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Sonographic findings in infants with macrocrania
D S Babcock1, B K Han, M S Dine
1Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229-2899.
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|June 1, 1988
Summary
Sonography is a reliable initial tool for diagnosing macrocrania in infants, accurately assessing fluid spaces and malformations. It effectively guides further diagnostic imaging, with CT scans rarely providing additional crucial information.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Neuroimaging in Infants
- Diagnostic Accuracy Studies
Background:
- Macrocrania in infants presents a diagnostic challenge, requiring differentiation between benign and pathological causes.
- Sonography and computed tomography (CT) are imaging modalities used to evaluate infants with enlarged heads.
- Correlation of imaging findings with neurologic outcomes is essential for understanding prognostic value.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare sonographic and CT findings in infants with macrocrania.
- To correlate imaging findings with neurologic outcomes.
- To determine the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value of sonography in pediatric macrocrania.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of sonographic findings in 255 infants with macrocrania.
- Comparison of sonographic and CT findings in a subset of 36 infants.
- Neurologic follow-up data collection for 202 patients.
Main Results:
- Sonography identified significant abnormalities in 5.6% of term and 6.7% of preterm infants.
- Good correlation was observed between sonography and CT in most cases, with CT rarely adding information.
- Most infants with normal sonograms had normal neurologic outcomes, though some showed developmental delays.
Conclusions:
- Sonography is a recommended initial imaging procedure for infants with macrocrania due to its accuracy in evaluating ventricular size, fluid spaces, and malformations.
- Normal sonographic findings or mildly increased fluid spaces often suffice with clinical follow-up.
- CT is indicated for significant sonographic abnormalities requiring further clarification.