Advances in Neonatal Intensive Care have led to substantial improvement in survival of preterm infants of extremely low gestational age (ELGA) between 22+0 and 23+6 weeks gestation. ELGA newborns are more susceptible to several complications of prematurity. Recognition of the sonographic features of the normal brain and identification of potential short and long-term complications of these infants is paramount. High resolution transfontanellar ultrasonography is the baseline “gold standard” of care imaging modality to assess the integrity of the neonatal brain and potential complications encountered in ELGA newborns. Color and spectral Doppler US allows high reliability and precision in the evaluation of the intracranial vasculature. The purpose of this exhibit is 1. To illustrate a spectrum of the sonographic features of the normal developing brain in ELGA infants. 2. To characterize the sonographic findings of short and long-term brain anatomical complications. 3. To describe common pitfalls when imaging these infants. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2019 Annual Meeting & Postgraduate Course , 2019

Authors: Taori Abhijeet, Ferretti Emanuela, Miller Elka, Martinez-rios Claudia

Keywords: Ultrasound, Neonatal, Brain

Extremely low gestational age (ELGA) infants are those born before 23 + 6 weeks of gestation. These infants are prone to multiple complications. Frequent complications affect the brain. Transfontanellar brain ultrasound (US) is the standard of care imaging modality to assess the brain during the first weeks of life. An appropriate ultrasound technique includes assessment of the brain in gray scale, color and spectral Doppler. Doppler US should be interpreted in correlation with the neonate’s clinical and systemic hemodynamic state, postnatal age, blood gas concentrations, respiratory or cardiovascular complications, amongst others. Prior literature focuses on the sonographic characteristics of premature, near term and term infants. However, Doppler US characterization of the intracranial vessels of ELGA infants is lacking. The purpose of this exhibit is to describe the resistive index (RI) and peak systolic velocities (PSV) of the anterior cerebral artery and the PSV of the superior sagittal sinus of a cohort of ELGA infants, and to assess their correlation with complications encountered in these infants. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2020 Annual Meeting & Postgraduate Course , 2020

Authors: Acosta-izquierdo Laura, Dien-esquivel Maria, Miller Elka, Ferretti Emanuela, Martinez-rios Claudia

Keywords: Brain Doppler, Resistive index, Prematurity

Extremely low gestational age (ELGA) infants are those born before 23 + 6 weeks of gestation. Continued advances on therapy and supportive care in the neonatal intensive units have allowed for an improved survival of these infants. Transfontanellar brain ultrasound (US) is the standard of care imaging modality to assess the integrity of the brain during the first weeks of postnatal life, as it provides a closer direct look to the brain. The purpose of this exhibit is to illustrate detailed US characteristics of the normal development and complications of the evolving premature brain of ELGA infants. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2020 Annual Meeting & Postgraduate Course , 2020

Authors: Acosta-izquierdo Laura, Dien-esquivel Maria, Miller Elka, Ferretti Emanuela, Martinez-rios Claudia

Keywords: Brain anatomy, Prematurity, Neurodevelopment