Vascular plexuses are called brain structures that serve to produce cerebrospinal fluid – liquor, necessary for nourishing both the brain and spinal cord. A choroid plexus cyst is a cavity containing liquor. Such a cavity forms during intrauterine development and is not considered an anomaly. As a rule, choroid plexus cysts resolve spontaneously around the 24-28th week of fetal development, but sometimes they can also be observed in newborns.
Their appearance at later stages, after the birth of the infant, is explained by fetal infection with some infection, complications during pregnancy, or minor hemorrhage during childbirth. Another cause may be the herpes virus. In the vast majority of cases, choroid plexus cysts do not manifest themselves in any way and do not affect brain function. Over time, they resolve without treatment.
Choroid plexus cysts in infants are detected using neurosonography – an ultrasound examination of the brain. It is recommended for every child in the first year of life to rule out possible malformations of the central nervous system. In particular, neurosonography is mandatory for premature infants, children with neurological symptoms, those who suffered birth trauma, hypoxia, large or very low birth weight newborns. Neurosonography is also prescribed for children with unusual head shape, facial structure, malformations, features or abnormalities in the structure of other organs.
Neurosonography is a simple and absolutely safe procedure for the child. The examination is usually performed through the anterior (large) fontanelle. Ultrasound waves of medium and high frequency do not penetrate through the dense bones of the skull, so neurosonography must be performed before the fontanelle closes. Additionally, to study the posterior inferior and central parts of the brain that are distant from the anterior fontanelle, the occipital, posterolateral, and anterolateral (temporal) fontanelles are used.
Diagnosis of perinatal brain lesions is based solely on clinical data. The results of various types of studies are considered auxiliary and clarifying measures.
Choroid plexus cysts that appear after birth are not a cause for panic. Often they do not require careful additional monitoring, do not need special therapy, and disappear on their own over time.
Source: http://hnb.com.ua/