Cranial Ultrasound

Ultrasound, Brain

How It Is Done

This test is done by a doctor who specializes in interpreting imaging tests (radiologist) or by an ultrasound technologist (sonographer) who is supervised by a radiologist. For a baby, cranial ultrasound may be done at your baby's bedside in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). With the baby lying on his or her back, the transducer is moved across the soft spot (fontanelle) on top of the head. You may be asked to hold your baby during the test. Several pictures of the brain and inner fluid chambers (ventricles) can be seen on a video monitor.

For an adult, cranial ultrasound is done during brain surgery to help locate a brain mass.

A cranial ultrasound usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: February 20, 2007
Medical Review:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Paul D. Traughber, MD - Radiology Kenneth B. Sutherland, CD, BSc, MD, FRCPC - Diagnostic Radiology
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