ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS OF THE ISOLATED ABSE NCE OF SEPTUM-PELLUCIDUM

Absence of the septum pellucidum may occur as an isolated malformation . Some of the common paediatric ultrasound and radiology textbooks men tion this anomaly. However, only 12 case reports have been published s o far. Absent septum pellucidum is also seen in combination with other cerebral malformations like septo-optic pituary dysplasia (SOPD, de M orsier), agenesis of corpus callosum, holoprosencephaly etc. More ofte n it is seen as a secondary injury due to an increasing internal hydro cephalus. Occurrence of this aplasia and its significance are often un derestimated. At a paediatric centre in Germany the anomaly is expecte d to occur in 1 : 1 000 to 1 : 3 000 cerebral ultrasound examinations. After a review of the literature four cases are presented. All of the m were observed by ultrasound during the neonatal period. Using ultras onography diagnosis of the isolated absence of septum pellucidum can b e easily performed by the experienced physician, and will usually be o f eminent relevance for the patient.