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What is a Choroid Plexus Cyst?

Emma Lloyd
Emma Lloyd

A choroid plexus cyst is a cyst that can grow in the brain of a fetus during development. They are most commonly seen in the second and third trimester of the pregnancy and can be detected via an ultrasound. The appearance of a choroid plexus cyst generally is not a cause for alarm, but these cysts sometimes indicate an increased risk of Down syndrome.

The choroid plexus of the brain is a small area near the lower middle portion of the organ that produces cerebral spinal fluid. This fluid surrounds the brain and spinal cord, acting as a physical and immunological buffer to protect these structures from injury, infection and inflammation. In the brain, this fluid is essential for another reason: it provides the brain with a measure of buoyancy, which allows it to bear its own weight.

Choroid plexus cysts are commonly detected during the second and third trimester of a pregnancy.
Choroid plexus cysts are commonly detected during the second and third trimester of a pregnancy.

Within the choroid plexus are layers of blood vessels and fluid-producing cells. As fluid is produced, it flows from the choroid plexus and circulates around the organ and the spinal cord. In a developing fetus, cysts can develop in the choroid plexus when fluid is trapped within layers of cells. It is also thought that adults often have one or more cysts. In both fetuses and adults, the cysts are harmless and do not affect physical or cognitive development, learning capacity or health in any way. In a developing fetus, a choroid plexus cyst is almost always temporary and disappears during the third trimester.

A choroid plexus cyst is almost always temporary and should disappear during the third trimester of the pregnancy.
A choroid plexus cyst is almost always temporary and should disappear during the third trimester of the pregnancy.

Choroid plexus cysts are relatively common. About one percent of fetuses in the second and third trimester have a choroid plexus cyst that can be detected via an ultrasound. Even though the cysts themselves are harmless, there is a link between the appearance of these cysts and certain genetic disorders.

If a fetus has a choroid plexus cyst and the pregnant woman has certain other risk factors, she generally will be recommended for amniocentesis. In this test, a small sample of amniotic fluid is removed from the uterus. Fetal cells can be removed from this fluid and tested for genetic disorders such as Down syndrome and Trisomy 18, a disorder in which a fetus has three copies of chromosome 18. The main risk factor for both of these genetic disorders is the age of the pregnant woman, with the risk increasing as a woman gets older. There also is evidence to suggest that increasing the age of the father also is a risk factor.

Discussion Comments

runner101

@sinbad - I think being proactive is always a good idea, but from what I have read it does sound like part of the routine of things you look for in an ultrasound, but why not ask? I think it is always good to err on the side of caution.

I do not know about the choroid plexus cysts being hereditary, but if you have some concerns about the cysts regarding Trisonomy 18 you will see a common theme with rare disorders - the word "may" in describing if it is a hereditary item or not.

From what I can tell some disorders can be traced and you can see a strong genetic link, but with others and especially rare disorders it is a little more difficult and as you can imagine with pregnancy and all the factors involved it is even more difficult to isolate causal factors.

I have a therapy client who has Trisonomy 18, and just to reinforce how rare this disorder is his parents have yet to meet another person in all the support groups and through doctors who have the same specific disorder.

Sinbad

When having an ultrasound in the second or third trimester should a pregnant woman be proactive and ask for them to look specifically for these cysts?

And I saw that they are not cause for alarm, if a cyst is found can these type of cysts run in families so it can be even less reason to be alarmed if you have found out these cysts run in your family and further disorders had not occurred as a complication of them?

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    • Choroid plexus cysts are commonly detected during the second and third trimester of a pregnancy.
      By: Alexandr Vasilyev
      Choroid plexus cysts are commonly detected during the second and third trimester of a pregnancy.
    • A choroid plexus cyst is almost always temporary and should disappear during the third trimester of the pregnancy.
      By: Gajus
      A choroid plexus cyst is almost always temporary and should disappear during the third trimester of the pregnancy.
    • In some cases, the presence of a choroid plexus cyst may be related to a trisomy disorder such as Down syndrome.
      By: muro
      In some cases, the presence of a choroid plexus cyst may be related to a trisomy disorder such as Down syndrome.
    • Amniocentesis may be recommended in some cases where a fetus has a choroid plexus cyst.
      By: Valua Vitaly
      Amniocentesis may be recommended in some cases where a fetus has a choroid plexus cyst.
    • A choroid plexus cyst may be detected during an ultrasound exam.
      By: Monkey Business
      A choroid plexus cyst may be detected during an ultrasound exam.