A practical guide to cerebral ultrasound scanning

Abstract 

Cranial ultrasound scanning has become an integral part of the care of the sick newborn infant. It is the imaging mode of first choice because of accessibility, safety and the ability to achieve good images of central structures of the brain and circulation. Cranial ultrasound scanning should only be performed by staff who have been properly trained, preferably on an accredited course. It must be supervised by a responsible consultant neonatologist or radiologist with formal arrangements in place for audit and quality assurance. The images should be archived as hard copy. The reports should be documented in the medical notes. This facilitates retrospective analysis of patient data for audit, medico-legal, clinical governance and quality issues. Normal and abnormal ultrasound findings can be useful in predicting neurodevelopmental outcome.

Keywords: infant, newborn, ultrasonography, cerebral haemorrhage, leukomalacia, periventricular, cerebral infarction

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• f1 Correspondence to: JN. Tel.: +1443-443536; Fax:+1443-443223; E-mail: james.moorcraft@pr-tr.wales.nhs.uk