A/S Ultrasound today - cysts on brain

mamarazzi528 · May 2012

So, I had my anatomy scan ultrasound today at 21 weeks. Everything is measuring correctly for Baby #2, baby has all of its parts, heartbeat is 158, weight is 14 oz., and baby is measuring 2 days ahead. Then the doctor said the ultrasound tech found a couple cysts on the brain...

She said not to worry -- she's not worried -- but they are considered a marker. She said they can be common and will most likely go away as the pregnancy progresses (let's hope so!). They are fluid-filled and aren't affecting brain development. They are only concerned about them if there's some other marker along with it, such as other body parts not measuring correctly (obviously not a problem).

She is having me schedule a level 2 ultrasound in the next week as a sort of "second opinion" just in case. She also recommended I get a chromosome blood test screening done to see if that finds any defects (I had previously declined the test). I decided to get it done and we'll have results on Wednesday.

I'm of course trying my best not to worry and stay off of Google. Did anyone else go through this? I could definitely use some reassurance! Also any good thoughts coming my way are greatly appreciated!

amypogg6 · May 2012

I never went through this, but I'm going to send many prayers your way. And yes, stay off of the internet.

jkchs2003 · May 2012

No advice, but so sorry that you are dealing with this. Hoping for the best!

Jills83 · May 2012

I don't have any experience to share, but I just said a prayer for you and your baby and will keep you in my prayers.

ETA: Happy birthday to your little girl! I hope you both have some fun today celebrating!

kellymacc · May 2012

no experience - but thoughts and prayers are heading your way. Sorry you have to deal with this. On the upside, it sounds like you'll have answers (or rather more information) soon.

jcsumm0 · May 2012

Saying a prayer right now for your baby! I hope everything turns out fine.

And Happy Birthday to Claire!

DramaMama06 · May 2012

T&P that it's nothing.

jellybeanjean · May 2012

Have a cousin who had a little boy a week before my DS2; he also had choroid plexus cysts and he's perfectly healthy.

When patients come in to deliver, we of course ask if there are any anticipated issues with baby; I've had more than a few said that they had found cysts in the brain on the A/S, had a f/u and everything was fine. Those babies have always been perfectly healthy.

Like you said, it's a soft marker. So many babies have soft markers which mean absolutely nothing unless found alongside something more major. Stay off Google and keep us updated after the Level II u/s.

mamarazzi528 · May 2012

jellybeanjean:
Have a cousin who had a little boy a week before my DS2; he also had choroid plexus cysts and he's perfectly healthy.
When patients come in to deliver, we of course ask if there are any anticipated issues with baby; I've had more than a few said that they had found cysts in the brain on the A/S, had a f/u and everything was fine. Those babies have always been perfectly healthy.
Like you said, it's a soft marker. So many babies have soft markers which mean absolutely nothing unless found alongside something more major. Stay off Google and keep us updated after the Level II u/s.

Thanks so much for posting this! It makes me feel a lot better! I'll definitely post an update.

mrs mosby · May 2012

I have not experienced this but I know someone on my August 2012 board was told the same thing. She went back for the higher level u/s and everything turned out to be ok. Her doc also said that they usually go away as the pregnancy progresses.

CantWait2Be · May 2012

No personal experience with this but I have heard of it and heard it usually goes away on its own and is no big deal. I understand how scary it is though until you know for sure it's nbd or gone. Best wishes for you and lo.

cassoppea · May 2012

Oh no I'm sorry! It sounds like your doctor isn't too concerned so I hope it's just nothing an everything turns out ok. I'm glad everything else looks good. Keeping FX for you and LO#2!

MommaA117 · May 2012

Very common. They usually resolve on their own. Finley had one and I know that CVL's daughter Callie did as well. With all of my other cervix complications I refused to let myself worry about it and actually pushed it to the back of my mind. At times it would really bother me but everything turned out just fine. Try not to worry about it too much, Easier said than done. As long as there are no other markers usually everything is fine and they go away. We went on a u/s at 24 weeks and it was already gone.

MommaA117 · May 2012

I also want to add that during our pregnancy I saw many of posts where moms have these show up in ultrasounds and every single one of them turned out just fine. I was on the high risk board so I saw everything that could go on during pregnancy over there. Dr. Google might actually be your friend in this situation.

LowTalker23 · May 2012

DS had this too. I went on to have a level 2 u/s and also met with a genetic counselor. The counselor put our minds at ease and by the next u/s, the cyst was gone. Try really hard not to worry and stay off google. T&P for you all and your peace of mind.

mamarazzi528 · May 2012

Thanks MommaA and bluejill for your stories (and everyone else for your T&P)! I feel much better about it now.

ladybug122 · May 2012

Sending you good thoughts!

cmread · May 2012

Joey had a cyst on his brain at our anatomy scan, too. We were also told not to worry, and that was much easier said than done! They scheduled another u/s for a few weeks later just to be sure that it was gone, and it was. I know it is common, and I also know that it is super scary while you are going through it! I said a prayer that your baby is healthy and that you find peace while you are waiting for more news.

bookkitten · May 2012

amypogg6:
I never went through this, but I'm going to send many prayers your way. And yes, stay off of the internet.

This. Will be thinking of you!

cvl105 · May 2012

We went through this. It was awful in terms of hearing that and not really knowing what to think. They DID go away on their own and Callie is perfect! Definitely keep reminding yourself that with no other markers, clenched fists, etc....odds are it is nothing to worry about!

kevinslove · May 2012

We had this with our daughter. The doctor told me not to worry, but of course I freaked out. So, I looked through google, and most of the stuff is very positive. They are very common, and I read a lot of posts where the child had this in utero and grew up to be a genius (which of course is what's going to happen with my daughter and your baby). By the next ultrasound we had, they were all gone and she was perfectly healthy

lbursey · May 2012

I went through something similar with my LO. He actually had 3 soft markers for DS. An echogenic heart focus, something about his nuchal folds, and a short femur length. Let me tell you....these so-called markers give us mommys a lot of unnecessary worry because most of the time they mean nothing. My LO guy is 100% healthy. I'm sorry you have to deal with this.

mamarazzi528 · May 2012

cmread:
Joey had a cyst on his brain at our anatomy scan, too. We were also told not to worry, and that was much easier said than done! They scheduled another u/s for a few weeks later just to be sure that it was gone, and it was. I know it is common, and I also know that it is super scary while you are going through it! I said a prayer that your baby is healthy and that you find peace while you are waiting for more news.

Good to know! Thanks!

mamarazzi528 · May 2012

cvl105:
We went through this. It was awful in terms of hearing that and not really knowing what to think. They DID go away on their own and Callie is perfect! Definitely keep reminding yourself that with no other markers, clenched fists, etc....odds are it is nothing to worry about!

Glad to hear this! Thanks!

mamarazzi528 · May 2012

kevinslove:
We had this with our daughter. The doctor told me not to worry, but of course I freaked out. So, I looked through google, and most of the stuff is very positive. They are very common, and I read a lot of posts where the child had this in utero and grew up to be a genius (which of course is what's going to happen with my daughter and your baby). By the next ultrasound we had, they were all gone and she was perfectly healthy

Oh, totally then!

mamarazzi528 · May 2012

lbursey:
I went through something similar with my LO. He actually had 3 soft markers for DS. An echogenic heart focus, something about his nuchal folds, and a short femur length. Let me tell you....these so-called markers give us mommys a lot of unnecessary worry because most of the time they mean nothing. My LO guy is 100% healthy. I'm sorry you have to deal with this.

Oooh wow! I'd be super worried with 3 markers! I'm glad everything turned out great for your guy!

Birdies08 · May 2012

We didn't go through it, but I hope it turns out to be nothing! Sounds like a good sign that they weren't worried. I'll keep you in my T&Ps.

amberpro · May 2012

Sending prayers for baby razzi. Hope it's all nothing. Keep us updated!

Andie_83 · May 2012

I never went through this, but I'm so sorry

I'm praying that everything is just fine, and that they go away on their own!

JuneBugsMommy · May 2012

Well i'm glad your doctor isn't too worried and that everything else looked good! I'll keep your LO in my prayers and hopefully you'll have some answers soon!

Happy birthday to your little cutie!