400+ Original Practice Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales
Pediatric Sonography Certification Review
QUESTIONS 1–20
Question 1
During a neonatal cranial ultrasound, which structure normally appears as a relatively echogenic
landmark separating the frontal horns of the lateral ventricles?
A. Corpus callosum
B. Caudate nuclei
C. Cavum septi pellucidi
D. Thalamus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The cavum septi pellucidi is a normal midline structure commonly visualized
between the frontal horns of the lateral ventricles on neonatal cranial sonography. Its presence
and appearance are useful when assessing normal midline anatomy.
Question 2
Which acoustic window is most commonly used for routine neonatal cranial sonography?
A. Anterior fontanelle
B. Mastoid process
C. Mandible
D. Occipital bone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The anterior fontanelle provides an excellent acoustic window because the
fontanelle is not yet ossified. It allows visualization of the ventricular system, brain parenchyma,
midline structures, and many intracranial abnormalities.
Question 3
,A premature infant is being evaluated for intracranial hemorrhage. Which location is particularly
important to evaluate for germinal matrix hemorrhage?
A. Cerebellar hemispheres
B. Caudothalamic groove
C. Occipital cortex
D. Corpus callosum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The germinal matrix is located near the caudothalamic groove in premature infants
and is a common site of hemorrhage because of the fragility of its vessels.
Question 4
Which sonographic finding is most concerning for ventriculomegaly?
A. Enlarged lateral ventricles
B. Small choroid plexus
C. Normal cavum septi pellucidi
D. Symmetric thalami
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ventriculomegaly refers to enlargement of the cerebral ventricles. Ultrasound
assessment includes measurement and evaluation of the ventricular system for abnormal
dilation.
Question 5
A neonatal cranial examination demonstrates echogenic material within the lateral ventricle.
Which condition should be considered?
A. Hydrocele
B. Intraventricular hemorrhage
C. Pyloric stenosis
D. Renal agenesis
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Intraventricular hemorrhage may appear as echogenic material within the ventricular
system, particularly in premature infants. The sonographer should evaluate the extent and
associated ventricular changes.
Question 6
Which finding is characteristic of hydrocephalus on pediatric cranial sonography?
A. Decreased ventricular size
B. Ventricular enlargement
C. Absence of the falx
D. Increased renal echogenicity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hydrocephalus involves abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid and commonly
results in enlargement of the ventricular system.
Question 7
Which congenital brain abnormality is associated with abnormal development of the cerebellar
vermis and cystic dilation of the fourth ventricle?
A. Dandy-Walker malformation
B. Holoprosencephaly
C. Agenesis of the corpus callosum
D. Chiari II malformation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dandy-Walker malformation classically involves cystic dilation of the fourth ventricle,
hypoplasia or agenesis of the cerebellar vermis, and enlargement of the posterior fossa.
Question 8
Which congenital abnormality results from incomplete separation of the cerebral hemispheres?
A. Dandy-Walker malformation
B. Holoprosencephaly