[Transcranial real-time sonography in children and adolescents, ultrasound anatomy of the brain].

Cerebral real-time ultrasonography through the fontanelle or temporal bones is being used more and more as a primary diagnostic procedure in infants and newborn suffering from cerebral pathology. Up to now it was limited to children below 18 months. In our study we examined 125 children and adolescents aged 18 months to 18 years and 9 adults with transcranial real-time sonography. With a computed sonography system high resolution of intracerebral structures, especially in the basal parts of the brain, was possible up to the age of about 8 years. Because of thickening temporal bones with increasing age ultrasonic resolution of cerebral structures then progressively decreases. However, a general transcranial ultrasound examination is possible even in adolescents and adults. Normal transcranial ultrasound sections of the brain are compared with standard anatomic sections. Advantages and limitations of the method as well as first clinical applications are discussed.