Fetal Cortical Abnormalities Identified on Ultrasound

Normal neuronal cell differentiation and migration is critical to brain formation, is rapidly occurring as the fetal brain develops, and peaks at the time of the routine ultrasound anatomic survey. Abnormalities in cortical migration can signify an underlying genetic abnormality or other fetal injury that can have a profound impact on future development. Although cortical migration peaks at 20-22 weeks, cortical migration abnormalities are rarely diagnosed at the time of the anatomic survey. We describe three cases of fetal cortical abnormalities in which prenatal ultrasound imaging was instrumental to making a prompt and accurate diagnosis in the mid-trimester and for guiding clinical counseling.