Value of Antenatal Diagnosis and Outcome in Dandy-Walker Malformation

Abstract

Dandy-Walker malformation is a rare congenital brain malformation characterized by hypoplasia and upward rotation of the cerebellar vermis, cystic dilation of the 4^th ventricle and enlargement of the posterior fossa. Ultrasonography of the central nervous system is an integral part of a prenatal scan, and the development of imaging technologies have led to better diagnostic possibilities. Here, we present an antenatal diagnosis of a case of Dandy-Walker malformation at 40 weeks of gestation. Obstetric sonography reveals the large fossa cyst communicating with 4^th ventricle with aplasia of cerebellar vermis. The diagnosis was confirmed with postnatal neurosonogram and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The early antenatal diagnosis allowed for prompt obstetric attention at a referral care hospital which had specialized paediatric facilities including prenatal counselling and support.