What is the use of ultrasound imaging to create a detailed visual image of the brain?

Neurosonography is a small, specialized section of ultrasound, frequently used in the NICU on premature babies. Images of the brain are able to be produced on premature and young babies due to the skull not being fully fused together yet, therefore allowing the ultrasound beam to reach the brain tissue. Neurosonography is also used before the baby is born, and still in the mother's womb. Once the skull has fused, transcranial ultrasound is still possible to an extent, through very small openings within and around the skull. This area of ultrasound is frequently used in high risk pediatric and specialty hospitals, such as St. Jude Children's research hospital. Using ultrasound on the brain of a fully fused skull is more challenging because an ultrasound beam cannot penetrate through bone. However, with skill and knowledge, it is possible to obtain brain images.