Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 17, Issue 7 411-415, Copyright © 1998 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
High resolution sonographic determination of the normal dimensions of the intracranial extraaxial compartment in the newborn infant
D. A. Frankel, D. P. Fessell and W. P. Wolfson
Department of Radiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA.
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.
