Panoramic ultrasound of the spinal canal with determination of the conus medullaris level in neonates and young infants

purpose: To evaluate the utility of panoramic ultrasound in visualizing the spinal canal and the conus medullaris level in neonates and young infants. Method: 30 children (aged 2 days to 5 months, 2058 - 6660 g, 41 - 57 cm) u nderwent examination of the spinal canal. The children were examined by a s ingle, continuous 9.0 MHz transducer movement from the cervico thoracic spi ne to the coccyx, A dedicated computer processor produced an extended field of view image in realtime mode. Results: With panoramic ultrasound coverag e of the thoracic, lumbar and sacral spinal canal on one extended image was possible. Visualization of the spinal cord, the conus medullaris level, th e subarachnoid space, the cauda equina and the tip of the dural sac was eas ily accomplished in each child. An average of four trials was necessary to obtain an image of sufficient diagnostic quality. The conus level ranged fr om L1 to L3, the tip of the dural sac was localized at S7 to S3. Conclusion s: Panoramic ultrasound offers nearly complete visualization of the spinal canal in children on one single extended field of view image. The conus med ullaris level and the tip of the dural sac can easily be localized.