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Newborn frontal horn cysts: cause for concern?

Journal of Perinatology volume 31, pages 98–103 (2011)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective:

To document the incidence, natural history and compare neurodevelopmental outcome of newborns with and without frontal horn cysts (FHC).

Study Design:

This was a case–control study. Newborns with and without FHC were identified and matched for demographics and worst cranial ultrasound scan (CUS) findings. Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed at 18 to 24 months.

Result:

A total of 30 FHC cases were identified from medical imaging database. Twenty-five cases occurred in preterm ⩽32 weeks gestation with an incidence of 1% (25 of 2340). The diagnosis was made on the initial CUS in 28 cases. The cyst size and number varied from 1 to 18 mm and 1 to 6 respectively with no change noted on repeat CUS during hospital stay. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were not statistically significantly different between the groups.

Conclusion:

FHC are not uncommon in the newborn period. They appear to be benign with no impact on neurodevelopmental outcome. This information is vital for counseling parents of infants with FHC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatrics, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    S Unger & V Shah

  2. Department of Radiology, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    S Salem

  3. Neonatal Neurodevelopmental Follow-up Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada

    L Wylie

  4. Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    V Shah

Authors
  1. S Unger
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  2. S Salem
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  3. L Wylie
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  4. V Shah
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to V Shah.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Abstract presented at The Society for Pediatric Research Meeting, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, 3–6 May 2008 and Canadian Paediatric Society Meeting, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, 24–28 June 2008.

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Unger, S., Salem, S., Wylie, L. et al. Newborn frontal horn cysts: cause for concern?. J Perinatol 31, 98–103 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2010.79

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