The significance of early sonographic diagnosis of fetal hydrocephalus

This review provides recent data on early sonographic diagnosis of fetal hydrocephalus as related to management options of the affected fetus. Introduction of new sonographic criteria, i.e. the atrial width (>10 mm), the width between atrial choroid plexus and ventricular wall (3 to 8 mm) and the appearence of asymmetry of the choroid plexus may permit early diagnosis of fetal hydrocephalus at 13 to 15 gestational wks. Early diagnosis may consequently reduce maternal morbidity associated with late abortion or lead to the selection of appropriate cases for intrauterine surgery.