THE USE OF TRANSCRANIAL DOPPLER ULTRASONOGRAPHY AS A METHOD OF ASSESSING INTRACRANIAL-PRESSURE IN HYDROCEPHALIC CHILDREN

Previous studies in children have shown a strong correlation between r aised intracranial pressure (RICP) and the Gosling pulsatility index ( PI) as determined by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD). This diagnostic modality can, therefore, be used as a non-invasive method f or the indirect evaluation of shunt function in children with hydrocep halus. Transcranial Doppler waveform analyses were done in 15 children with hydrocephalus, before and after insertion of a ventriculo-perito neal shunt. All had clinical evidence of raised intracranial pressure (ICP) prior to surgery. CT had demonstrated dilated ventricles and, in some, additional features of RICP. Fifteen children without clinical and CT evidence of hydrocephalus were examined in an identical manner to act as a control group. The results clearly demonstrated that TCD m ay be a useful, non-invasive means of assessing the need for a cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) diversionary procedure and also for follow-up and m onitoring.