Postnatal evaluation of schizencephaly by transfontanellar three-dimensional sonography.

Schizencephaly is a rare anomaly of neuronal migration characterized by the presence of brain clefts that communicate with the lateral ventricles. Type I is characterized by clefts with fused lips or margins, not communicating with the subarachnoid space. Type II is characterized by longer clefts that communicate with the subarachnoid space. Neonatal diagnosis of schizencephaly on transfontanellar two-dimensional (2D) sonography is rare, with only 1 report in the medical literature. The major limitation of 2D sonography is its inability to assess neonatal prognosis. There are no reports on MEDLINE about the use of transfontanellar three-dimensional (3D) sonography in the assessment of schizencephaly. We present a case of type II schizencephaly diagnosed on the 29th week of gestation with 2D sonography and describe the main findings with 3D sonography in surface and transparency modes performed in the neonatal period via the fontanel. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.