Echoencephalography of the brain in children: interpretation, norm, deviations

Headache is a symptom that can accompany a large number of pathologies. It can be both short-term and permanent, preventing a person from doing the usual things. With such pain, you need to contact a neurologist to find out the cause of her appearance. Sometimes this symptom warns of dangerous diseases developing in the brain. In some cases, pain is not a sign of severe disorders of the nervous system. To find out the cause of its occurrence, a special study is being conducted - brain echoencephalography. Thanks to it you can find out if a person has structural disturbances or not.

Echoencephalography of the brain - what is it?

To assess the state of the brain, various methods of examination are conducted. Among them - radiography of the skull, computer and magnetic resonance imaging, the study of electrical potentials( EEG).As in many medical branches, neurology uses the ultrasound method of investigation. This includes echoencephalography of the brain. In young children, this examination is called neurosonography( NSG).Despite the emergence of new technologies, this method is actively appointed by doctors. This is due to the fact that echoencephalography is considered a safe and non-invasive study of brain structures. It allows you to diagnose many neurological diseases. In addition, it is often combined with Doppler study of the vessels of the head. Thanks to these methods, one can judge not only the state of the brain, but also its blood supply.

Indications for echoencephalography

This study is quite informative, as it allows to reveal a wide range of neurological pathologies. Echoencephalography of the brain is one of the methods of visualization, based on the ability to perceive ultrasonic waves. This study can be prescribed by both neurologists and general practitioners. Indications for EchoEG are complaints of the patient, which may indicate pathology of the brain. The most common reason for passing the procedure is a headache. In some cases, this symptom rarely disturbs the patient and appears only with mental stress or changing weather conditions. In others, pain persists a person constantly, not giving the opportunity to work and rest. In both cases, EchoEG should be performed, since even a rare occurrence of symptoms sometimes indicates a severe brain pathology. Other indications for ultrasound examination of the head are sleep, memory, tinnitus, and head injuries.

In what cases is echoencephalography carried out for children?

Echoencephalography of the brain in children is one of the best methods of neurological examination. First of all, this is due to the lack of contraindications, as well as the painlessness of the procedure. In addition, EchoEG does not require special training and is an informative method. The indications for it are the same as in adults. In addition, there are other complaints, which are usually inherent in the children's population. Among them:

1. Delay in the development of growth. The process can be associated with a violation of the hormonal regulation that occurs in the brain.
2. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This disease has a psychological nature, but its cause can also be structural disorders. This syndrome is manifested by disobedience, lack of concentration, poor academic performance, defiant behavior. Most often it is diagnosed at the age of 5-8 years.
3. Enuresis - nighttime urination.
4. When diagnosing "hydrocephalus", EchoEG is necessary for assessing the severity of the pathology.

In neonates and infants, neurosonography is performed. The difference of this study is that it allows you to fully view the structure of the brain. This is due to the fact that small patients have open areas of the skull - fontanel. Indications for the conduct of the NSH are sleep disturbance, sudden screaming, holding the breath, profuse regurgitation. In general, this study does not differ from echoencephalography. The mechanism of action of the instruments and the technique of performing the two methods is identical.

Options for Echoencephalography

There are 2 varieties of EchoEG.They have the same indications, but they differ somewhat from each other. Echoencephalography in M-mode is designed to determine such pathologies as increased intracranial pressure, formation in the brain( cyst, tumor).This method allows you to visualize pathological changes, but does not allow you to diagnose them with accuracy.

To more fully examine the structure of the brain, one-dimensional echoencephalography is performed. Doctors recommend this study with suspicion of intracranial hypertension, hydrocephalus in children. This variant of the procedure makes it possible to evaluate the following parameters: the size of the ventricles of the brain, the magnitude of the displacement of the M-echo, the ventricular index, etc.

The technique of performing the study in children

Parents often ask questions: can the side effects of cerebral echoencephalography in children, where to make a survey is preferable, how to prepare the baby? You should know that this method of visualization is completely harmless. It does not require special training and can be performed at any time of the day. If EchoEG is necessary for a small child, then parents are asked to hold their head in a certain position for several minutes. The study is conducted in 2 stages:

1. Transmission. It is performed as follows: on the surface of the head are installed 2 sensors, they must be located along the 1 axis from opposite sides. The first probe sends an audio signal, which is transmitted to the second device. Due to this, an indicator such as the middle line of the head is calculated.
2. The issuing stage. Further examination is carried out using a single sensor, which is installed in the place where the signal is best audible. To examine all structures, the doctor gradually moves the device over the surface of the head.

What changes can be seen in brain echoencephalography?

Due to two stages of EchoEG, various brain disorders can be detected. First of all, the doctor determines the middle line. Its deviation causes displacement of the structures, as a result of which part of the gray and white matter can be squeezed. Quickly and safely diagnose this change allows only echoencephalography of the brain in children. The norm of this indicator nevertheless does not always indicate the absence of diseases.

Therefore, regardless of finding the midline, the doctor proceeds to the second stage. Thanks to him you can identify hydrocephalus - the appearance of excess fluid in the ventricles of the brain or its membranes. Also, by moving the sensor, it is possible to notice volumetric formations. The study allows you to assess the substance of the brain from both sides. The clearest signal is sound waves emanating from the middle structures. They are called M-echo and are of great importance for diagnosis.

What diseases can be identified?

Echoencephalography of the brain is prescribed with closed craniocerebral trauma, as well as complaints from the patient or his parents. Due to this study, it is possible to identify the following disorders:

1. Hydrocephalus. This symptom is more common in children, but can also occur among adults.
2. Increased intracranial pressure. May appear after a head injury, concussion. In some cases, intracranial hypertension has no prerequisites. The main symptoms of this pathology are dizziness, nosebleeds.
3. Tumors of the brain.
4. Hematomas.
5. Abscesses and cysts in the brain substance.
6. Pituitary adenoma.

With the combination of EchoEG with Doppler, pathologies such as stroke and discirculatory encephalopathy( chronic ischemia) can be diagnosed.

Echoencephalography of the brain in children: interpretation of

When reading the results of the study, evaluate the M-echo, the initial and final complex. Pathological changes are diagnosed when the midline is displaced by more than 2 mm. They can detect echoencephalography of the brain. The interpretation of the results is carried out by a specialist in accordance with the following standards:

1. The M-echo should be in the middle, that is MD = MS.The splitting of the signal emanating from it, testifies to intracranial hypertension. Limit of pulsation of M-echo in the norm varies from 10 to 30%.An increase in this value indicates a hypertensive-hydrocephalic syndrome.
2. The average multicellular index is normally 3.9-4.1.
3. M-echo displacement of 5 mm up indicates hemorrhagic stroke, down - about ischemia.
4. Normally there should be indices of the third ventricle( 22-24) and the medial wall( 4-5).

Advantages and disadvantages of this study

Like any study, EchoG has advantages and disadvantages. This method has appeared for a long time, therefore, according to some doctors, is somewhat outdated. This is explained by the large number of new devices for brain research, which give a clearer idea of ​​pathological processes. For example, magnetic resonance imaging allows you to see the tissue layer by layer and identify the smallest formations. Nevertheless, echoencephalography remains a common diagnostic method, as it has its advantages. First of all, this method is safe. Therefore, it is often prescribed to children and pregnant women. Also, it does not require large expenses, special training and time. Due to ultrasound examination, many diseases of the brain can be eliminated.

Patient feedback after an echoencephalography

People who have undergone this study can tell in detail what brain echoencephalography means, how to do this procedure and where to go in order to get a referral. In most cases, feedback on this procedure is positive. Patients note the speed of its implementation, low cost and accurate results.