Re: Hydrocephalus - Ultrasound

Alex Gough — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 10:05:41 GMT

There aren't a huge number of reports on this, but it can be a useful technique. I have done it for interest through an open fontanelle,. and the big ones are obvious if you use a high frequency small footprint probe.

Whether you need any further imaging (MRI best) depends on what you want to do - if you want to check there is no mass for example causing a secondary hydrocephalus you need MRI, and if it was to go for ventriculoperitoneal shunting then MRI would be important i think. However, if funds are limited, then it would give you enough evidence to try medical management,.

Alex

Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2001 Sep-Oct;42(5):435-9.

Identification of arachnoid cysts in the quadrigeminal cistern using ultrasonography.

Saito M, Olby NJ, Spaulding K.

Source

Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606, USA.

Abstract

The ultrasonographic findings in three small breed dogs with intracranial arachnoid cysts are described. Ultrasound images were obtained via the foramen magnum, temporal window and persistent bregmatic fontanelle (when possible). In transverse, dorsal and sagittal transcranial ultrasound images there was marked dilation of the lateral ventricles and a well-defined, oval to triangular-shaped anechoic area between the caudal aspect of the occipital lobes, dorsal to the midbrain, and rostral to the cerebellum. These findings were consistent with a diagnosis of concurrent hydrocephalus and an arachnoid cyst within the quadrigeminal cistern.