Prognostic significance of hyperechogenic lesions in the basal ganglia andthalamus in neonates

Neonatal cranial ultrasonography at times reveals hyperechogenic lesions in the basal ganglia and thalamus. These lesions have been attributed to a wi de variety of pathologic states, among them toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomeg alovirus, and herpes simplex (TORCH) infections, chromosomal abnormalities, and asphyxia. The clinical significance in terms of the neurodevelopmental outcome of this radiologic abnormality is unknown. We performed a developm ental evaluation on 16 children aged 2 to 6 years in whom neonatal cranial ultrasonography had demonstrated hyperechogenic lesions in the basal gangli a or thalamus and had no other neurodevelopmental risk factors. There was n o significant difference between the average Developmental Quotient of the target population and the normal population in regard to developmental stat us. We conclude that in our population, an isolated finding of hyperechogen ic lesions in the basal ganglia is probably not a predictor of poor neurode velopmental outcome.