Evolution of fetal ventriculomegaly diagnosed in the second trimester of pregnancy: A retrospective study in Northern Greece

Abstract

Introduction: The present retrospective study aims to examine the course of ventriculomegaly (VM) during gestation, the association between the degree of VM and the presence of additional sonographic fetal malformations, as well as to inspect the prevalence of VM with reference to fetal gender. Materials and Methods: The databases of two maternal-fetal ultrasound units were reviewed from 2010 to 2021. All cases were classified as either mild (10 to <12mm), moderate (12 to <15mm), or severe (≥15mm) according to the fetal posterior ventricle width measurement upon VM diagnosis, at 20-24 weeks of gestation. Furthermore, cases with additional fetal sonographic abnormalities were registered as cases of non-isolated VM, whereas those cases without further fetal malformations on ultrasound (US) scan were documented as cases of isolated VM. The final sonographic record of every participant, following VM diagnosis, was registered so that the evolution of VM during gestation could be monitored. Results: The sonographic and medical records of 81 women diagnosed with fetal VM were studied. The prevalence of VM is about 0.24% and the male/female ratio was 2; 88.9% of the cases were mild, 9.9% moderate, while only 1 (1.2%) was severe at diagnosis. Among the initial 62 cases of mild VM, 24 (38.7%) regressed, 16 (25.8%) remained unchanged and 22 (35.5%) progressed. There was an association between a higher degree of VM and the presence of additional fetal abnormalities. Conclusions: The majority of VM cases are mild at diagnosis and in isolated about one third resolves in the third trimester and about one third progresses but not to severe. Therefore, a follow up scan is useful to reassure most parents and identify those cases that may progress to moderate.