Neurosonography Of The Pre Term Neonate

Over a mere 5 years, neonatal cranial sonography has evolved from an obscure and largely experimental imaging possibility to the modality of preference in the examination of the young brain. The almost immediate acceptance of the ultrasound examination of the neonatal brain was based on a number of coinci dent factors, the most important of which was the emergence of a burgeoning population of premature neonates who were, for the first time, surviving be yond infancy. These delicate patients were beginning to withstand the rigors of extrauterine life when not fully prepared for it; pulmonary, cardiac, and infec tious diseases no longer claimed most of them. With survival, a new specter reared its head: Would the eventual mental and neurologic status of these same children be worth the expense and time needed to bring them through their first months? This issue became increasingly pressing as evidence mounted through the 1970s that very premature neonates were at a high risk for intracranial hemor rhage and posthemorrhagic complications. An imaging modality that could evaluate the premature brain was sorely needed. The CT scanner with its proven ability to diagnose intracranial hemorrhage was of little value in this regard. So too were static gray-scale or waterpath ultrasound units. These modalities all had the same limitation, lack of portability. As neonatal intensive care units proliferated, so did the technology that would soon allow cribside neonatal neuroimaging, the real-time sector scanner.

Over a mere 5 years, neonatal cranial sonography has evolved from an obscure and largely experimental imaging possibility to the modality of preference in the examination of the young brain. The almost immediate acceptance of the ultrasound examination of the neonatal brain was based on a number of coinci dent factors, the most important of which was the emergence of a burgeoning population of premature neonates who were, for the first time, surviving be yond infancy. These delicate patients were beginning to withstand the rigors of extrauterine life when not fully prepared for it; pulmonary, cardiac, and infec tious diseases no longer claimed most of them. With survival, a new specter reared its head: Would the eventual mental and neurologic status of these same children be worth the expense and time needed to bring them through their first months? This issue became increasingly pressing as evidence mounted through the 1970s that very premature neonates were at a high risk for intracranial hemor rhage and posthemorrhagic complications. An imaging modality that could evaluate the premature brain was sorely needed. The CT scanner with its proven ability to diagnose intracranial hemorrhage was of little value in this regard. So too were static gray-scale or waterpath ultrasound units. These modalities all had the same limitation, lack of portability. As neonatal intensive care units proliferated, so did the technology that would soon allow cribside neonatal neuroimaging, the real-time sector scanner.

Cranial ultrasonography is the most important, accessible, patient friendly, and cheapestneuroimaging technique on the neonatal ward. It provides important information on brain maturation in the (preterm) neonate and enables the detection of frequently occurring brain anomalies. In this second edition of Neonatal Cranial Ultrasonography, the focus is on the basics of the technique, from patient preparation through to screening strategies and the classification of abnormalities. Many new ultrasound images have been included to reflect the improvements in image quality since the first edition. Essential information is provided about both the procedure itself and the normal ultrasound anatomy. Standard technique is described and illustrated, but emphasis is also placed on the value of supplementary acoustic windows. The compact design of the book makes it an ideal and handy reference that will guide the novice but also provide useful information for the more experienced practitioner.

This book clearly explains the basics of cranial ultrasonography in the neonate, from patient preparation through to screening strategies and the classification of abnormalities. The aim is to enable the reader consistently to obtain images of the highest quality and to interpret them correctly. Essential information is provided both on the procedure itself and on the normal ultrasound anatomy. The standard technique is described and illustrated, and emphasis is placed on the value of supplementary acoustic windows. Attention is also drawn to maturational changes in the neonatal brain and to the limitations of cranial ultrasonography. Frequently occurring abnormalities are described and classifications for these abnormalities are provided. A new classification for neonatal cerebellar hemorrhages is introduced. In this third edition, all ultrasound images have beena replaced, reflecting the improvements in image quality. An entirely new chapter is devoted to Doppler ultrasonography. The illustrations have been improved and new illustrations were added. The reader will have access to highly informative videos on the cranial ultrasound procedure, available online via SpringerLink. The compact design of the book makes it an ideal and handy reference that will guide the novice in understanding the essentials of the technique while also providing useful information for the more experienced practitioner.

This Clinic in Developmental Medicine describes a meticulous survey of germinal matrix/intraventricular haemorrhage in preterm infants. The babies weighed 501-2000g at their birth in three New Jersey counties between 1984 and 1987. They were studied prospectively with cranial ultrasound; the findings were correlated with very detailed pathological examination of the brains of those who died, and with later outcome in the survivors. The numbers studied in this population-based sample were large enough both to test and to generate hypotheses about the causes and consequences of haemorrhage.

This bestselling volume in The RequisitesT Series provides a comprehensive introduction to timely ultrasound concepts, ensuring quick access to all the essential tools for the effective practice of ultrasonography. Comprehensive yet concise, Ultrasound covers everything from basic principles to advanced state-of-the-art techniques. This title perfectly fulfills the career-long learning, maintenance of competence, reference, and review needs of residents, fellows, and practicing physicians. Covers the spectrum of ultrasound use for general, vascular, obstetric, and gynecologic imaging. Fully illustrated design includes numerous side-by-side correlative images. Written at a level ideal for residents seeking an understanding of the basics, or for practitioners interested in lifelong learning and maintenance of competence. Extensive boxes and tables highlight differential diagnoses and summarize findings. "Key Features" boxes offer a review of key information at the end of each chapter. Explore extensively updated and expanded content on important topics such as practical physics and image optimization, the thyroid, salivary glands, bowel, musculoskeletal system, cervical nodal disease, ectopic pregnancy, early pregnancy failure, management of asymptomatic adnexal cysts, practice guidelines - and a new chapter on fetal chromosome abnormalities. Visualize the complete spectrum of diseases with many new and expanded figures of anatomy and pathology, additional correlative imaging, and new schematics demonstrating important concepts and findings. Further enhance your understanding with visual guidance from the accompanying electronic version, which features over 600 additional figures and more than 350 real-time ultrasound videos. Expert Consult eBook version included with purchase. The enhanced eBook experience allows you to view the additional images and video segments and access all of the text, figures, and suggested readings on a variety of devices.

This is the second edition of the manual describing this popular and practical tool for the clinical neurological examination of the newborn. In addition to a number of developments on the original scheme in the light of clinical and research experience, the new manual also facilitates the recording and performance of the examination by providing clear information on its administration aided by illustrative diagrams. New sections include a simplified version of the examination suited to inexperienced staff, applicable both for screening and for use in developing countries; a revised proforma that may be used for the follow-up of infants beyond the neonatal period; and a new section describing clinical patterns in newborns with brain lesions and their correlation with imaging and neurological findings. Scoring tables are included in the back of the book.