Role of computed tomography and ultrasound in neonatal brain imaging

Neonatal brain imaging has had a tremendous impact on neonatal care with the introduction of computed tomography and ultrasound to noninvasive study of the neonatal brain. Improved obstetrical and neonatal care have saved many premature infants, resulting in an increased incidence of central nervous system hemorrhagic and hypoxic brain damage in those very-low-birthweight infants who are at greatest risk for intracranial hemorrhage. The evaluation of the neonatal brain can best be done by an understanding of the relative merits of computed tomography and ultrasound as imaging techniques. This report demonstrates the ability of each modality in specific lesions and recommends a basic approach to neonatal care based on the most likely lesion.