Ultrasound for Head Assessment: Diagnosis and Treatment

Abstract

Ultrasound imaging of the head can be a useful screening and confirmation tool for a wide range of pathology in fetal, infant, and adult life. It is commonly performed on infants due to incomplete formation of the structures of the skull and wide fontanelles, creating a window and making visualization of the cranium more feasible. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound evaluates blood flow in the major arteries of the brain. Common uses of ultrasound imaging of the head include evaluation for hydrocephalus, screening for intraventricular hemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia, evaluation for congenital abnormalities, assessing risk of stroke, and localization of infections or tumors among others. Limitations of ultrasound include sensitivity to motion, such as an active or crying child, or larger patients with a resulting necessary increased depth of visualization. This chapter will discuss ultrasound of the head, its applications, methodology of performance for each application, and its contraindications and complications.