The missing pericallosal artery on sonography: a sign of agenesis of the corpus callosum in the neonatal brain?

The sonographic findings in five newborn infants with agenesis of the corpus callosum are reported. Besides abnormal shape and position of the lateral and third ventricles of the brain, it was noted that echoreflections from the pericallosal artery were missing in all infants. Normally the pericallosal artery, which follows the surface of the corpus callosum, can be easily detected in the midline sagittal scanplane on sonography through the anterior fontanelle. It is suggested that a missing pericallosal artery is an easily detectable sign of agenesis of the corpus callosum in newborn infants.