Central Nervous System Ultrasound
摘要
This chapter outlines the evolving role of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for evaluating central nervous system (CNS) pathology in acute and critical care settings. Despite the superior diagnostic capabilities of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, these modalities may not be readily available in resource-limited environments and some patients may not be stable for transport. POCUS serves as a non-invasive alternative that enables rapid, bedside assessment for various acute neurological emergencies, including stroke, cerebral edema, and trauma. In this chapter, we review the indications, techniques, and specific CNS applications of POCUS. Applications include transcranial Doppler for assessing cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular hemodynamics in critically ill patients, monitoring for intracranial hypertension and evaluation for midline shift, carotid ultrasound for evaluation of carotid pathology, temporal artery evaluation for giant cell arteritis, and several pediatric-specific indications. The extensive use of POCUS across various clinical scenarios underscores its growing importance in the evaluation of patients at risk of acute brain injury, demonstrating its potential to enhance patient outcomes through timely and efficient diagnosis and monitoring.