Spinal Ultrasound -normal variants

pediatricultrasound ♦ April 6, 2019

There are several normal variants of the neonatal spinal cord which can be imaged under ultrasound. Two of the more common variants are both cystic, a ventriculus terminalis and a filar cyst. A ventriculus terminalis is an ependymal-lined fusiform dilatation of the central canal at the tip of the conus medullaris where it becomes the filum terminale.  A filar cyst is a cystic dilation along the filum terminale. Ultrasonically they both look the same, location separated them diagnostically. The ventriculus terminalis will be in direct contact with the conus medullaris as it is a protusion from its end. The filar cyst can be anywhere along the filum terminale but with a distinct gap, away from the conus medullaris. Both are thought to have no clinical significance and require no follow-up

Connatal cysts -Neonatal cranial ultrasound

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