Ultrasonic detection of subdural collections

Giant subdural empyema in an infant. Sonographic observations

A giant subdural empyema was found to be the cause of a large head in a two month old female child referred for cranial sonography. The sonographic features of the subdural empyema as illustrated by this case are: (1) The presence of an extra-axial space occupying lesion with mass effect. (2) Its fluid nature with mobile echogenic debris within. (3) Its large extent from frontal to occipital region, and (4) Its thick medial echogenic wall. A total of 250 ml of pus was evacuated from the empyema and the child was doing well on follow up at four months of age.

Ultrasound and computed tomography of the infant brain: a clinical comparison

The ultrasound and computed tomography examinations of the brain in 89 infants were correlated and compared. In 85% of cases both provided information of equal diagnostic accuracy. In the remaining 16% it was the combination of both examinations that provided the maximal information about anatomical localisation, extent of disease and tissue characterisation.