Duplex pulsed Doppler US versus intracranial pressure in the neonate: clinical and experimental studies

This study was conducted to determine if the resistive index (RI) could be used for the examination and follow-up of neonates with increased intracranial pressure. First, in a laboratory model with four mongrel dogs, RI was found to correlate linearly with cerebral perfusion pressure. Second, RI was studied in 57 healthy neonates and 285 neonates with abnormal clinical or head ultrasound findings. Average RI for healthy newborns was 75 +/- 10 and was inversely related to gestational age. RI in newborns with abnormal findings was uniformly elevated, but these values varied considerably and were not statistically different from normal values. Third, the RI was found to decrease significantly after patent ductus arteriosus ligation, tapping of subdural effusions, ventricular tapping (later cerebrospinal fluid shunting led to a further drop in RI), and ventriculoperitoneal shunting. Elevated RI indicates possible intra- or extracranial abnormality affecting cerebral blood flow. Doppler RI is valuable in following up neonates with abnormal or unstable conditions and in assessing the effectiveness of therapies to improve cerebral perfusion.