Imaging of fetal cytomegalovirus infection

Abstract

Fetuses with congenital cytomegalovirus infection may remain asymptomatic or present with a wide range of brain pathologies. These findings are not always obvious but may on some occasions be demonstrated by ultrasound and MRI, they include ventriculomegaly, microcephaly, increased periventricular echogenicity, calcifications, periventricular pseudocysts, intraventricular synechia, malformations of cortical development, cerebellar lesions and T2 abnormal temporal signals. The purpose of this mini-review is to describe US and MRI findings characteristic of congenital cytomegalovirus infection, with particular emphasis on their time of appearance, frequency and specificity.