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2nd Trimester
Choroid Plexus Cyst
So I went to the doctor yesterday for my 22 week check up, and he went over the anatomy ultrasound with me. He said, "Everything looks great...except." (nothing serious...at least we don't think it is).
I'm expecting him to say that our child will most likely be down syndrome or something along those lines. He said that the baby MAY have a Choroid Plexus Cyst in her brain, and that during the ultrasound the tech wasn't able to find a certain part (I think it was an artery or valve or something) of the heart.
So next month at my next check up I will be getting an ultrasound done earlier that day so they can make sure everything is okay.
Here is the link for those that would like to click on it, but otherwise...I am just pasting it to the thread for easier read.
Apparently it is common, and the cyst usually resolves itself before the end of the pregnancy. Now, there are cases where this can turn into Trisomy 18, a genetic disease. They child usually dies early in life due to heart failure. She shows no other signs of being susceptible to the disease or anything, yet...we don't know about her heart just yet.
I haven't been worried about it at all, because I feel that she will be fine. However, I then realized that husband had an uncle who died under the age of 2 months due to heart failure. I also had a cousin die under the age of 2 months as well.
So now we're thinking, "Oh crap...she may have a heart malformation." But we're not going to completely stress over it yet, it's not good for all 3 of us.
But...has anyone else had a scare like this or your child had one and it disappeared?
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https://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/edu/prenatal_diagnosis/index.html#11
The presence of isolated choroid plexus cysts (CPCs) on a second trimester ultrasound is a common cause of anxiety, although it is almost always an innocent finding. Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about CPCs.
What are choroid plexus cysts?
The choroid plexus is the part of the brain that makes cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that normally bathes and protects the brain and spinal column. In about 1 percent to 2 percent of normal babies -- 1 out of 50 to 100 -- a tiny bubble of fluid is pinched off as the choroid plexus forms. This appears as a cyst inside the choroid plexus at the time of ultrasound. A choroid plexus cyst can be likened to a blister and is not considered a brain abnormality.
What is going to happen to the cyst? Will it enlarge?
In the vast majority of cases, the cyst resolves or disappears and has no consequences.
As mentioned, choroid plexus cysts are present in 1 percent to 2 percent of normal fetuses. However, in a very small percentage of fetuses with choroid plexus cysts, there is an associated chromosome disorder called trisomy 18. Fetuses with trisomy 18 have an extra copy of chromosome 18. Frequently, fetuses with trisomy 18 are stillborn. Survivors beyond infancy are rare. They have severe mental retardation and a variety of other problems including abnormalities of almost any organ system such as the heart, brain and kidneys. Fetuses with trisomy 18 have choroid plexus cysts about a third of the time. Therefore, when we see choroid plexus cysts, we are concerned that the fetus may have trisomy 18.
Trisomy 18 is rare. It is present in less than 1in 3,000 newborns. Choroid plexus cysts are relatively common in normal fetuses. Most fetuses with a choroid plexus cyst are normal. Furthermore, many of the abnormalities associated with trisomy 18 can be detected by a careful ultrasound. In fact, fetuses with trisomy 18 almost always demonstrate abnormalities on ultrasound in addition to choroid plexus cysts, although some of these abnormalities can be quite subtle. If no additional abnormalities are detected by a thorough "level II" ultrasound, the likelihood the fetus has trisomy 18 is very low.
What are the odds that it is a sign of the chromosomal disorder trisomy 18?
The precise rate of risk is difficult to estimate and is somewhat controversial, but most doctors believe it is well under 1 percent. In other words, a fetus with choroid plexus cysts but an otherwise normal ultrasound has a better than 99 percent chance of not having trisomy 18. A normal alpha fetoprotein (AFP) test further reduces the likelihood of trisomy 18.
Does the size of the cyst matter?
Ordinarily, the size does not matter, although multiple, large cysts are slightly more worrisome.
What is the next step after a cyst is discovered?
We can perform an amniocentesis, and count the number of chromosomes in the fetus to be certain there is not an extra copy of chromosome 18. At the same time, we can rule out other chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome, although we have no reason to suspect any of these in your case. However there is a small risk of amniocentesis causing a miscarriage.
How high is the miscarriage risk with amniocentesis?
The rate of risk for miscarriage with amniocentesis is difficult to determine. Many doctors cite 0.5 percent or 1 in 200.
Can I just wait to see if the cyst resolves?
That won't help your decision, because cysts almost always resolve in both normal fetuses, as well at those with trisomy 18. The natural course for a CPC is to resolve or disappear. However, even when the cyst resolves, it does not reduce the chance that the fetus has trisomy 18.
If you do nothing further, you should be confident that your baby most likely has normal chromosomes. If you have not yet had an alpha fetoprotein (AFP) test, this can be done to further evaluate the chance of trisomy 18. A level II ultrasound, or a targeted scan, should be done, if it has not been done already to look for other signs of trisomy 18. If you need to be certain, we can do the amniocentesis, with the knowledge that it is very unlikely to result in a complication. Your decision should depend on what you would do with the information from an amniocentesis, how you would feel about a miscarriage, how you would feel about an affected child and the anxiety you might feel until the child is born. If you want to proceed with the amniocentesis, you can be reassured that the complications from the procedure are quite rare.
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Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 19, 2009
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. We encourage you to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.
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Re: Choroid Plexus Cyst
Cut the Crap - Weight loss journey of a Few Fat Chicks
They found CP cysts in BabyZ's brain during our 20 week but the doctor was adamant that they were nothing to worry about, that she sees them every day, and that almost every time they're gone in a matter of weeks. In combination with the crystal clear results of my NT scan at 12 weeks, she said she was 99.9% positive that everything would be just fine with my son, and she recommended against an amnio.
I hope everything goes well with your follow-up and that your baby was just being uncooperative in terms of the heart pictures. You're right not to stress over it until there's something real to stress about. Best to you all!
There were CPC's seen in my daughter's brain at our 19 week anatomy scan, we went for a follow up Level II ultrasound at 22 weeks and they were gone. There were also no other defects so the doctors said there's a 99.99% chance she's fine.
this! Her Dr. did send her for a level 2 u/s to make sure they all (her daughter had 3) were gone. Everything turned out fine.
Thanks everyone!
After reading more about the cysts, I'm not too worried (like you ladies said...you'll worry no matter what), but the only thing that worried me was the heart thing.
In MY heart, I feel that everything will be fine and work out...but my husband feels differently. He's blaming it on my diet and a few other factors. I told him it has nothing to do with diet and that it's very common.
I was just wondering if any of you had been through the same experience. Thank you for making me feel more at ease as well.
OMG, your diet?!?! your DH needs to be more sympathetic imho. There is NOTHING you or anyone did to cause the cyst and the cyst itself is not bad, in the least. It's just the association with abnormalities that raises issues. And it sounds like your baby was otherwise fine - hopefully the heart will be right on track too.
My baby had a cyst at 19w - I'm now 30w and have no idea whether it resolved - my obg didn't think a follow up was necessary. After an incredibly good NT scan, she recommended strongly against an amnio and think the chances of anything being wrong are pretty much trivial.
You're right not to worry, I'm a worrier and haven't been able to help it. But the more I think about it, the more unlikely it seems that anything would be wrong with my baby. Especially after hearing SO many many stories of people who have been through this - no one I've heard of who's had just the cyst had a T18 baby. And most people w/ T18 babies had other signs like restricted growth or other anatomy problems. I think both of our bb's will be just fine. Take care!