S. Steiner et al., HEAD-INJURY IN CHILDHOOD - COMPARISON OF SONOGRAPHY WITH THE CONVENTIONAL X-RAY AND CT, RoFo. Fortschritte auf dem Gebiete der Rontgenstrahlen und der neuenbildgebenden Verfahren, 165(4), 1996, pp. 353-358
Purpose: The purpose of our study was to compare the value of ultrasou
nd, conventional x-ray diagnosis and CT in detecting skull fractures a
nd intracranial haemorrhage in children suffering from a head injury.
Material and methods: We examined 210 children who had a head injury.
In all cases the calvarium was investigated by ultrasound using a 7.0
MHz linear transducer. In children with an open fontanel (n = 190) the
cerebrum was screened additionally by ultrasound following a standard
protocol. The sonographic findings were correlated to the x-ray exami
nation (n = 21) and CT (n = 13). Results: Ultrasound enabled diagnosis
of linear calvarial fractures (n = 29), depressed fratures (n = 6) an
d intracranial haemorrhage (n = 8). X-Ray and CT examination confirmed
the diagnosis of linear calvarial fractures in 16 cases, of depressed
fractures in 6 cases. CT confirmed the sonographic diagnosis of intra
cranial haemorrhage in 8 cases. Conclusion: Ultrasound as a primary me
thod can replace the conventional x-ray in detecting calvarial fractur
e and posttraumatic sequelae. Additional CT examination depends on the
sonographic and neurological status.