Value of ultrasound for identification of acute hemorrhagic necrosis of thalamus and basal ganglia in an asphyxiated term infant

An infant with profound intrapartum and postpartum asphyxia demonstrated striking bilateral echodensities in the region of the thalamus and basal ganglia on ultrasound scan. Neuropathological examination confirmed the presence of symmetrical areas of hemorrhagic necrosis involving the thalamus, caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus. The findings demonstrate the value of ultrasonography in the identification of this variety of perinatal hypoxic-ischemic injury.