Ultrasonic evaluation of the infant head

Prior to the late 1970s, ultrasonic examination of the intracranial contents in infants and young children was limited to A-mode presentations. With the advent of the Octoson and of sector-format real-time ultrasonic instruments, two-dimensional imaging of infant heads became a reality. Resolution and image display is equal to that obtained with computerized tomography and in some cases appears to be superior. The technique is now in widespread use, particularly in centers with neonatal intensive care units. Its non-invasive, rapid nature makes ultrasonographic examination the procedure of choice. Sedation is not necessary. The diagnostic uses of ultrasound in evaluating intracranial pathology range from evaluation of response to ventriculo-peritoneal shunting in hydrocephalic patients to initial diagnosis of germinal matrix hemorrhage, neoplasms, and congenital malformations.