor who will. Also, if your doctor doesn’t recommend a 2-day ultrasound, ask yourself. He will tell you that you only need regular ultrasounds, but I strongly suggest that this is not clear enough for you. A level 2 ultrasound has a higher probability of detecting potential problems than a level 1 ultrasound does. It may not be covered under your insurance and you may have to pay out of pocket, but I think it’s a small price to pay to confirm your baby’s health.
When I went to my field 2 ultrasound, I was relieved to know that the technician was taking time looking at each part. of my child’s body and of each of its organs. Luckily the cyst was gone and there was nothing else to worry about on the ultrasound. Needless to say, I breathed a big sigh of relief. I am now in the eighth month, anticipating the day when I will have him. I can’t say that I still don’t have that horrible fear of something wrong lurking beneath the surface, but it’s not as bad as when I first heard those words “chorus plexus.” I think my fear will always be there until it comes and I see for myself how healthy and perfect it is. When I heard my baby cyst was one of the worst things I’ve ever experienced, I was really taken away from the joy and anticipation I thought I’d feel in my womb. But I was excited about his immediate delivery, and I wondered every day if I should say goodbye to him before he got here. I was sad and scared every day more than I was excited about the future. I wrote this article as a way to help other expectant parents cope with the diagnosis of these parents, and to let them know that they are not as scary as they seem. . With the right medical care, information and resources, you’ll be able to deal with this uncertain time and still be able to enjoy The rest of your womb.
