Linear Echogenicity of Lenticulostriate Arteries in Neonates: A Significant Cranial Ultrasound Finding

The lenticulostriate arteries are blood vessels that supply the region of the basal ganglia and internal capsule. They are normally anechoic structures on cranial sonography. In newborns, the echogenic appearance of lenticulostriate arteries has been reported in the literature to be associated with intrauterine infections, asphyxia and in association with chromosomal aneuploidy. However not much is known about the natural history of this cranial sonography in newborns. This retrospective study analyses the associated features of linear echogenicity of lenticulostriate arteries in term and preterm newborn and reviews the literature of the previously published case reports with this finding. The study raises the question that further detailed studies are needed to elucidate the natural history of these significant cranial ultrasound findings in newborns. Objective: To determine the prevalence of echogenic lenticulostriate arteries on cranial sonography in newborns and to study the associated features of this finding. Method: Retrospective data analysis from September 1991 to June 1998. During this period the maternal and neonatal charts of all infants who had a diagnosis of echogenic lenticulostriate arteries on their cranial scans were analysed. Results: Ninety-two infants has evidence on linear echogenicity of lenticulostriate arteries. Eighty-three of these were bilateraland 9 of them were unilateral. There were 40 females and 52 males