intracranial calcification

periventricular hyperechoic foci can be the sole indicators of fetal intracranial calcification. ventriculomegaly may also be seen, and careful evaluation of the lateral ventricular walls in search of hyperechoic foci should be undertaken in its presence. such foci can be extremely subtle, especially in early gestation. acoustic shadowing, traditionally seen distal to calcification, may not be apparent prenatally; this may be due to the small size of the calcifications, which can be reflective but not highly absorptive, thus allowing through-transmission and not creating the expected shadowing. technical factors related to the travel of the ultrasound beam through tissue impedances that are dissimilar (maternal skin and subcutaneous tissues, mineralized calvarium, fetal brain and ventricular fluid) may also contribute to the absence of shadowing. infectious agents may be associated with extracranial findings including hepatosplenomegaly, ascites, hydrops, intrauterine growth retardation, and hyperplacentosis. ,”, maternal serum testing for viruses (torch screen) should be done, and if appropriate, fetal blood may be taken by cordocentesis for viral studies and igm titres. recognition of early calcification correlates with the severity of infection and may have a significant role in parental counselling.