Purpose or Case Report: The purpose of the presentation is to educate the audience of the uses of ultrasound in evaluation of the neonatal spine. By viewing this presentation, the audience will learn the importance of ultrasound in evaluation of the spine. We will review the process of performing the ultrasound examination to acquire suitable images. Assessment of the normal spine structures under ultrasound and discussion of the indications for the use of ultrasound as a primary source of evaluation of the spine are to be reviewed. Performance of the examination in terms of patient positioning, labeling of the vertebral bodies, and evaluation of the important structures will be discussed. Indications for acquiring an ultrasound of the spine will also be reviewed. Lastly, we aim to review distinct disease entities associated with the neonatal spine, with attention to their ultrasound imaging characteristics.
Methods & Materials: Initially, a list of different pathological entities of the neonatal spine was made. These were subsequently entered into a search of all radiology reports at our institution from January 8, 2008 to January 1, 2016. This method yielded hundreds of different reports in which the searched terms were used. All applicable radiology reports were read and pertinent pathological cases were compiled for use in this exhibit.
Results: Our search yielded hundreds of radiology reports across X-ray, Ultrasound, CT, and MRI modalities. We focused only on those pertinent to Ultrasound. The topics for discussion and review of original images include, but are not limited to:
- Normal spine anatomy on ultrasound
- Low lying conus medullaris
- Filar lipoma
- Filar cyst
- Lipomyelocele
- Lipomyelomeningocele
- Arachnoid cyst
Conclusions: To conclude, we would like to make radiologists and clinicians aware of the uses of ultrasound in evaluation of the neonatal spine. We will review the process of performing the ultrasound, assessment of the normal spine structures, and the indications for the use of ultrasound as a primary source of evaluation of the neonatal spine. Lastly, we aim to review distinct disease entities associated with the neonatal spine, focusing our attention to their ultrasound imaging characteristics.