Ventricular taps in the neonate under ultrasonic guidance. Technical note

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurosurgery
• Medical Imaging
• Ultrasound Technology

Background:

• Ventricular taps are crucial for managing pediatric hydrocephalus and other neurological conditions.
• Accurate needle placement is vital to avoid complications during ventricular puncture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel method for ultrasonically guiding ventricular taps in pediatric patients.
• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided ventricular puncture.

Main Methods:

• A needle guide was used to introduce the needle within the ultrasound field of a sector scanner.
• Real-time ultrasound visualization allowed for accurate determination of needle direction and clear imaging on a monitor.

Main Results:

• Seven pediatric ventricular taps were performed using the described ultrasound-guided technique.
• All punctures were successful on the first attempt.
• No complications were reported during or after the procedures.

Conclusions:

• Ultrasound-guided ventricular taps provide accurate and safe needle introduction in children.
• This technique enhances procedural success rates and minimizes the risk of complications in pediatric neurosurgery.