Transfontanellar Doppler Imaging in Neonates

This book examines in detail the role of transfontanellar pulsed and color Doppler imaging in the fetus and neonate. After an introductory chapter on the technical aspects of Doppler ultrasonography, its use in the normal neonate is considered. Results of the hemodynamic evaluation of 491 newborns aged from 32 weeks of gestation to 9 months by means of pulsed and color Doppler are reported. Normal values of the resistive index as determined by this technique are documented, and systolic, diastolic, and mean velocities in seven different vessels are presented. It is concluded that Doppler ultrasonography enables reliable analysis of arterial and venous velocities. Subsequent chapters examine the use of transfontanellar Doppler imaging in a variety of commonly encountered pathological conditions, including intracranial hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, hypoxic-ischemic brain damage, pericerebral collections, sinus thrombosis, intacranial infections and brain malformations.