Incidental findings during ultrasound of thyroid, breast, testis, uterus and ovary in healthy term neonates

J Ultrasound. 2019 Sep;22(3):395-400. doi: 10.1007/s40477-019-00365-6. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

Abstract

Incidental sonographic findings in thyroid and estrogen-responsive organs have been described in children and adults, but no publications describe incidental findings of these organs in infancy. We describe ultrasound features in thyroid, breast buds, testes, uterus, and ovaries in infants up to 32 weeks old that vary from the expected tissue architecture. Infants described in this paper were enrolled as healthy term neonates in a longitudinal study of normal feeding practices. Radiology reports for ultrasound exams in these infants described a range of findings that are similar to those reported in older populations. Knowledge of these asymptomatic variants occurring in infancy may guide radiologists in interpretation of these findings during clinical exams.

Keywords: Breast; Newborn; Organ size; Ovary; Testis; Thyroid gland; Uterus.

MeSH terms

  • Breast / diagnostic imaging*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidental Findings*
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Ovary / diagnostic imaging*
  • Reference Values
  • Testis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Thyroid Gland / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ultrasonography
  • Uterus / diagnostic imaging*