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Surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and perioperative time have been proposed as conditions of increased risk of peri-intraventricular hemorrhage (PVH-IVH) in preterm infants. We examined by pre- and postoperative ultrasound (US) scan 15 low birth-weight neonates who underwent PDA ligation within the first two weeks of life. They were assessed with regard to clinical state, perioperative management and development of PVH-IVH. Fourteen did not show onset or extension of intracranial hemorrhage in the immediate postoperative period. One patient developed a wide III grade IVH in the 24 perioperative hours. His conditions were particularly severe, suggesting that many factors such as acidosis, hypoxia, hypercapnia and hypotension might have combined to lead to hemorrhage. We conclude that PDA ligation is not likely to increase the risk of PVH-IVH per se.

The sonographic diagnosis of cerebral hemorrhage, in preterm infants is quite easy. On the contrary the prematurity degree of the patient and the anatomic location of the intracerebellar hemorrhage makes of this important lesion a difficult diagnosis to achieve. We present our results of 248 preterm infants scanned by ultrasound, in our Institute, to detect intraventricular or subependymal hemorrhage. Out of the 248 patients the incidence of SEH or IVH was 21%, only 1 case of intracerebellar hemorrhage, as complication of IVH-SHE, was found. Another intracerebellar hemorrhage was diagnosed in a full term newborn without other signs of hemorrhage.

The authors report their experience in 8 cases of cranial post-traumatic superficial collections, studied by US. Traumatic cranial injuries with superficial collections are not rare in newborns; their early and complete diagnosis is necessary for a correct therapeutic approach. Sonography could be used as a first choice procedure but presents some limitations in the study of the posterior fossa. Therefore CT remains the technique of choice.