[Innovations in neuro-monitoring using transcranial ultrasound]

This review describes transcranial ultrasound-based neuromonitoring by assessing changes of brain structures or cerebral blood flow over time. Some of the presented ultrasound techniques are still experimental. They are advantageous as they provide non-invasive and bed-side imaging. Thus, time, costs and potentially hazardous side effects due to transportation of acutely ill patients to CT or MRI scanners can be avoided. An assessment of increased cerebral pressure can be achieved by repeated determination of individual pulsatility index, cerebral venous blood flow, midline shift and transorbital optic sheath measurements. Moreover, transcranial duplex sonography offers the possibility to detect intracranial haemorrhage and to guide neurosurgical interventions. Finally, the value of measuring cerebral autoregulation and the current state of the art regarding sonothrombolysis in acute intracranial arterial thrombosis is presented.