Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 19, Issue 7 443-447, Copyright © 2000 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Sonography of extraaxial fluid in neurologically normal infants with head circumference greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for age
D. P. Fessell, D. A. Frankel and W. P. Wolfson
Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor 48109-0326, USA.
The goal of this study was to examine sonographically the extraaxial space
in neurologically normal infants with occipital frontal circumference
greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for age and correlate these
dimensions with neurologic follow-up findings to determine a range of
normal values. We thus hope to obviate unnecessary workup of these
patients, including additional imaging or intervention. Our results
demonstrate that for infants with a craniocortical width or sinocortical
width less than 10 mm, the negative predictive value and specificity for
developing a neurologic abnormality during the 55 week follow-up period
were 94 to 100%. Thus, for neurologically normal infants with occipital
frontal circumference greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for age
and a head ultrasonogram that is otherwise normal, a craniocortical or
sinocortical width of up to 10 mm can be considered within normal limits.
Clinical follow-up evaluation is prudent, but additional imaging of these
infants is not required.
