Diagnostic Value of Transcranial Ultrasound in Preterm Infants
Ahmed N. Abaza
Radiodiagnosis Department, Shefaa Al Orman Hospital, Luxor, Egypt.
Khaled I. Elshafey
Radiodiagnosis Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
Rasha L. Younis
Radiodiagnosis Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
Hanan A. Saleh
Radiodiagnosis Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Prematurity is a term refers to neonates born at < 37 weeks of gestation. Cranial ultrasound (CUS) and magnetic resonance imaging are the two primary imaging methods for predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes in the neonatal duration era.
Aim: To verify the role of transcranial ultrasound (TCUS) as a screening tool in preterm infants to assess various cerebral lesions.
Patients and Methods: This trial was performed on 150 preterm neonates delivered before 37 weeks of gestation. They underwent TCUS scan just after admission, after three and seven days.
Results: A significant variation was found among neonates with normal CUS findings and those with abnormal US findings regarding gestational weight. A significant variation was found among neonates with normal CUS findings and those with abnormal US findings in neonates with respiratory distress. A significant variation was found among preterm with normal CUS findings and those with abnormal US findings regarding the outcome of the studied neonates.
Conclusion: CUS remains the rapid, accurate imaging tool of choice in preterm neonates for detecting brain injuries.
Keywords: Transcranial ultrasound, preterm infants, haemorrhage, hypoxic ischaemic injury