Ultrasound diagnosis of luckenschadel (lacunar skull).
BACKGROUND
The neuroradiologic findings in the Chiari II malformation are well known. Luckenschadel (lacunar skull) is commonly seen in patients with Chiari II on plain film and with computed tomography (CT). However, the sonographic appearance of luckenschadel has not previously been described. paragraph signObjective. To evaluate the presence or absence of luckenschadel on neurosonograms from infants with myelomeningocele.


METHODS
Twenty-one neurosonograms in patients with myelomeningocele were reviewed for the presence of an irregular inner calvarial table indicative of luckenschadel. The degree of irregularity was graded and compared with CT and plain film when available. The ventricular index was calculated from the ultrasound (US) studies and correlated with degree of luckenschadel using one-way analysis of variance.


RESULTS
Nine patients had marked findings of luckenschadel, nine had mild findings, and three had normal US exams. There was no correlation between the degree of sonographic luckenschadel and the ventricular index.


CONCLUSIONS
The finding of luckenschadel adds to the spectrum of abnormalities of the Chiari II malformation diagnosed by US.
Coley
B D
BD
Children's Radiological Institute, Columbus Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001139:Arnold-Chiari Malformation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012886:Skull / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography