Purpose or Case Report: Review common indications and modality selection for spinal imaging in neonates, focusing on ultrasound (US) and corresponding magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.
Provide an overview of the normal anatomy of the neonatal spine as visualized by ultrasound and MRI.
Highlight common and uncommon spinal pathologies and syndromic conditions imaged with neonatal spine ultrasound and MRI.
Present representative cases from our institution, showcasing imaging findings of various congenital and acquired spinal abnormalities.
Methods & Materials:
Results:
Conclusions: Ultrasound is a readily accessible and effective modality for evaluating the detailed anatomy of the neonatal spinal canal, particularly in neonates with suspected spinal anomalies. Ultrasound serves as the first-line imaging modality for assessing intraspinal abnormalities due to its availability, safety, and non-invasive nature. In more complex cases, MRI is utilized for confirming diagnoses and providing further anatomical detail.

Normal variants such as filar cysts and ventriculus terminalis are common findings in neonatal spine ultrasound.
Both ultrasound and MRI are essential tools in differentiating between pseudosinus and dermal sinus tracts.
Closed spinal dysraphism without a visible mass on clinical examination may indicate conditions such as tethered cord, intradural lipoma, split cord malformation, or anterior meningocele.
In contrast, closed spinal dysraphism with a visible mass often correlates with conditions like lipomyelocele, lipomyelomeningocele, or myelocystocele.