Cranial ultrasound

Cranial ultrasound is a procedure where reflected sound waves are used to produce the images of the brain and inner fluid chambers. Cranial ultrasound test is useful for diagnosing the problems in babies (up to 18 months old). The test should be done before the bones of the brain grow together because ultrasound waves cannot pass through the bones. If the test is performed on adults, then the bones are opened surgically.

Need

Cranial ultrasound test is required for:

• Routine screening of the prematurely borne babies
• Evaluating enlarged head
• Before brain surgery to detect the brain mass
• Find out infection and abnormal growths in or around the brain
• Find out the bleeding in the brain
• Detect periventricular leukomalacia

Procedure

The test does not require any special kind of preparation. If an older baby is undergoing a test, it will be useful to keep baby little hungry. A radiologist performs the cranial ultrasound test. The test will be performed at the bedside of the baby in neonatal intensive care unit. The baby will lie on his or her back on the bed. Doctor moves transducer across the soft spot (fontanelle) on top of the head of baby. You have to hold your baby during the test. The series of pictures of the brain and cerebral fluid will be observed on the screen of the computer. In adults, to locate the brain mass, cranial ultrasound surgery is performed before the brain surgery. The test takes 15-30 minutes to complete.

Result

Normal:

• Regular size and shape of brain will appear normal
• Normal size of inner fluid chamber of the brain is observed
• Tissue appearance in brain is normal without any kind of bleeding, suspicious areas (lesions), abnormal growths or evidence of infection

Abnormal:

• Bleeding in brain indicating intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)
• Presence of encephalitis or meningitis, abnormal growths indicating tumor or cyst
• Damaged tissues around the brain indicating periventricular leukomalacia (PVL)
• Enlarged brain ventricles building up the excessive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amount indicating hydrocephalus

Consideration

No known risks are observed with cranial ultrasound test. You will not experience any kind of discomfort after undergoing cranial ultrasound test. If the gel applied to your body before the test is not warmed, it will give you a feeling of cold. If the baby is not steady during the test, it may affect the accuracy of the test. If there is a presence of the open wound or recent surgical wound in the area of observation, then it may affect the results of your test.