Syntelencephaly

Last revised by Joshua Yap on 14 Dec 2022

Syntelencephaly, also known as middle interhemispheric variant (MIHV), is a mild subtype of holoprosencephaly that is characterized by an abnormal midline connection of the cerebral hemispheres between the posterior frontal and parietal regions. 

Syntelencephaly is a congenital malformation, with no known racial or gender predilection. 

Recognized associations include 1,2,4,5

Patients with syntelencephaly present with a variety of deficits, particularly related to the involvement of the motor cortex. These include 2:

  • spasticity or hypotonia or dystonia

  • oromotor deficits affecting speech and feeding

Unlike holoprosencephaly, to which syntelencephaly is believed to be related, the abnormality is usually confined to the posterior frontal and parietal lobes, often with the Sylvian fissure passing almost coronally over the vertex of the connected brain to join with the fissure from the other side. 

Mutations of the ZIC2 gene, on chromosome 13q32, thought to be important in regulating neural tube closure, have been implicated 1,2,5

As with most cerebral structural congenital abnormalities, syntelencephaly is visible on all modalities, but in general is identified on antenatal ultrasound, and best characterized by MRI. Features that could be present are 1-5

Unfortunately, as is the case with most congenital structural brain abnormalities, no specific treatment is available. The degree of neurological impairment is variable. 

This entity was described by Barkovich and Quint in 1993.

  • holoprosencephaly

    • usually affects the anterior and inferior parts of the prosencephalon

    • more frequently associated with a dorsal cyst

    • cerebellar abnormalities are less common 1

  • schizencephaly

    • the coronal orientation of the Sylvian fissures may mimic bilateral schizencephaly, but no extension to the ventricles is present

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.