Ultrasound evaluation of prenatal and neonatal spina bifida.

Interest in studying the role of sonography in the evaluation of newborns and infants with spinal dysraphism waned with the advent of MR imaging. Sonographic evaluation of the neonatal spine, however, can be performed portably, is relatively inexpensive when compared with MR imaging, and does not require sedation. Its recognized utility in evaluating the neonatal spine in both open and occult spinal dysraphisms makes sonography an ideal diagnostic modality for this patient population. Its most valuable contribution probably lies in screening for closed dysraphisms, but comparative studies with MR imaging are necessary to clarify sonography's role.