Page 68 - JCTR-11-2

Journal of Clinical and

Translational Research

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Understanding fetal posterior fossa

abnormalities: Insights from MRI and ultrasound
imaging

Deniz Delibaş* , Arzu Gülşah Yalçın , Zafer Yumak , and Elif Ergün

Department of Radiology, TC Saglik Bakanligi Ankara Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi, Ankara, Turkey

Abstract

Background: The posterior fossa is a critical brain region housing essential
structures such as the cerebellum and brainstem, crucial for coordination, balance,
and autonomic functions. Abnormalities in this area significantly impact fetal
development and postnatal outcomes, necessitating accurate diagnosis and
characterization of fetal posterior fossa abnormalities. Aims: This review aims to
analyze the diagnostic role of ultrasound, the primary imaging modality due to its
accessibility and safety, and magnetic resonance imaging, which provides enhanced
diagnostic accuracy in identifying central nervous system anomalies, particularly
those involving the posterior fossa. A comprehensive approach is proposed to address
*Corresponding author: the diagnostic complexities of cerebellar malformations, including ambiguous
Deniz Delibaş terminology and overlapping clinical features, which pose notable challenges.
(deniz.delibas@saglik.gov.tr) Relevance for patients: The complexity and lack of consensus regarding cerebellar
Citation: Delibaş D, Yalçın AG, malformations across medical disciplines can hinder accurate diagnosis and timely
Yumak Z, Ergün E. Understanding intervention. By advancing interdisciplinary research and refining diagnostic
fetal posterior fossa abnormalities:
Insights from MRI and ultrasound approaches, this study aims to enhance clinical management strategies and improve
imaging. J Clin Transl Res. patient outcomes in cases of posterior fossa pathologies, ultimately fostering a more
2025;11(2):62-77. integrated and effective approach to diagnosis and treatment.
doi: 10.36922/jctr.6240
Received: November 19, 2024
Keywords: Fetal imaging; Fetal magnetic resonance imaging; Fetal ultrasound; Posterior
1st revised: February 10, 2025 fossa
2nd revised: March 14, 2025
Accepted: March 17, 2025
Published online: April 4, 2025 1. Introduction
Copyright: © 2025 Author(s). The posterior cranial fossa houses the brainstem and cerebellum, essential parts of the
This is an open-access article
distributed under the terms of the central nervous system (CNS). The hindbrain, also known as the rhombencephalon,
Creative Commons AttributionNon- is the embryonic precursor of the posterior fossa structures. During embryonic days
Commercial 4.0 International (CC
BY-NC 4.0), which permits all 17 – 21, the notochord induces the overlying ectoderm, which ultimately gives rise to the
non-commercial use, distribution, neural tube and neural crest. Initially, three primary brain vesicles form: the forebrain,
and reproduction in any medium, th
provided the original work is midbrain, and hindbrain. By the 4 week, these develop into five secondary vesicles: The
properly cited. telencephalon, diencephalon, mesencephalon, metencephalon, and myelencephalon.
Publisher’s Note: AccScience The hindbrain further differentiates into the metencephalon (pons and cerebellum) and
Publishing remains neutral with the myelencephalon (medulla oblongata), whereas its cavity develops into the fourth
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional ventricle and central canal. Throughout this process, the midbrain (mesencephalon)
affiliations undergoes comparatively minimal alterations. 1,2

Volume 11 Issue 2 (2025) 62 doi: 10.36922/jctr.6240