Ultrasound evaluation of experimental hydrocephalus in dogs

The use of real time ultrasound to evaluate experimental hydrocephalus in craniectomized dogs is described. Fifteen dogs were longitudinally evaluated by ultrasound after injection of silicone into the suprasellar cistern and injection of kaolin into the cisterna magna, and later killed. Ventricular size was classified as normal, moderately or severely hydrocephalic according to lateral ventricular width. In 93% (14/15) of the animals the classifications as determined by ultrasound and pathological examination agreed. Both lateral ventricular width and biventricular width as measured by ultrasound had a linear correlation with measurements on the pathologic specimens (p less than 0.001).