Cortical dysplasias, and corpus callosum and posterior fossa abnormalities: correlation of clinical findings with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics

An analysis of 109 fetuses with prenatal diagnosis of complete agenesis of corpus callosum

BACKGROUND

Agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) is the most frequent commissural malformation of the brain. It continues to be an important cause of the pregnancy termination associated with the central nervous system (CNS).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to provide a comprehensive assessment of fetuses with diagnosis of complete ACC, as well as postnatal neurodevelopmental outcomes.

METHODS

The data of 75,843 fetuses were screened for evaluation of complete ACC between 2003 and 2017, and a total of 109 cases with complete ACC were included in the study. ACC was considered isolated when no additional anomalies were detected, and ACC was considered complex when additional anomalies were present.

RESULTS

The prevalence of complete ACC was 9.4 per 10,000 live births, and the incidence was ranged from 1.8 to 16.6 per 10,000 person-years. Patients with isolated ACC had a significantly higher survival when compared with patients with complex ACC (97.4%, n = 38/39 vs. 68.8%, n = 22/32, P = 0.001).The most important cause of death were congenital heart disease and/or respiratory failure during neonatal period. Developmental and intellectual disabilities were significantly higher in the complex ACC cases (P < 0.001). Postnatal neurodevelopmental outcomes were completely normal in 79.4% of cases with isolated ACC.

CONCLUSIONS

Isolated complete ACC is usually associated with a favorable outcome. The most important prognostic factors are the presence or absence of associated congenital anomalies.