Dandy Walker Variant

Hi,

I am in my 22nd week of pregnancy. I was totally normal so far but last week, the ultrasound suggested that that my fetus (baby boy) has a dandy walker variant.

Everything is normal with the brain/heart beat is normal.no enlargement of skull etc are seen

The only defect is that the vermis is missing. The doctors tried to see the vermis at various angles. But they were not able to see the vermis clearly (inferior portion). There seemed to be a gap inbetween.

So they have asked me to go for an MRI next week, which may show better images of the vermis. My questions are:

1. Will MRI be a conclusive evidence? Based on MRI should I go in for termination at 23rd week of gestation?

2. What are the chances that my next baby also has the same defect?

3. Whats the exact cause for this DWV?

4. Isnt there a possibility that the vermis would grow / be visible after some weeks?if not at 22nd week?

Would appreciate if you could help by answering the above questions.

[AMO]

hi fly8

I wanted to make sure you knew this side of the forum is not read and ansswered by the doctor, it is a patient to patient.

I do not know what to say, bbut i wanted to answer you and let you know you and your baby are in my prayers.
I can not begin to imagine whatt this diifcut time is for you.
wishing you well, and keep faith
amo

[srih]

Can you please please share your experience ? We got the same result yesterday in our 22nd week ultrasound and we are feeling devastated and we are thinking about getting second option on monday and then decide on what to do next.

[NaniKai]

Hi
I found this link that you can go and read some more information about Dandy Walker Variant.
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/3919/dws.html

Mind you, I wasn't going to post here again but you seemed like you need some answers.
The beginning of the article is below, please copy and paste the above link into your browser (the spot where you type www....com when you want to go to a website). It will take you to the page to complete the reading of this article.

About Dandy Walker:

Dandy Walker is known by many names: Dandy Walker Syndrome, Dandy Walker Malformation, Dandy Walker Cyst, Dandy Walker Variant.

By definition, Dandy Walker is a congenital brain malformation typically characterized by incomplete formation of the cerebellar vermis, dilation of the fourth ventricle, and enlargement of the posterior fossa. In layman's terms, Dandy Walker is a cyst in the cerebellum (typically symmetrical) that is involved with the fourth ventricle. This may interfere with the body's ability to drain cerebrospinal fluid from the brain, resulting in hydrocephalus.

Also if you type Dandy Walker Variant into a Google search, it will list other websites that might give you more answers.

My prayers and strength are with you and your families...Best Wishes.
NaniKai

[tks101]

A week and a half ago  I had a MRI to see if my baby had a dandy walker cyst. At 16 and 18 weeks I was told it was seen on my ultrasounds  and was lead to believe that my baby was possibly in pretty bad shape. I was also being influenced at the hospital to think about abortion. I would never consider doing that but the sad part was that I was being influenced for the abortion before the MRI was done. Yesterday I got the results of my MRI and the doctor said my babies brain was perfect! At this point they can't find any problems with my baby. I wonder how many babies lose their lives because a doctor THINKS they see something on an ultrasound that really isn't there. If I had this to do all over again I wouldn't change a thing about my decisions. But I hope that if there is anyone else out there reading this that you will think about what I just said and keep your faith. These doctors are good at what they do in the hospital but they suck at playing GOD!

[specialmomspecialbabies]

hi i'm 24 and have a 2 year old son with dandy walker i wouldn't trade him for anything they tried to tell me he wouldn't walk or talk or do anything on his own THEY WERE WRONG sometimes doctors can be wrong to just remember god blessed you with this child for a reason and there is a possiablity of having more then one child with it just so you know. i have two boys 3 and 2 only my youngest has it and we are concidering haveing one more child and even if that child has it wouldn't change how much i love them

[jgoes]

I just had to post a comment.  I've been reflecting recently on my experience almost 10 years ago.  I was pregnant with twins and was told that one twin likely had Dandy Walker.  They gave that baby a "poor prognosis" and told me to have an amnio done.  The amnio didn't solve anything, so I was left to wait it out.  At 33 weeks I had my 2 beautiful healthy babies (3 lb 11 oz and 2 lb).  Although the little one had not been growing well due to the cord blood issues AND I was told she had DW, she was breathing and healthy and left the hospital 5 weeks later weighing 3 lbs 1 oz and a total miracle.  Today, she is almost 10 years old and a COMPLETE BLESSING.  Do not always believe everything the doctors tell you.  They are just people and they make mistakes.  Turned out, she did have a benign cyst in her brain, but it has caused no problems.  Could be that is what they saw via ultrasound, or it could be our prayers were answered by our almightly God!  Don't lose the faith and NEVER consider an abortion because of what some doctors "think" they see in an ultrasound!