The developmental changes of the extracerebral space seen on ultrasonography in neonates and infants

Ultrasonographic examination was performed in 70 healthy neonates and infants using a real-time sector scanner array machine with a 7.5-MHz transducer and a 4 cm waterbag. The skin, subcutaneous tissue, dura mater, interhemispheric fissure, gyri, sulci and sagittal sinus could be clearly visualized on ultrasonography (US), and the distance from the dura mater to the brain surface was determined. The extracerebral space under the anterior fontanel increased until 3 months after birth, and decreased gradually from 3 months to 12 months. The width and structure of the extracerebral space seen on US can be useful as parameters for assessing the process of brain growth and for detecting extra- and intracerebral pathologies in neonates and infants.