What are the tests for periventricular leukomalacia?

Visible on US or CT: An ultrasound done through the soft spot will often detect pvl. Ct or MRI might also be helpful but the cranial ultrasound is easy to do & requires little preparation or stress on the patient so it is the more common study for this dx.

PVL is caused by : lack of blood flow & oxygen to white matter around the ventricles of the fetal brain, an area most susceptible to damage around the end of the 2nd trimester. Cranial ultrasounds are done on newborns with risk factors by history or neurologic abnormalities by exam. An MRI of the brain is also diagnostic. Symptoms vary widely & may not be obvious early on, but Early Intervention is important.