Sonographic examination of the adult brain

Phased-array real-time transcranial ultrasound with a 2.5-MHz transducer was used to examine 23 normal adult volunteers and patients, and 8 selected patients with abnormalities proven by computed tomography. Normal cerebral landmarks were consistently seen and pulsed Doppler signals were often obtainable from central cerebral arteries. Dilated lateral ventricles, subdural hygromas, or cerebral masses were identified in 6 of the 8 patients. In the 2 others abnormal cases, known suprasellar aneurysms were missed. While current technology will not provide accurate screening for cerebral abnormalities, ultrasound imaging may often be adequate for follow-up examinations and for midline evaluation, and may provide simplified preoperative localization of some brain lesions. Doppler ultrasound examinations may be used for intracranial vessel hemodynamic evaluation.