Ultrasound evaluation of brain infections and its complications in Nigerian infants

Trop Doct. 2010 Jul;40(3):178-80. doi: 10.1258/td.2010.090384.

Abstract

Infantile meningitis is a clinical diagnosis. However, suspicion of its complications may warrant further investigations; and transfrontanelle ultrasound is a reliable and cheap way to evaluate the usefulness of ultrasonography in diagnosing the complications of infantile meningitis. This is a retrospective study of the transfrontanelle ultrasound findings in 40 infants presenting with clinical indicators of complicated acute bacterial meningitis. There were 20 boys and 20 girls aged 5-115 days (mean, 42.6+/-30.1 days). The complications of meningitis detectable on ultrasound were: hydrocephalus (21[52.5%]); cerebral abscess (2[5%]); subdural empyema (2 [5%]); and ventriculitis (3[7.5%]). Twelve babies (30%) had no abnormal findings. Hydrocephalus is the most common complication of meningitis in our setting. Transfontanelle ultrasound proved to be very reliable in the initial diagnosis and follow-up of complicated meningitis.

MeSH terms

  • Black People
  • Brain Abscess / complications
  • Brain Abscess / diagnostic imaging
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Empyema, Subdural / complications
  • Empyema, Subdural / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Hospitals, University
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus / complications
  • Hydrocephalus / diagnostic imaging*
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / complications
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / diagnostic imaging*
  • Nigeria
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Ultrasonography