Antenatal Treatment of Hydrocephalus

Abstract

PERCUTANEOUS cephalocentesis without ultrasound is used as an adjunct to the delivery of a fetus with massive cranial enlargement due to hydrocephalus.1 The procedure carries substantial risks of fetal morbidity and is selected when cranial dimensions preclude uncomplicated vaginal delivery. Precise antenatal evaluation of the intracranial anatomy and selective guidance for percutaneous needle placement are complementary methods of ultrasound imaging for the early diagnosis and potential treatment of hydrocephalus.Ultrasonically guided percutaneous needle placement was used for the antenatal management of a case of progressive hydrocephalus detected at a gestational age of 24 weeks. Six serial, atraumatic, cephalocenteses with withdrawal . . .