Purpose or Case Report: Ultrasound is a common screening examination performed in infants prior to closure of osseous posterior elements. Although radiologists with pediatric neuroradiology subspecialty training may be very familiar with many abnormalities encountered sonographically, pediatric radiologists without pediatric neuroradiology subspecialty training are often less familiar. Further, the ultrasound appearance of abnormalities of infant spine may be less well known than appearance on MRI. The purpose of this educational review is to demonstrate normal appearance of infant spine and illustrate abnormalities that are frequently and infrequently encountered during screening ultrasound evaluation, with MRI for comparison.
Methods & Materials: An institutional review was conducted to identify neonatal patients with abnormal spine ultrasounds and subsequent MRI examinations. Imaging findings were correlated with clinical signs and symptoms, as well as treatment when available.
Results: A spectrum of congenital and acquired cases are presented including simple tethered cord, closed spinal dysraphism (dorsal dermal sinus, lipomyelomeningocele, diastematomyelia), open spinal dysraphism (meningocele, myelomeningocele), dermoid cyst, spinal lipoma, infantile hemangioma, sacrococcygeal teratoma, caudal regression syndrome, and hematoma. Cutaneous stigmata of spinal dysraphism are reviewed as well.
Conclusions: It is important to recognize sonographic appearance of normal and abnormal neonatal spine to appropriately diagnose and/or properly route to MRI for further evaluation.