Choroid Plexus Cysts (CPC)

Approximately 1-2% of all women that have an ultrasound between 16 and 24 weeks will be diagnosed with fetal choroid plexus cysts.

The choroid plexus is a tissue in the brain that produces cerebrospial fluid. During a second trimester ultrasound, doctors will often find a cyst(s) in the choroid plexus. Usually these cysts will go away by the 28th week of pregnancy and will not affect the baby.

A CPC tells doctors that there could be another chromosomal abnormality present. The presence of CPC's indicates an increased risk for trisomy 18. Women that are diagnosed with this condition will be offered additional ultrasound examinations and an amniocentesis.

Comments: Choroid-Plexus-Cysts-(CPC)
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micks - 704 days ago.
Nervousforfirst, Wow! I am so happy for you! Such a relief that he looked good. Boys are wonderful - and he will still play with his dad He won't know any different, so tell your husband not to worry! Congratulations to you. Hopefully both our pregnancies go smoothly from this point forward. It was nice to have you there to talk to - good luck with everything!

nervousforfirst - 704 days ago.
Hi Micks, I think we have good news in our situation too. Both my husband and are at least much relieved. Went for an u/s and the cysts are gone....Yeah. We noticed that the hands were open so we could see fingers and the head was very round (strawberry shaped is another marker), so we have chosen not to pursue other inquires and save about $2000+ and a 10 hr round trip to the big hospital. Funny though, we had wanted the baby's sex to be a surprise and the usual u/s tech was respectful but we let a student work the machine on me a little extra and we think she slipped and we saw some boy parts. Nothings for sure but I kind of had that feeling anyways. My husband wanted a girl because he is in a wheelchair and is worried about not being able to play ball etc. But at this point we both just really want a healthy baby and have gotten some reassurance today. The Dr. was also convinced everything was okay with the u/s and wasn't worried that I have not gained any weight in 4 weeks. Maybe without the stress I can pack on some pounds (I've only gained 8 pounds in 24+ weeks) but the baby is growing. Thanks for all your support and best wishes for you and your family.

micks - 706 days ago.
Hi nervousforfirst, Just checking in to see how you are doing. Yes, my baby's cysts were gone...apparently they had ragged edges which meant they were draining out, so they had resolved themselves. I sort of think they are a normal part of development and they shouldn't be made to be such a big deal....I hope things are as positive for you. To me, it looked like my baby had closed fists, but the tech said they were open. Let me know how things go for you tomorrow!

nervousforfirst - 707 days ago.
Yeah Micks, So happy for you and your family. Did the baby still have cpc's, if so had they gotten smaller? I hope I will be relieved too. Glad to hear such great odds and you opped out of the amnio. Congrats. Glad all is well!

micks - 708 days ago.
Hi Nervousforfirst, Great News! They examined the baby very closely on u/s and she looks fine. I guess what they were looking for specifically was Trisomy 18. They saw no other markers for that or Downs. Afterwards, I spoke with a genetics counselor. She said the risk was more like 1/2000 because they saw no other markers and about the same for Downs. She did not recommend the amnio because the risk for amnio outweighed the risk for an abnormality. I am so relieved. I hope your outcome is the same. I'll be waiting for your news on Thursday. Positive thoughts going your way!

nervousforfirst - 708 days ago.
Micks, good luck today. I will be thinking of you. I am feeling the same way about the amnio. Will you do that today then? How does your partner feel about the amnio? Keep in touch. My big day is Thursday.

micks - 709 days ago.
Hi nervousforfirst, My appt. for the u/s is tomorrow morning...I'm feeling pretty nervous & hope I get some sleep tonight. I spoke to another mother who went to the same clinic. A genetics counsellor talked to her about the u/s afterward and gave her a risk ratio. I think if my risk for an abnormality is still 1/100 (or higher than the risk for the amnio), I will go for the amnio. I don't think I will be able to enjoy the rest of my pregnancy unless I am sure she is ok. I'll let you know tomorrow how things went. So sorry about your dog, I know how hard that is and such bad timing! Hang in there...

nervousforfirst - 710 days ago.
Hi Micks, I keep going back and forth on the amnio too. I know it is the only sure way to know. My research has been mixed on the Downs and/or T 18 too. I have had a hard week when it rains it pours. My 13 year old dog has to be put down today. I can't stop crying, I am usually not that emotional of a person because I have been thru so much in my life, stuff has kinda harden me. Plus I've got it in my head that I am am losing weight, this can't be good but don't have a scale to be sure. Would love to hear the heart beat because the baby has changed positions(very low) and I can hardly feel it. Next week is my big week too and I can hardly wait. For me big decsions will have to be made. Should I drive 5 hours for the level 2 if I do then should I have the amnio, since I am there, or skip level 2 and just do the sure thing, since I am cash pay? At least your Dr. told you 1/100, mine wasn't sure what the cysts would mean. Anyway thanks for listening. Hope all goes well for you Mon. Keep me posted.

micks - 712 days ago.
Hi nervousforfirst, I believe it is a Level II that I will be getting. Its at a centre that specializes in genetics testing. So far, I had a triple screen, a nuchal u/s and my 18 week detailed (which is when they saw the cysts). My Dr. said with no other findings, I have 1/100 chance of a chromosomal disorder. I am also confused as to whether this indicates Trisomy 18 or Downs? The information on the net is very conflicting. I am trying to stay positive - there are a lot of positive outcomes on the web. Just trying to decide if I should get an amnio...Let me know how it goes for you. The waiting is just torture!

nervousforfirst - 714 days ago.
Hi micks, just checking in with you. Hope your worrying has decreased some. I have been trying really hard to stay positive too. I did not get the nt scan but blood work looked good. Is your next u/s a level 2 or just a regular one? Mine is just a regular one. Wonder how I can best be prepared questions, details, ya know. Hope all is well. Keep in touch.

micks - 716 days ago.
Hi Nervousforfirst, I have also just been told that my baby has CPC on her brain. She is my third baby and a girl! I was so excited to know I was having a girl (my other 2 are boys) and am now very worried. I have another u/s on June 13th. So far, everything else was normal results (including nuchal and triple screen). I can't help but worry because I am 38 and in that 'higher risk' group. Anyways, let me know how it goes for you.

nervousforfirst - 719 days ago.
Sarasponda....Thank you for your reply, I've been anxious to hear other similar stories. One more question..During my research I found that clenched fists was another marker and looking at my u/s pic's my baby has clenched fists. Is this common at this stage of dev or should the baby be waving at me? My attitude has mellowed a bit reading other comforting stories plus I was driving my husband crazy with my pessimisim. Just want everything to be fine, ya know. On the bright side, I've been feeling a lot of moving from my baby and that's nice. Thanks for listening and have a good evening.

sarasponda - 720 days ago.
My happy and healthy 4-month-old had two CPCs found during her amnio ultrasound. The doctor said that having them was common enough that they were considered within the range of normal. The rest of her ultrasound was fine and there was no follow-up recommended. The doctor and nurse were very experienced and had never seen chromosomal abnormalities with CPCs as the only soft marker.

nervousforfirst - 723 days ago.
At my 20 week u/s I was told my baby has two 7mm CPC's one on each side. I did the two AFP tests with results of 1:13000 for downs and 1:100000 for Tri 18 but still very scared. I was just starting too really enjoy the pregnancy too, now I feel I must prepare for the worst. Don't know if I should do the amnio for absolute reassurance, is it worth the risk?

taylor23 - 779 days ago.
hi I am 20 weeks pregnant and 24 years old this is my first pregnancy. Last week when I went for my 19th week scan i was told that my baby had 4 cpc's on her brain. Not to worry because they should dissapear by themselves by 32 weeks but sometimes they can be linked to trisomny 18.. Im really worried! how can i not be and was wondering if anyone else has had this diagnosis before and what was the outcome?

kiki225 - 967 days ago.
Hi! I see this is a fairly inactive forum, but just wanted to post my experience. I had an 18 week 2nd level u/s only because I'm 35. Did first trimester u/s & blood test (combined screen), which showed very low risk of downs, etc (less than 1:1600). The 2nd lvl u/s showed one choroid plexus cyst & placenta is 'low'. No other 'soft signs' - baby development & growth are all perfect. I'm waiting for results of quad screen. Doctors all said don't worry about CPC, but of course I sometimes find myself crying about it. DH and I have read a ton on cpc and we feel better to know that in absence of other signs, our risk is low. But, even with other signs, from what I read, cpcs are a normal aspect of development. It should have no effect whatsoever on baby. I'm trying to stay positive and pray everyday for a healthy baby.

Ktina78 - 999 days ago.
I found some relief on this forum. I went to have my scan at about 18 weeks and they had told me they found a CPC. And they said not to worry and that they're not even going to follow up with me because everything else is completely normal and because of that they anticipate that this will go away in the third trimester. Needless to say though, I am still scared.

lm09 - 1006 days ago.
My second cpc baby born perfectly healthy 6 weeks ago! Just as well i learnt from previous experience not to stress this time and everything Dinate says here below is SPOT ON!! Try not to stress mummas. After my scan that found them they were never mentioned again.

dinate - 1110 days ago.
OK. When I was pregnant I was TERRIBLY worried about my baby when the doctor said she had a CPC. They said not to worry, the heart and head shape looked fine so they were not concerned that it was Trisomy 13. They brought me back for monitoring for a 2nd ultrasound. This time, what they thought was 1, was actually 2 small CPCs. They got a better look. Again, I was told that these show up occasonally. We may have had them ourselves, but ultrasounds in the past weren't as good and therefore couldn't pick up on these small CPCs. Of course, even with reassurance from the doc, this was my baby and I was still concerned. BOTTOM LINE- My daughter is now a healthy, active, smart 13.5 moth old. She started walking at 10 months, is curious and smart. She has had NO other problems at all. I spent so much time worrying and looking up stuff on this that I didnt enjoy the pregnancy as much as I should have. She is fine. Doctors dont know what causes these things. It could just be a normal part of development that we were lucky enough to catch in pictures- yes thats true. That seems to be the consensus I found in doing frantic research. When telling her pediatrician, she shrugged and said yeah they show up sometimes. Its fine. ITS FINE. Listen to your docs, but dont worry. I've been there too and my daughter is PERFECT!!! I lucked out with the cutest, smartest, healthiest, funniest baby in the whole world! And no matter what, each of you will feel the exact same way about yours :) Enjoy your pregnacies and give each of your babies one a kiss and hug when you meet them. If the docs want more monitoring, then just enjoy the few extra minutes you get to see their little faces on the fuzzy screen :)

babymama77 - 1128 days ago.
Just came back from another ultrasound. CPCs are gone, but they want me to come back in another 6 weeks for monitoring. The baby is weighing right where he should be, no signs of Trisomy 18 either. Still a little worried, though. I wish the doctor would have said, ok you're good, don't need to see you again...Anyone else have to go back for an ultrasound after they were told the CPCs are gone?? It is just normal procedure?

mom2b2 - 1139 days ago.
Ok seems like everyone had babies that had or have CPC. Today my dr. told me my baby has two CPC on the left side of her brain. one is 4cm and the other 3cm. I just hope my lil one overcomes it before she is here. Then I also found out I have placenta previa.

lm09 - 1181 days ago.
well here i am again with my second child that has a cpc!!! Im not worried though. I spent 18 weeks last pregnancy stressing over it for no reason. My son came out perfectly healthy and im sure this one will too!!! Good luck everyone

babymama77 - 1184 days ago.
Found out that my baby has CPCs on one side of his brain. Everything else is normal or better than normal so my doctor said not to worry about them and they'll be gone by the 30 week u/s. Still worried, but from what I'm reading they'r fairly common and will go away on their own.

40andexpecting5.21.2010 - 1250 days ago.
ok had a level 2 ultrasound today because i'm 41 and expecting. US Shows a baby boy witha CPC on his brain. I freaked out and the specialist advised against an amnio due to the risk of miscarriage. All Quad Results were negative and US Showed a healthy baby other than this cyst. I went ahead and had the Amnio today and cant wait for the results.

aussieqldmum - 1292 days ago.
they found cpc's at my 20 week scan but had another scan at 28 weeks and they were gone. my doc told me that he doesnt like the fact they call them cysts cause theyre not its just extra fluid on the brain. they werent gonna do another ultrasound cause he said they are so common and everything else looked normal but i insisted on one. im glad i did cause i feel much more relaxed now.