Abstract

INTERESTS OF TRANSFONTANELLAR ULTRASOUND IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF HYDROCEPHALUS

Razafindraibe K. A.*, Herinirina N. F., Rakotoarivelo J. A., Rabemanorintsoa F. H., Ranoharison H. D. and Ahmad A.

Abstract

Transfontanellar ultrasound is the first-line morphological examination in front of hydrocephalus. The main objective of our study is to describe the etiologies of hydrocephalus on transfontanellar ultrasound. We carried out a descriptive retrospective study of 40 medical records of newborns and infants hospitalized in the pediatrics department of the Befelatanana University Hospital Centre and neurosurgery of the Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona University Hospital Centre, from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011. We noted a male predominance (55%). The average age was 5.32 months. Macrocrania was the main symptom in 67.5% of cases. The etiologies found were dominated by infection, particularly meningitis in 60% of cases, followed by haemorrhages (17.5%) and malformations (12.5%). Transfontanellar ultrasound is an asset not to be neglected in the management of hydrocephalus.

Keywords: transfontanellar ultrasound, hydrocephalus, macrocrania, meningitis.