Dandy-Walker variant

Objective

Dandy-Walker variant; cystic posterior fossa mass with variable hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis and no enlargement of the posterior fossa. The prenatal sonographic diagnosis of Walker variant is difficult before 18 weeks of gestation. We report a case of Dandy-Walker variant which was diagnosed during routine antenatal ultrasonography at 20 weeks of gestation.

Case(s)

A 32-year-old primi-gravida was referred for routine antenatal ultrasound at 20 weeks of gestation. Ultrasonography revealed a single live intra-uterine 20 weeks of gestation. The fetal posterior fossa was of normal size but with a large anechoic lesion which was communicating with the 4th ventricle. There was a suggestion of hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis  but no evidence of hydrocephalus. Detailed ultrasound examination of fetal anatomy revealed no additional abnormalities except hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis. Amniocentesis was not performed because patient. Did not want to perform. The patient delivered a male child at term with a birth weight of 2.6 kg. Physical examination of the baby did not reveal any congenital anomaly. There were no other congenital intra or extra-cranial malformations. There was not any congenital cardiac defect. A final diagnosis of Dandy-Walker variant was made.

Conclusion

The Dandy-Walker malformation has an estimated prevalence of about 1:30,000 live births. Dandy-Walker malformation is frequently associated with other intracranial anomalies, polycystic kidneys, cardiovascular defects, polydactyly and cleft palate. Isolated Dandy–Walker variant has the highest chance of leading to a normal neonate

Keywords

Dandy-Walker variant.