The consequences of choroid plexus cyst

blaisdell · Newbie Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 17

I'm 26 years old and I'm also 4 and a half months pregnant. During the last routine ultrasound a doctor has discovered a choroid plexus cyst in my babies brain. They scheduled another ultrasound in two weeks from now to confirm the results of the first one. My doctor told me that this kind of anomaly can have a serious effect on my baby and that the second ultrasound is absolutely necessary. I would like to know what causes choroids plexus cysts and what are the potential dangers of that anomaly?

kostrzewski · Newbie Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 22

Choroid plexus is a special formation in your brain whose main purpose is to produce the liquor – cerebrospinal liquid. Cysts in choroid plexus in fetuses are usually a consequence of genetic abnormalities, and although most of them disappear during the remainder of pregnancy, and leave no trace or consequence at all, they are a clear sign that there is something wrong with the genes of the baby. The most common cause of choroid plexus cysts is chromosome anomaly called trisomy 18. Trisomy 18 means that there are three chromatides in one chromosome (normally there are 2 chromatides per chromosome), the chromosome 18, so there is some extra genetic material that can cause problems in further development of the baby. Sometimes the anomalies and the defects of the fetus are such that the abortion is advised to prevent the birth of the abnormally formed child. Also the vast majority of such cases never experience any symptoms during their lives although there is a trisomy. You should wait for the results of that second ultrasound and optionally do amniocentesis to get the babies genetic code for examination. For further information and steps that need to be taken you should consult your physician. Lets hope it works for the best for you and your baby.

lailie · Newbie Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

In the fall of 2001, I was 26 and 18 weeks pregnant with my first child when I had the level 2 sonogram done. During the procedure, the radiologist discovered bilateral choroid plexus cysts on my baby's brain and a "calcification" on the stomach. He discussed Trisomy 18 and abortion with me and my husband and absolutely horrified us. A week and a half later we went to the most respected medical center in our area for a second opinion, where we learned that the cysts had completely resolved on their own and the "calcification" was simply part of the stomach lining. For peace of mind I decided to do an amnio anyway and ten days later found out that, genetically speaking, my baby was fine. Today, he's a bright, lively and fun-loving four-year-old whose teachers and school directors have encouraged us to have him tested for being gifted. Reflecting on both my unnecessarily stress-filled pregnancies (had another healthy baby two years after my son was born), I think we women are simply given too many tests and too much information during our pregnancies. I'm not sure I'll be taking every single test (ie, AFP, triple screen, nuchal translucency, amnio, etc.) if there's a next time around. To all you moms-to-be who are receiving questionable results of one or more of these tests, stay strong and keep looking forward--the rate of false positives and innaccurate results is staggering.

meganmonroe · Newbie Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

I'm 19 weeks pregnant and they told me my baby has these cysts. I'm scared to death. The baby has no other abnormalities. I'm only 29 years old. This is my second child, i have a perfectly healthy baby girl at home. Help??? I'm scared???

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The statements that choroid plexus cysts (CPCs) are caused by genetic abnormalities, that they usually result in a baby with Trisomy 18, and that even if a baby is born with no apparent consequences from the cyst they still carry genetic abnormalities are all untrue. I'm a 33-year-old mother of two and am 19 weeks pregnant. My routine ultrasound has revealed a single CPC in my baby's brain and I've been doing a lot of research on the subject. CPCs are found in approximately 1% of fetuses during routine ultrasounds and are thought to be a natural phenomenon in brain development. If the baby exhibits no other signs of genetic abnormality in the ultrasound (clenched fists, malformed organs, etc.), it is likely that the CPC is what they call "isolated" and is unrelated to any other condition. The most prevalent genetic disorder that seems to be associate with CPCs is Trisomy 18, that is true, but most babies with CPCs do not have this disorder. There are a few options for mothers who's babies have CPCs: have a Level II ultrasound performed by someone experienced in diagnosing genetic disorders (which still may miss other markers of genetic disorders), have amniocentsis (which itself carries a .5 to 1% risk of miscarriage) or do nothing and wait. Babies with Trisomy 18 rarely live past age 1 and many are stillborn, but there are ways to determine how great the risk of Trisomy 18 is to your child. Discuss with a doctor your risk factors for Trisomy 18 (maternal age, results of any Triple Screen blood test) and decide. Some say that if you have another ultrasound after 25 weeks and the cyst has resolved itself, then there is no further risk of Trisomy 18, but others say that babies with and without the condition can have their cysts disappear. The bottom line is that if your baby has CPCs, there may be a slight increase in the odds that he or she has a genetic disorder like Trisomy 18, but the vast majority of babies with CPCs and no other indicators of genetic anomalies are born perfectly healthy. Of course it is reason for concern, but do not let the uninformed frighten you into thinking that your baby definitely has some disorder or that there is nothing you can do to get a better grasp on the odds that this is the case. Good luck to us all.

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Hi, I am 20 weeks pregnant with my second child. I have a little girl and this is a little boy. I was so excited to find out and then the doctor came in and told me the baby had bilateral cysts on the brain. He said that my AFP did not show an increased risk for my age and that there didn't seem to be any other abnormalities on the u/s however was recommending a genetic u/s. His exact words were "Consider your glass half full." Well I can tell you that made me feel sick. I am scared to death and have done all of the research (i don't think there is a site I haven't read) and still I feel useless. My next u/s is in a week and I feel like I should be doing something... like someone should be dping something! I don't understand how medical professionals can just give this informqation to you and then say oh yeah wait a week or two to find anything else out. I was also told that I should consider an amnio at the time of the u/s so that there is still time to get the results and terminate the pregnany if I wanted. I can't even think. Two days ago I was planning on decorating for a little boy and now they want me thinking about terminating. I am hoping and praying for all of us that all of the statistics in our favor prove that these really are nothing but cysts. Good luck to all

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Guest · Guest

Flashback to 1994. The pediatrician called up and said to come down to his office right away, he needed to speak with me immediately about my pregnancy. These cysts, this sort of "fetal condition," was a fairly new thing being spotted on the ultrasounds back then and was extremely scary. The doctor had a similar attitude to one mentioned here previously; you know, your glass is half empty. Well, I cried off and on for a month, waiting to see if there would be a "disappearance" of the two fairly large cysts. I was told they had resolved themselves, but I couldn't help but wonder why only 1 in 100 fetuses seemed to have this going on. I also wondered if they really would completely resolve, disappear, have no effect, whatever. I did go ahead with the genetic counseling and the amnio before the cysts "disappeared," only because I was over 35 and extremely scared, as there was little info out about this back then.

Well, now back to the present, 1/2007. My boy is 11 1/2 years old now. He walked at 7 or 8 months old. He never went to kindergarten but I was told by his school that they had never seen a child more ready for the first grade back then. He is now in the 6th grade and taking 8th grade pre-algebra. He is classified as "gifted," and last year he won seven or eight awards at school. He rarely gets sick, and when he does it is viral not bacterial.

I am curious as to whether or not others have had this same type of outcome as far as an elevated intelligence level and/or a better than average immunity system?? Coincidence?

In any case, I hope my experience, though not scientific proof of anything, may give some of you a little extra reassurance or perhaps a sigh of optimistic relief...

LBF · Newbie Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 1

Hi, I am 38 yrs old, pregnant with my first child. I chose to do all the integrated prenatal tests and had great results. 1/20,000 downs, 1/4500 spina bifida and negative for trisomy 18. I went for my 18 week ultra sound and was horrified when I was told by the radiologist my child has a choroid plexus cyst in her brain. My husband and I went home and did lots of research and I consulted with my OB and genetic councillor. Some information I have read on this from others is incorrect and I advise people to consult with their OB and genetic councillors. CPC usually go away before the child is born but the soft marker for trisomy 18 is still real. If it's an isolated CPC and you had negative blood work the odds are based on your maternal age, the blood work and if there were other abnormaties/markers on your ultra sound. In my case the odds for having a child with trisomy 18 at 38 are 1/1900. Based on my findings the risk increases to 1/750. I have an amnio booked but my genetic councillor said I am still not in a high risk group. My OB said that if this is going to worry for the next half of my pregnancy I should get an amnio to ease my mind but I am worried about the higher risk of the amnio. I feel for anyone that has to go through this but make sure you get all the information. Most isolated CPC cases produce healthy happy babies. Even if the CPC does not resolve itself it causes no harm to a person or their intelligence. I am only hoping that my baby is healthy and free on any genetic problems.

Guest · Guest

I'm 26 years old and 19 weeks along. At my 17 week ultrasound they found a CPC. At first I freaked out, but after doing some investigating and reading helpful bulletins such as this, I have relaxed. It seems to me that if I never would have had that ultrasound, I never would have been worried at all. Technology is wonderful, but there are downsides to being totally informed and aware of everything. Pregnancy is a completely natural occurence and I'm beginning to wish I could keep the mystery involved with it. Instead I am able to read anything and everything to do with pregnancy, labor, birth defects, you name it! Not to mention all of the different types of testing options, different versions of ultrasounds, and methods used to listen in and peer in at our little miracle taking place. Women have been giving birth for quite some time, and most of them did it without seeing their baby before the birth day. Although I'm glad to have the technology here for me if something goes wrong, I can't help but wish this whole process could be a bit more like it used to be. Anyway, that being said, I'm still going for my follow up ultrasound next week just to make sure. After that I'll probably have to go back again and they'll probably offer tests. I wish I didn't even know about the darn CPC, but since I do, I feel like I have to at least check in with the baby with an in depth ultrasound. I'm so torn about the whole thing. All I know is that my baby is fine. 100% perfectly healthy, just like mom and dad. There is no reason for me to think otherwise even with the spotting of the cyst. I wish all moms who find CPCs peace of mind. I wish you healthy babies and deep sleep at night. Happy pregnancies to all!

The consequences of choroid plexus cyst

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