Two-dimensional ultrasound measurements vs. magnetic resonance imaging-derived ventricular volume of preterm infants with germinal matrix intraventricular haemorrhage

Abstract

Background Post-haemorrhagic ventricular dilatation can be measured accurately by MRI. However, two-dimensional (2-D) cranial US can be used at the bedside on a daily basis. Objective To assess whether the ventricular volume can be determined accurately using US. Materials and methods We included 31 preterm infants with germinal matrix intraventricular haemorrhage. Two-dimensional cranial US images were acquired and the ventricular index, anterior horn width and thalamo-occipital distance were measured. In addition, cranial MRI was performed. The ventricular volume on MRI was determined using a previously validated automatic segmentation algorithm. We obtained the correlation and created a linear model between MRI-derived ventricular volume and 2-D cranial US measurements. Results The ventricular index, anterior horn width and thalamo-occipital distance as measured on 2-D cranial US were significantly associated with the volume of the ventricles as determined with MRI. A general linear model fitted the data best: ∛ventricular volume (ml) = 1.096 + 0.094 × anterior horn width (mm) + 0.020 × thalamo-occipital distance (mm) with R 2 = 0.831. Conclusion The volume of the lateral ventricles of infants with germinal matrix intraventricular haemorrhage can be estimated using 2-D cranial US images by application of a model.

Ultrasonographic Estimation of Total Brain Volume: 3D Reliability and 2D Estimation. Enabling Routine Estimation During NICU Admission in the Preterm Infant

“…As 3D US is not widely available we have focused on its utility to make 2D US measurements reliable compared to a 3D US manual segmentation and to both linear and volumetric MRI measures. However, this study reinforces the potential role 3D US has in the NICU which has been previously recognized by other authors ( 26 , 27 ) and by our group ( 14 , 16 , 28 , 29 ). 3D allows navigation through the three planes once a whole brain acquisition has been obtained, is faster than 2D US and allows review offline of any possible section of interest instead of having a static 2D image saved ( 30 – 32 ).…”

Early Protein Intake Influences Neonatal Brain Measurements in Preterms: An Observational Study

“…However, MRI is not easy to perform during the first weeks of life when clinical conditions of newborns are critical, even if this technique is considered the gold standard for the study of cerebral structures' measurements (7). Recently, it has been demonstrated that cranial ultrasound (cUS) can be reliably used to monitor cerebral growth in preterm infants (6,(8)(9)(10)(11). The cUS is a low-cost bedside technique, repeatable as often as necessary, available, and widely used in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (8).…”

“…Recently, it has been demonstrated that cranial ultrasound (cUS) can be reliably used to monitor cerebral growth in preterm infants (6,(8)(9)(10)(11). The cUS is a low-cost bedside technique, repeatable as often as necessary, available, and widely used in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (8). Starting from these considerations, we aimed to study the effects of high protein supply on early cerebral volume, through serial cUS examinations in preterm neonates.…”

Posthemorrhagic ventricular dilatation late intervention threshold and associated brain injury

“…High-resolution ultrasound equipment, early and serial cUS, and new classifications for WMI at TEA that include the concept of white matter loss are therefore critical [ 30 , 36 – 40 ]. In this study, two experienced examiners evaluated all the available cUS scans, taking into account the progression profile of the white matter echogenicity and the presence of cysts, as well as signs of white matter loss (ex-vacuo ventriculomegaly) in the cUS conducted at TEA, which have shown a good correlation with MRI findings [ 41 , 42 ].…”