Ampliando a aplicabilidade da ultrassonografia na esfera neonatal: além das hemorragias cerebrais

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Neonatal ultrasound began in the 1970s to evaluate cerebral hemorrhages. With the advent of different transducers and improvement of the technological devices (Doppler function), its use has greatly expanded, being possible the evaluation many organs. OBJECTIVES: The study aims to show new applicability of ultrasonography, as an auxiliary method in the diagnosis of spinal alterations, pulmonary diseases, and cranial sutures in the neonatal period. METHODS: Descriptive study of ultrasound examinations performed with the Logiq P7 device of General EletricT, with multifrequency and microconvex transducers with frequency of 3 to 11 MHz and linear with frequency of 2 to 11 MHz. Ultrasound evaluations were performed immediately after diagnostic suspicion, by a specialist physician with more than 15 years of experience in pediatric ultrasound, provided that the clinical condition of the newborn allowed the examination and, if there was a need, a new ultrasound would be performed for diagnostic confirmation. RESULTS: Presentation of ultrasound images performed routinely in a neonatal tertiary-level unit, including evaluations of spine, lungs and skull bones presented as well: 1. Ultrasonography of normal neonatal spine (medullary cone and cauda equina). 2. Normal neonatal chest ultrasound, with the presence of A-lines and rare B-lines, and graphic representation of normal diaphragmatic mobility. 3. Ultrasound of the pervious and closed sagittal cranial suture. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography has several applicability, and its use in the neonatal population favors satisfactory the diagnosis and follow-up of various pathologies, in a noninvasive and innocuous manner, reserving the other diagnostic methods for cases in which diagnostic complementation is necessary.