Early Human Development 42 (1995) 141-152 Posterior fontanelle cranial ultrasound: anatotic and sonographic correlation Nigel G. Anderson *a Robyn Hay”, Margaret Hutchings’, , Martin Whiteheadb, Brian Darlowc ‘Department of Radiology, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch. New Zealand bDepartment of Pathology. Christchurch HospitaL Christchurch, New Zeaknd cDepartment of Paediatrics, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zeaknd Received 22 September 1994; revision received 9 March 1995: accepted 14 March 1995 Ahstraet Objective: The purpose of this study wasto correlate normal brain anatomy as seen on posterior fontanelle cranial sonography with anatomical sections of the prematu~ infant brain. Materials and methoak Images obtained from 93 cranial ultrasound examinations per- formedvia both the anterior and posterior fontanelle in 53infants,rang& in ges&&malage from 24 to 42weeks, were reviewed to determine the ultrasound anatomyvisibleand alsothe changing appearances with increasing gestational age. The brains of five infantswe~‘e se&ion- ed at post-mortem according to predetermined anatomical l&idmads to corrc~ with posterior fonts&e ultrasound scan planes. Brain preservation techniques involved f&on in form&in at room temperature, refrigeration of brain foLkwing fomrolin fixation, anal brain fraezing at - 17°C. Results: In the premature infrurt brain, the su dspaceisupto 15 mm in thickness. Occipital lobe anatomy well seen inch&es o&pita! horns of late& ven- tricles, and white matter tracts to the visual cortex and visual association areas. Brain ana- tomy was better appreciated on sections obtained following brain freezing rather than form&n furation. Couc~t&on: Satisfactoryultrasotmd anatomic corretation of W prernatnte brainispossible using a brain fraezing preservation technique. Posterior fontanelle ultrasound allows detaikd illustration of occipital lobe anatomy. Keywords: Posterior fontanelle sonography; Premature infant brain; Brain freezingprewrva- tion; Occipital lobe anatomy * Corresponding author, Tel.: +64 3 364 0770; Fax: +64 3 364 0907 Else& Science Ireland Ltd. SSDI 0378-3782(95)01648-M