The development of a child in a mother’s womb is considered as a very safe event. The safety that a mother’s womb provides is nowhere else to be felt in the outer world. During the journey of pregnancy some conditions may occur which can be considered as unhelpful. Choroid plexus is a gland in the brain which is present in both the left and right side of the brain.
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In some foetuses the fluid becomes trapped and it becomes a cyst. This is known as choroid plexus cyst. It can start from 6 to 7 weeks of gestation and can be visible in the 25th week via an ultrasound. We will talk more about the choroid plexus cyst treatment in the following sections.
Introduction Choroid Plexus Cyst Treatment
Symptoms of choroid plexus cyst
Choroid plexus cyst is formed when the fluid starts breaking away as the choroid plexus forms. The fluid forms a cyst.
In most of the cases the choroid plexus cyst goes away on its own but some cases which may have a chance of trisomy 18 may require detailed attention.
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Trisomy 18 can be detected further which may have some additional specific symptoms. Not all the foetus develop trisomy 18 which is a rare condition.
Types of choroid plexus cyst
Choroid plexus cyst is the most common type of intraventricular cyst. It is believed that the foetus brain develops these cysts in the form of brain development. Most of the cysts disappear by the 32nd week of pregnancy.
Diagnosis of choroid plexus cyst
Diagnosis of choroid plexus cyst is done via an ultrasound. During any checkup between the time of pregnancy when an ultrasound is performed then the choroid plexus cyst can be visible.
A check on its formation is kept and it is checked whether it disappeared on its own or not. The most common type of diagnosis for choroid plexus cyst is an ultrasound.
Treatment of Choroid Plexus Cyst
Trisomy 18 is a genetic condition in which the foetus may have an extra chromosome 18 and many abnormalities are related to this.
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Children with trisomy 18 have a detectable choroid plexus cyst and thus doctors see whether the foetus with cyst has any chance of trisomy 18 or not.
Not all the choroid plexus are related to trisomy 18. Trisomy 18 is a rare condition. Normal choroid plexus cyst disappears on their own and they require no medical treatment.
But if someone is concerned with their baby having trisomy 18 along with a choroid plexus cyst then they can ask their doctor to perform an alpha fetoprotein test (AFP). AFP test can help in detecting –
- Down syndrome.
- Possibilities of twins.
- Any other chromosomal abnormalities.
- Spina bifida can also be detected.
This test is performed by detecting protein present in mother’s blood.
Complications of choroid plexus cyst
A choroid plexus cyst along with trisomy 18 can have many complications. The abnormalities may include heart defects and other possible defects in other vital organs.
The survival rate of children is also lesser. The symptoms of edwards syndrome or trisomy 18 are as follows-
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- It may include low birth weight.
- Small head and jaw.
- Problems related to feeding or breathing.
- Overlapping fingers.
- An unusual face.
All these are symptoms related to trisomy. If the doctor wants to run an additional test to detect or check the choroid plexus cyst then let him or her proceed so that the complications or worriedness related to trisomy 18 can be removed.
Prognosis of choroid plexus cyst.
In most of the cases choroid plexus cyst disappears and is not considered as a brain abnormality. But in very rare cases a detectable choroid plexus cyst can be linked to trisomy 18. Trisomy 18 further needs to be detected with other additional tests including AFP.
This test helps to ensure that whether the cyst is benign and will disappear or whether it is linked to trisomy 18 or other medical conditions. Kindly note that trisomy 18 is very rare and not every choroid plexus cyst is linked to trisomy 18.
Risk factor of choroid plexus cyst
Risk factor of choroid plexus cyst includes trisomy 18. The babies who are confirmed of having trisomy 18 are stillborn in many cases.
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In other cases the babies rarely make it up till infancy. These were related to the risk factors associated with the choroid plexus cyst.
Side effects of choroid plexus cyst
Most choroid plexus cyst disappear till birth. The other rare cases may require an additional ultrasound and test like AFP. Side effects of choroid plexus cyst may include trisomy 18 which may have symptoms like-
- Low birth weight.
- Unusual features of face.
- Problem in heart etc.
Pre/post care of choroid plexus cyst
In cases where trisomy 18 is detected it may require very special care after the birth of a child. Child with trisomy 18 may need-
- Cardiac treatment as it requires support.
- Assisted feeding may be required.
- Psychosocial support is required.
- Orthopaedic treatment is required too.
- Children with trisomy 18 have intellectual problems too which require care and attention.
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All these things are needed to be taken care of children with trisomy 18
Treatment Cost of Choroid Plexus Cyst
Treatment cost of choroid plexus cyst treatment does not require any cost as in normal cases the choroid plexus cyst fades away on its own and may disappear.
However if someone wants to perform an AFP test for trisomy 18 in India then it may require Rs 500 to 1,200 only. This will help in detecting trisomy 18.
If trisomy 18 is detected and diagnosed then the treatment cost in India may vary according to the symptoms associated with trisomy 18. Thus the cardiac treatment or any other medical cost may vary according to the specific need of the child.
Child with trisomy 18 needs proper emotional and social support too. Good surroundings may benefit their quality of life. Try to spread positivity in their lives and make sure that they find you as their reliable source of support.
