Journal of Radiology
Open Access

Abstract

Objective: The oblective of this study is to describe the morphological abnormalities of the neural tube discovered at ultrasound in Abidjan. Patients & Methods: A retrospective multicenter study carried out over a 6-year period in C�´te d'Ivoire (January 2009 to December 2015). All obstetric ultrasound reports were re-read. Cases of neural tube defects have been recurrent; Then their types, seating, associated signs and socio-demographic and epidemiological characteristics were described. Results: 6714 obstetric ultrasound scans of the first, second and third trimesters were reviewed. 104 cases of fetal malformation (1.55%) were identified. 64.42% of the malformations (67/104) concerned the neural tube. The major morphological abnormality was lethal in 37 cases (55.22%) and minor, non-lethal in 30 cases (44.78%). The major morphological abnormalities were all anencephaly. Minor morphological abnormalities included 10 cases of myelomeningocele, 7 cases of lumbosacral spinabifida and 13 cases of hydrocephalus. Hydramnios were associated in 59 cases (88.06%). Discussion: The rate of malformation of the neural tube would be high in our context for 3 reasons: The high prevalence of infectious diseases such as rubella and toxoplasmosis which have a high tropism for the neural tube. Poverty with a lack of folic acid supplementation necessary for the good development of the neural tube. A frequent association with a hydramnios (59 cases or 88.06%), a sign of specificity and high sensitivity (99.5% and 87.3% respectively) for the detection of fetal malformations in particular of the neural tube.

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