Neonatal Cranial Ultrasonography

I. Theory: General introduction.- Advantages and aims of neonatal cranial ultrasonography.- Technical aspects.- Standard views, using anterior fontanel as acoustic window: coronal and sagittal planes.-Additional views using supplement acoustic windows (posterior fontanel, mastoid fontanel, temporal window).- Image assesment.- Other neuro-imaging techniques. - Maturational changes.- Summary.- Appendices. II. Ultrasound anatomy of the neonatal brain.

Gerda Meijler is pediatrician-neonatologist. She studied medicine at the University of Amsterdam and the Academic Medical Center. She did her pediatric and neonatology training respectively at the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht and the Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam. After being a staff-neonatologist at the VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, where she did her PhD study on brain imaging in preterm neonates, she moved to the Leiden University Medical Center in 1999. Since then her special interest is neonatal neurology and neuro-imaging. She is the principal investigator of the Leiden neonatal neuro-imaging group. This group is actively involved in research in this field and is known for its high quality neuro-imaging (both cranial ultrasound and MRI). Together with this group Gerda has further improved neuro-imaging techniques, both for clinical and research purposes and has introduced the routine use of alternative acoustic windows in cranial ultrasonography. This has resulted in optimizing ultrasound imaging of the neonatal cerebellum. Gerda teaches neonatal neuro-imaging, both in the Netherlands and abroad at several courses and congresses. Her research now mainly focuses on imaging of the neonatal cerebellum, brain imaging and injury in the preterm neonate and on applying advanced imaging techniques in neonates.    After the summer of 2011 she will move to Toronto, where she will continue her work on neonatal neurology and neuro-imaging at the neonatal units of the Hospital for Sick Children and the Mount Sinaï Hospital.d neuro-imaging. She is the principal investigator of the Leiden neonatal neuro-imaging group. This group is actively involved in research in this field and is known for its high quality neuro-imaging (both cranial ultrasound and MRI). Together with this group Gerda has further improved neuro-imaging techniques, both for clinical and research purposes and has introduced the routine use of alternative acoustic windows in cranial

From the reviews of the second edition:

"This is an update of a 2007 book on the technical aspects of cranial ultrasonography in newborns. ... Sonographic technicians, trainees, and radiologists or neonatal clinicians who are not specifically trained in neonatal cranial ultrasonography are the intended audience. ... This is an excellent, relatively inexpensive guide for trainees or general radiologists and neonatologists who want to understand the essentials of neonatal cranial ultrasonography." (Jay P. Goldsmith, Doody's Book Reviews, June, 2013)

From the reviews:



"This is a practical guide to neonatal cranial ultrasonography ... . The book is easy to read and has wonderful reproductions of cranial images ... . The book is aimed at general radiologists or neonatologists who may be called upon to interpret neonatal cranial ultrasounds in the course of their practice. ... be helpful to trainees and ultrasonography technicians. The author has an impressive list of publications in this area and the quality of this book is testimony to her expertise." (Jay P. Goldsmith, Doody's Review Service, February, 2008)

"The book focuses on the normal ultrasound appearance of the neonatal brain and how to obtain good-quality images. ... The author has successfully produced an essential practical guide to neonatal cranial ultrasound. I anticipate that this compact, easy-to-read, well-illustrated book will become popular with radiology, neonatology and sonography trainees alike. I would recommend it to anyone who is learning the technique of neonatal cranial ultrasonography." (Sandra Butler, Neuroradiology, Vol. 50, 2008)

"This is a richly illustrated book that sets out the basics of head US from details regarding patient preparation and required probes to basic imaging parameters and standard imaging planes. ... The new technologist who doesn't have the opportunity to image neonates every day would find this book very valuable.