ISSN No. 2079-8547 (Recognized by PMDC)
DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF TRANSFONTANELLE SONOGRAPHY AS COMPARED TO COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY OF BRAIN IN THE DETECTION OF HYDROCEPHALUS
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transfontanelle sonography in neonates and infants as compared
to CT brain in the detection of hydrocephalus.
Material and Methods: This study was conducted in the Radiology department Hayatabad Medical complex PGMI
Peshawar over a period of one year. Patients of both genders under the age of 18 months and with clinical features of
hydrocephalus referred to Radiology department Hayatabad Medical complex for CT brain were included. CT scans
brain were done after adopting standard protocols and without knowing their CT results (so as to avoid observer bias)
they were subjected to transfontanelle sonography.
Results: A total of 75 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Correlation between transfontanelle
sonography and CT brain examination showed that out of total cases, hydrocephalus was detected in 73 cases
while 2 cases were labeled as being normal. Subsequently on CT brain examination all these 75 cases were diagnosed
as hydrocephalus and the detection of hydrocephalus in only 2 cases was missed on transfontanelle sonography.
Therefore sensitivity of transfontanelle sonography was 87%, positive predictive value 90% and negative predictive
value 89% so accuracy was 90%.
Conclusion: Transfontanelle sonography is as accurate as computed tomography in the detection of hydrocephalus
in infants.
Key Words: Infants, hydrocephalus, transfontanelle sonography and CT brain.