Choroid plexus cysts on the baby's brain at 19 week scan. Anyone experienced this? Testing? Outcome?

ksmall21

I just had my 19 week appointment and we were thrilled to find out we are having a baby girl, but our excitement was stifled when we were told during a brief review of the scan that our baby has choroid plexus cysts on the brain. We were told the cysts maybe harmless or they could be a marker for trisomy 18 or other chromosomal complications. We are still waiting to hear if they saw any other markers that are concerning.

Now my husband and I are very anxious that our baby could have trisomy 18 or another chromosomal abnormality although the doctor said it is rare given our age. Has anyone had a baby with choroid plexus cysts at the 2nd trimester screening? Did you have any additional tests done? What was the outcome?

At this point I am thinking a next step is a level 2 ultrasound to see if the baby has any other markers for any chromosomal abnormalities. I have also read about a blood test and amniocentisis- but I am terrified of the miscarriage rate that comes along with the amnio.

Any advice or reassurance would be greatly appreciated.

mccall35

DS had bilateral choroid plexus cysts in the ventricles of his brain. From my understanding most of the time it is nothing to be concerned about and they resolve themselves. DS was born happy and perfectly healthy, and will be 2 in March. I know it can be quite alarming/anxiety provoking to have ANY findings on an ultrasound, but if your care providers are not concerned then I wouldn't jump to a whole whack of unnecessary intervention/investigation. I would have a frank discussion with your care provider as only they would be able to combine the results of the ultrasounds with your personal history and any other screening you have done to determine the necessity of further exploration. 

TL/DR: My son had the same thing and he was perfectly fine. 

lilitaliangirl

Yes, when I had my 20 week AS with DS he had chorid plexus cysts on his brain. I was a mess, too, when finding this out. We did the quad screen and had to meet with a perinatologist for further scans (at 23 weeks, I think). Almost ALL chorid plexus cysts dissolve on their own and will not cause worry for any medical issues. We had a follow up scan at 32 weeks and they were completely dissolved. After talking with my doc we decided not to the amniocentesis, because of such a high percentage of dissolving. It was comforting for us to hear that my doctor's two grandsons both had these as well and were/are perfectly healthy. And now I have a healthy 5 year old boy, as well.  I'm sure you will have a healthy and happy baby girl. I want to say don't worry, but I know that is easier said than done. Hugs

henrytviii

Yes, we had the same finding at our 20 week ultrasound.  I had already had some warning signals at the 12 week NT ultrasound (of conditions unrelated to the NT scan #’s themselves) so I took the Verify Test which screens for trisomy 18 at that time.  The verify test is quick and easy, just a simple blood draw. Because this screening was negative, my perinatologist did not recommend amniocentesis.  Both my perinatologist and my family practice doctor were very reassuring about the cyst, they emphasized that when they are an isolated finding with no other abnormalities it is very rare to be a true indicator of a trisomy.  My perinatologist said that if I hadn’t already taken the verify test he would have me take that instead of amniocentesis and would not recommend amnio unless the verify indicated something. As the previous poster mentions, both Dr.’s assured me that almost all choroid plexus cysts resolve on their own in the 3^rd trimester.

I have a follow-up ultrasound at 25 weeks but this is more related to the initial issues on my NT scan to make sure that they have fully resolved.  I have no follow-ups planned related the cyst, though that might be a good idea if it’s something that continues to cause worry for you.  Seeing that they are gone might help relieve some stress.  I know it’s really hard not worry about these things but everything I’ve heard in my case in very encouraging, and it sounds you might be in a similar situation without no other markers.  I hope that is the case.  I'd encourage you to try not to jump to any conclusions or worry unneccisarily but seek out more information from your doctor to reassure you.

junch817

We also found these cysts on my DD at our 19 week appointment. The tech told us and threw around some terms like "soft marker" and "downs" and really scared me to death, however, she also pointed out that there were no other markers, such as a clenched fist (we saw baby opening as closing hands), etc. They never said anything about blood tests or amniocentesis, but we did have to schedule another follow up ultrasound several (LONG) weeks later. At my OB appt in the meantime, I actually had to bring them up to my OB because he was so unconcerned with them. He said, like others have said, that they almost always go away on their own. And they did. He said he was more concerned with her heavier weight, which also ended up being nothing - note to you and others that those estimates are often VERY OFF. She was an avg baby of 7 lbs 9 oz. But I was a nervous wreck for several weeks.

Try not to worry too much. It's hard though, I know. Looks like there are quite a few others with similar experiences. My daughter is almost 3 and is as healthy as can be.

seannemairi

I had the same thing for my anatomy scan but since we did the genetic test at 12 weeks that came back low risk and a clean atf with no markers for trisomy 18, my dr said she mentioned it to me as a formality but is very unconcerned about them. I don't even have an ultrasound scheduled for my next appt because they are that unconcerned. It's very common and most drs now a days assocIates it with normal fetal brain development.

ksmall21

Thank you so much ladies, I really appreciate all your responses & reassurance

I have scheduled a level 2 ultrasound, hopefully it will come back normal and give my husband and I a little piece of mind.

heidijo565

We also found out that our baby girl has a choroid plexus cysts with no other abnormalities. I had the first trimester screening done at 12 weeks and everything was normal. I know that it is difficult not to worry but everyone has reassured us that it will most likely resolve itself. I hope that your level II scan goes well for you and gives you some peace of mind.

JennEpp1016

We also saw this at 20 weeks and had the same experience as many describe above. We were told that because our prior genetic screening came back low risk and because no abnormalities were seen, it was nothing to be concerned about. I still was concerned, of course, but in talking to others since I've realized it's very normal. I'm not planning on having any further testing, although we will have ultrasounds at 28 & 35 weeks because a medicine I'm on makes the baby at risk for a low birth weight. thinking good thoughts for everyone and hoping we all find these cysts really do mean nothing come June.

elizab14

Just got my scan back and they said the same thing. Luckily my doctor reassured me that this is even a common debate in radiology whether or not to tell patients about the cyst because most of the time they clear up. She was also not worried because I have no other genetic markers and the baby is completely normal sized. Best of luck to you and your babies.