Ultrasonography in hereditary degenerative diseases of the cerebral white matter in infancy.

Ultrasonography of the brain, performed on two female infants who were clinically suspected of having leukodystrophy, demonstrated markedly increased echoes in the periventricular regions bilaterally and indistinct visualization of sulci and gyri on sagittal and coronal scans. The same sonographic features present on subsequent US examinations corresponded to progressive low density areas and atrophy on CT scans. Increased periventricular echogenicity which shows no evolution, in a clinical context, may contribute to the early recognition of neurodegenerative disorders affecting white matter.