Ultrasonic assessment of infectious meningitis

Real-time ultrasonography was performed, utilising the patent anterior fontanelle, on 82 infants with viral or bacterial meningitis. One third of the cases had normal ultrasonic appearances. The other two thirds demonstrated abnormalities of the subdural space, parenchyma and ventricles. Ventricular dilatation was the commonest abnormality and was present in 57% of the infants; ultrasonic evaluation was used to monitor the progress of treatment of these patients.