Cranial Ultrasound in the Management of Hydrocephalus in Newborns: A Case Series

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Neurology
• Pediatric Radiology
• Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

• Neonatal hydrocephalus significantly impacts patient care and neurological development, incurring substantial daily care costs.
• Advanced imaging techniques are crucial for identifying the causes of hydrocephalus and monitoring patient progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility and feasibility of various imaging methods in diagnosing and managing neonatal hydrocephalus.
• To highlight the role of cranial ultrasound in the detection and monitoring of hydrocephalus in newborns.

Main Methods:

• Case series of five newborns diagnosed with hydrocephalus.
• Primary imaging modality: cranial ultrasound.
• Correlative assessments included Prechtl's Assessment of General Movements and the Kurjak Antenatal Neurodevelopmental Test (KANET).

Main Results:

• Cranial ultrasound demonstrated high utility and feasibility for diagnosing hydrocephalus.
• Correlating ultrasound findings with general movement assessments provided significant insights into infant neurodevelopmental evolution.
• KANET proved useful for prenatal neurological evaluations.

Conclusions:

• Cranial ultrasound is a valuable tool for identifying the etiology of neonatal hydrocephalus.
• Complementary imaging may be necessary in certain cases.
• Treatment strategies must be tailored to the specific underlying cause of hydrocephalus.