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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
State of the Art Cranial Ultrasound Imaging in Neonates
Published on: February 2, 2015
Postnatal ultrasound reliability in cerebellar vermis assessment
R K Armstrong1, L M Fox, J L Y Cheong
1Department of Neonatal Services, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. ruth.armstrong@rch.org.au
Insights
Linear ultrasound measurements of the cerebellar vermis are reliable for assessing growth in premature infants. This method provides reproducible data crucial for monitoring neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neuroimaging
- Fetal development assessment
- Pediatric neurology
Background:
- Prematurity can hinder cerebellar growth, potentially impacting neurocognitive development.
- Reliable and reproducible methods are needed to assess cerebellar growth in neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reliability of linear sonographic measurements of the cerebellar vermis.
- To establish a dependable sonographic technique for monitoring fetal cerebellar development.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of cranial ultrasounds from 110 infants (24-41 weeks gestation).
- Independent measurements of cerebellar vermis dimensions by three sonologists.
- Interobserver and intraobserver reliability assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).
Main Results:
- Technically adequate images were obtained in 61 cases.
- High interobserver reliability was found for vermian height (ICC=0.88), craniocaudal diameter (ICC=0.91), superior vermis width (ICC=0.84), and inferior vermis width (ICC=0.92).
- Intraobserver reliability showed similar high consistency.
Conclusions:
- Linear ultrasound measurements of the cerebellar vermis demonstrate high reliability when images are adequate.
- Sonographic assessment of the cerebellar vermis is a reproducible method for clinical use.
Background:
Cerebellar growth in late gestation is impeded by prematurity which may adversely affect neurocognitive development. Assessment of cerebellar growth should be easily attainable, reliable and reproducible.
Objective:
To assess the reliability of linear sonographic cerebellar vermis measurement.
Method:
Cranial ultrasounds of 110 infants ranging from 24 to 41 weeks' gestation were retrospectively reviewed. Cerebellar vermian height, craniocaudal diameter and superior and inferior vermis widths were independently measured on the first midline sagittal image by three neonatal sonologists of varying experience. Interobserver and intraobserver reliability were calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (2 way mixed model, SPSS V.15.0).
Results:
61 images were technically adequate. Interobserver ICCs (95% CI) were: cerebellar vermian height 0.88 (0.82 to 0.92); craniocaudal diameter 0.91 (0.86 to 0.94); superior vermis width 0.84 (0.77 to 0.89); inferior vermis width 0.92 (0.89 to 0.95). Intraobserver ICCs were similar.
Conclusion:
With adequate images, linear ultrasound measurements of cerebellar vermis are reliable.
