title: Ultrasound-based imaging in neurocritical care patients: a review of clinical applications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the diagnostic, monitoring, and procedural applications of ultrasound (US) imaging in neurocritical care (NCC) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  US imaging has been extensively validated in various subset of critically ill patients, but not specifically in the NCC population. We reviewed the clinical applications of US imaging for heart, vascular, brain, and lung evaluation and for possible procedural uses in NCC patients. Major neurosurgical books, journals, testimonials, authors' personal experience, and scientific databases were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cardiac US imaging provides accurate information at NCC arrival to stratify risk factors, including presence of atrial septal defect/patent formen ovale, abnormal ventricular function, or pericardial effusion, and to monitor cardiac anatomy and function during the NCC stay for guiding goal-directed therapy. Vascular US in NCC patients has three especially relevant indications: to screen anatomy and flow in extracranial supra-aortic arteries, to diagnose deep vein thrombosis, and to optimize the safety of central venous catheterization. Brain US has important clinical applications in the NCC, including transcranial Doppler and emerging techniques for cerebral blood flow evaluation with contrast-enhanced US imaging. Lung US, as demonstrated in other intensive care unit patients, provides accurate diagnosis of anatomical and functional abnormalities and enables diagnosis of pleural effusion, pneumothorax, lung consolidation, pulmonary abscess and interstitial-alveolar syndrome, and lung recruitment/derecruitment. US imaging can effectively guide percutaneous tracheostomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, US imaging is an important diagnostic tool that provides real-time information at the bedside to stratify risk, monitor for complications, and guide invasive procedures in NCC patients.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Section of Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. bilotta@tiscali.it
authors: Federico
authors: F
authors: Bilotta
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Dei Giudici
authors: Arthur
authors: A
authors: Lam
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Rosa
mesh_terms: D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D059906:Neuroimaging; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*