Usefulness of transcranial echography in patients with decompressive craniectomy

Abstract

Echography may be a valid option to computed tomography in patients with decompressive craniectomy to assess the size of acute hemorrhagic lesions, to measure midline structures and the width of lateral ventricles, and to visualize the tip of the ventricular catheter.

Aplicaciones de la ultrasonografía en el sistema nervioso central para neuroanestesia y cuidado neurocrítico

“…Se pueden visualizar los ventrículos laterales y la línea media; esta última se ha reportado desviada en pacientes con ataque cerebrovascular, hematomas durales y ocasionalmente hemorragias gangliobasales. Se pueden localizar catéteres de derivación con esta técnica 14,15 . Es importante recordar que hasta un 15% de los pacientes no tienen una buena ventana ultrasonográfica, por lo que no serán visibles estas estructuras 16 .…”

Intracranial epidural hematoma follow-up using bidimensional ultrasound

“…(1) To illustrate this use, we present a patient in which an epidural hematoma was monitored through the use of a hemicraniectomy bidimensional ultrasound.…”

“…Ultrasound enables the diagnosis of an epidural hematoma with (1) or without prior hemicraniectomy. (2) Furthermore, measurement of an epidural hematoma appears to be reliable using ultrasound in hemicraniectomized patients.…”

“…(2) Furthermore, measurement of an epidural hematoma appears to be reliable using ultrasound in hemicraniectomized patients. (1) There is no literature supporting the safety of temporal evaluation of intracranial hematomas using ultrasound. However, it seems feasible as demonstrated by our experience, and could potentially be safer and cost efficient by reducing unnecessary CT scans in severe brain trauma patients.…”

Bedside Ultrasound After Decompressive Craniectomy: A New Standard?

“…Patients after decompressive craniectomy may present an ideal candidate to visualize intracerebral anatomy with a high resolution. A few studies suggested that the sonographic technique might be considered an alternative to CT in monitoring these patients [5].…”