Choroid Plexus Cysts - Again!

45 Comments:

• At Sat Jan 26, 06:49:00 AM 2008,  miraclebaby said…

  I'm sorry to be posting off the topic, but I have a question and doctors that seem to not care about what is going on with us. They are not being proactive at all. I lost our first baby at 16 weeks in 2005, due to incompetent cervix. It took us 6 1/2 months timing intercourse around and on ovulation day to get pregnant with my living daughter. My progesterone was only 12.1 with her at the beginning of the pregnancy, and her heartbeat was low (90 BPM). They told me I had almost no chance that she would make it. She did! I had a cerclage at 13 weeks, weekly progesterone shots, nifedipine for contractions, and strict bedrest for 5 months. She made it full term. She is now almost 17 months. In December I had a chemical pregnancy at 5 weeks. I am now 4w3d with another pregnancy, but my HCG level only went up by 1/3 in 48 hours and my temperature is now falling. I know it's coming to an end. After losing 3 out of 4 babies, what are my chances of being successful? Are there any good fertility Drs. in the Kaiser system that you know of? I live in Portland. I'm losing hope that we'll have another baby and my Dr. just brushes it off like it's no big deal. My cycles are very irregular with lots of pain and frequently I have a luteal phase that is around 8 days. Do you have any advice for me?

   

• At Mon Jan 28, 06:26:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  To MiracleBaby: If you have irregular periods, you probably have some kind of 'hormaonal imbalance' such as that associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is associated with difficulty conceiving as well as recurrent early pregnancy loss. I do not know a specific doctor in your system, but you have every right to DEMAND a referral to a specialist in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) in view of what you have already told me. An REI will be in the best position to perform a complete and efficient evaluation and treat you in a way that will improve your prospects of success. Best of luck and thanks for reading! Dr T

   

• At Mon Jan 28, 07:00:00 PM 2008,  miraclebaby said…

  Dr T,
  Thank you for your reply! I had initially asked my OB about my symptoms that correspond with PCOS, and she said she didn't even see how any of it was related... excess hair growth, irregular periods (32-60 days), intense pain between ovulation and period, etc. She told me to wax and that if I had 6 periods a year it was fine. I left feeling stupid and defeated. Now I know I should have asked to see someone else right then. I am glad to know I have the right to demand to see a specialist, and I'll remember that at my appointment on Thursday. I did indeed start having a miscarriage yesterday. After 3 losses and 1 near loss, that should be more than adequate for them to refer me (Kaiser can be stubborn about referrals). Thank you for keeping this blog, it is very informative! You are doing a great service for many women in painful and frightening situations. My goal is to help in a similar way. I am beginning my quest toward nursing school in hopes of working in a Perinatology clinic one day.
  Thank you again for your reply,
  Rebecca
  (a new regular reader)

   

• At Tue Jan 29, 04:24:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  To Rebecca: Sorry for your current situation, but I think you are making the correct decision to ask to see a speecialist from what you have just told me. BTW, some women with PCOS also have endometriosis and that might also be contributing to your symptoms and losses. Best wishes to you and thanks for the vote of confidence! Dr T

   

• At Tue Jan 29, 04:25:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  To Rebecca: Sorry for your current situation, but I think you are making the correct decision to ask to see a speecialist from what you have just told me. BTW, some women with PCOS also have endometriosis and that might also be contributing to your symptoms and losses. Best wishes to you and thanks for the vote of confidence! Dr T

   

• At Sun Feb 03, 01:28:00 PM 2008,  JNTMaria100 said…

  We had a similar experience with our first born 3 1/2 years ago. Due to my age we had to go to a specialist for the ultrasound who then scared the *!#@ out of us by leading us to believe our baby had a major problem and we needed an amnio right away. We too were set on keeping our baby either way and I did not want to ahve an amnio because of the risks. As soon as I told him I was not going to have the amnio, he couldn't have gotten out of the room any faster!! I believe he wanted our money but unfortunately he had already scare us to death and we were in a state of shock leaving the ultrasound, thinking our baby would be born with chromosomal abnormality. We went home and did some research on the internet and felt a little better and then I went to see my regular OB/GYN for my next appt. who told me that in his 12 years of practicing, every single fetus he'd seen with a CPC was born with no problems. ANd lo and behold, so was our healthy baby boy. So I guess what I'm saying is if that's the only thing wrong she can find, it is totally your choice to do what you will with that information. Don't be pressured in to something you don't want to do because there is such a small minute chance that that cyst means anything at all. Just another way for the Dr. to make more $$, probably. Good luck. I know you will have a healthy baby boy soon!!

   

• At Wed Feb 13, 07:07:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  To JNTMaria Feb 3: Thanks for your comment. I honestly believe that many physicians feel as though they MUST offer invasive diagnostic testing due to the liability risks of 'wrongful birth' to individuals who are not as understanding as you are. Many others offer it and are quite relieved when the patient decides she does not want it done under these particular circumstances. I think if the counseling is appropriate, the slightly increased risk of having a chromsomaly abnormal baby can be presented in a way that does not scare the patient and allows her to make the decision with which she is most comfortable. That is part of the art of medicine. Thanks for reading and for sharing your story! Dr T

   

• At Sat Mar 01, 01:48:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  Dear Dr T: My 28 year old daughter is due to deliver her baby girl on July 1st. She has been told the baby has two Choroid Plexus Cysts. Nothing other than the CPCs has been detected. She is not having an amnio. She had no complications with her first pregnancy. Does the presence of multiple CPCs puts our baby at increased risk for Trisomy 18 or anything else?
  Thank you. Concerned Nana in Ohio.

   

• At Tue Mar 04, 07:33:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  To Nana in Ohio: If the babies growth is normal to this point and the only 'abnormal findings' are the choroid plexus cysyt, the overwhelming odds are the baby is perfectly normal and it is VERY UNLIKELY the baby has trisomy 18. The CPCs will probably be completely gone in a few weeks and they have no long-term consequences from what we can tell so far. Relax and enjoy being a Grandmother! Let us know how things turn out. Dr T

   

• At Wed Mar 05, 05:19:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  at 34 I was pregnant with my 2 child, I was told he had a cpc. I also tested poistive for afp test. My doctor insisted I have an amnio. I researched for days and discovered a cpc is a perfectly normal aberration during pregnancy. I now have a 10 y/o wonderful son.

   

• At Fri Mar 07, 05:18:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  To Anonymous Mar 5: Thank you for sharing your story It will be reassuring to many women who have been told their babies have CPCs. Best regards,
  Dr T

   

• At Fri Apr 11, 03:03:00 PM 2008,  Kelli said…

  Dr. T. & Others, I am 18 weeks pregnant and was told the other day that my baby has a CPC. I went home to research on the net and was panic-stricken after reading some of the sights. The internet can be a scary place, considering anybody can post what they want. I was very worried and went back to the doc's office hysterical, because I really knew nothing about CPC's. After reading your comments and the comments of the other mothers on this page I feel much more reassured. I do have one question though...I am scheduled to have another ultrasound in 4 weeks. Should I be worried if the cyst is not gone by then? Is there anything that I can do to protect my baby (diet, rest, etc)? I know I will be anxious during the rest of my pregnancy, but hearing what you all had to say made me feel a lot better. Thank you all so much for your reassuring words and happy, healthy babies to all!

   

• At Tue Apr 15, 06:44:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  To Kelli Apr 11: Chances are that it will be gone by 24-26 weeks. In all the years I have been in this business, I have never seen a choroid plexus cyst by itself cause any long-term complications for a baby and, if you read my post, you know in the absence of other abnormalities, it is also VERY UNLIKELY that this baby has a chromosomal problem. CPCs are so common that I have at least one discussion per day with patients regarding them. Look at it as a 'normal developmental variant' and you will sleep much better tonight! Dr T

   

• At Fri Apr 25, 08:17:00 AM 2008,  bgandee said…

  Hello Dr. I am in the same boat- this will be my 6th baby (Over the last 14 years) I am going to be 34 1/2 at the time of delivery. I just left my Ultrasound Apt and this baby is a female with a CPC.Her hands open and close-her feet appear normal and she shows 4 normal heart chambers so far.I have to go back again for another anatomy ultrasound. If this was related to Trisomy 18, would the physical abnormalities already be showing up?I am only 17.3 weeks. My results in the sequential were OK in my opinion. 1/465 for Trisomy 18 and the low mark is 1/100. I am so scared I can not sleep well. Can this Cyst just be something that is there for most babies and due to the new technology they see it a bit more? The office I was in said they do not see it too much. They will be watching her Cyst they said- but I fear nothing more then looking forward to having a beautiful baby-then her dying in my arms. Please advise.

   

• At Fri Apr 25, 08:26:00 AM 2008,  bgandee said…

  Hi Dr.I am sorry- I lost all I typed a few moments ago-hope you don't get this 2 times.I just got back from my ultrasound and my baby has an isolated CPC.None of my other children ever had one before.I just turned 34 yrs old-this is my 6th child over 14 years time-No clenched hands or feet issues. 4 working heart chambers at this point- I am 17.3 weeks along.My sequential labs showed 1/465 for Trisomy 18- I would have been happier with better odds,but I am told this is OK. Would the baby already have the physical defects of the hands etc by 17 weeks or could she get them by the next ultrasound? I am very nervous about this CPC. I have had 2 children with meningitis throughout their childhood-so anything that involves the cerebral fluid scares me. They said they will be watching the CPC. Nothing scares me more then fearing my baby dying in my arms after birth. Amnio is not an option at this point, is there any data out there showing normal babies with a CPC?
  Thank you!

   

• At Sat Apr 26, 12:08:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  To bgandee: If you read the post above, you must know how little I think of choroid plexus cysts in the absence of other fetal abnormalities. In most circumstances, I consider this to be simply a NORMAL anatomic developmental variant. No one has ever shown that simple choroid plexus cysts by themselves hurt a baby in any way. Don't lose ANY sleep over this, please! Dr T

   

• At Sat Apr 26, 05:24:00 PM 2008,  bgandee said…

  Thank you so much Dr T.. I wish they just would have never told me! :) I appreciate your words of wisdom and I will take it to heart. Thank you again!!
  Bridget

   

• At Wed Apr 30, 05:46:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  Bridget: You are welcome and best wishes. Dr T

   

• At Mon Jun 23, 01:14:00 PM 2008,  James said…

  In February, my wife went for a routine ultrasound and they found a small Choroid Plexus Cyst and a Echogenic Intracardiac Foci on the Left ventricle of the babies heart. We were then scheduled for a Level 2 ultrasound on March 17th. Our OB/GYN was not concerned as our IPS screening tests (which is a prenatal screening in Ontario, Canada) came back excellent and measurements, wife's health have been great. No cramping, bleeding, etc. No concerns from the doctors but she said it was important to double check with a level 2 ultrasound. Fine.
  
  March 17th came around and we had the level 2 ultrasound done. The technician did her routine and asked the radiologist at the hospital to check also. They said they did not see any evidence of a CPC or EIF anymore. Great! My wife then had her regular appointment on Tuesday (April 8th) and our OB/GYN confirmed that the CPC and EIF were gone now. Great! However, (sigh) she said they did find a 6 mm lateral calcification on or near the liver of the baby. Our doctor still was not concerned (or she is keeping us calm) but she said because this is the third finding they wanted to send us to Mt. Sinai hospital in Toronto (near where we live) to double check because of their reputation and sonographic equipment. She fully expected it to disappear based on how everything is going in the pregnancy and that they are common and we shouldn't worry.
  
  We went to Mt. Sinai Hospital on May 5th in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and met a doctor, who was the director of the Fetal Medicine Special Pregnancy Program at the hospital. He is referenced in this article:
  
  Simchem MJ, Toi A, Bona M, Alkazaleh F, Ryan G, Chitayat D. Fetal hepatic calcifications: prenatal diagnosis and outcome. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:1617-22
  
  The doctor and an assistant conducted the examination. My wife was starting her 31th week I think. It was on May 5th and her expected date is July 7th. They told us that the EIF was actually still there and had not disappeared like the previous doctor at the level 2 ultrasound had indicated. They also said the liver calcification was still measuring at 6 mm. They confirmed that the CPC was not evident anymore. The assistant pointed out to the doctor on the ultrasound monitor that the bowel looked a bit enlarged. The doctor dismissed this and said that it was within normal range..perhaps a fraction bigger but it was fine. Nothing was noted on this and nothing more has been said in subsequent ultrasounds. He said everything looked remarkable. Checked alignment of fingers, nuchal fold, lips, head, etc. Everything looked great.They gave us 3 possible scenarios based on the hepatic calcification and previous markers.
  
  1) Fetal Infection
  2) Scarring or haemorrhage of the liver causing the single liver calcification
  3) Chromosomal Abnormality
  
  They recommended a TORCH analysis. These results all came back negative...except past exposure to herpes (she has cold sores), which he said was not a big deal. They didn't say yes or no to us doing an amnio (they want us to decide) but we didn't want one and they agreed that based on her IPS (Integrated Prenatal Screening - Ontario Canada testing) blood work earlier in her pregnancy, which was something like 1:90,000 for chromosomal abnormalities, and her age (29 years old), etc. that the amnio was not warranted. He said finally that everything was overwellmingly in our favor.
  
  I still have my concerns though. The paper I referenced above written by the doctor and his colleagues was handed to me to show me and my wife the good prognosis in isolated cases of these calcifications. He stated that he considers us to be in the "isolated" cases of liver calcifications, which all have good results except 1 T21 case. However, when I read the paper, EIF and CPC's fall under what is referred to as "minor" abnormalities, which also had good prognosis in the study except for 2patients which were lost to follow up.
  
  Why would he say we were under the isolated category when we have had CPC and still have an EIF, which the paper says are "minor' abnormalities? I realize the minor category had good prognosis, but I guess I'm questioning why we were told we are under isolated category when we still have an EIF in our baby. Or has something changed in science related to this since the paper was published?
  It has been very difficult getting these answers from the hospital, which is why I'm contacting you.
  
  Also, she was followed up with more ultrasounds to check the condition of the liver calc. In fact she is going every two weeks now. It had grown 4 weeks later from May 5th from 6mm to 10 mm. I called him and he said it was stretching with the growth of the baby. Do you concur with this?
  
  Fact is she has had another ultrasound and the tech said it was hard to tell but it looks like it is back down to 6-7 mm. Perhaps it was measured wrong before. EIF is still there. She is in her 38th week now I think. I'm mentioning this to show you the possibility that the calcification has maybe grown/shrunk in size. Maybe not.
  
  I have also heard that it doesn't matter if a soft marker disappears or not (like our CPC)...it was there and it contributes to the risk of birth defects. So, we have had 3 soft markers.
  
  I thought that 2 or more soft markers significantly increases the risk of problems. Your thoughts?
  
  Is it true that 50% of down syndrome babies don't have any ultrasonagraphic markers? We've had 3!
  
  I think it's obvious that I've been very stressed out over this...and it is very difficult to concentrate at work. We are 2 weeks away from birth basically and I'm worried about what to expect? Is T21 likely?
  
  I guess I'm looking at what you think the odds are for us. Thanks so much.

   

• At Thu Jun 26, 06:12:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  To James: Listen to the specialist you saw. I believe your baby is just fine too! Please try to relax until after the baby is delivered. That's not so very far away right now. By the way, if I am wrong, please let me know, but I bet you won't have to tell me that I am! Give my best to your wife. Dr T

   

• At Wed Jul 30, 05:19:00 PM 2008,  gabriela said…

  Hi,i'm in the same boat,i am in the 26 week of my pregnancy ,when i was to ultrasound they told me that the baby has 2CPC ,so they send me to do a more accurate ultrasound(i do not have insurance)where they sad everything is fine except those cpc-s .
  Now they want to make me another ultrasound to see if the cpc have disappeard .
  My question is - should i go and do this ultrasound? What they can do at this moment for the baby is the cpc are bigger? Can they do something at this point? If no it make no sense to spend my money on ultrasounds just to tell me that the cps is still there or is not there...
  Thank you !

   

• At Thu Jul 31, 01:45:00 PM 2008,  Bridget said…

  Dr Trofatter said it best-they do disappear. IF nothing else shows up on the ultrasound then all should be OK.I had my ultrasound at 29 weeks and all the cysts(My baby had several of them bilaterally)are gone!I was told that the baby is right on target for her size-they just did another one last week(I am 31 weeks)she is still on target for size and her hands,feet,and heart are all normal.I am taking what Dr Troffater said with me to the delivery room-that with nothing else wrong, it is just a normal developmental varient!As far as following up(I am not sure of Dr T's advice on this part) I was told by my friend in the NICU that sometimes IF the CPC's are too large, they need to be followed for a while after birth.My pediatrican told me also-if the baby was born with them-they would only intervene if they were very large. You may want to do what they are advising and get another ultrasound.Maybe you can obtain insurance through your county (just for your pregnancy-you can even be working-the income level isn't as low as you may think to qualify)to help pay for these tests.(just a suggestion)Good Luck! I plan on coming back to post after this baby comes in the next 7 weeks! :)

   

• At Fri Aug 01, 03:06:00 PM 2008,  gabriela said…

  Thank you bridget for your answer,probably u have right ,,i should go and do the ultrasound just to see how the things are.
  I applied for medicare but i don't qualifie for it ...
  And thy just give me another good news that i my have gestational diabetes ... this pregnancy get me older with 10 yrs :)
  
  I wish you all the best in the next weeks :)

   

• At Thu Aug 07, 06:16:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  To Bridget: Thank you for your help. That was a great answer! Would you like to help me respond to comments on a regular basis - I am getting overwhelmed!!!!!
  Dr T

   

• At Thu Aug 07, 06:18:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  To Gabriela: Listen to Bridget! Do what feel comfortable with and good luck with the rest of the pregnancy! Dr T

   

• At Fri Aug 08, 05:28:00 AM 2008,  drgflymommy7 said…

  (It is me,Bridget(bgandee)using my regular blog id)Anytime! Dr T... :) Just let me know :) I was only trying to help her :) (Sorry if I wasn't supposed to answer I am new to these boards and I do not know what is proper)There really isn't enough information out there about this. The only one website that has user posts about CPC's is down most of the time. Just like most,I spent time crying and searching the internet like mad,only to find information that was not true or people who did not know much about the CPC's. As Dr T knows-I couldn't sleep over it either. 3 of my children have an immune problem and were on infusions for years,then one had bacterial meningitis that almost took her life and not just her hearing that it ended up taking. So to hear about the CPC's-to me was more bad luck coming my way for my poor baby...
  Gabriela, did you decide to get another ultrasound by chance? :) I am not sure if it shows my email address, but if you want to email me you can bgandee@yahoo.com
  And Dr. T you are the best! :) Maybe someday you can get them to stop handing out this information to us when they see them on the ultrasounds as an isolated finding :)

   

• At Sat Aug 09, 06:07:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  To Bridget: No, I was serious. It was a greta response and I wish MORE readers would share their experiences! Thanks again! Luv ya... Dr T

   

• At Sat Aug 09, 06:46:00 PM 2008,  drgflymommy7 said…

  You are the best Dr T!! :) There really is no information out there-I may put a link to this site on my user post for CPC's. I just wish it was over-lol I want to be skinny again and have my energy back.Oct 2,but maybe I will go early and then I can come back to share my wonderful news with everyone!I am having a girl(ruins my husbands dreams of another Fire Lt.like him in the house someday)but at least she will be healthy!!! Talk to you soon and keep in touch if there are any new developments in the wonderful medical world!

   

• At Tue Aug 12, 04:34:00 AM 2008,  gabriela said…

  Thank you dr T and Bridget.
  Is true there is not to much information about cpc and it should because i heard is something pretty commune but the people don't have to much information about this subject.
  I have decided to make another ultrasound ,i have app next week,i have the felling that is going to be all right :),and i don't have gestational diabetes :)
  So i'm prepared for the next "bump" of my pregnancy,because how i pass one, another one is showing up :P

   

• At Tue Aug 12, 07:38:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  To Bridget: Tell your husband he has to figure out how to stop shootng blanks...teehee. I am sure she will be beautiful and she could become a fireperson too if you let her! Dr T

   

• At Tue Aug 12, 07:39:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  Hang in there Gabriela....take each day as it comes...one step at a time. Everything will be fine. Dr T

   

• At Wed Aug 13, 08:20:00 AM 2008,  drgflymommy7 said…

  Lol Dr T.. the funny thing is it took almost 3 months to get pregnant with Keegan(our 1 yr old boy)so I told him he was going to go get checked the following month!Then poof-he got his boy.This time we were waiting for Mid Feb since I wanted a Halloween baby,and somehow things didn't wait for us this time?It is crazy how things don't work as expected with babies.Now I am still wondering when she will decide to show up.Deep down I want them to do another US to look at her again-I am hoping to get one in the next 3 weeks.They are watching her size for the mild gestational diabetes they thought I may have.No insulin-just sticking myself 3 times a day :(. Oh and NO she can NOT be a fireman-lol NO NO NO. TOO dangerous and risky with all those germs and resistant bacteria in this world.-lol Don't tell hubby I said that-:) It just opens her up to catching more things and bringing them home to her family. He says they can all do what they want but I know deep down what he would like. Is this over yet? I wish it was the end of Sept already... :( Gabriella: PLEASE keep us posted!!!! I agree all will be good, and the next time you get to see the baby you will enjoy every second of watching! Oh btw- are you having a boy or girl?

   

• At Thu Aug 14, 01:36:00 PM 2008,  gabriela said…

  Thank you dr T.i think u have right, i have to take each day as it is....but..if that would be so easy like it sounds...
  Bridget - we don't know what it is :).I'm on my 7 - th month but we don't know.He want's a boy and because he is afraid to not be a girl i think he decided to wait till birth :).
  It's ok for me because i just want a healthy baby specially after all this problems and i respect his decision :)...we have just a little bit more till will find out :)

   

• At Thu Aug 21, 08:39:00 PM 2008,  gabriela said…

  Thank you for support :)
  I did the ultrasound and everything was all right the baby is ok now and the cpc have disappeared ,i am so happy :)

   

• At Wed Aug 27, 06:18:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  To Gabriela: Okay, so NOW relax and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy! Let us know hpw things turn out. Dr T

   

• At Wed Oct 01, 12:59:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  Doctor, my wife just performed an ultra-sound in her 17 wks and the doctor said that the baby has cpc (2 big bubbles at 14.5mm!!!). The doctors suggested to perform an amnio after 2 weeks if the size of the bubble does not reduced. I would like to ask whether it's worth to do the amnio and whether the size of the bubble is a matter. Thanks

   

• At Mon Oct 06, 12:49:00 PM 2008,  drgflymommy7 said…

  UPDATE!!!! I had a baby that had several bilateral(both sides of her brain) CPC's-showing on ultrasound and I had a healthy baby girl on the 22nd of September 2008!She had me SOOO SCARED that she would have other problems- all of the ultrasounds showed no other signs of problems and my bloodwork was OK-no amnio was advised. Thank you Dr T!!! :) You are the best!!!!!!!!!!

   

• At Tue Oct 07, 07:45:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  To drgflymommy7: CONGRATULATIONS! Thanks foe letting us know nd for the kind words. Have fun with your baby! Dr T

   

• At Wed Oct 08, 12:19:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  To anonymous Oct 1: If the baby has normal growth and there are no other abnormalities seen, we do NOT routinely recommend an amniocentesis for CPCs alone, regardless of the size. you certainly have the option to do that if you want to. Let us know how things turn out. Best wishes! Dr T

   

• At Thu Oct 09, 05:14:00 AM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I had my ultrasound at 17 wks 5 days and a Choroid Plexus Cyst was found. My AFP tests looked good. This was the only marker found. I do have another visit scheduled in three weeks. The doctor wants to take another look at the heart and the baby's face. A year ago I delivered my son who had full trisomy 13. I have read that if the only marker present is a Choroid Plexus Cyst, there is a 1% chance that the baby will have a chromosone abnormality. With my history, do you think my chances are higher than the average person to have another baby with a trisomy abnormality? I will be 37 when I deliver in March.

   

• At Thu Oct 09, 07:37:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  Dr T. in July 2007 I found out that I was pregnant with my first baby. My husband and I were very excited of course. I went in for my first ob appt. at 7 wks. After that appt. my doctors nurse called and told me that my progesterone level was low. They never told me what it meant, they just gave me a scrip for prometrium. Later, at my 19 wk. U/S my doctor told us that the baby had 3 cpc's. He said that they were sometimes an indication of Down Syndrome. He reassured us that everything would be fine that we were not at a high risk for that b/c of my age. He also said that if they go away or get smaller, everything would be ok. They did get smaller. I asked about having an amnio and he said he didn't think it was necessary. Between this time and the time when my son was born, I experienced a decrease in fetal movement(even went to the hosp.), I stopped growing(fundal height) at 30 weeks, and at 33 weeks I was told that the baby was measuring small. I was never made to believe that anything was seriously wrong. I had and U/S each week for the last 5 wks of pregnancy. At 39 wks my doctor said he wanted to induce so that the baby could get more nourishment. To my complete shock and surprise I gave birth to a 4lb. 8oz baby boy by C-sec. My doctor walked out and told our family that we had a healthy baby boy. My baby was born with Trisomy 18. He lived 83 wonderful days filled with love. He had all of the classic features. His rocker bottom feet were so far bent back that his toes touched his shins. He had a VSD, overlapping fingers, two hernias, the list goes on. Would any this been picked up on the 7 U/S I had? Just curious.

   

• At Fri Oct 31, 05:58:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  To anonymous Oct 9: Sorry, but I have just now gotten your questions. At age 37, your midtrimester risk based on age alone for having a baby with Down syndrome is 1 in 156 and for having a baby with any chromosomal abnormality, about 1 in 88. If ONLY a choroid plexus cyst was found, and the baby is growing normally, then you risk should not be increased over your age alone risk or the risk you got from the maternal serum screening results. Best wishes and let us know how things turn out. Dr T

   

• At Fri Oct 31, 06:04:00 PM 2008,  Kenneth F. Trofatter, Jr., MD, PhD said…

  To anonymous Oct 9: The classic history of choroid plexus cysts and chromosomal abnormalities is with trisomy 18, not Down syndrome. That's why when CPCs are seen, a very careful ultrasound should be done by an expert in fetal diagnosis. All of the things you described in your child can be detected by ultrasound and if any of them had been seen beforehand, then a prenatal genetic diagnosis could have been done if you wanted. The bottomline on CPCs is that in the ABSENCE of other abnormalities, they are very rarely associated with a chromosomally abnormal baby. I am sorry for your loss, but glad you got to spend some time with your baby after he was born. Many folks do not under these circumstances. Kind regards, Dr T

   

• At Wed Nov 19, 05:48:00 PM 2008,  Scared1sttimeFather said…

  I'm so sorry to bug anyone but I am a first time father who just found out that my little boy has a cyst. We just went for the 20 wk US heart looked good from what we were told, hands were spread out, etc etc. I'm just so nervous and scared. On the verge of tears as I type. I really just need reassurance. We have level 2 US in three weeks and genetic counseling is offered if needed. I don't even know what that is exactly. My wife is out of town tonight and I just feel awful. I don't like showing my fear around her because I want to be the reassuring one but its hard. Any comments, anything I can do, I'm clueless. Thank you

   

• At Thu May 07, 02:02:00 PM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  Dr. T,
  
  Are CPC's more prevalent in boys than girls?

   

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