Schizencephaly

 

• Dysplastic grey matter lined CSF-filled cleft that extends from ventricular ependyma to pial surface of cortex.
• Destructive vascular lesions (e.g. MCA occlusion) & infections (e.g. TORCH) before 28 weeks are considered likely etiologies.
•  Common association – Absent septi pellucidi
• Open lip – Cleft prominent
• Closed lip – Cleft barely visible
• Cleft follows CSF signal intensity on all sequences
• D/D – Porencephaly (cleft lined by gliotic white matter), arachnoid cyst (displaces adjacent cortex), transmantle heterotopia, deeply infolded polymicrogyria