Learning objectives
To underline the importance of neonatal ultrasound of the brain
To show accurate examination techniques
To illustrate normal anatomy,
normal variants and main pathological findings
Background
Neonatal US of the brain represents a very significant tool in the management of the premature,
high risk or symptomatic neonate.
Sonography is advantageous because it does not require use of ionizing radiation or sedation,
it is easily reproducible and portable.
This poster’saim is to demonstrate a step-by-step guide of how it’smade and to describe the most common findings,
normal along with pathological ones.
Findings and procedure details
Ultrasound imaging technique
This examination is routinely performed through the anterior fontanel,
which remains patent in full-term infants until 9-18 months of age and serves as an acoustic window.
In premature infants and in those with increased intracranial pressure,
the anterior fontanel remains patent for a longer time.
Scanning is also possible through the posterior fontanel,
in coronal,
sagittal and oblique planes,
as well as through the squamosal suture,
anterolateral,
posterolatral fontanel and even through bone windows in patients with closed fontanels.
The correct choice...
Conclusion
Properly executed and with appliance of modern protocols,
US becomes highly accurate for detection of cranial abnormalities,
providing the great advantage of a short examination time.
Accompanied by video tutorials and suggestive images,
a radiologist can easily learn how to perform and interpret an US of the brain and include it as a first-line examination for a risk patient.
References
1) McGahan JP,
Goldberg BB.
Diagnostic Ultrasound.
2nd Edition.
New York: Informa Healthcare; 2008.
2) deBruyn R.
Pediatric Ultrasound How,
Why and When.
London: Elsevier 2005.
3) Troger J,
Seidensticker P.
Pediatric Imaging Manual.
Heidelberg: Srpinger Verlag 2008.
4) Riccabona M.
Pediatric Imaging Essentials.
Georg Thieme Verlag 2013.
5)van Wezel-MeijlerG.Neonatal cranial ultrasonography: guidelines for the procedure and atlas of normal ultrasound anatomy.Berlin,
Germany: Springer,2007.
6) Lowe LH,
Bailey Z.State-of-the-Art Cranial Sonography: Part 1,
Modern Techniques and Image Interpretation.
American Journal of Roentgenology.
2011;196: 1028-1033.
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