Obstet Gynecol Sci.  2014 May;57(3):223-227. 10.5468/ogs.2014.57.3.223.

A meningomyelocele with normal intracranial signs on ultrasound and false-negative amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein and acetylcholinesterase

• Yoon CH
• Kang SK
• Jin CH
• Park MS
• Rho JH

• KMID: 1704429
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5468/ogs.2014.57.3.223

Abstract

Neural tube defects are the major targets of prenatal diagnoses, along with Down syndrome. Prenatal diagnosis of spina bifida is possible at second trimester of gestation through alpha-fetoprotein and acetylcholinesterase biochemistry assays and ultrasound. In particular, the discovery of characteristic intracranial signs on ultrasound leads to a very high diagnosis rate. However, it is rare for spina bifida to present without intracranial signs while also showing normal values of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein, amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein, and acetylcholinesterase. In our hospital, a fetus with spina bifida was delivered at 37+5 weeks' gestation by cesarean section, and was continually followed up over 2 years to date.

Keyword

Intracranial sign; Meningocele; Meningocele repair; Maternal serum alpha-fetoproteins; Spinal dysraphism

MeSH Terms

Acetylcholinesterase*
alpha-Fetoproteins*
Amniotic Fluid*
Biochemistry
Cesarean Section
Diagnosis
Down Syndrome
Female
Fetus
Humans
Meningocele
Meningomyelocele*
Neural Tube Defects
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, Second
Prenatal Diagnosis
Reference Values
Spinal Dysraphism
Ultrasonography*
Acetylcholinesterase
alpha-Fetoproteins