cysts found on brain during ultrasound

junch817

I had my first ultrasound today at 19 weeks. The tech told me there were some cysts on the brain. She mentioned that if I was 35 or older (I'm 26) it could be a marker for Down's syndrome, but since I am so young, so told me she feels there is nothing to worry about (yeah right!!!) and that they will probably end up disappearing on their own.

 

I also had my monthly OBGYN appointment in the afternoon. They were given the results, and the doctor told me that they were developmental cysts (after looking online, I've found this search brings up Choroid Plexus Cysts (CPC), although I don't recall my doctor using this term... just developmental). He said this is fairly common, and they are just that.... cysts that develop during pregnancy that almost always end up being nothing. He told me because there were no other complications, he believes even more so that there is nothing be be concerned with. He wants to do another ultrasound in weeks 28-32 (will be doing this), and also told me I could get blood work done if I wanted (probably won't do this... it's no conclusive proof, just something else that could make me worry).

 

Bottom line.... this was a vent and a request for prayers and positive thoughts (#1, the health of the baby, and #2 that neither my husband nor I nor any other family worry themselves sick)... and also, I would LOVE to hear if anyone else can relate to this. The more positive stories I hear, the better!

 

Thanks 

nonoemily

Hang in there, girl! Try to relax and send good vibes to your baby. I hope everything turns out fine in the end.

GANTA555

I'm 37 and all my blood work for DS was clear I had a very healthy baby.  I got a u/s last week Friday and they found a CPC in the left side which is a "soft" marker for Trisomy 18. . . I was 1 out of 400 mother who just had a "soft" marker.  What was explained that if it followed with a cleft lip or abnormal blood or any deformity in the u/s (Trisomy 21 - DS) then it would be a problem.  Doctor gave an example in comparison to a regular TV to an HD TV. . . .when you watch the news on a regular TV you see no flaws. . .when you watch it on HD you can see flaws on the news caster's face i.e. pimples etc which you've never seen on a regular TV. . . .thus that being said. . . to blame the technology on seeing it.  They say Trisomy 18 was there in the past but we never seen it but because the technology is so much better we see it.  Being that it was just ONE marker followed by a healthy blood work and healthy u/s to not to worry. . . he gave me an option of doing a amnio but did not recommend it again stressing how healthy everything else was. . .he noted that it was in time go away on its own. . . I came to the conclusion that he has seen many of these I trust what he says. . .he saw other mothers the week before that who did follow a Trisomy 18 with other markers as in cleft lip or deformed hands. . .we saw baby's hands and feet and bones and everything was perfect!. . .I trust what he is saying but still. . . I'm carrying this baby and he is mines. . . .it still bothers me but I don't want to keep banging my head on the wall. . .I did research on Trisomy18.com. . .there where alot saying what I just told you and some sad stories BUT remember you only have one marker. . . .don't beat yourself.

Jessimurph

I know you never want to hear anything is abnormal in an u/s.  Believe me, I know.  We just found out our son has bilateral clubfeet a few weeks ago.  I have heard the cysts on the brain a lot from other mothers I know and every time it clears up on it's own.  I'm not sure if that's reassuring.  It would be a little reassuring to me, but of course I would still worry.  Good luck, I hope you get good news at your next u/s.

GANTA555

One of the research I've done states:

 

An ultrasound is a test done during pregnancy. It uses sound waves to view or visualize the fetus during a pregnancy. No risk to the baby is associated with ultrasound during pregnancy and most women will have one or two ultrasounds, for a variety of reasons, over the course of their pregnancy.

It is most likely that the choroid plexus cysts are normal for you baby and you will have a normal, healthy child. However, some researchers have seen an association between these cysts and chromosome abnormalities like Down syndrome and trisomy 18. When choroid plexus cysts and/or other markers are seen on an ultrasound, you may be offered further testing such as a level 2 or detailed ultrasound, or an amniocentesis. . . . . ..

 

The Bottom Line

Choroid plexus cysts, while sounding scary, are a common ultrasound finding. Most often they are a normal findings that has no significance for the pregnancy. Rarely (less than 1% of the time), they can be a marker that the fetus has an underlying chromosome abnormality such as Down syndrome or trisomy 18. If chroid plexus cysts are seen on your ultrasound, you should discuss this finding with your doctor or a genetic counselor to see what your risk is and to discuss further testing options if appropriate.

hewinked

My daughter had that type of cyst on her brain at her 20 week u/s.  They are fairly common to see and they often do disappear.  I was told that even if it didn't, it would have no effect on her development.  Hers did disappear, was gone at the next ultrasound, which I believe was around 30 weeks.  She is now a perfectly healthy almost 3-year-old.  I know it's hard not to worry, especially with the words "cyst" and "brain," but they really are fairly common and often mean nothing.  Good luck!

GANTA555

hewinked. . . .your reply made ME feel better LOL. . . .thank you!!!

hewinked

GANTA555:

hewinked. . . .your reply made ME feel better LOL. . . .thank you!!!

You're welcome!  I do remember my doc saying it could be a marker for Down's, like someone else said.  But he was also not concerned at all cuz I didn't have any other markers, and I was 27 when I delivered her. 

GANTA555

Yeah I think it was me lol. . . .he called it a "soft" marker. . . .but no downs following it so it should go away. . . .now that yours has gone away I feel better. . . .how much ultrasounds together did you have after getting the cyst found?

hewinked

Ok, I just looked through her stuff.  I had an ultrasound at 24 weeks, which is when I was told her cyst was gone, so it was that quick.  Then I had another at 33 weeks.  The only reason I had the one at 33 weeks was cuz I had a placenta issue that showed up at the 20 week u/s, so that had to be checked on.  I delivered her just shy of 35 weeks (unrelated to the cyst or placenta issue), so I only had those 2 additional ultrasounds. 

GANTA555

WOW COOL!!  I was 16 weeks when they found it and I have an appointment next week and I wanted to see if I could get another ultrasound to see. . . .that was my 2nd u/s so I don't think they would do it. .  .especially that everything else was normal..

louMT

Chorid Plexus Cysts are nothing to worry about. 99% of them mean nothing. The reason that sometimes they are worth looking at is because about 80% of children with Down Syndrome have them in utero. That's all. Not all DS kids have them and like I said, 99% it's just how the brain develops. My daughter had them, plus about 15 other babies I know had them. They are all fine.

 

Don't stress, everything will be fine. 

Lesleyjking

I am so confused so I started another post. My cpc was found at 16 and the dr said it could mean Tri 18 NOT downs. Usually the other markers would show such as rocker bottom feet, cleft lip etc

 At my next U/S they saw a spot on the heart which they said had NO correaltion to the CPC on the brain but that the heart could indicate downs, but again is so commonly found in health pregnancies. I again asked if the brain cyst could mean downs or increase the risk of downs. All three drs told me NO, that there was NO relation btw the too.

Now Im paranoid I was misinformed. IF a CPC could mean downs then that would make the chances higher!!!??