Learning objectives
Ultrasound measurements of the lateral ventricles in neonates: an explanation of the available methods,
the correct execution,
the reproducibility and sensitivity.
Background
Measurement of the ventricular size by ultrasound is important to diagnose earlypost-haemorrhagic ventriculardilatation.
Ventricular dilatation is usually a complication of haemorrhage in the caudothalamic groove in premature infants and can lead to increased intra-cranial pressure due to obstruction of liqour drainage.
Since clinical symptoms are manifesting late,
ultrasonographic measurement of the ventricular size is essential.
There are various measurement methods,
but these are not used consistently in daily clinical practice.
Findings and procedure details
The ventricle index,
which is better known as the Levene,
is the distance from the falx to the lateral boundary of the lateral ventricle.
This is measured in the coronal plane just posterior or at the level of the foramen of Monro.
It is the most commonly described method and has the largest reference database.
However the ventricle index only shows a clear increase in severe hydrocephalus.
The ventricle index is often confused with the ventricular hemispheric ratio,
the width of the horns as a...
Conclusion
Ultrasound measurements of the lateral ventricles play an important role inthe early recognition of post-haemorrhagic ventricular dilation.Of the available lateral ventricles measurements,
the anterior horn width has a good sensitivity and reproducibility.
The ventricle index has a lower sensitivity for mild dilatation but has the most comprehensive references.
Personal information
Ikrame Oulad Abdennabi,
2nd year Radiology resident,
Albert Schweitzer ziekenhuis,
Dordrecht,
the Netherlands.
References
•New Reference Values for the Neonatal Cerebral Ventricles.
M.J.
Brouwer,
2011
•Ultrasound measurements of the lateral ventricles in neonates: why,
how and when? A systematic review,
M.J.
Brouwer,
2010
•Reference ranges for the linear dimensions of the intracranial ventricles in preterm neonates.
Davies,
2000
•Measurement of the growth of the lateral ventricles in preterm infants with real-time ultrasound.
Malcolm Levene,
1981