Pregnancy Abnormality - Choroid Pleux Cyst

  • Wednesday, December 22, 2010 4:03 PM
    Message # 484483
    Dar
    I have just been told by my OB that the 21 week ultrasound shows one Choroid Plexus Cyst in the baby's brain. She reassured me that the risk of Trisomy 18 is very low, since the IPS tests and the Anatomy of the baby looks normal. She told me that it's really not worth doing an amniocentesis because of the high risk of miscarriages.

    I did some research on it (http://www.babyzone.com/pregnancy/health_wellness/prenatal_tests/ultrasound/article/choroid-plexus-cyst) which made me feel little better. Does any other moms had this happened during their pregnancies? I would like to hear your stories.
  • Thursday, December 23, 2010 8:32 AM
    Reply # 484755 on 484483
    Colleen
    Hi Darmeen,

    I know what you're going through.  These things can be so worrying.  When I was pregnant, the blood work screening done at 12 weeks came back with a higher than normal risk of down syndrome.  I chose not to get an amnio done and of course I did a lot of worrying, but eventually I calmed down and realized that the odds were definitely in my favour that everything would be fine.

    Then I had complications at 6 months and they did another detailed ultrasound and found that his legs and arms were a bit short which could indicate a genetic disorder.  Then I really worried.  I considered getting an amnio at that point, but my doctor talked me out of it and I'm so glad he did.  The risk of having a premature baby just to put my mind at ease just wasn't worth it.  Ethan is perfectly healthy.

    These tests just indicate a very small possibility that something may be wrong.  In the vast majority of the cases everything's fine.  In the process of my worrying and obsessing I came across many people whose baby's had these cysts and the babies were born totally fine. 

    It's your choice whether or not to get the amnio done.  I can certainly understand the need to know.  However, you should know that the odds are definitely in your favour that everything is going to be fine.

    I don't plan to have genetic screening done next time.  It caused too much unnecessary worry for me.
  • Friday, December 24, 2010 3:05 PM
    Reply # 485283 on 484483
    Randi
    Hi Darmeen,

    First, I'd like to say congrats on your pregnancy!!!!  I hope it goes well.

    Second I wanted to say that Sophie had the exact same thing on my 21 week ultrasound! I was beside myself with worry.  As you did, I researched the heck out of it when I got home.  Sometimes too much information is NOT a good thing.  I read that in the US doctors don't even tell mothers about these cysts since they usually turn out to be nothing. 

    Back to Sophie's story: My doctor told me it's nothing and not to worry (as if).  She had the geneticists at Markham Stouffville Hospital look at the ultrasound before my followup appointment.  They look for other markers of development in the ultrasound to see if there was cause to worry.  In our case they said the baby was developing fine.  Most likely it was just an area with fluid on her brain that would drain when she started growing.  My doctor wouldn't even do another ultrasound to see if the fluid dispersed or not.  That's how fine she was with it!  I was still scared out of my mind!  When Sophie was born at MSH, they did an ultrasound on her head on Day 2. There was no sign of the cyst or any other damage!  I was sooooo thankful and relieved.  Sophie is developing really well and the scare seldom enters my mind.  If you have any questions just call me (I think you already have my number or email me).  I'm sure your docto is doing the right thing.  You and baby will do well.


    Merry Christmas to you and Xavier too!
    Randi

    P.S. My research said mostly boys have this cyst but Sophie obviously isn't a boy!
  • Thursday, December 30, 2010 12:48 PM
    Reply # 487229 on 484483
    Dar
    Thanks Collen and Randi for sharing your stories! This community is awesome!

    I have decided to not worry about it because there is really nothing I can do but wait. My OB ordered an ultrasound for me in a few weeks' time. So we'll see if the cyst has changed or disappear somehow.

    p.s. I did read that a lot of normal healthy adults also have cysts in their heads.