Color Doppler imaging of intracranial vessels in the neonate

This study was performed to examine the effectiveness of color Doppler imaging (CDI) in demonstrating the neonatal intracranial vessels and altered intracranial flow patterns and to determine the optimal approach in imaging the intracranial vasculature. The study was conducted in two parts. First, 14 neonates were examined with CDI by using a standard approach through the anterior fontanel. Whenever possible, views through the posterior fontanel and the temporal bone were obtained also. The anterior cerebral, M1 segment of the middle cerebral, distal internal carotid, and basilar arteries were demonstrated consistently. Portions of the vertebral, distal middle cerebral, and posterior cerebral arteries were frequently visualized. In the second part of the study, we examined 10 neonates who had undergone extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. In this group of patients, CDI was able to demonstrate occlusion of the right internal carotid artery and the reversal of flow through the ipsilateral A1 segment. Increased flow on the contralateral side and in the basilar artery was observed in several patients. The anterior fontanel approach was shown to be the most useful in identifying most of the major intracranial arteries and veins with CDI. In addition, the body weights and gestational ages of the neonates were found to significantly influence the success rate in visualizing the intracranial vasculature.