[The cavum septi pellucidi and cavum Vergae in infants -- an investigation with 2-dimensional sector-echo encephalography].

Using a two-dimensional sector-scanner the brains of 642 preterm and term infants between 28 weeks of gestation and 12 months of age were examined for the incidence of a cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) and a cavum Vergae (CV). In 100 out of 642 infants we saw a CSP. The highest incidence (52%) was found among the infants of very low gestational age (-33 weeks) within the first seven days of life. After the second month the incidence decreases rapidly (only 1% in infants - months). We saw a CV only in combination with a CSP, less frequent, however, than a CSP alone (26 out of 642 infants): the incidence was 33% in infants of very low gestational age (-33 weeks) within the first seven days of live, only 4% in term neonates and 0% after the second month of life. Finally, the rupture of a septum with CSP and CV by stretching forces is demonstrated in an infant with progressive hydrocephalus. The data of this paper contribute to the knowledge of the morphological development of the normal fetal and newborn brain.