A cerebral infarction occurs when a portion of the brain is deprived of blood flow long enough for the tissue to die. In adults, this is commonly called a stroke and is typically evaluated with CT or MRI. However, in neonates, cranial ultrasound can detect signs of cerebral infarction, which may appear as a wedge-shaped area of increased echogenicity in the distribution of a specific artery, followed by cystic changes as the damaged tissue breaks down. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound can also help assess the cerebral vasculature and detect conditions that may predispose to infarction, such as sickle cell disease, where elevated middle cerebral artery velocities indicate increased stroke risk.
Sonography Term