Ultrasound evaluation of brain infections and its complications in Nigerian infants

• Published in: Tropical doctor 2010-07, Vol.40 (3), p.178-180
• Main Authors: Nzeh, Donald, Oyinloye, Olalekan Ibukun, Odebode, Olugbenga Timothy, Akande, Halimat, Braimoh, Kolawole
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: African Continental Ancestry Group; Biological and medical sciences; Brain Abscess - complications; Brain Abscess - diagnostic imaging; Diagnosis, Differential; Empyema, Subdural - complications; Empyema, Subdural - diagnostic imaging; Female; General aspects; Hospitals, University; Humans; Hydrocephalus - complications; Hydrocephalus - diagnostic imaging; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Medical sciences; Meningitis, Bacterial - complications; Meningitis, Bacterial - diagnostic imaging; Nigeria; Retrospective Studies; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 0049-4755; 1758-1133
• DOI: 10.1258/td.2010.090384

Summary 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.