Dynamic and three-dimensional transcranial sonography studies of an asymptomatic, cerebral convexity arachnoid cyst

Abstract

Dynamic and three-dimensional transcranial sonography (dTCS and 3D-TCCS) examinations are complementary, noninvasive methods used in the assessment and follow up of patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation disorders. A 16-year-old female patient who presented with a space-occupying, cerebral convexity arachnoid cyst and recurrent tension-type headache underwent examination for raised intracranial pressure (ICP) by using a standard color-coded duplex sonography system attached to a personal computer–based system for 3D data acquisition. Conventional TCS identified the outer arachnoid membrane of the cyst, which undulated freely after short rotation of the head (“headshake maneuver”). The undulation was documented as a QuickTime movie that is included with this article. A 3D dataset was acquired and, by using a multiplanar reformatting reconstruction algorithm, the authors obtained images with excellent resolution that corresponded to an initial magnetic resonance (MR) imaging study. No differences on dTCS and 3D-TCS were detectable at follow up 9 months later, indicating normal ICP and a stable, benign condition. The use of 3D-TCCS and dTCS ultrasonography may complement other diagnostic procedures such as MR imaging and, thus, can improve management and therapeutic strategies for patients with CSF circulation disorders. In this report the authors present evidence of the excellent fine resolution and exact reproducibility of reconstructed ultrasound image planes derived from 3D datasets and the additional biomedical information from dynamic imaging.