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Updated: Jun 14, 2026
State of the Art Cranial Ultrasound Imaging in Neonates
Published on: February 2, 2015
Infant craniospinal ultrasonography: beyond hemorrhage and hydrocephalus
1Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA. rpguille@texaschildrenshospital.org
Insights
Neonatal cranial and spinal ultrasound interpretation requires recognizing artifacts and variants to avoid misdiagnosis. This review guides clinicians in differentiating normal findings from pathology in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Ultrasonography is a key screening tool for neonatal intracranial hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, and cord tethering.
- Accurate interpretation demands knowledge beyond typical pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review ultrasonographic characteristics of artifacts, developmental variants, and quasi-pathologic conditions in infants.
- To guide clinicians in avoiding diagnostic pitfalls and managing patients appropriately.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on infant cranial and spinal ultrasound.
- Analysis of imaging artifacts, developmental variants, and borderline conditions.
Main Results:
- Familiarity with normal and abnormal ultrasound findings is crucial.
- Recognition of imaging artifacts that mimic pathology is essential.
- Understanding developmental variants prevents misdiagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Accurate interpretation of infant ultrasound requires awareness of artifacts and variants.
- This knowledge aids in appropriate patient management and avoids diagnostic errors.
Abstract:
Ultrasonography is widely used for screening for neonatal intracranial hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, and cord tethering in young infants. Proper interpretation of infant cranial and spinal ultrasound examinations requires not only familiarity with the appearances of these disorders, but also recognition of imaging artifacts capable of mimicking pathology and awareness of developmental variants and conditions that occupy a borderline position along the spectrum from normal to abnormal. This article will review the current understanding of the ultrasonographic characteristics and clinical relevance of these imaging artifacts, developmental variants, and quasi-pathologic conditions to avoid diagnostic pitfalls and guide appropriate patient management.
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