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I had my 18-week ultrasound last week. It probably was a level-2 ultrasound, where they saw bilateral choroid plexus cysts (they did not see them on previous ultrasounds). No other markers for Trisomy 18 were seen. The doctor told me, just as in most of your cases, that just one marker was not very significant. I do not want to have an amniocentesis, because of the risks involved. But my doctor said that another ultrasound would not give me any more information, because the cysts disappear in both healthy and unhealthy babies. My question to you all is: why do you get offered another ultrasound at 24-28 weeks? What is the purpose of that ultrasound? I am seeing my obstetrician this week. If I know what the purpose of the ultrasound is, maybe I can get one too! Thanks and take care!

Peet, I don't know either. Although I'm thinking that they repeat at 26-28 to a__sure there are no other markers which perhaps weren't as evident at 18 weeks. I think it's just to be sure. Let me know what your OB says......I have a week to go till my next ultra-sound. This whole thing really ruins the excitement of having a baby.

Peet, the purpose of the second ultrasound is to see if the cysts have grown and to check for other markers for two diseases in particular - Edward's disease and Down's syndrome (trisomy 18 and Trisomy 21). Your doc is absolutely correct though in saying that having just one marker is not enough of a red flag. There are four other markers for Downs. The thickness at the back of the neck, the distance between the eye sockets, the configuration of the heartand the size of the kidneys. Please be aware though that domewhat dilated kidneys on their own are somewhat common in boy babies. My 2 youngest sons had them in utero. I am currently pregnant with my fifth child and was told that this baby "maybe has some cysts on the brain, but not to worry." HA! How are you suppsed to not worry? Having done research on the net and finding sites like this one, I am rea__sured that it will probably be nothing. However, it does make me wonder why we have to have ultrasounds so early in our pregnancies. I felt forced into mine since i couldn't remember the first day of my last menstrual period (give me a break, I'm chasing after 4 boys and working outside the home- remember when my LMP was? I barely remember getting pregnant). I feel like there's a conspiracy to have more tests done that I would have never agreed to anyway. I almost feel like I may choose not to have this next level 2 ultrasound. If, God forbid, my child had trisomy 18 or trisomy 21, there would be nothing we could do about it anyway. I guess I would rather a__sume the best possible scenario were going to happen rather than ruin my pregnancy. Thanks for letting me vent. I will definitely be keeping you all in my prayers. Especially Amy.

My wife and I, having our first child just got the 18 week ultrasound 3/08/05. Our joyous glance into the womb at our child got chilled when the Doctor circled something on the screen and typed CP Cyst on the screen. Our blood ran cold. We were just commenting about how cute he (yes he) was and how much he was moving around. The Doctor told us not to worry, that he had no other markers and pretty much left it at that. By the way they are two identical .8mm choroid plexus cysts. Needless to say we were devastated. So the research began. This web site http://www.womens-health.co.uk/cpc.asp stated something I needed to know but was hard to find. “The actual cysts themselves do not cause brain damage or other problems – ever.” That cured almost all our anxieties right there. A big WHEW! The other site that helped was a thesis paper that was directed towards the field of ultrasound providers. It was a long dry read that I read with great interest. If you have the time it takes all the wonder of why certain things are done and it was a great help. Here’s that site. http://www.expatatlarge.com/thesis/Content.htm Now my anxieties are that of a father waiting for his son to arrive. I don’t fear the cysts as they are just a part of normal development. The word cyst and brain had me wrecked, perhaps they should call them something else. Hope I helped.

I'm 35 and having my first baby. I just found out on Monday that my baby had bilateral choroid plexus cysts. 5 min. later I was having an amnio done without fully understand the implication. For the first time in my life I doubted my fate and put my trust in the doctors. I had blood test done and it was normal. What are the chance my amnio is coming back positive?

I just got my test result for trisomy 13, 18, 21 and baby is fine. but I still have to wait another week to get the complete amino test. Thank you, for everyone who post their story it was comfort during my panic stage.

I saw my OB and asked for a second ultrasound around 24-28 weeks, I'm 21 weeks now. She refused, saying that the cysts always disappear (in healthy and unhealthy babies) and that all the markers are there on the 18 week ultrasound so that you won't get additional information from a later ultrasound. I tried again by telling her about this messageboard and by saying that you girls all get them. She answered me that it's probably done in the States whereas I am in Canada,B.C. Too bad, I would have liked another detailed ultrasound to ease my mind. I have another question, the cysts are not related to Down's syndrome, aren't they? The messageboard helps a lot, take care.

Peet, I am from Ontario, and had my 2nd ultra-sound last week at 28 weeks and the cyst is gone. Your OB is correct in saying that they almost always disappear although most OB's will send you for another ultra-sound to make sure and to make you feel better. I feel sad for you that she/he won't do that, I know I am eating and sleeping better than I have in 2 months. The cyst is one marker for Down's Syndrome or Trisomy 18 but there are at least 6 others and if no others showed up than I would try not to worry, although I know how terrible it is having that on your mind. Rest a__surred that 99% of the time, everything is find. Hold on to that thought...and try and think positively. I hope this helped. marla

I to had my extensive u/s at week 18. They to found a very small cyst. I am scheduled for a level 2 on 4/6/05 that would make me 21 week. I too was worried, but read as much as I could. Everything else is fine except for that. But now I am wondering if she should have scheduled my u/s for later. I remember not having a u/s until I was 6 months. I wonder if my last 2 kids had them and if they did I would have never know because I never had an u/s done this early. So, could it be a normal thing that occurs. She said I had to do it early because of my age 38. I am hopeful I was a total wreck that first day, but realized I was just over reacting. I just pray that everything turns out okay. But if it still shows up again I will have to have another at 7 months. So, everyone out there don't worry everything will be fine. I realized that my stress only affects the baby more than anything that could be wrong, their growth depends on us and if we fail they fail even more. But I will not have an amino the risk is to high to take regardless of what the out come. I would rather have this baby then not to no matter the out come. Good Luck to All!

I had my 18 week ultrasound last week and they too found choroid plexus cysts in my baby. This is Baby #4 for me, and the same cysts were found in my ultrasound for Baby #3. Adam is now 18 months old and perfectly fine!! I am discouraged that the cysts were found in this pregnancy again, but feel a little less nervous since I've been through it once before. I will go in for my Level 2 u/s on Wednesday, and my fingers are crossed that I'll be just as lucky this time as I was last time!! It's very helpful to read about others who have been through this same scare...it makes me feel less alone! Thank you!!

I too, just found out my daughter has a choroid plexus cyst. I am 20 weeks pregnant and will have my level 2 us in a week. I am really worried and scared. I wanted to know how yours turned out Marla?

Hi Karen, My u/s went well. The cyst at 28 weeks was gone and no other fetal abnormalities were found. It really took a toll on my health and pregnancy though. I was sick with cold after cold, couldn't gain weight and didn't sleep well. I am just now at 32 weeks starting to feel good and put on weight. It is scary, keep positive and do your best to have a healthy state of mind. And please, keep me posted.....best wishes:)

Hi Marla, We are due to have our second baby in Aug and we just yesterday found out that our baby has one choroid plexus cyst. My Dr. is awsome thought and said of course there is only a very small chance of some thing really being wrong. My Quad marker screen tests all came back good so he said that is a good sign but like you I can not help but worry! I have to wait 5 weeks for the next ultra sound and that seems like an eternity! Everything else on the ultrasound looked wonderfull though so that makes me feel better but when it comes to my babies any small thing seems HUGE to me! I know I just need to keep my Faith in God strong and trust him, but it is going to be nerve wrecking next few weeks! I am so glad your Ultra sound came back ok! Praise God, I just need to to talk to others going through this to! God Bless, Memory

Memory Trust me, I know what you are going threw. It is very , very difficult and the truth is that when you find out in 5 weeks that the cxyst is gone, you still won't rest totally a__sure until baby comes. I have 5 more weeks till baby comes.....and only then will I feel totally confident that all is well. My prayers are with you, God bless you and your family. Please let me know how things go k???

I just want to say how happy I am to have found this site. I am from Australia and last Friday had my 18 week ultrasound. I too was told that I had 2 large bilateral choroid plexus cysts. Feel much better knowing that everyone else seems to go through the same feelings of panic and worry as well. Was not given a lot of information at the time and was also worried if the cysts themselves caused any kind of brain damage. Through research on internet I am now relieved to find that the cysts do not cause any problems themselves. Trying to stay really positive now so it is really rea__suring to hear so many good results. Good luck to everyone else out there who is going through the same thing. It is great to know that we are not alone in our time of stress.

Hi ladies, I just found out today that our baby has bilateral choroid plexus cysts (16weeks) my Dr. wants me to go for an amnio in 2 days. He didn't find any other abnormalties with the baby and I am wondering if I should do the amnio or just wait to see if they go away. Should I wait? I heard that you can miscarry from amnio and I don't want to loose a healthy baby.