[Cerebral sonography in children and adolescents with acquired skull defects]

16 patients between 20 months and 21 years of age with acquired defects of the calvarium were examined by static and real time sonography. The first cerebral sonogram of every patient was compared with his CCT scans. There was no difference between sonographic and CCT-examination results in 8 patients. Additional diagnostic information was found in two sonographic and 6 CCT examinations when compared with each other. In large defects, detailed echographic visualization of normal and pathological anatomy was possible, resulting in prompt diagnosis of tumor recurrence. If cerebral sonography is compared with CCT, there are several advantages of sonography lack of preparation: no transport of severely ill patients, no contrast application, low cost. These advantages makes cerebral echography especially suitable for close follow up of tumor therapy and patients of intensive care units.