Correlation of Clinical and Ultrasound Findings in Infants with Hydrocephalus

Abstract

Background. Clinical examination and ultrasonography have been found useful in the assessment of patients with hydrocephalus. There is paucity of data on the correlate of the ultrasound and clinical findings in infants with hydrocephalus. Objective: To determine and correlate the clinical and ultrasound findings in infants with hydrocephalus. Materials and methods. This is a cross sectional study of 50 patients with hydrocephalus aged 1-12 months carried out from May 2021 to January 2022 in Radiology Department of a tertiary hospital in Nnewi. Informed consent was obtained from the subject’s parents or guardians. Transfontanelle ultrasound was carried out on the infants through the anterior fontanelle using a curvilinear transducer with multiple frequency. Data analysis was done using Statistical product and service solutions (SPSS) version 20.0 (Chicago Illinois, USA). Result. Out of 50 infants with hydrocephalus, the largest number 21 (42.0%) were between the ages of 1-2 months. There were more males 35 (70.0%) than females 15 (30.0%). The most common clinical features were abnormal increase in head circumference 48 (96.0%) and separation of sutures 47 (94.0%). The commonest ultrasound findings were aqueductal stenosis 20 (40.0%) and obstruction at the level of foremen of Luschka and Magendie 19 (38.0%). There was significant correlation between clinical findings and ultrasound diagnosis for irritability, vomiting, poor sucking, dull response to environment, refusal of feeds, fever, lower and upper extremity weakness and seizures (p<0.005, for all). Conclusion. This study revealed significant correlation between the clinical and radiological diagnosis of hydrocephalus in infants.