It's normal to feel a little scared and nervous when your little one's doctor tells you they need to do a head scan. "Will something happen to my baby? Will this hurt? Why are they doing this?" You may have a lot of questions running through your mind. But don't panic or be afraid. Today we're talking about a special scan called a Cranial Ultrasound, which is commonly done on babies. It's actually a very safe, painless, and very simple test.
Simply put, what is this Cranial Ultrasound?
Cranial Ultrasound is a test that uses sound waves to create images of the inside of our brain, just like taking a photo. There are two main types of this: one is Head Ultrasound, and the other is Transcranial Doppler. Now imagine, during this test, a special machine sends sound waves into the head. Then, as those waves come back, a computer creates images of the inside of the brain. From these black-and-white images, doctors can clearly see the structures inside the brain, as well as the fluid flowing inside the cavities deep in the brain (we call this `(Ventricles)` in medical terms). This test is mostly done
on babies under 6 months of age . There is a special reason for that. Unlike adults, the bones of the skull of babies are not yet fully fused together. You may have noticed
the soft T-shaped part on top of the head called the ``cerebrospinal cord''. Through that gap, sound waves can pass into the brain without any obstruction. However, sometimes, this test is also used during brain surgery on adults.
In what cases is a head ultrasound performed?
There are several reasons why a doctor might order this scan. Let's look at them one by one.
The main conditions that are checked for in premature babies Other medical conditions that can be detected Some other symptoms that may indicate a scan | Reason for the test | Description |
|---|
| Premature birth | If your baby is born more than 3 weeks early, your doctor will almost certainly recommend this scan. This is to detect some of the brain problems that can occur in premature babies. |
| Bleeding inside the brain | We call this Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH) . |
| Damage to the tissue around the ventricles of the brain | This condition is called Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL) . |
| Accumulation of fluid in the brain or ventricles | This is called Hydrocephalus . |
| Brain Infections | Check for any infection in the brain or surrounding membranes. |
| Tumors, glands, or other masses (tumors, cysts ) | Check for abnormal growths inside the brain. |
| Head larger than normal size | If the baby's head circumference increases abnormally. |
| Bulging fontanelle | If the soft part on top of the head seems to be bulging outward. |
| Signs of a brain or nerve problem | If the baby is behaving abnormally or if there is a suspicion of a nervous system problem. |
So what is this Transcranial Doppler?
This is also a type of ultrasound. But it mainly looks at the
blood flow inside the brain . Some medical conditions can cause the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain to become narrowed (stenosis) or constricted (vasospasm). This test helps to see if such conditions exist. Also, this ``Transcranial Doppler`` test is used to check the risk of stroke in adults and children with sickle cell disease.
Is this test really safe?
This is the biggest question every mom and dad has. The answer is,
yes, it is 100% safe .
This is not a test that uses radiation like an X-ray . It only uses harmless sound waves. So it won't cause any harm or pain to your baby.
What happens during the scan?
This process is very simple. You can be right next to the baby during this time.
- Location: This scan can be done in the hospital's radiology department or, perhaps, in the neonatal intensive care unit ( NICU ), where a portable machine can be brought in.
- Preparation: The baby will be placed face up on the bed. You can hold the baby if you want. This will make the baby feel more comfortable. The room will be dimmed so that the person doing the scan can see the images on the computer screen clearly.
- The procedure: Next, the technician takes a small device (transducer or probe) and applies a clear gel to the baby's head, where the brain is. Then, the device is very gently moved back and forth over the brain. The sound waves then travel into the brain , and a computer creates images.
- Time: The entire test only takes between 15 and 30 minutes.
The Doppler test is similar, but the gel is applied to the neck and cheek. It looks at the blood flow from that angle. It can take about 35 minutes. Sometimes, if you need to continue monitoring, you wear a special headgear for about 30 minutes and look for any `hits` in the blood flow to the brain.
How do I get results?
After the test is complete, a radiologist will review the images and create a report. The report will be given to your baby's doctor.
Your doctor will then explain the report to you in simple terms and discuss what to do next.
Take-Home Message
- A 'Cranial Ultrasound' is a safe, painless test that uses sound waves to take pictures of the brain.
- This does not emit any radiation, so it will not harm your baby.
- This is often done to check for conditions such as brain hemorrhages in babies under 6 months old, especially those born prematurely.
- You can stay close to your baby and hold him during the test. This will make him feel very comfortable.
- After receiving the test report, ask your doctor for clarification on any questions or doubts you may have about it. Don't be afraid.
Cranial Ultrasound, Head Ultrasound, Transcranial Doppler, Baby Scan, Head Scan, Brain Scan, Baby Scan, Cerebral Palsy, Intraventricular Hemorrhage, Periventricular Leukomalacia, Hydrocephalus, Premature Birth, Premature Baby, Medical Tests
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