Accuracy of Cranial Ultrasound for the Diagnosis of Intracranial Hemorrhage among Suspected Infants

Head ultrasound (HUS), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have all been used to evaluate perinatal brain injury in premature infants. HUS is the current screening test for ICH in premature infants. As a portable imaging modality that is radiation-free, it is convenient and can safely be performed multiple times. Another advantage is its well-documented sensitivity in detecting ICH. To determine the diagnostic accuracy of cranial ultrasound for detection of intracranial haemorrhage taking MRI as gold standard among suspected infants. Descriptive and Cross-sectional study design was used in study. We have conducted this study during 1st December 2020 to 31st May 2021 in Department of Radiology, Mardan Medical complex, Mardan. A total of 100 infants with suspected intracranial haemorrhage were included. All patients were undergone cranial ultrasonography within 4 hours of admission. USG was performed by experienced pediatric sonographers using state-of-the-art equipment (Zonare Medical Systems, Mountain View, CA, USA). Cranial ultrasound was followed by MRI scan. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of cranial ultrasound for detection of intracranial haemorrhage taking MRI as gold standard among suspected infants was 91.94%, 84.21%, 90.48%, 86.49% and 89.0% respectively. This study concluded that cranial ultrasonography is a highly sensitive and accurate modality for detection of intracranial haemorrhage.