[An asphyctic newborn infant with sonographically dilated ventricles]

Brain edema causes severe cerebral defects after perinatal asphyxia. In managing children with asphyxia adequate therapy of brain edema is most important for the neurological outcome. Usually estimation of the width of the ventricular system is initially used for sonographical classification or suspicion of brain edema. We present a case with the unusual aspect of wide cerebral liquor system in spite of severe asphyxia and severe brain edema with consecutive cerebral atrophy. In this case brain edema could only be recognised by the use of doppler sonography of the cerebral vessels and was confirmed by brain pressure monitoring. We therefore suggest that sonographic diagnostic workup of newborns with asphyxia must include a doppler-sonography of the cerebral vessels as well as a brain pressure monitoring.