DOI: 10.3390/life16081362 ISSN: 2075-1729

The Value of Transvaginal Neurosonography in the Detection of Fetal Ganglionic Eminence Abnormalities

Krzysztof Berbeka, Aleksy Świetlicki, Katarzyna Stefańska, Dorota Sys, Dagmara Filipecka-Tyczka, Evelina Bertelli, Manuela Tavares De Sousa, Igor Hawryluk, Magdalena Rudzińska, Sambor Sawicki, Miriam Illa

Introduction: The fetal ganglionic eminence (GE) is a transient brain structure involved in interneuron development; its abnormalities may be associated with malformations of cortical development (MCD). This systematic review evaluated the feasibility and clinical value of transvaginal neurosonography for fetal GE assessment. Material and Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from January 2015 to June 2026. Human in vivo ultrasound studies of the fetal GE were included. Results: Thirteen studies comprising 890 fetuses were included. GE visualization ranged from 71% to 100%, with highest rates using dedicated three-dimensional transvaginal neurosonography at 9–22 weeks. Measurement reproducibility was good to excellent. GE cavitation and enlargement were associated with MCD in selected high-risk cohorts, but reported frequencies varied substantially. Conclusions: Transvaginal neurosonography permits feasible and reproducible visualization of the fetal GE in experienced hands. Small studies, heterogeneous protocols, and limited long-term outcome data preclude routine GE assessment at present.

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