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High resolution sonographic determination of the normal dimensions of the intracranial extraaxial compartment in the newborn infant.
Author(s) -
Frankel D A,
Fessell D P,
Wolfson W P
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of ultrasound in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1550-9613
pISSN - 0278-4297
DOI - 10.7863/jum.1998.17.7.411
Subject(s) - medicine , hydrocephalus , gestational age , pediatrics , ultrasonography , poison control , pregnancy , surgery , medical emergency , biology , genetics
Prominence of the extraaxial space occasionally is encountered in infants referred for ultrasonography to exclude hydrocephalus. The interpretation of this finding can be problematic. We examined the width of the extraaxial compartment in 82 normal newborn infants. Scanning technique was optimized for viewing the near field, and the extraaxial space was measured over the cerebral convexities. Correlation was made with demographic variables. Measurements varied from 0 to 3.3 mm (mean, 1.6 mm), with slight negative linear relationship to gestational age. We conclude that small amounts of extraaxial fluid, up to 3.3 mm in width on scans, are common and normal in newborn infants.