Echoencephalography—an Evaluation in General Medical Wards

Echoencephalography was performed on 80 patients with suspected intracranial pathology admitted to the medical unit of a general hospital. The accuracy of the technique in detecting the position of the midline structures, was found to be 91 per cent as confirmed in 32 patients by cerebral angiography, position of a calcified pineal body or by autopsy. The value of echoencephalography in the diagnosis of cerebro-vascular accidents and in the recognition of space occupying lesions is assessed. It is suggested that cerebro-vascular accident cases showing midline shift, should have further neurological investigation with a view to possible haematoma drainage. The presence of shift in patients with gradual onset of neurological signs and symptoms is considered strong evidence of a space occupying lesion.