Cerebral atrophy refers to the loss of brain cells and the connections between them, resulting in a decrease in the overall volume of brain tissue. On neonatal cranial ultrasound, cerebral atrophy may appear as enlarged ventricles, widened interhemispheric fissure, and prominent sulci where the gaps between the folds of the brain become more visible as the brain tissue shrinks. In infants, cerebral atrophy can result from hypoxic-ischemic injury, infection, genetic conditions, or metabolic disorders. Recognizing the signs of cerebral atrophy on ultrasound is important because it may indicate significant brain injury and can help predict neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Sonography Term