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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
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State of the Art Cranial Ultrasound Imaging in Neonates
Published on: February 2, 2015
[Diagnostic image (337). A neonate with a bulging fontanel]
1Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis, locatie Groot Ziekengasthuis, afd. Kindergeneeskunde, Postbus 90.153, 5200 ME 's-Hertogenbosch. a.poodt@jbz.nl
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|September 19, 2007
Summary
A bulging fontanel in a 5-month-old neonate was diagnosed as benign external hydrocephalus. This condition involves excess cerebrospinal fluid without brain damage.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Benign external hydrocephalus (BEH) is a common cause of macrocephaly in infants.
- Understanding the etiology and presentation of BEH is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
Observation:
- A 5-month-old male infant presented with a prominent, bulging anterior fontanel.
- Clinical examination revealed no signs of increased intracranial pressure or neurological deficits.
Findings:
- Cranial ultrasound and/or MRI confirmed enlarged subarachnoid spaces.
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis and ventricular size were within normal limits, consistent with BEH.
Implications:
- BEH typically resolves spontaneously without intervention.
- Accurate diagnosis differentiates BEH from more serious conditions requiring neurosurgical management.
- This case highlights the importance of neuroimaging in evaluating infantile macrocephaly.
