Neonatal cranial ultrasound interpretation: a clinical audit

Objective-To assess the abilities of doctors to interpret neonatal cranial ultrasound scans. Design and setting-High resolution scanned images of six important neonatal cranial ultrasound abnormalities were posted as a questionnaire to the 59 neonatal units in the North and South Thames regions. Results-Forty two questionnaires were returned (71%). Currently 56% of thos e interpreting cranial ultrasound scans are neonatal registrars, 27% are co nsultant paediatricians or neonatologists, and 17% are radiologists. The re sponse rate from registrars was excellent (97%), but it was poor from consu ltant paediatric (38%) and radiological (40%) staff. The mean accurate iden tification of cerebral abnormalities was only 59% (range 45-71%). Only 44% of the neonatal registrars, compared with nearly all the consultant staff, have had any formal training in cranial ultrasonography. Conclusions-The data highlight the current accuracy of neonatal cranial ult rasound scan reporting in the Greater London region and have important impl ications for clinical services and research studies. Doctors who are respon sible for interpreting neonatal cranial ultrasound scans should have formal training and supervision, and more formal reporting would improve and main tain standards. The findings raise significant doubts about the accuracy of local interpretation of cranial ultrasound scans in multicentre research s tudies.