Headache is a symptom that can accompany a large number of pathologies. It can be either short-term or permanent, preventing a person from doing usual things. With such pain, you need to contact a neurologist to find out the cause of its appearance. Sometimes this symptom warns of dangerous diseases developing in the brain. In some cases, pain is not a sign of severe disorders of the nervous system. To find out the cause of its occurrence, a special study is conducted - brain echoencephalography. Thanks to it, you can find out whether a person has structural disorders or not.
Echoencephalography of the brain - what is it?
To assess the condition of the brain, various examination methods are performed. Among them - X-ray of the skull, computed and magnetic resonance imaging, the study of electrical potentials (EEG). As in many medical sectors, in neurology, an ultrasound method is used. This includes brain echoencephalography. In young children, this examination is called neurosonography (NSG). Despite the advent of new technologies, this method is actively prescribed by doctors. This is due to the fact that echoencephalography is considered a safe and non-invasive study of brain structures. It allows you to diagnose many neurological diseases. In addition, it is often combined with a Doppler study of the vessels of the head. Thanks to these methods, one can judge not only the state of the brain, but also its blood supply.
Indications for echoencephalography
This study is quite informative, as it allows you to identify a wide range of neurological pathologies. Echoencephalography of the brain is one of the imaging methods based on the ability to perceive ultrasonic waves. This study can be prescribed by both neuropathologists and general practitioners. Indications for echoes are patient complaints that may indicate brain pathologies. The most common reason for undergoing the procedure is considered a headache. In some cases, this symptom rarely worries the patient and appears only with mental stress or changing weather conditions. In others, pain haunts a person constantly, preventing him from working and resting. In both cases, an EchoEG should be performed, since even a rare appearance of symptoms sometimes indicates a severe pathology of the brain. Other indications for ultrasound examination of the head are impaired sleep, memory, tinnitus, head bruises.
In what cases do children perform echoencephalography?
Echoencephalography of the brain in children is one of the best neurological examination methods. This is primarily due to the absence of contraindications, as well as the painlessness of the procedure. In addition, EchoEG does not require special training and is an informative method. Indications for its implementation are the same as in adults. In addition, there are other complaints that are usually inherent in the child population. Among them:
- Growth retardation. The process may be associated with a violation of hormonal regulation, which is carried out in the brain.
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This disease is psychological in nature, but structural disturbances can also be its cause. This syndrome is manifested by disobedience, lack of concentration, poor academic performance, defiant behavior. Most often diagnosed at the age of 5-8 years.
- Enuresis - nightly urination.
- When making a diagnosis of "hydrocephalus," an echo EEG is necessary to assess the severity of the pathology.
In neonates and infants, neurosonography is performed. The difference of this study is that it allows you to fully see the structure of the brain. This is due to the fact that in small patients there are open areas of the skull - fontanelles. Indications for the conduct of NSG are considered to be sleep disturbance, sudden crying, breath holding, profuse regurgitation. In general, this study is no different from echoencephalography. The mechanism of action of the devices and the technique for performing both methods are identical.
Options for echoencephalography
There are 2 varieties of echoes. They have the same readings, but are slightly different from each other. Echoencephalography in the M-mode is designed to determine pathologies such as increased intracranial pressure, formation in the brain (cyst, tumor). This method allows you to visualize pathological changes, but does not make it possible to diagnose them with accuracy.
To examine brain structures in more detail, a one-dimensional echoencephalography is performed. Doctors recommend this study for suspected intracranial hypertension, hydrocephalus in children. This option of the procedure makes it possible to evaluate the following parameters: the size of the ventricles of the brain, the displacement of the M-echo, ventricular index, etc.
Technique for performing research in children
Parents often ask questions: can brain echoencephalography cause side effects in children, where it is preferable to make an examination, how to prepare a baby? You should know that this method of visualization is completely harmless. It does not require special training and can be performed at any time of the day. If an echo is necessary for a small child, then parents are asked to hold their head in a certain position for several minutes. The study is carried out in 2 stages:
- Transmission. It is performed as follows: 2 sensors are installed on the surface of the head, they must be located on 1 axis from opposite sides. The first probe sends an audio signal, which is transmitted to the second device. Thanks to this, an indicator such as the midline of the head is calculated.
- Emission stage. Further examination is carried out using a single sensor, which is installed in the place where the signal is best heard. To examine all the structures, the doctor gradually moves the device along the surface of the head.
What changes can be seen with brain echoencephalography?
Thanks to the two stages of conducting echoes, various brain disorders can be detected. First of all, the doctor determines the middle line. Its deviation causes a displacement of the structures, as a result of which part of the gray and white matter can be compressed. Only echoencephalography of the brain in children allows you to quickly and safely diagnose this change. The norm of this indicator, however, does not always indicate the absence of diseases.
Therefore, regardless of the location of the midline, the doctor proceeds to the second stage. Thanks to it, you can detect hydrocephalus - the appearance of excess fluid in the ventricles of the brain or its membranes. Also, by moving the sensor, it is possible to notice volumetric formations. The study allows you to evaluate the substance of the brain on both sides. The clearest signal is sound waves emanating from the middle structures. They are called M-echoes and are of great importance for diagnosis.
What diseases can be detected?
Echoencephalography of the brain is prescribed for closed craniocerebral injuries, as well as complaints from the patient or his parents. Thanks to this study, the following violations can be identified:
- Hydrocephalus. This symptom is more common in children, but can also occur among adults.
- Increased intracranial pressure. May appear after head injuries, concussion. In some cases, intracranial hypertension has no prerequisites. The main symptoms of this pathology are dizziness, nosebleeds.
- Brain tumors.
- Hematomas.
- Abscesses and cysts located in the substance of the brain.
- Pituitary adenoma.
With the combination of echocardiography with dopplerography, pathologies such as stroke and discirculatory encephalopathy (chronic ischemia) can be diagnosed.
Echoencephalography of the brain in children: a transcript
When reading the results of the study, M-echo, initial and final complex are evaluated. Pathological changes are diagnosed with a midline shift of more than 2 mm. They can be detected by echoencephalography of the brain. The interpretation of the results is carried out by a specialist in accordance with the following standards:
- The M-echo should be in the middle, i.e. MD = MS. The splitting of the signal emanating from it indicates intracranial hypertension. The ripple limit of the M-echo normally ranges from 10 to 30%. An increase in this value indicates hypertension-hydrocephalic syndrome.
- The average Sellell index is normally 3.9-4.1.
- A 5 mm upward shift of the M-echo indicates a hemorrhagic stroke, and a downward one indicates ischemia.
- Normally, there should be indices of the third ventricle (22-24) and the medial wall (4-5).
Advantages and disadvantages of this study
Like any study, Echo EEG has advantages and disadvantages. This method appeared a long time ago, therefore, according to some doctors, it is somewhat outdated. This is due to the large number of new devices for the study of the brain, which give a clearer picture of pathological processes. For example, magnetic resonance imaging allows you to see the tissue in layers and identify the smallest formations. Nevertheless, echoencephalography remains a common diagnostic method, as it has its advantages. First of all, this method is safe. Therefore, it is often prescribed for children and pregnant women. Also, it does not require large expenses, special training and time. Thanks to ultrasound, many diseases of the brain can be excluded.
Patient reviews after echoencephalography
People who have undergone this study can explain in detail what echoencephalography of the brain means, how they do this procedure and where to go to get a referral. In most cases, reviews about this procedure are positive. Patients note the speed of its implementation, low cost and accurate results.