Normal parameters of ventricular system in healthy infants.

Six hundred healthy inborn newborns and infants upto the age of 18 months were studied. Cranial sonography was performed by real time 2D scanner with 5 MHz transducer and images were obtained through anterior fontanelle and temporo-squamal suture. Various parameters related to ventricular system were measured for different ages till the fontanelle remained open. These values will prove useful for diagnosing hydrocephalus at an early stage of the disease and also to find out the blocks at various levels in ventricular system.

Ultrasonic diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage in high risk neonates.

One hundred and eleven high risk neonates were subjected to (cranial ultrasound (CR-USG) Caranial sonography was performed by 2D realtime scanner with 5 MHz transducer through anterior and posterior fontanelle and temporo-squamal suture. One quarter of these neonates developed intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) within 120 hours of birth. Of them 42.8% neonates recovered completely, 21.4% developed ventriculomegaly, 21.4% neonates expired, 10.4% developed pseudo-porencephalic cysts and 3.5% developed aqueductal block. It is concluded that CR-USG is a useful technique for detection and monitoring of complications of ICH and at least one screening sonogram is essential in the first week of life of all high risk neonates.

Cranial ultrasonic assessment of infants with acute bacterial meningitis.

A prospective study was performed on 44 patients (newborn to one year old) with acute bacterial meningitis. Sonograms were obtained within 72 hours of diagnosis, and repeated on 7th, 14th or at an early date, if required. The spectrum of sonographic features of meningitis included normal scan (35.4%), echogenic sulci (63.7%) and parenchyma (29.5%), ventriculomegaly (59%), ventriculitis (35%), pseudo-porencephalic cyst (4.4%), extra axial fluid collection (4.4%), encephalomalacia (2.2%) and cerebral abscess (2.2%) in patients.