Cerebral edema caused by perinatal asphyxia. Detection and follow-up.

Cerebral edema due to perinatal asphyxia in 2 full-term newborns was detected and monitored with a combination of real time ultrasound, computed tomography, and serial pulsatility-index determinations of the cerebral arteries using Doppler ultrasound. In both babies, real time ultrasound showed small or slitlike lateral ventricles, an increase in diffuse echogenicity and obliteration of normally visible structures in the acute phase suggesting cerebral edema. In the recovery phase a remarkable widening of the ventricles was seen. We also found a relationship between disturbances of consciousness (probably due to cerebral edema) and the pulsatility index. The combination of serial pulsatility-index determinations of the anterior cerebral arteries and real time ultrasound of the brain may in the future be a useful "bedside" method for early detection and follow-up of the cerebral edema.