Navarro-Ballester Antonio, Álvaro-Ballester Rosa, Lara-Martínez Miguel Á
Department of Radiology, Hospital General Universitario de Castellón, Castellon de la Plana 12004, Castellón, Spain.
World J Radiol. 2025 May 28;17(5):106084. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v17.i5.106084.
This narrative review examines the use of imaging biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring hydrocephalus from birth through childhood. Early detection and longitudinal follow-up are essential for guiding timely interventions and assessing treatment outcomes. Cranial ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the primary imaging modalities, providing critical insights into ventricular size, cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, and neurodevelopmental implications. Key parameters, including Evans' index, Levene's index, and the Cella Media index, as well as volumetric and diffusion-based MRI techniques, have been explored for their diagnostic and prognostic value. Advances in automated image analysis and artificial intelligence have further improved measurement precision and reproducibility. Despite these developments, challenges remain in standardizing imaging protocols and establishing normative reference values across different pediatric populations. This review highlights the strengths and limitations of current imaging approaches, emphasizing the need for consistent methodologies to enhance diagnostic accuracy and optimize patient management in hydrocephalus.
这篇叙述性综述探讨了成像生物标志物在从出生到儿童期诊断和监测脑积水方面的应用。早期检测和纵向随访对于指导及时干预和评估治疗结果至关重要。头颅超声和磁共振成像（MRI）是主要的成像方式，能为脑室大小、脑脊液动力学以及神经发育影响提供关键见解。包括埃文斯指数、莱文指数和中脑导水管指数在内的关键参数，以及基于容积和扩散的MRI技术，已就其诊断和预后价值进行了探索。自动图像分析和人工智能的进展进一步提高了测量精度和可重复性。尽管有这些进展，但在标准化成像方案以及为不同儿科人群建立规范参考值方面仍存在挑战。本综述强调了当前成像方法的优势和局限性，强调需要采用一致的方法来提高脑积水的诊断准确性并优化患者管理。
