Computed Tomography as Diagnostic Tool in Neonatal Cerebral Pathology

Abstract

The main aim of the research was to study the addressability for CT scanning of neonates with suspicion of cerebral pathology and the role of this investigation in diagnosis. The specific objectives of the research were to describe the population characteristics in terms of age, sex and clinical diagnosis and to investigate the value of computer tomography as diagnosis test for hydrocephalus. In the study were included 56 newborns with suspicion of cerebral pathology addressed to the Radio-Imaging Department. In regard with sex and age distribution, 61% were males and the average age was 25 days. Most of the patients had as clinical diagnosis the suspicion of hydrocephalus and cranial-cerebral trauma. In half of the cases, there existed a concordance between the clinical and the computer tomographic diagnosis. For the majority of the cases sent with suspicion of hydrocephalus (64%), the diagnosis was confirmed by computer tomography. 12.5% from the cases sent with cranial-cerebral trauma were confirmed with hemorrhage, 12.5% with epidural hematoma, and for the others cases computer tomography examination could not identify any pathological modifications. The results of the study revealed the necessity of improving the communication between the clinician and the radiologist and also the necessity for continuous medical education, both for the radiologist and the clinician, in order to deepen the knowledge regarding the indications and the diagnostic utility of imaging investigation methods.