KEY FACTS
Terminology
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Encephalomalacia : Brain ischemia or inflammation
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Porencephaly : Focal destruction of brain tissue
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Hydranencephaly : Complete destruction of cerebral hemispheres
Imaging
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Intracranial bleeding has variable appearance
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Nonperfused intracranial mass of varying echogenicity
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Initially echogenic, iso- to hypoechoic over time
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Irregular, bulky choroid plexus due to adherent clot
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Echogenic, irregular ependyma (ventricular lining)
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Fluid-fluid level in ventricles
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Hydrocephalus from obstructed CSF flow due to ependymal thickening and layering clot
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Normal landmarks may be obscured by clot or tissue injury
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Porencephaly develops at site of parenchymal bleed
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Resorption of clot/damaged tissue leaves anechoic parenchymal cyst connected to adjacent ventricle
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Top Differential Diagnoses
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Intracranial tumor may be confused with clot but has internal blood flow and shows rapid growth
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Holoprosencephaly may be confused with hydranencephaly but falx is missing; face often abnormal
Scanning Tips
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Any echogenic material in frontal horns is suspicious for clot
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Choroid plexus does not extend anterior to caudothalamic groove
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High-resolution transvaginal US if cephalic presentation
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Features may be very subtle, especially if associated with acute hypotensive episode
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Maternal trauma, abruption, post fetal intervention, after monochorionic twin demise
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Assess at time of injury and again within 7-10 days
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Signs of encephalomalacia take time to develop
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Use color Doppler to look for vascular malformation as potential cause