ABSTRACT
A commercially available wide field of view real-time mechanical sector scanner can be used to image the neonatal cranium. Because of the small transducer head size, the open anterior fontanelle can function as an acoustic window. By thus avoiding bone, higher frequency transducers may be used to improve image resolution. Infants may be scanned quickly without sedation in their isolettes in the neonatal intensive care unit. Sterility of the infant environment is maintained by placing the transducer in a surgical glove. Using this technique, detailed normal anatomy can be seen such as vascular structures, caudate nucleus, thalamus, third ventricle, cavum septum pellucidum, and the thalamocaudate notch. Angled coronal and sagittal sonographic anatomy is correlated with neonatal cadaver brain sections sliced in similar planes centered on the anterior fontanelle.
Subject(s)
Brain/anatomy & histology , Infant, Newborn , Ultrasonography , Cadaver , Cerebral Hemorrhage/diagnosis , Humans , Infant, Newborn, Diseases/diagnosis , MethodsABSTRACT
Painful, crippling deformities in Tanzanian children from an area of endemic fluorosis are reported. Excessive fluoride ingestion in pregnant women may possibly poison and alter enzyme and hormonal systems in the fetus causing disturbances to osteoid formation and mineralization. Knock-knees, bowlegs, and saber shins develop when walking begins. Combinations of osteomalacia, osteoporosis, and osteosclerosis result in a spectrum of bone changes from an early age. Male hormones, and dietary and genetic deficiencies may aggravate individual response of actively growing bones. Some radiographic changes suggestive of rickets, hyperparathyroidism and thalassemia were observed.
