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Updated: May 14, 2026
State of the Art Cranial Ultrasound Imaging in Neonates
Published on: February 2, 2015
Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonic examination in suspected craniosynostosis among infants
Houman Alizadeh1, Neda Najmi, Mehrzad Mehdizade
1Children Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Ultrasound is highly accurate for diagnosing craniosynostosis in infants, offering a safe alternative to CT scans. This imaging technique effectively rules out the condition, preventing unnecessary radiation exposure in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Craniosynostosis diagnosis requires accurate imaging.
- CT scans are the gold standard but involve ionizing radiation.
- Ultrasound offers a non-invasive alternative for infant imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound compared to CT scans for craniosynostosis.
- To determine the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound in diagnosing craniosynostosis.
- To assess the potential of ultrasound to reduce radiation exposure in infants.
Main Methods:
- 44 infants under 1 year old with suspected craniosynostosis were included.
- Initial sonographic examination by a pediatric radiologist.
- Subsequent blinded CT scan with 3D reconstruction for comparison.
Main Results:
- Ultrasound demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy.
- Sensitivity: 96.9%, Specificity: 100%.
- Positive Predictive Value: 100%, Negative Predictive Value: 92.3%.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasound is a highly specific tool for ruling out craniosynostosis.
- It can prevent unnecessary CT scans and radiation exposure in infants.
- Ultrasound is a reliable diagnostic method for craniosynostosis in pediatric patients.
Abstract:
The current study was performed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound compared to CT scan as a gold standard in the diagnosis of craniosynostosis. 44 infants (17 girls) under 1 year old, clinically suspected to have craniosynostosis, were first sonographically examined by a pediatric radiologist and were later referred to another blinded pediatric radiologist to examine CT scan with 3D reconstructed images of skull. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of ultrasound versus CT scan were 96.9%, 100%, 100%, and 92.3%, respectively. The high specificity of ultrasound helps to correctly rule out craniosynostosis in clinically suspected cases and thus, can prevent unnecessary exposure of healthy infants to CT scan ionizing radiation.
